ELITE NEWS BULLETIN               05-04-09

 

TWST DUAL MEET SHOWCASES YOUNG & NEW TALENT:

BIGHAM, CONLEY, CRITCHLEY (3), RJ FRESEN, GORHAM, P. HONG, R. HONG, E. IIZUKA, LI, LOWE, ZHONG (3) WIN EVENTS:

 

            With just 4 weeks of training under their belts (an extremely short period of time in training cycle terms), the Elite Wavebuster Teals, Marlin Blacks and Marlin Teals raced against the Tidal Wave of Union County Boys and Girls Club yesterday in the first competition of the Spring/Summer 2009 session. The meet was held in short course yards (the only Elite competition scheduled for short course this summer-every other competition will be in a long course/ 50 meter venue).

 

            10 Elite swimmers won 14 events. Leading Elite was Matt Critchley and Samy Zhong, each of whom won 3 events apiece.

 

            10 year old Critchley, who performed wonderfully at Junior Olympics 6 weeks ago, won the Boys 10 & Under 100 IM (1.18.59), the 50 back (38.29) and the 50 breast (38.63). 8 year old Zhong, who is new to Elite this spring, touched first in the 50 free (35.93), the 50 breast (52.95) & the 50 fly (48.09).

 

            Four Elite swimmers, RJ Fresen, Emily Gorham, Patrick Hong and Erica Iizuka, won events and then placed 2nd in their other two events. 8 year old RJ Fresen, won the 50 free in a 36.56 time while placing 2nd in the 100 IM (1.32.75) and the 50 breast (53.39). 10 year old Gorham won the 50 free (32.32) and followed up with 2nd place finishes in the 100 IM (1.26.78) and the 50 breast (47.23).

 

            10 year old Hong splashed to the top time in the 50 free (32.28) and the 2nd best times in the 100 IM (1.22.79) and the 50 back (39.96). 7 year old Iizuka, new to Elite this spring, won the 8 & Under 100 IM (1.42.94) and also finished 2nd in the 50 breast (53.21) and the 50 fly (53.04).

 

            10 year old Abbie Bigham was the first place finisher in the Girls 10 & Under 100 IM (1.26.65) and also finished 2nd in the 50 back (41.09). 10 year old Rachel Hong, who has improved dramatically since last September, continued to shine by winning the 50 back (39.04) and placing 3rd in the 50 fly (44.13).

 

            11 year old Morgan Conley stroked to a win in the 50 breast (43.59) while 9 year Brandon Li won the 50 fly (43.20). 10 year old Sarah Lowe, just recovered from a wrist injury, sprinted to a 1st place finish in the 50 fly (39.52).

 

            8 year old Andy Fresen got to the wall in 2nd place twice; in the 50 free (42.13) and the 50 back (44.92).

 

            Five Elite swimmers placed 2nd once and 3rd once: 1) 11 year old Emily Buckman came in 2nd in the 50 breast (43.63) and 3rd in the 50 free (33.64) 2) 10 year old Meggie Butler was 2nd in the 50 free (34.69) and 3rd in the 50 breast (47.25) 3) 9 year old Andrew Huang placed 2nd in the 50 free (36.00) and 3rd in the 50 breast (48.11) 4) 8 year old Sachi Tanwar, new to Elite this spring, placed 2nd in the 100 IM (1.45.19) and third in the 50 free (44.85) and 5) 9 year old Michael Tortorella placed 2nd in the 50 fly (44.12) and 3rd in the 100 IM (1.25.31).

 

            10 year old Emily Goad placed 3rd in all three of her events: 100 IM (1.27.12), the 50 back (42.79) and 50 breast (48.46).

 

            8 year old Summer Felsen placed 2nd in the 50 free (43.30) and 7 year old Monica Iizuka placed 2nd in the 50 back (48.88).

 

            Four Elite swimmers placed 3rd in two of their events. 10 year old Jimmy Coyne placed 3rd in two events: the 50 back (40.31) and the 50 fly (44.79) as did 11 year old Avi Duvvuri, who placed 3rd in both the 200 IM (3.02.37) and the 50 free (33.41).  7 year old Joseph Pick also placed 3rd in two events: the 50 free (43.77) and the 50 back (55.72) as did 7 year old Jack Wenzel, who finished 3rd in the 50 breast (1.02.24) and the 50 fly (49.73).

 

            Placing 3rd in a single event were: 12 year old Elizabeth D’Altrui, who placed 3rd in the 50 fly (39.50), 11 year old Will Delaney (new to Elite this spring) who placed 3rd in the 50 fly (38.75), 9 year old Katie Iovel, who placed 3rd in the 50 free (39.54) and 11 year old Abir Thakur, who placed 3rd in the 50 breast (45.20).

 

            Full results are posted on the team website under: http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Meet Results/meets_results_page.htm

 

Swimmers who participated (# in parenthesis is number of best Elite SCY best times):  Megan Balbo (2), Brielle Barba (3), Donald Bendzak (2), Abbie Bigham (2), Ethan Blum (2), Annie Botte, Grace Botte (3), Katie Brosnan (1), Emily Buckman (3), Schuyler Bunn (3), Thomas Burke (1), Meggie Butler (2), Richie Carchia, Claire Chiperfield (2), Koby Cohen (3), Morgan Conley (3), Jimmy Coyne (2), Matthew Critchley (2), Elizabeth D’Altrui (2), Carolyn Delaney (2), Will Delaney (3), Elizabeth Denehy (3), Ryan Dorneo (1), Avi Duvvuri (1), Katie Fell (1), Summer Felsen (3), Andrea Ferrell (1), Andy Fresen, Erika Fresen (2), RJ Fresen (3), Katherine Friday (2), Clio Galea (2), Emily Goad, Emily Gorham (1), Patrick Hong (1), Rachel Hong (3), Andrew Huang (2), Jennifer Huo (3), Erica Iizuka (1), Monica Iizuka, Katie Iovel, Alex Jacobs (3), Sara Jacobs (1), Jessica Kraus (3), Maddy Kretten (2), Alyssa Levy (3), Brandon Li (1),  Sarah Lowe (2), Michael Macchia (3), Matt Migliozzi (1), Sandeepan Mukherjee (1), Evan Ng (1), Gail Ocheretyaner (2), Joseph Pick (3), Natalie Pruitt (2), Stephanie Roser (2), Abigail Shvorin (1), Delaney Smith (3), Will Stearns (1), Sachi Tanwar (3), Abir Thakur (1), Michael Tortorella (2), Jack Wenzel (2) & Samy Zhong (3).

 

KATZ & STRAND STILL AMONG THE NATIONS BEST:

& ALEX MANGO, A NEW ELITE SWIMMER, PART OF STATE RECORD LAST YEAR;

 

            As of April 22, 2009, Zach Katz and Michael Strand remain among the nations fastest swimmers in their signature events.

 

            12 year old Katz is currently ranked 4th in the country for 11 year old boys in the 50 yard breast. Katz’s time of 32.25 was performed at Winterfest in January.

 

            16 year old Strand is currently ranked 11th in the country for 15 year old boys in the 100 yard back. Strand’s time of 51.14 was performed during finals at Holiday Classic in December, 2008.

 

            While the rankings will be held open until August 1, 2009, most USA swimming competitions from now until August will be long course meters, so it is likely that both Katz and Strand will remain in the top 20 for the year.

 

            Also to be noted is Alex Mango, who joined Elite this spring. Mango is a 14 year old who participated on Somerset Valley YMCA’s 13-14 Boys state record setting 200 yard free relay of 1.33.43. Mango’s relay broke a 27 year old record!!

 

            Congratulations to Zach, Michael & Alex!

 

END OF SEASON SUMMER CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE FINALIZED:

 

            New Jersey Swimming has virtually finalized the Summer 2009 Championship Season schedule. The schedule is posted on the team website.

 

            Two major changes to the schedule this summer are:

 

1)      Junior Olympics has been expanded to a 4 day meet and is now a prelim/final format for 13 & Olders. These changes were made for several reasons: 1) NJ Swimming felt that the end of the season championship meet should be a prelims/finals format for 13 & Olders to give these swimmers the best opportunity to qualify for higher level meets 2) this format required an expanded meet schedule. The benefits include buffer (or extra time) on Sunday to hold events eliminated earlier in the meet by lightning.

2)      At the 12 & Under Silver Bronze Championship meet, swimmers with gold times will be able to compete (in a non-award capacity) in their gold time events. This will provide gold level swimmers another opportunity to compete in their event this summer (and late in the season).

 

NEW JERSY SWIMMING’S LCM QUALIFYING TIMES ARE NOW POSTED ON THE TEAM WEBSITE;

 

            New Jersey Swimming has now released the Junior Olympic and Silver time standards for the Summer 2009 season. These standards can be view at http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Time%20Standards/Time%20Standards%202009%20LCM.htm.

 

            Also included on Elite’s website under Time Standards are the Super Sectionals, Eastern Zone and Junior National Standards.

 

            Prior to the 1st Long Course competition this summer, Elite has 22 swimmers qualified in 77 events for Junior Olympics. These times are non-converted times that were accomplished last summer or at the CeraVe Long Course Meet held this past January.

 

8th ANNUAL ELITE-A-THON TO BE SATURDAY, MAY 30:

BILL TO SWIM FOR RICHARD QUICK-CANCER RESEARCH:     

 

The 8th Annual Elite-a-thon fundraiser will be held Saturday, May 30th at Morristown-Beard from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

 

Like all past “Elite-a-thons,” this year’s event will be structured so each individual participating will be raising money for the “charity of their choice.” A suggestion list of charities accompanied information provided by Seniors Tad Deatly & Dani Martinez, the co-fundraiser heads whom are coordinating this year’s efforts. Tad & Dani will provide information directly to swimmers at a Sunday  practice in May. This list is also now posted on the website.

 

In a tradition begun five years ago, Bill will swim approximately 3000 yards to raise money for his yearly charity. This year, Bill will raise money to support Richard Quick’s Cancer Research. Quick is one of the legends of the sport of swimming, who has coached Auburn University, Stanford University and University of Texas NCAA National Champions along with being a 5 time USA Olympic Coach. Quick is currently stricken with an inoperable & cancerous brain tumor. Money raised by Bill will be matched by New Jersey Swimming-up to a total of $3,000.

 

Information will be posted on the website under “Elite-a-thon” later this week. Please follow the directions (do not go out soliciting for money alone!!!) and keep track of your pledge totals!!! 

 

PARKING AN ISSUE AT NEWARK ACADEMY:

 

            As we head into the Spring 2009 Session, parents are reminded that there is a distinct shortage of parking spaces at Newark Academy, especially on weekdays between 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm. Parents are welcome to “drop off” or “pick-up” their swimmers by the field house entrance during this time period if the driver remains in the car. If a parent is coming into the building, they are requested to park in the “upper” lot and walk thru the school to reach the pool.  Newark Academy is also now requesting the cars do not idle.

 

            Please remember to drive slowly thru the parking lots and do not park in the fire lanes, as the Livingston Police will ticket improperly parked cars.

           

NOMINATIONS WANTED FOR ESCPO:

 

            Nominations for positions are wanted and needed for the Elite Swim Club Parents Organization. Parents who are interested or who have nominees should email Sandi Niccolai at sandnic@aol.com.

 

THINKING SUMMER? THINK SUMMER SWIM CAMPS!:

 

            Although the hot sun and humid weather seems millions of years away, summer is only 6 months away and top-notch swim camps are already taking registrations for the summer of 2009.

When planning the upcoming summer, please consider sending your Elite swimmer (Wave Black level, Wave Teal level, Marlin Black level or Marlin Teal level). Wave Golds and Seniors should remain training with Elite thru the summer months) to one of the numerous swim camps.

 

Each summer, numerous Elite swimmers spend a rewarding week (or two) at a summer swim camp. The benefits of such a camp are: 1) individual attention by reknown swim coaches 2) an increased knowledge of the sport of swimming and 3) personal growth that occurs as a result of “being on one’s own.” The formula that seems to work best is finding an Elite friend to spend the week with at the swim camp.

 

If you are considering sending your swimmer to a swim camp, now is the time to do the research and make decisions (many of these camps are sold out by mid-Spring). On the website, under Swim Camps at http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Swim Camps/index.html is information regarding Summer Swim Camps. Many of these swim camps close out in late February and early March!!!

 

Thinking about summer? Think Swim Camps!!

 

WHEN IN DOUBT, CHECK THE WEBSITE:

 

            If you have questions about Elite, your first source of information is Elite’s website located at eliteswimclub.org.  When in doubt, first check the website!!!