ELITE NEWS BULLETIN               05-18-09

 

LONG COURSE OPENER A REAL EYE OPENER AS ELITE ATTACKS “BIG POOL”;

A. GALEA,  IIZUKA, KATZ, KOLOGY (4) & STRAND (3) WIN EVENTS;

C. BALBO (2), CHU (4), J. FELSEN, A. GALEA, M. HONG (2), A. IIZUKA, K. IIZUKA, KATZ, MANOG, B. MILLER-RADEST, K. STEARNS & STRAND ADD JO CUTS;

 

            Handicapped by just 5 weeks of training in the new training cycle (equivalent to racing in mid-October in the Winter Sessions) and competing in a longer, much more demanding venue, the Elite swimmers brushed aside these obstacles and attacked their races this past weekend in the Tiger Challenge Meet held at Princeton University. Andrea Galea, Alicia Iizuka, Zach Katz, Regan Kology (4) and Michael Strand (3) all won events for Elite.

 

            Because the Summer Long Course Season is so short (just 4 months to the winter’s 7 months) and because long course competition significantly reduces the availability of competition each meet (a long course pool is 50 meters verses a short course pool of 25 yards; at Rutgers and at Princeton, that means only one competition can be held at a time rather 2 pools racing simultaneously-thus reducing the splash opportunities), Elite elected to race early in the season to get baseline long course times. The strategy for entering swimmers in this meet was two-fold: 1) for those swimmers who qualified for this coming weekend’s Memorial Day Invitational, they were entered in their secondary events (not events they would race next weekend) while those swimmers who are not racing this coming weekend were entered into their best events.

 

            One exception to this event picking strategy was 12 year old Regan Kology, who ages up this week prior to this weekend’s competition. Thus, Regan was entered in her top events to provide her an opportunity to post times that might place her in the top 20 within the country as a 12 year old. While hampered by it being early in the training cycle, Regan did post impressive times, won 4 events (the 12 & U 50 free-29.30, the 12 & U 200 free-2.18.54, the 12 & U 200 IM-2.38.49  & the Open 400 Free-4.50.14-in which she beat a Kenyon College Sophomore!).  However, her most impressive swim was her 2nd place finish in the 800 free, where she placed 2nd with a time of 9.55.31 which was a 9 second drop from her previous best.  Regan also placed 2nd in the 12 & U 100 free.

 

            16 year old Michael Strand, competing in secondary events, won all 3 events he competed in: the Open 400 free-4.25.94, the Open 400 IM-4.53.72 & the Open 800 free-9.15.37. While all 3 swims are great indicators of fabulous swims to come, the 400 IM swim was particularly special as it was an improvement upon his already Sectional level swim so early in the season. Strand’s 400 free was a new Junior Olympic time

 

            10 year old Alicia Iizuka, who is new to Elite this spring, won the 10 & Under 100 breast time in a Junior Olympic qualifying time of 1.39.37. Alicia’s sister Karen placed 6th in the same event also in Junior Olympic fashion-1.44.97.

 

            12 year old Zach Katz won the 50 free in with a 29.24 time and posted his 10th JO qualifying time for this summer with his 3rd place finish in the 200 free (2.27.73).

 

10 year old (soon to be an 11 year old) Andrea Galea also posted her 3rd JO qualifying time in her new age group with her 400 IM swim of 6.20.57 and also won the 10 & U 100 butterfly with a 1.27.92 time.

 

            In fact, 12 Elite swimmers posted 18 new Junior Olympic times, running the team totals to 27 swimmers in 95 events. Last summer’s totals were 38 swimmers in 243 events. This coming weekend should significantly add to Elite’s totals.

 

            Newcomer 12 year old Daniel Chu posted 4 Junior Olympic qualifying times in 6 swims, placing 3rd in the 50 fly (34.96) and 5th in the following 4 events: 200 free (2.32.16), 50 back (38.16), 100 breast (1.35.43) & 100 back (1.20.94). All but the 100 breast were JO cuts.

 

            12 year old Matthew Hong added 2 Junior Olympic qualifying times to his list of 8. Matt’s 4th place finish in the 100 free (1.06.77) and his 400 Free Open swim (5.22.97) were gold; Matt also placed 6th in the 100 breast (1.36.10).

 

            11 year old Chris Balbo did not let a birthday interrupt his development; despite turning 11 just days ago, Chris added 2 Junior Olympic cuts in his new age group with his 400 IM swim (6.17.63) and the 800 free (11.28.23). Chris already has the 100 fly JO qualifying time in his new age group.

 

            11 year old Kaitlin Stearns, also just aging up, added her 5th JO qualifying time in her new age group, by churning away in the 800 free (11.21.24).

 

Adding a JO qualifying time in his next age group (he ages up in July) was 12 year old Ryan Sebastian, who’s 5.29.25 time in the 400 IM is his 3rd JO qualifying time as a 13-14 year old. Sebastian also placed 2nd in 4 events (200 free-2.24.83, 50 free-30.08, 50 breast-39.05 & 100 free-1.05.89).

 

            15 year old Brendan Miller-Radest dropped 13 seconds in his 800 free swim, posting a JO time of 9.25.94 placing 2nd. Brendan also finished 2nd in the 200 breast (2.58.68). Finishing just behind was newcomer 15 year old Alex Mango posted an impressive 3rd place finish in the 800 free swim with a JO qualifying time of 9.34.02. Mango also placed 6th in the 400 free (4.37.97).

 

            12 year old Juliet Felsen posted her 1st lcm JO qualifying time this year, doing it in the grueling 400 IM (6.16.93). Juliet also placed 8th in the 50 fly (35.97).

 

            Swimmers who placed in the top 8 were in their events were:

 

1)      10 year old Patrick Hong, who ages up in June, placed 2nd in the 50 fly (40.01), 5th in the 100 fly (1.39.43) and 6th in the 50 free (35.20)

2)      15 year old Ricky Martin, who will be moving to NYC this summer, placed 4th in the 400 free (4.37.53), 4th in the 200 fly (2.23.58) and 5th in the 800 free (9.37.84).

            3)  12 year old Kara Miller-Radest was 4th in the 100 free (1/07.58) and 8th in the 400 IM (6.02.44)

4)  10 year old Abbie Bigham placed 4th in the 200 free (3.02.09)

5)      15 year old Priya Duvvuri touched 4th in the 400 IM (5.52.64)

6)      15 year old Brent Jones placed 4th in the 200 breast (3.05.07)

7)      16 year old Adam Weinbrom finished 4th in the 400 IM (5.19.70)

8)      26 year old Matt King, our swimmer-coach, placed 4th in the 100 breast (1.20.00)

9)      13 year old Alli Dorneo was 5th in the 400 IM (5.55.45)-a 27 second drop

10)   13 year old Lindsay Stearns placed 5th in the 200 breast (3.15.91) and 8th in the 800 free (10.34.40)

11)   16 year old Sarah McGrath came in 5th in the 100 breast (1.31.86)

12)   16  year old Chelsea Allocco touched 6th in the 800 free, dropping 26 seconds from her best with a 10.23.44 time. Chelsea also placed 8th in the 200 back (2.49.14).

13)   15 year old Michael Li was 6th in the 200 back (2.29.96)

14)   15 year old Mark Berns was 6th in the 200 breast (3.15.74).

            15)  16 year old Duncan Hall dolphined to a 6th place finish in the 100 breast (1.22.11)

            16)  16 year old Maggie Nelson placed 6th in the 200 back (2.47.22)

            17)  15 year old Emmie Lai placed 6th in the 200 fly (2.56.87)

            18)  13 year old Andrea Shepard come in 6th in the 200 fly (3.03.03)

19)   17 year old Cassandra Farnow dropped 22 seconds in the 400 free to place 7th and also placed 8th in the 100 fly (1.15.63)

            20) 12 year old Katie McGrath came in 7th place in the 50 breast (45.28) and 8th place in the 50 back (39.13)

21)   9 year old Katherine Friday stroked to a 7th place finish in the 100 fly (1.44.22)

            22) 13 year old Krishna Duvvuri posted a 7th place finish in the 200 back (2.52.18)

            23) 10 year old Amy Duren placed 8th in the 100 back (1.35.56)

            24) 11 year old Avi Duvvuri was 8th in the 50 breast (44.72)

            25) 18 year old Eric Ocheretyaner was 8th in the 200 breast (3.21.51)

            26) 15 year old Ryan Wyer placed 8th in the 100 breast (1.24.50)

 

Swimmers who participated (# in parenthesis is number of best Elite LCM best times): Matt Ahlmeyer (6), Chelsea Allocco (5), Jenn Allocco (6), Lindsay Anderson, Arlynn Baer (6), Chris Balbo (3), Lindsay Behar (6), Mark Berns (6), Abbie Bigham (6), Nicole Blum (4), Katie Brosnan (4), Emily Buckman (5), John Burns (6), Meggie Butler (3), Stephanie Chen (5), Daniel Chu (6), Morgan Conley (6), Jimmy Coyne (6), Elizabeth D’Altrui (6), Drew D’Andrea (6), Tad Deatly (2), Kelly Delaney (6), Will Delaney (5), Anthony Don (6), DeYoung Don (5), Jeffrey Dong (1), Alli Dorneo (6), Amy Duren (4), Sam Duren (6), Avi Duvvuri (6), Krishna Duvvuri (5), Priya Duvvuri (1), Venkatesh Duvvuri (3), Cassandra Farnow (3), Madeleine Faust (3), Katie Fell (6), Juliet Felsen (6), Andrea Ferrell (5), Spencer Fisch (4), Breana Fitzpatrick (1), Katherine Friday (6), Andrea Galea (2), Ariel Gelman (5), Emily Goad (6), Alexandra Gordon (2), Dominique Gordon (2), Lydia Gracey (6), Kevin Greener (6), Scott Groel (2), Andre Guacelli (3), Julia Guacelli (6), Duncan Hall (2), Emma Harris (4), Scott Harris (6), Alyssa Hartigan (4), Matthew Hong (6), Patrick Hong (6), Andrew Huang (6), Jennifer Huo (5), Alicia Iizuka (6), Karen Iizuka (6), Katie Iovel (5), Brent Jones (1), Zach Katz (3), Gregory Keiser (1), Rachel Keselman (2), Brandon King (4), Matt King (3), Regan Kology (2), Jared Kovacs (6), Emmie Lai (5), Patrick Lai (2), Patrick Lai (1), Clark LaRaia (6), Isabel LaRaia (6), Brandon Li (6), Michael Li (6), Jessie Lowe (5), Sarah Lowe (6), Gregory Macchia (3), Michael Macchia (2), Alex Mango (2), Ricky Martin (3), Katie McGrath (5), Sarah McGrath (6), Karl Melchior (6), Matt Migliozzi (2), Brendan Miller-Radest (6), Kara Miller-Radest (6), Ali Morreale (1), Isabella Morreale (6), Charlotte Morrissey (6), Dan Muro (6), Julia Muro (6), Caroline Nash (5), Alex N’Diaye (2), Eugene Ng (6), Evan Ng (4), Maggie Nelson (3), Gregory Niccolai (1), Rebecca Niccolai (6), Michael Nitting (6), Eric Ochteretyaner (6), Darragh O’Gorman (6), Nick Pachiolo (5), Mikala Quinn (3), Camille Relota (3), Brittany Ross (2), Taylor Savarese (3), Ryan Sebastian (6), Andrea Shepard (3), Abigail Shvorin (5), Jonas Singer (6), Kaitlin Stearns (3), Lindsay Stearns (6), Michael Strand (3),  Erica Takahashi (1), Abir Thakur (5), Michael Tortorella (4), Rachael Tortorella (6), Caroline Watt (4), Adam Weinbrom (4), Sarah Weinbrom (3), Ryan Wyer (5), Richard Yu (5) & Samy Zhong (5).

 

LCM EASTERN ZONES MEET TO BE AT PENN STATE UNIVERSITY;

 

            After almost a year of no LSC (NJ Swimming is an LSC) bidding on the 2009 Long Course Meter Eastern Zones All-Star Championship Meet, Mid-Atlantic Swimming has stepped up and will host this Summer’s LCM Zones Meet at Penn State University.

 

            This meet is the most prestigious meet a 12 & Under swimmer can qualify for. In the summer, swimmers qualify for this meet thru qualifying times (in the Winter Season, NJ Swimming picks the 2 fastest swimmers in each event). Last summer, Elite has 19 different qualifiers in 67 events. 11 Elite swimmers participated (swimmers 13 & Older don’t always attend). Zone qualifying times are posted on the Elite website.

 

            Penn State University offers a 8 lane, 50 meter outdoor pool that is adjacent to their three 25 yard indoor pools. The meet will be contested long course.

           

            Mid-Atlantic Swimming has indicated they may require other LSC’s to help staff the volunteer jobs at the meet, in order to successfully run the meet. If your child attends this meet, you may be requested by NJ or Mid-Atlantic Swimming to help run the meet.

 

SUMMER SEASON/PROMOTION SCHEDULE EXPLAINED:

 

            With the Summer now in sight, below is an explanation of how training at Elite will work. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Bill.

 

            For Marlin Teals and Marlin Blacks, the Spring 2009 Season will conclude to Friday, June 12.

 

            For the Wavebuster Teals, Wavebuster Blacks, Wavebuster Golds, Senior Preps and Seniors, practice will continue thru late July/early August.

 

            Below is a detailed explanation of how each training group will transition. Please note that every existing Elite swimmer will be invited to train with Elite for the Fall 2009 Training Session. Each swimmer will receive in mid-June a letter inviting them to train with Elite for the Fall 2009 Training Season. To accept this invitation, a swimmer needs to mail their $300 deposit check ($300 per swimmer if a multiple swimmer family) to Bill prior to Saturday, July 11. If a swimmer does not mail in their deposit but would like to train with Elite, they will need to tryout for Elite at one of the two Elite tryouts (1st one on Tuesday, July 21st). There is no guarantee a swimmer will regain their roster spot during tryouts-it is NOT automatic. Elite will take the best swimmers at tryouts, regardless of longevity on Elite. To secure a roster spot, one needs to mail in their deposit prior to Saturday, July 11.

 

            Marlin Teals: During the summer, there is no training for Marlin Teals (they should participate for their local swim clubs and shine!!!). Letters regarding which training group a swimmer will be placed in for Fall 2009 will be send in mid-June (including promotions-there may be a few into Marlin Blacks). All Marling Teals will need to send in their $300 deposit to reserve their roster spot by Saturday, July 11.  

 

            Marlin Blacks:  During the summer, there is no summer training for Marlin Blacks (they should participate for their local swim clubs and shine!!!). Letters regarding which training group a swimmer will be placed in for Fall 2009 will be send in mid-June (including promotions-there may be a few into Wavebuster Teals). If a swimmer is promoted into Wavebuster Teals by reason of the June roster letter, that swimmer is invited to train as a Wavebuster Teal this summer (see Wave Teal explanation). If a newly promoted swimmer chooses to train with Elite this summer, they will be entered into summer Championship Meets (see Meet Schedule on website). This swimmers will also be billed a pro-rata rate for their Summer training participation. A promoted swimmer can opt not to train with Elite and it will not affect their status for Fall, 2009.  All Marlin Blacks will need to send in their $300 deposit to reserve their roster spot by Saturday, July 14.  

 

Wavebuster Teals:  The Wavebuster Teals have the option to train with Elite this summer at Morristown-Beard School & Springfield (see summer schedule). And in fact, they have paid for this option within their Spring 2009 bill. Swimmers who want to train but have conflicts (vacation, car pools, etc) are strongly encouraged to come to practice whenever they can. Swimmers who come to summer practices will be entered into summer Championship Meets (see Meet Schedule on website). Letters regarding Fall 2009 will be send in mid-June. Swimmers whom at that time have earned a promotion into Wavebuster Blacks will receive a letter of promotion in mid June. A promoted swimmer will remain a Wavebuster Teal until the Fall 2009 Season. All promotions will be conditional upon continued performance and attendance thru late July. Regardless of placement, swimmers will need to send in their $300 deposit to reserve their roster spot by Saturday, July 11.   

 

Wavebuster Blacks; Wavebuster Golds, Senior Preps & Seniors:  Swimmers in these training groups are expected to train with Elite during the summer, as participation in these training groups is year round. Swimmers in these training groups will be entered into summer Championship Meets (see Meet Schedule on website). Letters regarding the Fall 2009 session will be send in mid-June. A promoted swimmer will remain within their current training group until the Fall 2009 Season. All promotions will be conditional upon continued performance and attendance thru late July. Regardless of placement, swimmers will need to send in their $300 deposit to reserve their roster spot by Saturday, July 11.   

 

BILL RE-ELECTED TO ADMINISTRATIVE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF NJ SWIMMING:

 

            As the result of an election at the House of Delegates meeting held Wednesday, May 13, Elite Head Coach Bill Deatly was re-elected Administrative Vice-Chairperson of New Jersey Swimming. While there are a number of other duties that Bill will perform on behalf of New Jersey Swimming, the main duty will be administrating all New Jersey Sanctioned Swim Meets. This includes reviewing and sanctioning all 50 some-odd NJ Swimming sanctioned meets held each year.

 

            Bill has held this post for the past two years; he was first elected in May, 2007. Prior to that time, Bill was Registration Chair of New Jersey Swimming, a post that oversaw the registration of the 8,000 NJ Swimmers.

 

THE EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE: WORLD CLASS SWIMMERS!!!

 

           Eric Scheingoltz, Head Coach & Aquatic Director of Drew University’s Varsity Swim Teams has coordinated a one day swim camp that will feature Olympians Matt Grevers, Megan Jenrick and Lacey Nymeyer for Saturday, October 17, 2009 at the Simon Forum/ F. M. Kirby Pool on the Drew University Campus.

 

            Grevers placed 2nd to Aaron Piersol in the 100 m backstroke at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Jenrick, formerly know as Megan Quann, was an Olympian representing USA in the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Nymeyer was part of the 2008 Olympic team and is a world record holder in 800 m free relay.

 

            Additional information and reservations can now be made at http://swimchampions.com/detail/madison-nj/.

ITS OFFICIAL, THEY HAVE NOW THOUGHT OF EVERYTHING: THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SWIM MOMS!!:

            According to an email Bill received this week, there will be a launching in the Summer 2009 of a website designed specifically for the swimming family by an organization called The National Association of Swim Moms. Check out the two minute video at www.NAOSM.org.  We all can relate.

ELITE TO TRANSITION PROCEDURE REGARDING TIMING ASSIGNMENTS:

 

            In an attempt to provide the Elite parents timing assignments in a more efficient way (ie-less emailing back and forth), Elite will transition how we will provide timing information starting immediately. The new procedure will be for the list of timing assignments to be posted on the team website adjacent to the meet information and entry information (under the Meet Schedule Page).

See link: http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Meet%20Schedule/Homepage.htm. Assignments will be posted as soon as possible after Elite is notified of their timing responsibilities (should be no later than Wednesday prior to the meet). Parents are expected to check the timing assignment page to determine if they have a timing assignment. In addition, a meet timing coordinator will be assigned and posted. Assigned timers are requested to check-in with the timing coordinator prior to the start of the meet. The timing coordinator will station themselves with the swimmers and the coaches at the meet, so they can be easily identified.

 

            For the next two weekend meets, Lisa Allocco and Rachel Tortorella will also email everyone (the prior procedure).

 

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

BILL TO SWIM FOR RICHARD QUICK-CANCER RESEARCH & WILL CHALLENGE SWIMMERS:   

 

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 ATTEMPT TO swim 4000 meters 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.

 

Bill is challenging all swimmers to the following: if Bill swims 3000 meters, the swimmers support Bill for $5. If Bill swims 4000 meters, swimmers support Bill for $10. For every 250 meters over 4000 meters, the swimmers will support Bill another $2.50. The cap will be supporting Bill for $20 (if he makes 5000 meters).  The yardage will need to be completed within the 2 hour window!!!

 

Information is now posted on the website under “Elite-a-thon.” Please follow the directions (do not go out soliciting for money alone!!!) and keep track of your pledge totals!!!  And support Bill in his effort to raise money for Cancer Research in honor of one of the legendary coaches: Richard Quick.

 

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!!!