ELITE NEWS BULLETIN               05-25-09

 

MASSIVE QUANTITY OF QUALITY SWIMS!!

DART & KATZ BREAK MEET RECORDS;

DART (2), A. GALEA (2), KATZ, KOLOGY, MANGO, SEBASTIAN (4) WIN 11 EVENTS: 

COYNE, A. IIZUKA (2), M. HONG, KATZ (4) QUALIFY FOR LCM ZONES;

AHLMEYER, C. BALBO, BIGHAM (2), B.CHO, COYNE (2), A. DORNEO, A. DUREN, FISCH, A. GALEA, GIOSTRA, E. GORHAM, GROEL, M. HONG, A. IIZUKA, K. IIZUKA, I. LARAIA, M. LI, S. LOWE, NASH, SEBASTIAN, K. STEARNS (2), M. TORTORELLA (3) & A. WEINBROM ADD 33 JO QUALIFYING TIMES:

 

            Just 7 weeks into the training cycle and without having trained one lap of long course, the Elite Swimmers swam brilliantly last weekend at the prestigious Memorial Day Invitational held in a long course venue at Rutgers University. While competing against some of the best teams in the Northeast (Long Island Aquatics, Germantown Academy, Badgers Swim Club, Delaware Swim Team & Wilton Y Wahoos along with NJ powerhouses Berkeley, Scarlet, CJAC and X-Cel), the quantity of quality Elite swims was astounding:

 

1)      18 year old Chris Dart (newly returned from his freshman year at Clemson University) and 12 year old Zach Katz crushed meet records in winning events (Dart was also a meet record breaker in a 2nd event, but finished 2nd)

2)      4 Elite 12 & Unders qualified to represent NJ Swimming at this summer’s Eastern Zone Meet: 10 year old Jimmy Coyne, 10 year old Alicia Iizuka (2), 12 year old Matthew Hong and Katz (4)

3)      6 Elite Swimmers, Dart (2), 10 year old Andrea Galea (2), Katz, 12 year old Regan Kology, 14 year old Alex Mango and 12 year old Ryan Sebastian (4) won 11 events

4)      23 Elite Swimmers qualified for events at this Summers LCM Junior Olympics

5)      The 12 & Under Boys were simply brilliant; in the 12 & Under 50 butterfly event, Elite swept the top 3 places: 1st (Sebastian), 2nd (Katz) and 3rd (Hong)!!! In the 50 Breast event, Elite went 1-2: 1st (Katz), 2nd Jeffrey Dong! In the 100 butterfly, Elite went 1-2-5 (Sebastian, Katz & Hong). In the 50 free, Elite went 2-3-4 (Katz, Hong, Dong) and in the 100 backstroke Elite went 1-3-6-7 (Sebastian, Hong, Chris Balbo & Karl Melchior).

 

Only a thunderstorm that cancelled most of the final events on Sunday night and the flu (crippling Michael Strand & Ricky Martin) could slow Elite!

 

Elite’s JO totals now stand at 40 swimmers (more than last summer’s total) with 128 events!!  

 

12 year old Katz nailed his speciality, the 50 breast with a 35.24 time, breaking a 2 year old meet record by more than a second. Katz also placed 2nd in 3 events (100 fly-1.12.18,

50 free-29.17 & 50 fly-31.27) & 4th twice (50 back-35.28 & 100 breast 1.23.90).

 

            Dart, who is Elite’s 1st and only Olympic Trial qualifier (having qualified for both the USA and British Trials last year-Chris is a dual citizen), returned to Elite just 3 weeks ago and will be training and competing for Elite this summer. After an excellent freshman year, Dart jumped back into Club swimming by winning the 100 backstroke in a 58.34 time (just .35 over last year’s Trials time!). This swim broke the meet record by a 1.3 margin. Dart’s performance in this and his other events were particularly impressive as he has not really trained consistently during the past month.

 

            Sebastian was also magnificent, winning 4 events and placing 2nd in his other two. Sebastian, who ages up in early July, won the 50 back (32.22), the 100 fly (1.09.84), the 50 fly (30.89) and the 100 back (1.10.39). Ryan’s 2nd place finishes were in the 400 free (4.54.25) and the 200 IM (2.32.81). His 200 IM time was his 3rd 13-14 JO qualifying time!

 

            10 year old Andrea Galea, who also ages up this summer, won her two 2 backstroke events (50-36.08 & 100-1.18.22)!! Andrea also placed 2nd in the 200 IM (2.52.96) & the 200 free (2.35.46), 3rd in the 50 fly (36.68) and 4th in the 50 breast (43.88). Galea’s 200 IM time was her 4th 11-12 Junior Olympic qualifying time!

 

            13 year old Regan Kology, who aged up on Saturday and thus was the youngest swimmer in her new age group, still touched first in the 400 free (4.47.71).  Regan also placed 2nd in the 200 free (2.17.17), the 50 free (29.48) and the 100 free (1.03.97).

 

            14 year old Alex Mango, who transferred to Elite this spring and thus swam unattached, won the 200 free in a 2.09.57 time. Alex followed up with equally impressive performances in the 50 free (2nd-27.17) and the 100 free (2nd- 59.50) while also placing 3rd in the both the 100 (1.08.19) & 200 back (2.27.52).

 

            Four 12 & Under Elite Swimmers qualified to represent NJ Swimming at the Eastern Zone Age Group Championships this summer, to be held at Penn State University from August 12-15. Elite now has 13 swimmers qualified for this meet in 50 total events (many of the 13 & Olders will not be attending as they will be competing at Sectionals and/or Junior Nationals). Katz added 4 events (bringing his total up to 6 events). 10 year old Alicia Iizuka, a newcomer to Elite, qualified for both breaststroke events (3rd place finish in the 50-43.25 & 4th place finish in the 100-1.37.82). Iizuka’s 50 time was also her 2nd JO qualifying time.

 

            10 year old Jimmy Coyne, in placing 3rd in the 50 breast, posted his 1st Zone qualifying time (and a JO cut) with his 45.21 performance!! Jimmy also placed 7th in the 100 breast (1.42.75).

 

            12 year old Matthew Hong, who also swam spectacularly all weekend long, also qualified for Zones with his 3rd place finish in the 50 fly (32.55). Hong’s 5th place finish in the 100 fly (1.16.08) was a JO qualifying time. Hong also placed 3rd in three other events: 100 free-1.06.47, 50 free-30.02 & 100 back-1.17.98.

 

            18 year old newcomer Scott Groel, who is training with Elite before joining Dart at Clemson, qualified for JO’s in 5 events: 100 fly (1.03.46), the 200 IM (2.22.46), 200 back (2.25.85), 100 back (1.04.74) and 100 free (57.68). Groel qualified for finals in all 6 events he competed in.

 

            10 year old Michael Tortorella went gold in 3 events. Michael’s 5th place finish in the 50 breast (45.96) his 6th place finish in the 100 breast (1.42.23) and his 100 free swim (1.22.71) did the trick.

 

            11 year old Kaitlin Stearns ran her JO total to 7 with 2 additional cuts: 50 back (37.17) and the 100 back (1.19.94). Kaitlin also rocked in the 400 free, dropping 13 seconds to 5.14.21.

 

            16 year old Adam Weinbrom, who continues to develop at a fabulous rate, posted his first lcm JO cuts: 50 free-26.50 and 100 back (1.05.51). 

 

            10 year old Abbie Bigham also qualified for JO’s in two events: in the 200 IM (3.21.76) and the 100 fly (1.38.26).  

 

              Elite swimmers who qualified for a single JO event were:

 

1)      13 year old Alli Dorneo with her 7th place finish in the 100 back (1.15.66)

2)      10 year old Amy Duren in the 200 IM (3.22.59)

3)      14 year old Lindsey Giostra, a newcomer to Elite, by placing 10th in the 200 breast (3.06.76)

4)      10 year old Emily Gorham in the 50 free (36.14)

5)      10 year old Karen Iizuka’s 9th place finish in the 50 breast (46.26)

6)      12 year old Isabel LaRaia’s 50 breast swim of 42.70

7)      10 year old Sarah Lowe’s 17 second drop in the 100 free meant gold (1.19.52)

8)      11 year old Caroline Nash’s performance in the 100 fly (1.21.96)

9)      14 year old Matthew Ahlmeyer’S 6th place finish in the 100 fly (1.12.73)

10)  11 year old Chris Balbo’s distance mojo continues with a gold 400 free (5.23.46)

11)  14 year old Brannon Cho churned to gold and an 8th place finish in the 400 IM (5.38.80)

12)    16 year old Spencer Fisch nabbed the 100 breast (1.17.34)

13)    15 year old Michael Li sculled to gold in the 100 breast (1.16.49)

 

Swimmers who participated (# in parenthesis is number of best Elite LCM best times): Matt Ahlmeyer (6), Chris Balbo (2), Abbie Bigham (5), John Burns (1), Brannon Cho (3), Jimmy Coyne (4), Chris Dart (2), Jeffrey Dong (5), Alli Dorneo (4), Amy Duren (4), Sam Duren (1), Krishna Duvvuri (4), Priya Duvvuri (1), Venkatesh Duvvuri, Cassandra Farnow (1), Spencer Fisch (5), Breana Fitzpatrick, Andrea Galea (5), Emily Gorham (4), Jess Gorham (3), Kevin Greener (2), Scott Groel (6), Matthew Hong (5), Patrick Hong (4), Andrew Huang (1), Alicia Iizuka (2), Karen Iizuka (3), Zach Katz (6), Gregory Keiser (1), Regan Kology (4), Emmie Lai, Isabel LaRaia (1), Aaron Levin, Michael Li (5), Jessie Lowe (1), Sarah Lowe (2), Alex Mango (6), Ricky Martin, Katie McGrath (5), Karl Melchior (3), Brendan Miller-Radest (4), Kara Miller-Radest (5), Ali Morreale, Isabella Morreale (1), Dan Muro (3), Caroline Nash (3), Maggie Nelson (3), Christina Pick (3), Gabrielle Pick (1), Michelle Pick, Brittany Ross, Ryan Sebastian (4), Andrea Shepard (1), Kaitlin Stearns (4), Lindsay Stearns, Michael Strand, Michael Tortorella (6), Rachael Tortorella, Caroline Watt (4), Adam Weinbrom (8), Ryan Wyer & Richard Yu (5).

 

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

 

.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).

 

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!!!