ELITE NEWS BULLETIN               06-21-10

 

    “Cultivating Excellence in Academics, Character and Swimming”

 

TIRED SWIMMERS PUSH THRU SUMMER SIZZLE;

GIOSTRA, M. LI, MANGO (3), SEBASTIAN (2), L. STEARNS, STRAND & XU WIN EVENTS;

C. BALBO, MANGO, SEBASTIAN (2) & G. XU EARN ZONE QUALIFYING TIMES:

C. BALBO (2), E. GORHAM, KIM, B. LI, SEBASTIAN, K. STEARNS, L. STEARNS & V. XIA PUSH JO

COUNT TO 42 SWIMMERS, 185 EVENTS;

            Pushed academically and physically, a tired Elite Swim Club mustered enough energy this past weekend at Summer Solstice to add to the team totals for Zone Qualifiers and JO qualifiers.

            This being, for most public school students, the last week of school, most of Elite’s swimmers had just finished their final exams, projects or both. At practice, swimmers are pushing thru Interval training, which training is quite taxing as it is aerobic based with very little rest. Despite this double whammy, Elite Swimmers found the strength to post dozens of best times. There were even a number of brilliant performances as well.

            9 year old Grace Xu earned her first career Zone Qualifying time (a spectacular achievement for a 9 year old) in her 1st place finish in the 50 breast (49.39). Grace also placed 2nd in the 50 free (34.51) and 7th in the 50 back (42.77).

            12 year old Chris Balbo posted his 2nd Zone Qualifying time this summer, with his 3rd place 200 free performance of 2.22.12. While he was at it, Chris added 2 additional JO cuts (50 free-32.25 & 100 breast-1.33.76) to his stash of 14 qualifying times.

            13 year old Ryan Sebastian needs a caddie to carry around all his Zone cuts; he now has 11. This weekend he added two as he won the 400 free in a 4.35.70 and placed 3rd in the 100 breast (1.17.65). Ryan’s 1.00.99 100 free swim was also his 13th JO qualifying time. Ryan also won the 50 fly in a 29.22.

            15 year old Alex Mango won all 3 events he competed within: the 400 free (4.23.65), 400 IM (5.06.60) and the 50 fly  (27.96). 50’s are very rarely contested for 13 & Olders. Mango’s 400 IM swim was his 8th Zone qualifier.

            Also touching first was 15 year old Lindsay Giostra, whose 5 second drop in the 200 butterfly (2.46.30) was good enough for the gold medal. Giostra also placed 5th in the 100 fly (1.16.09)

            14 year old Lindsay Stearns won the 400 free (4.52.06) with a 3 second drop, placed 2nd in both the 100 free (1.05.62- her 10th JO cut) and the 50 fly (32.20) and 3rd twice (50 back-34.70 & 50 free-30.51).

            16 year old Michael Li won the 50 breast in a 34.36 time and followed up with a 2nd place finish the 100 fly (1.07.75). Brother Brandon, 10 years old, scored his fifth Junior Olympic qualifying time with his 8th place finish in the 200 free (2.58.28). Brandon also had a 3rd place finish in the 50 breast (48.76).

            17 year old Michael Strand, enjoying his opportunity to race in the 50 back, blew the field away with his 27.53 time. Strand also placed 2nd in his other two races: the 200 back (2.15.54) and the 400 free (4.32.82).

            10 year old Audrey Kim earned her first career LCM JO qualifying time with her 5th place, 3.21.46 time in the 200 IM. Also earning her 1st JO cut this summer was 11 year old Emily Gorham, who rocked the 50 fly with a 35.44 time.

            10 year old Vivian Xia continues to develop as she earned her 6th JO qualifying time this summer (Vivian had just 5 cuts this past winter!) with her 8th place 50 fly swim of 41.52. Vivian also placed 3rd (50 breast-47.47), 5th (100 breast-1.45.73) and 7th (50 free-37.01).

            12 year old Kaitlin Stearns grabbed her 13th Junior Olympic qualifying time with her 2.52.54, 5th place finish in the 200 IM.

            Other notable performances:

1)      15 year old Matt Ahlmeyer placed 2nd in the 200 fly (2.34.83), 3rd in the 100 fly (1.09.74) and 4th in the 400 IM (5.35.46)

2)      17 year old Adam Weinbrom placed 2nd in both the 50 back (30.82) and the 50 free (25.96)

3)      18 year old (and returning from Amherst College) Cassandra Farnow placed 2nd in both the 200 IM (2.47.78) and the 200 back (2.43.96)

4)      15 year old Lindsay Behar placed 2nd in the 200 breast (3.19.29) and 5th in the 100 breast (1.31.78)

5)      16 year old Lindsay Ellerthorpe was 2nd in the 50 free (30.30)

6)      16 year old Ali Morreale snagged 2nd place in the 50 breast (37.84)

7)      18 year old (and returning from Washington & Lee) Brittany Ross placed 2nd in the 50 fly (32.93)

8)      13 year old Jeff Dong placed 3rd in the 50 fly (32.82) and 4th in the 50 breast (39.64)

9)      10 year old Gian Soriano placed 3rd in the 50 back (41.07) and 4th in the 200 IM (3:10.18)

10)  13 year old Jess Gorham was 3rd in the 400 free with a 5.01.62 time

11)  13 year old Gabrielle Pick dolphined to a 3rd place finish in the 50 fly (33.40)

12)  17 year old Maggie Nelson came in 4th in the 400 free (5.01.32)

13)  13 year old Juliet Felsen, in her only event, placed 4th in the 400 free (5.02.52)

14)  14 year old Isabella Morreale plucked 4th place in the 200 IM (2.53.17)

15)   9 year old Brittany Sun was 5th in the 50 back (43.56) and 6th in both the 100 back (1.34.30) and the 50 fly (41.11)

16)  17 year old Anthony Don was 5th in the 50 breast (40.15)

17)  12 year old Scott Harris came in 5th in the 50 fly (42.82)

18)   14 year old Clark LaRaia placed 5th in the 100 free (1.04.32) and 7th in the 50 fly (35.12)

19)   8 year old Erica Iizuka touched 6th in the 100 fly (1.41.67)

20)   10 year old Evan Ng placed 6th in the 100 fly (1.41.75)

 

Full results are posted on the team website.

Swimmers who participated (# in parathesis is number of best Elite LCM times):  Matt Ahlmeyer (2), Michael Alelov (1), Chris Balbo (3), Megan Balbo (3), Brielle Barba (4), Lindsay Behar (4), Abbie Bigham (6), Katie Brosnan (5), Emily Buckman, Meggie Butler (6), John Chiang (3), Claire Chiperfield (2),Morgan Conley (3), Jimmy Coyne (3), Matthew Critchley (3), Elizabeth D’Altrui (3), Drew D’Andrea (1), Carolyn Delaney (6), Will Delaney (6), Anthony Don (1), Jeffrey Dong (2), Corey Duren (2), Sam Duren, Cassandra Farnow (1), Madeleine Faust (1), Juliet Felsen (1), Andrea Ferrell (6), Katherine Friday (1), Emily Fu (6), Lindsay Giostra (3), Emily Goad (3), Emily Gorham (4), Jess Gorham, Andre Guacelli (5), Claire Hagerstrom (6), Scott Harris (1), Rachel Hong (4), Andrew Huang (1), Jennifer Huo (4), Lynna Huo (6), Alicia Iizuka (3), Erica Iizuka (6), Karen Iizuka (5), Monica Iizuka (6), Katie Iovel (6), Rachel Keselman (6), Audrey Kim (5), Jared Kovacs (1), Jessica Kraus (3), Clark LaRaia (3), Isabel LaRaia (4), Brandon Li (6), Michael Li (5), Sarah Lowe (4), Greg Macchia (2), Michael Macchia (3), Alex Mango (2), Cody Matheson (5), Karl Melchior (3), Matt Migliozzi (4), Ryan Miller (6), Ali Morreale (2), Isabel Morreale (4), Charlotte Morrissey (3), Dan Muro (2), Caroline Nash, Alexandra N’Diaye (3), Maggie Nelson, Eugene Ng (4), Evan Ng (3), Michael Nitting (3), Darragh O’Gorman (4), Nick Pachiolo, Danielle Peterson (3), Christina Pick (4), Gabrielle Pick (6), Brittany Ross (1), Brandon Rossi (2), Dmitriy Savinskiy (5), Ryan Sebastian (5), Andrea Shepard (1), Katy Shepard (5), Abigail Shvorin (5), Jonas Singer (2), Gian Soriano (5), Kaitlin Stearns (3), Lindsay Stearns (4), Michael Strand (1), Brittany Sun (5), Abir Thakur (6), Amy Tsay (5), Katie Tselepis (4), Caroline Watt (3), Adam Weinbrom (1), Ryan Wyer (1), Vivian Xia (5), Gloria Xu (5), Grace Xu (3) & Richard Yu (1).

WHAT IS IN A NAME? APPARENTLY PLENTY:

TRAINING GROUP NAMES TO REMAIN THE SAME:

          A near unanimous dislike, from swimmers, coaches and parents, for the new training group names has persuaded Coach Bill to abandon his renaming of the training groups. From this point on, Elite training groups will continue to be named: Seniors, Senior Preps, Wavebuster Golds, Wavebuster Blacks, Wavebuster Teals, Marlin Blacks and Marlin Teals.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE CHANGES  IN JUNE:

 

            Today, (Monday, June 21), Elite will begin its summer schedule practice schedule. Tentative June and July practice schedules are posted on the website under practice schedule.

 

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 2010 Season will conclude to Sunday, June 13.

 

            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 Winter 2010-11 Training Session. Each swimmer will receive in mid-June (approximately June 20) a letter inviting them to train with Elite for the Winter 2010-11 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 Thursday, July 15. 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 20st). 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 Thursday, July 15.

 

            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 Winter 2010-11 will be sent in mid-June (including promotions-there will be a few into Marlin Blacks). All Marling Teals will need to send in their $300 deposit to reserve their roster spot by Thursday, July 15.  

 

            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 Winter 2010-11 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). These 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 Winter 2010-11.  All Marlin Blacks will need to send in their $300 deposit to reserve their roster spot by Thursday, July 15.  

 

Wavebuster Teals:  The Wavebuster Teals have the option to train with Elite this summer at Cromwell Pool (see summer schedule). And in fact, they have paid for this option within their Spring 2010 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 Winter 2010-11 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 Winter 2010-11 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 Thursday, July 15.   

 

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 Winter 2010-11 session will be send in mid-June. A promoted swimmer will remain within their current training group until the Winter 2010-11 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 Thursday, July 15.   

 

39 SWIMMERS RAISE $4,043.50 (SO FAR) AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT 9th ANNUAL ELITE-A-THON!! LINDSAY STEARNS COORDINATES LARGEST PARTICIPATION IN YEARS!!  DELANEY SMITH RAISES $1,100!!!

IF YOU HAVE NOT YET RESPONDED, PLEASE EMAIL LINDSAY STEARNS WITH YOUR TOTALS!!!

 

The 9th Annual Elite-a-thon fundraiser was the biggest Elite-a-thon in recent memory!! 39 Swimmers spent 2 hours Saturday afternoon swimming to raise money for their own charities!! At the moment, the team totals with 21 swimmers reporting, the team total stands at $3,868.50!!! 8 year old Delaney Smith raised $1,100 on her own! Way to go Delaney!!!!

 

If you have not yet responded, please email Lindsay Stearns at mailto:Lindsay Stearns (Lindsaystearns14@yahoo.com) with your numbers!!

 

The following were the Elite swimmers who participated:

 

Chris Balbo: $300 Celiac Sprue Association, Megan Balbo: $300: Make A Wish, Caitlin Brown: Arthritis Foundation, Cordelia Burn: $100 Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer, Eloise Burn: $100 St. Judes, Sarah Burn: $100 Jersey Animal Coalition, Carolyn Delaney: $50 PKU News, Kelly Delaney: $50 PKU News, Will Delaney: $50 PKU News, Katherine Friday: Autism Speaks, Emily Fu: $27.50 Mt Pleasant Animal Shelter, Clio Galea: tba, Emily Gorham: St. Judes, Jess Gorham: St. Judes, Kevin Greener: tba Abby Hartwig: Association for Rare Disorders Elana Horowitz: tba, Jennifer Huo: $36 for Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter, Alicia Iizuka: Jersey Animal Coalition, Erica Iizuka: Jersey Animal Coalition, Karen Iizuka: Jersey Animal Coalition, Monica Iizuka: Jersey Animal Coalition, Katie Iovel: Make A Wish, Grace Levey: $50 Make A Wish, Alyssa Levy: Valerie Fund, Katie McGrath: $200 AvonBreast Cancer Walk, Ali Morreale: tba, Caroline Nash: $50 Make a Wish, Jason Rossi: $25 American Red Cross, Andrea Shepard : $212.50 Down the Block, Inc, Katy Shepard: $212.50 Share Our Strength, Abigail Shvorin: American Cancer Foundation, Delaney Smith: Multiple Sclerosis, Kaitlin Stearns: $200 Bridges, Lindsay Stearns: $200 Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer, Will Stearns: $200 Cora Hartshorn Arboretum, Caroline Watt: $50 Make A Wish, Adam Weinbrom: tba, Katherine Zhang: $150 Cora Hartshorn Arboretum. Coach Bill also raised $230 for American Red Cross.

 

14 year old Lindsay Stearns, who has participated in the Elite-a-thon for each of her 7 years on the team, took over coordinating the event this year and mustered a tremendous amount of enthusiasm. If each of the participants raises just $150 each, the total raised will exceed $5,000. This shows what the power of enthusiasm can accomplish!!

 

In a tradition begun six years ago, Bill swam 2500 meters to raise money for the American Red Cross’s relief efforts in Haiti, following the devastating earthquake Haiti suffered this past winter.

 

DIRECTIONS TO CROMWELL POOL NOW POSTED:

 

            Elite has contracted with the Cromwell Pool, located in Morristown (off Columbia Turnpike/Columbia Turnpike) to rent their pool during the summer mornings for the Wavebuster Teals-Believers 3 training group. Elite will be renting the Cromwell Pool Monday thru Thursday, from 7:15 am to 8:30 am. In addition, the Wavebuster Teals-Believer 3’s have one scheduled practice a week in the long course pool at Springfield (Sunday mornings 6:30 am to 8:15 am).

           

            The directions, along with directions to Summit Municipal and Springfiled Municipal are located on the team website at: http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Practice%20Schedule/homepage%20practice.htm         

 

            The summer schedule for the remaining groups will remain the same (with the slight alteration of an earlier start time and 15 minutes longer per practice at MBS for Wavebuster Blacks-Believers 2 on Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Friday’s. The schedule from June 21 thru July 31 is now posted on the team website under practice schedule. http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Practice%20Schedule/homepage%20practice.htm

 

SOMERSET PATRIOTS HONOR US (SWIMMERS!!!):

PUT JUNE 28TH ON YOUR CALENDAR!!!

BUY SEATS IN SECTION 217!!!

 

            The Somerset Patriots, a local professional Minor League Baseball team, will be honoring Swimmers this summer with a special night at the ballpark! On Monday June 28, the Patriots will be holding Swim Night at their home park in Bridgewater, New Jersey (just off Route 287 South).

 

            The night will be dedicated to a swim theme. The Patriots will provide a special appearance by a well known swimmer, scoreboard recognition & public address announcement to each NJ swim team that participates, a pre-game parade and multiple opportunities for participate in on-field activities.

 

            Given the complexity of trying to coordinate getting seats together, Elite Swim Club members should buy seats directly from the Patriots in Section 217. That way, Elite parents and children can sit in close proximity to each other!!! Buying the tickets prior to June 8 will provide a discount on the tickets!!!

 

            In recognition of this night, Elite will cancel the 4 pm-6 pm practice at MBS on Monday, June 28 so swimmers and their families are free to attend this event.

           

CLOTHING ITEMS PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED THRU ESCPO NOW IN: CONTACT ALLISON NASH:

 

            The clothing items previously purchased thru ESCPO have arrived. Parents are encouraged to contact Allison Nash to arrange pick-up at Newark Academy.  Allison’s email address is ALLISONRNASH@MSN.COM.

           

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!!!