ELITE NEWS BULLETIN               8-30-10

 

    “Cultivating Excellence in Academics, Character and Swimming”

           

AFTER AUGUST REST: HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!

SENIOR & SENIOR PREPS START THIS WEEK;

WAVEBUSTER GOLDS & BLACKS FOLLOW WEEK OF SEPT 6TH ;

WAVEBUSTER TEALS & MARLINS START WEEK OF SEPT 13TH:

 

After relentlessly training hard for 11 months last year and having that training pay off as Elite Swimmers scaled new heights at every level within the program, the Elite swimmers, coaches and parents have taken a well-earned month vacation (for some, only 2 weeks!) away from the daily grind of training. This break is meant to recharge each team member’s mental and physical batteries. With this rest period about over, it’s time to do it all over again!!!

 

After placing 11th in team points at the Spring (SCY) and 5th in the Summer (LCM) Junior Olympics last season, the Elite Swim Club will need to continue to train hard & perform very well just to equal last year’s feats.

 

As the Seniors and Senior Preps get ready to start the year long process with their first practices this week (Seniors start tonite), here are Elite’s team goals:

 

1)   Winter 2011 Junior Olympics:  qualify more swimmers in more events & score more points (last year: 63 qualifiers, 351 events & 827 points)

                                                      Target Team Score: 1500 points- Plus more swimmers score points individually: more than 20 swimmers

2)      Summer 2011 Junior Olympics: qualify more swimmers in more events & score more points (last year: 50 qualifiers, 235 events & 1194.5  

                                                    points)

                                                      Target Team Score: 1500 points- Plus more swimmers score points individually: more than 26 swimmers

3)      Winter 2011 Eastern Zones: qualify more swimmers in more events (more than 5 swimmers in 15 events)

4)      Summer 2011 Eastern Zones: qualify more swimmers in more events (more than 18 swimmers in 88 events)

5)      Winter 2010 Sectionals: qualify more swimmers in more events (more than 8 swimmers in 31 events)  Plus boys and girls relays! Plus relays that score points!

6)      Summer 2011 Sectionals: qualify more swimmers in more events (more than 8 swimmers in 25 events) Plus boys and girls relays! Plus relays

                                         that score points!

7)      Junior Nationals 2010: to have two representatives from Elite and have at least one representative reach finals/consolations in an event (last

                                     year 1 representatives in 4 events)

8)      Senior Nationals 2011-to have at least one representative from Elite (last year-no representative)

9)   At least 95 Elite Swimmers earning Scholar/Athlete Awards, presented at the Elite Awards Dinner (last year: 79) & having 2 swimmers qualify for USA Swimming’s Scholastic  All-American Award (last year: 1 swimmer)

 

Along the way, Elite swimmers are expected to collect numerous other accomplishments (such as performing well at and having high point contentors) at Holiday Classic, CeraVe, Senior and Junior States.

 

Lofty, but realistic goals!! Let’s get it started!!!!

 

NATALIE, OUR NEW COACH, TO ADD ENERGY TO ALREADY IMPRESSIVE COACHING STAFF;

ALL BUT 1 COACH FROM SPRING/SUMMER 2010 STAFF RETURN:

 

 Looking to add energy and depth to an already impressive coaching staff, Head Coach Bill Deatly announces the addition of a new coach to the Elite Swim Club for the Winter 2010-11 Training Season: Natalie Toczyowski.

 

Natalie, who is a graduate of Seton Hall University and who is pursuing her master’s in physical therapy at SHU, competed for Seton Hall University (as did Coaches Ashley Johnston and Michelle Ducharme). Natalie will be the Assistant Training Group Coach of the Wavebuster Teals this winter (working with Michelle).

 

Due to her pregnancy (hurray!!),Coach Trish Turkot Taormina will not return to Elite this year.

 

Elite will return all the other coaches who participated in the Spring/Summer 2009 Training Session. They and their current responsibilities are:

 

Bill Deatly: Head Coach and Head Senior/Senior Prep Training Group Coach, Marlin Blacks, Assistant Training Group Coach

Cindy Deatly Ross: Head Stroke Technician

Michael Turkot: Assistant Senior/Senior Prep Training Group Coach

Brandy Deatly: Assistant Senior/Senior Prep Training Group Coach, Marlin Teals, Assistant Training Group Coach

Ashley Johnston: Head Age Group Coach & Head Wave Gold Training Group Coach

Patty Martin Turkot: Head Wave Black Training Group Coach, Head Marlin Black Training Group Coach

Michelle DuCharme: Head Wave Teal Training Group Coach, Head Marlin Teal Training Group Coach

Matt King: Assistant Training Group Coach

Jess Kurylak: Assistant Training Group Coach

2ND ELITE TRYOUT TUESDAY, SEPT 7th;  SPACE EXTREMELY LIMITED;

TIMING VOLUNTEERS WELCOME:

          Elite will conduct its 2nd tryout for the Winter 2010-11 Season on Tuesday, September 7th at 4:30 pm at Newark Academy.

          Due to 87% of the last summer's team returning plus acceptance of 23 swimmers from Elite's 1st tryouts in July, Elite is virtually at capacity. Because Elite limits training groups in size (to approximately 38 swimmers) to guarantee the best possible environment for Elite swimmers to develop, there are very few roster spots open for this coming season.

          Swimmers with year round training experience are encouraged to email Head Coach Bill Deatly at eliteswimclubnj@comcast.net their best yard times. From this information, Bill will be able to ascertain where an interested swimmer would slot in and if there are any roster spaces left at that level.

            Elite parents and swimmers are encouraged to volunteer to time at the tryouts!! Thanks in advance for those who help!

PRIYA DUVVURI, ALI MORREALE, MAGGIE NELSON AND MICHAEL STRAND NAMED TEAM CAPTAINS:

 

Continuing the team tradition of naming all Elite Senior Seniors (seniors in high school who train with the Elite Senior Training Group) team captains, Priya Duvvuri, Ali Morreale, Maggie Nelson and Michael Strand have earned the right and the distinction of being named the captains of the Elite Swim Club, Winter 2010-11.

 

            The Senior Seniors have accomplished the ultimate goal of all Elite swimmers, to earn the distinction of being in the top training group and have been committed to Elite in their high school years. All these swimmers are also outstanding students, are positive role models and will bring these attributes to the hardest working group of Elite swimmers this season.

 

On a daily basis, the captains lead dryland practice and are expected to lead at every opportunity during pool practice. The Captains are also expected to communicate to the Senior Coaches issues involving their training group and the team at large. The team will be lead thru their eagerness to train hard and their enthusiasm for swimming and Elite. Lastly, Senior Seniors/Captains help plan the annual Senior training trip in late December and team bonding activities.

 

            Congratulations Priya, Ali, Maggie and Michael!!!

 

AWARDS DINNER TO BE HELD SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2011;

SCHOLAR/ATHLETE AWARDS WILL BE HIGHLIGHT;

 

          The 16th annual Elite Awards Banquet will be held Sunday, April 10 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Hanover Marriott (site of the last 6 banquets).

 

Swimmers are reminded that the ultimate award an Elite swimmer can earn at the season ending Awards Banquet will once again be the Elite Scholar-Athlete Awards. Great grades, in addition to great swim times, are required for a swimmer to earn one of these awards.

 

            These awards will be broken down into four levels:

 

1        All-American Scholar Athlete Award: Swimmer must have a 3.5 grade average and at least 1 Scholastic Scholar Qualifying time (as established by USA Swimming-generally faster than Sectional qualifying times!). This award is a USA Swimming Award and will be presented by New Jersey Swimming. Elite will also provide a certificate to those swimmers who have qualified for this award. The swimmer must be a sophomore to earn this distinction.

 

2)  The Elite Scholar-Athlete Platinum Award: Swimmer must have all A’s and no more than 1 B (or the equivalent of all A’s and 1 B) plus at least 1 individual Eastern Zone Sectional Qualifying Time

 

3) The Elite Scholar-Athlete Gold Award: A swimmer must have all A’s and no more than 1 B (or the equivalent of all A’s and 1 B) plus at least 1 individual Junior Olympic Qualifying Time

 

4) The Elite Scholar-Athlete Teal Award: Swimmer must have all A’s and B’s (of the equivalent) plus at least 1 individual Silver Qualifying Time

 

In addition to each swimmer receiving an impressive certificate from Elite acknowledging this achievement, Elite posts the names of its each of its scholar athletes on the team website-forever acknowledging its most special scholar-athletes of each season. 

 

Parents will be requested to provide the scholastic information in early March 2011.

 

REGISTRATION FORMS IN WELCOME PACKETS NEEDED BACK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE:

 

                With the exception of new Elite swimmers (who filled their paperwork out during tryouts), all Elite swimmers will receive a “Welcome Folder” containing paperwork which we ask prompt attention be given to.

 

Within each swimmer’s folder are: 1) an Elite Membership form  2) an Emergency Contact Form 3) Consent and Release Form and 4) an Elite Code of Conduct form. The Code of Conduct form will be reviewed and signed by each swimmer at their 1st practice.

 

In addition, there is a memo in the welcome packet regarding Parental Obligation with regards to each swimmer participating at Elite. As a consideration of having their child(ren) members of Elite, parents are committing to 1) pay their club dues promptly 2) time as needed at dual/intraclub/USA Swimming meets and 3) participate in jobs at the Elite hosted USA Swimming Meets (Distance Derby, 9-10 Silver Bronze Championships and 13-19 Silver Bronze Championships (one only needs to work at these meets if their swimmer is participating. The only exception is that the 8 & Under parents must participate at the 9-10 Silver Bronze Championships).

 

It is critical that these forms be returned to each swimmer’s Head Training Group Coach as soon as possible so that each Elite swimmer is registered (and thus insured). Swimmers should hand their paperwork  as soon as possible (2nd practice would be terrific!!).

 

PARKING AN ISSUE AT NEWARK ACADEMY (& MORRISTOWN-BEARD):

 

            There is a distinct shortage of parking spaces at Newark Academy, especially on weekdays between 5:15 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.

 

            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.

 

            Morristown-Beard School parking has eased as a result of the completion of the school construction. Parents are reminded not to park anywhere designated as fire-lanes!

 

PRACTICE SUIT, ACCESSORIES SALE SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH:

 

            Elite will hold a “Swimming Accessories Sale” Sunday, September 26th at Morristown-Beard from 12:00 am to 4:00 pm. The sale will have four components:

 

Component #1 will have Donna Kay of Swimming, Etc. selling all swimming related items from fins, goggles, practice suits, practice racing caps, pull buoys, flip-flops, and paddles. Credit cards can be used to purchase these items. All Elite swimmers need fins while all Wave Blacks, Wave Golds, Seniors Preps and Seniors need pull buoys. Payment will made directly to Swimming Etc and credit cards can be used.

 

Component # 2 will have Elite selling excess inventory of “Elite Apparel” such as Elite racing caps, last year’s t-shirts, last year’s towels and sweatpants.  Checks or cash can be used to purchase the Elite Apparel.

 

Component #3 will have the Parents Organization providing additional “Elite Wear” such as collared shirts, fleeces, etc.

 

            Component #4 will have the Parents Organization providing information regarding the structure and plans of the Elite Swim Club Parents Organization (ESCPO).

 

Please remember that all Elite members will receive a team suit, two team t-shirts, a team sweatshirt & team racing caps as part of their membership of Elite. These items will be distributed separate and distinct from this sale.

 

TENTATIVE MEET SCHEDULE NOW POSTED:

 

      The tentative Winter 2010-11 Meet Schedule is now posted on the team website under Meet Schedule. It has been amended since first posted in July. It will continue to be amended as the season progresses.

 

       Please be advised that meet dates may change during the season due to pool availability. Thus, Elite's meet schedule will be updated from time to time thru out the season. Please have your swimmer constantly review the meet schedule for meet entries, dates and session times!!!           

 

OFFICIALS & COMPUTER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO RUN MEETS:

 

          To effectively run meets, Elite needs a variety of parents to volunteer their time and efforts during these meets. This season, Elite will again be strongly encouraging those parents who have an interest to become New Jersey certified officials.

 

            To run New Jersey sanctioned meets, certified officials are a necessity. Currently within New Jersey Swimming, there is a shortage of officials certified. Elite, while having more officials than most NJ Swim Club is still understaffed and thus, under represented officiating meets. In addition, Elite likes to have officials present even when we run our dual meets/intraclub meets, as the officials provide significant feed back as to areas the coaches need to focus upon.

 

            In addition, this year Elite continue to build up its volunteers with regards to the electronic running of the meets (touch pads, timing console & processing the data coming thru both into Elite’s computer). If you are computer savvy or have an interest, please let Bill know!!

 

We are always in need of developing our Parental Talent as well!!! 

 

Anyone with interest in either volunteer position should contact Bill as soon as possible.

 

CLEAR THE CALENDAR FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10;

“MIRACLE MAN” JASON LEZAK TO VISIT ELITE!!! 

 

            Absolutely, positively mark your calendar for Sunday, October 10th!!! The Elite Swim Club Parents Organization has tentatively arranged for world class swimmer Jason Lesak, best known for his come from behind anchor leg in the 4 x 100 Free Relay at the 2008 Beijing Olympics that caught the world’s fastest swimmer and gave the USA a “miracle” win (and finished Michael Phelps quest to win 8 gold medals!!), to visit Elite in an exclusive swim clinic. The event is provided in conjunction with Mutual of Omaha (a USA Swimming sponsor) and Josh Davis, a former Olympian and world record holder in the 200 free, who now coordinates such clinics.

 

            Lezak, whose anchor leg of 46.06 (still the fastest 100 lcm free split time ever), will spend 4 hours (tentatively 11 am to 3 pm) exclusively with Elite swimmers. The cost of the clinic has not yet been set, but ESCPO, with dues collected last year and this year, will offset the cost with a donation towards the total cost of the clinic. Davis, who thoroughly entertained Elite Swimmers in October 2007 when he hosted a similar clinic at Elite with teenage swimming phenom Kate Zieglar, will join Lezak at the clinic.

 

            Lezak is a two time Olympian, representing the USA in both the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics, and is one of the titans of USA Swimming. Jason participated this past week at the Pan Pacific Games held in his home pool in Irvine, California (also site of the Jr. Nats meet, which Michael Strand participated in). Jason has won 7 Olympic medals to date and is expected to seriously contend in multiple events for a third Olympic berth in 2012. Information regarding Lezak can be viewed at his website:  http://jasonlezak.com/pages/bio.html.

 

            Thanks to Susan Gorham and Antone Balbo, for coordinating this event.

 

WANT TO SAVE $? LET BILL KNOW PRIOR TO ENTRIES SUBMITTED

THAT YOUR SWIMMER WILL NOT ATTEND A MEET (OR A SPECIFIC DAY OF THE MEET):

 

            As every parent and swimmer knows, there is a capacity issue in New Jersey Swimming (too many swimmers, not enough meets). Since Elite is extremely well organized, it is a rare occasion when the team gets shut out of a meet it wants to attend; but it has and will happen again.

 

            New Jersey Swimming is looking for ways to increase the opportunities to swimmers to compete. They will be looking at club’s entries and scratch percentages, to understand if any team is abusing the system.

 

            To make Elite more effective and efficient, this season Head Coach Bill will include a blurb within the newsletter that he is about to work on entries for a particular meet. On those occasions when a swimmer is unavailable for the meet (or a day in the meet), parents and/or swimmers will be encouraged to email Bill prior to the entries being sent in to disclose that the swimmer is not available. This will save space in the meet for other swimmers while simultaneously reducing Elite’s entry fees. To encourage parents/swimmers to notify Bill, he will credit half the entry fee savings to the parents (which will reduce the parent’s next Elite bill by this amount saved).

 

            Look for these notes in the weekly memo; please note there is apt to be a short window to respond.

 

ELITE BILLS TO BE EMAILED WEEK OF SEPT 13TH;

 

            Electronic bills will be emailed to each family sometime during the week of September 13th. The bill will reflect the $300 deposit posted this summer by each family per swimmer. The new bill will be for 50% of the total outstanding charge due for the remaining season. In mid November, a 2nd bill for the remaining charge due will also be emailed.

 

            Within the $300 deposit from this summer was the only extraneous charge one will receive from Elite this winter. This charge was for the Elite Swim Club Parents Organization (ESCPO). An explanation of what this organization does follows.

 

ESCPO: AN EXPLANATION:

            The Elite Swim Club Parents Organization’s purpose is to provide support to the swimmers, coaches and families of the Elite Swim Club by fostering a socially enriching, supportive, positive sportsmanlike, open and inclusive team atmosphere.

            ESCPO is lead by a membership elected Board of Directors, and operates within the organization’s by-laws.  Volunteerism is an integral part of ESCPO and all parents are encouraged to lend their support and expertise.

            This year, ESCPO has coordinated and will help offset the costs for hosting 2-time Olympian Jason Lezak in a closed swim clinic for Elite Swimmers only on Sunday, October 10 (11 am to 3 pm).

            ESCPO also hosts a Parents Welcome Cocktail party, barbecue’s at several swim meets, Float Night, the coordination and cost of the Memory Book provided to each swimmer at the Awards Dinner, Publicity. Recently, ESCPO’s meetings have been opened to all Parents.

            As part of the $300 deposit, Elite collected the ESCPO charge assessed to each Elite family ($30 for a single child and $60 for 2 or more swimmers). Elite has acted solely as a collection agency on this matter. Parents are reminded that this is their organization!!  

ARIZONA/WINTER SUNSHINE, HERE I COME;

SENIOR TRAINING TRIP DEPOSITS ARE DUE:

 

            Seniors are reminded that the $500 2010-11 training trip deposit is due Wednesday, Sept 15. This year, the Elite Seniors will be traveling to Tempe Arizona from December 26 thru January 2. Twelve Elite Seniors are expected to travel 3000 miles for the pleasure of working out 5 hours and swimming over 7 miles a day!!

 

SEPTEMBER 2010 PRACTICE SCHEDULE POSTED ON WEBSITE:

 

            With September just 1 week away, Elite is gearing up for the start of practice. As has been the custom at Elite, practices will phase in with the Seniors and Senior Preps starting first (Monday, August 30 & Tuesday, August 31) and the Wavebuster Golds and Wavebuster Blacks starting Wednesday, September 8th. All groups will be training when the Marlin Blacks and Marlin Teals start Monday, September 13 and the Wavebuster Teals start Tuesday, September 14.

 

            The practice schedule can be viewed at http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Practice%20Schedule/homepage%20practice.htm

 

2010-11 SCY TIME STANDARDS NOW POSTED:

 

            New Jersey Swimming has published the new time standards for the Winter 2010-11 Short Course Season. These standards are now posted on the team website under Time Standards at the link: http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Time%20Standards/home_page.htm

 

TOP 10 ALL TIME LCM LIST UPDATED:

 

            The Top 10 All-Time LCM list has been updated thru all Summer 2010 competition. Here is the link: http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Top%20Times/top%2010%20all%20time%20lcm%208-10.htm.     

COMING THIS FALL: PARENT WORKSHOPS: 1st DATE IS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND

            In an effort to educate parents about swimming and Elite’s philosophy, Head Coach Bill will conduct a Parent Workshop once a month during the Winter 2010-11 Training Season at Newark Academy. The initial workshop will be Wednesday, September 22.

            The workshops are meant to educate the Age Group Parents as to the sport of swimming. Each workshop will consist of a lecture regarding a specific topic (like nutrition) and will have time set aside for general questions. On the first date, there will also be a 2nd workshop specifically for Marlin parents in introduce them to the sport of swimming.

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!!!