ELITE NEWS BULLETIN               09-08-08

 

WAVEBUSTERS START THIS WEEK; MARLINS START NEXT MONDAY;

SENIORS/SENIOR PREPS ALREADY WET;

 

            Starting today (Monday, Sept 8), Elite starts phase 2 of the beginning of its Winter 2008-09 season. All 3 Wavebuster training groups begin their training for the Winter 2008-09 season this week: the Wavebuster Golds will hold their 1st practice tonite, the Wave Teals start tomorrow/Tuesday and the Wave Blacks start Wednesday. Please check the 3 week schedule for start times.

 

            Next Monday will signal phase 3 of the beginning of the season, as both the Marlin Blacks and Marlin Teals hold their 1st practice (practice starts at 5:00 pm. Marlin practices will run from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm weekdays until November 15, when Newark Academy begins their varsity high school practices. The Marlins practice times will then run 5:15 pm to 6:00 pm from Nov 15 for the remainder of the Winter season).

 

            The Seniors and Senior Preps began their practices last week, beginning with a organizational meeting. In addition to some light conditioning, the Seniors and Senior Preps have already had extensive review sessions covering freestyle, the drills they will be performing in all strokes all season and in sculling. This week the Seniors and Senior Preps will cover backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly review in addition to ramping up the conditioning.

 

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

 

At the 1st practice, all swimmers will receive a welcome packet containing information about Elite. With the exception of new Elite swimmers (who filled their paperwork out during tryouts), all returning Elite swimmers will receive within their “Welcome Folder” paperwork which we ask prompt attention be given to.

 

Within each returning swimmer’s folder are: 1) an Elite Membership form  2) an Emergency Contact Form and  3) an Elite Code of Conduct form. The Code of Conduct form will be reviewed and signed by each swimmer at their 1st practice. Parents will also need to sign the Code, which is the ticket into Elite.

Each welcome packet, new and returning swimmers, will contain a Elite Swim Club Parents Organization (ESCPO) Family registration form.

 

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

                       

TWO NEW COACHES ADD ENERGY TO ALREADY IMPRESSIVE COACHING STAFF;

ALL COACHES FROM SPRING/SUMMER 2008 STAFF RETURN:

 

 Looking to add energy and depth to an already impressive coaching staff, Head Coach Bill Deatly announces the addition of two new coaches to the Elite Swim Club for the Winter 2008-09 Training Season: Michelle Durcharme and Suzanne Monahan.

 

Michelle, who will be student teaching this fall in South Orange, attends Seton Hall University and was the Captain of the Women’s Swim Team. During her 4 year letter winning career, Michelle broke and currently holds 3 University records: the 500 yard free (4.57.84), the 1000 yard free (10.12.88) and the 1650 yard free (16.58.31). Michelle swam at Sonoco Swim Club in Connecticut and was a teammate of Elite Coach Ashley Johnston at both Sonoco and at Seton Hall University (at Seton Hall, both participated on relays together that hold University records!!). Michelle will be working with the Marlin training groups and will be a floater assistant coach for the Wavebuster training groups.

 

Suzanne, who is a teacher in Somerville, was a 4 year letter winner at Western New England College where she was Captain her senior year. While growing up locally, Suzanne swam for both Crimson Aquatic Club and Madison Y Mariners. Suzanne will be working with the Marlin training groups and will be a floater assistant coach for the Wavebuster training groups.

 

Elite will return all the coaches who participated in the Spring/Summer 2008 Training Session. They and their current responsibilities are:

 

Bill Deatly: Head Coach and Head Senior/Senior Prep Training Group Coach

Cindy Deatly Ross: Head Stroke Technician

Leighann Marcelliano Day: Head Age Group Coach and Co-Head Wave Gold Training Group Coach

Ashley Johnston: Co-Head Wave Gold Training Group Coach, Head Wave Teal Training Group Coach

Becky Marcelliano: Head Wave Black Training Group Coach, Head Marlin Training Group Coach

Michael Turkot: Assistant Senior/Senior Prep Training Group Coach

Brandy Deatly: Assistant Senior/Senior Prep Training Group Coach

Matt King: Assistant Age Group Coach

Caitlin Ayres: Assistant Age Group Coach

Patty Martin: Assistant Age Group Coach

 

Lastly, under the category of “Coaches that coach together, stay together,” Elite coaches Michael Turkot and Patty Martin have announced their engagement!! Michael and Patty plan a Fall 2009 wedding. Congrats!!!!

 

FULL SQUAD MEANS MAKE-UP PRACTICES ELIMINATED FOR NEXT YEAR;

 

            Based upon the large number of returning swimmers plus the impressive tryout numbers from July & September, each training group within Elite is fully subscribed this coming year (with 36 swimmers training in each training group). In anticipation that the previous practice of “make-ups” would thus cause overcrowding at workouts (which is what the team is attempting to prevent by limiting each training group to 36 swimmers), the previous Elite tradition of allowing “make-up” practices will NOT be offered next year.

 

Attendance levels will remain the same (with the one exception of Wave Golds attempting to become Senior Preps, that attendance minimum will drop to 80%).

 

In response to several parental questions regarding this change in policy, the Elite coaches are analyzing several scenarios to help swimmers with scheduling conflicts to have alternatives. More information on this will follow.

 

UNIFORM CHANGE THIS YEAR: NEW CAPS

 

            At the suggestion of Tao Hong (parent of Matthew and Patrick Hong), Elite will be sporting new racing caps next season.

 

            Tao is convinced that since the original Elite racing caps were NOT distinctive enough, many spectators are unaware of just how well Elite swimmers are performing. With a more distinctive cap, Tao believes Elite will generate additional interest as spectators properly witness the impressive nature of Elite performances.

 

            The new caps will be the traditional black; however, instead of the original Elite logo, the new cap will simply have ESC in bold, neon green letters across the cap. Distinct, simple, and in front!!

 

TEAM GOALS ANNOUNCED:

 

Elite will have a plethora of team and individual goals for this upcoming season. The coaches expect to improve upon it very impressive 2007-08 team accomplishments. This year’s team goals are:

 

1)      Winter 2009 Junior Olympics:  qualify more swimmers in more events & score more points (last year: 45 qualifiers, 284 events & 909.5 points)

                                                      Target Team Score: 1300 points- Plus more swimmers score points individually: more than 21 swimmers

2)      Summer 2009 Junior Olympics: qualify more swimmers in more events & score more points (last year: 38 qualifiers, 243 events & 1152 points)

                                                      Target Team Score: 1500 points- Plus more swimmers score points individually: more than 28 swimmers

3)      Winter 2009 Eastern Zones: qualify more swimmers in more events (more than 4 swimmers in 8 events)

4)      Summer 2009 Eastern Zones: qualify more swimmers in more events (more than 19 swimmers in 67 events)

5)      Winter 2009 Sectionals: qualify more swimmers in more events (more than 4 swimmers in 17 events)

                                            Plus qualify one or more female swimmers!!

6)      Summer 2009 Sectionals: qualify more swimmers in more events (more than1 swimmer in 4 events)

                                            Plus qualify one or more female swimmers!!

7)      Junior Nationals 2009: to have at least one representative from Elite and have that representative reach finals/consolations in an event

 

Along the way, Elite swimmers are expected to collect numerous other accomplishments at Holiday Classic, Burgdorff, Senior States and Junior

States.

           

            While these goals are a tall order since Elite swimmers performed absolutely magnificently last year, several factors actually point to Elite surpassing all these lofty goals:

 

1)      Elite swimmers & coaches are now fully immersed in the Councilman Training System. This system of training is cumulative, meaning that it builds upon itself. Thus, Elite’s youngest swimmers will actually get the most benefit from it, as they train in the system year after year. In addition, the coaches are able to tweak the system to help translate the “textbook” into real training for specific swimmers.

 

2)      Elite swimmers & coaches are now fully immersed in our stroke technique system. Swimmers in the Wavebuster and Senior Training Groups are refining their skills, not learning them. More efficient training and more efficient stroke technique points to significant success!!

 

3)      Approximately 30 accomplished year round swimmers from neighboring year-round programs opted to join Elite during the spring/summer session and as a result of the Summer July 22nd & Sept 2nd tryouts. There is significant talent among these swimmers that Elite coaches expect to hone and develop!!! While developing and succeeding, these “new” Elite swimmers will challenge “returning” Elite swimmers at practice and in meets, for the benefit of all current Elite Swimmers!

 

4)      The quality of non-year round swimmers whom were accepted into Elite as a result of the July 22nd & Sept 2nd tryouts was very impressive. This should help Elite this year and for years to come!!

 

5)      The current team members are hard working, are goal-oriented and focused on improving!! And many of them are already accomplished swimmers!!!

 

             So, lets get it started!!!!

 

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 should ease this fall. Construction of the new Middle School Building is finishing up, and paving of the parking lots should be completed by Sept 10. Parents are reminded not to park anywhere designated as fire-lanes!

 

WINTER SUNSHINE, HERE I COME;

SENIOR TRAINING TRIP DEPOSITS ARE DUE:

 

            Seniors are reminded that the $500 2008-09 training trip deposit is due Friday, Sept 14. This year, the Elite Seniors will be traveling to Arizona State University from December 26 thru January 2. Fifteen Elite Seniors are expected to travel 3000 miles for the pleasure of working out 5 hours and swimming over 7 miles a day!!

 

PRACTICE SUIT, ACCESSORIES SALE SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH:

 

            Elite will hold a “Swimming Accessories Sale” Sunday, Sept 28 at Morristown-Beard from 1:00 pm 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 and a team sweatshirt & team racing caps as part of their membership of Elite separate and distinct from this sale.

 

TENTATIVE MEET SCHEDULE NOW POSTED:

 

      The tentative Winter 2008-09 Meet Schedule is now posted under Meet Schedule. 

 

       Please be advised that meet dates 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!!!  

 

FARNOW, GRYWALSKI & ROSS 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, Cassandra Farnow, Amanda Grywalski and Brittany Ross have earned the right and the distinction of being named of the Elite Swim Club, Winter 2008-09.

 

            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 three girls are 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 Captaions are also expected to communicate to the Senior Coaches issues involving the training group. Lastly, Senior Seniors help plan the annual training trip in late December.

 

            Congratulations Cassandra, Amanda & Brittany!!!

 

SCHOLAR/ATHLETE AWARDS WILL BE HIGHLIGHT OF AWARDS BANQUET:

 

          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 three levels:

 

1) All-American Scholar Athlete Award: Swimmer must have a 3.5 grade average and at least 1 Sectional Qualifying time. This award is actually 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.

 

2) 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 QualifyTime

 

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

 

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

 

Parents will be requested to provide the scholastic information in early March, 2009.

 

OFFICIALS & COMPUTER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO RUN MEETS: OFFICIALS CLINIC THURSDAY, OCT 2 AT 7 PM AT NA:

 

          To effectively run meets, Elite needs a variety of parents to volunteer their time and efforts during these meets. This season, Elite will 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 6 certified is 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 conjunction with New Jersey Swimming, Elite will host an officials clinic at Newark Academy on Thursday, Oct 2 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Newark Academy. This is a “beginners” stroke & turn judge clinic for all individuals wanting to explore officiating. In addition, the course is for those officials who need recertification. After taking this course, officials to be need to take an OPEN book test on officiating and then apprentice at 4 sessions before becoming fully certified.

 

            With regards to the computer work, this year Elite will be building 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).

 

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

 

TIME TRIALS TO SOLVE “HAPPY” PROBLEM:

 

            The coaches believe the swimmers at Elite have a “happy” problem and the coaches plan to fix it: to find out just how much faster the Wavebuster level swimmers are since their last SCY (25 yard) times were recorded last March. To solve this “happy” problem, Elite will be holding a time trial meet at Newark Academy on Tuesday, Sept 23rd for all Wavebuster level swimmers only.

 

            Returning Elite swimmers are well aware that Elite is extremely diligent in using only established times in its entry process for NJ Sanctioned meets. If at all possible, Elite does not use “guestimate” times for entries (attempting to translate Long Course Meter times-50 meter pool times- into SCY times). By holding steadfastly to this practice, Elite swimmers who have improved since last March (quite possibly a large number because of the hard training many Elite swimmers put in this past spring and summer) might inadvertently not be entered into appropriate level meets this fall (particularly the Fall Festival Meet in early November).

 

            To fix this “happy” problem, Elite will hold a Times Trial Meet on Tuesday, September 25 from 5:15 pm to 8:30 pm for swimmers in the Wavebuster Gold, Wavebuster Black and Wavebuster Teal training groups only (swimmers most likely affected by this situation).

 

            Since the Time Trials meet will be run just like Elite’s Dual/Intraclub Meet, parents will be needed to help time and officiate. Please volunteer to help out!!    

 

ELITE PARENTS SOCIAL TENATIVELY SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY, OCT 17:

 

            ESCPO (Elite Swim Club Parents Organization) is planning its 1st parent social for Friday, October 17th. Tentative plans are for the social to be held from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Chatham Fish & Game Club in Chatham.

 

            All parents are invited. Details to follow.

 

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!!!