ELITE NEWS BULLETIN               10-26-09         

 

FALL COLORS MEANS RACING SEASON BEGINS:

ELITE WINS 16 OF 22 EVENTS AT COLLEGE DUAL;

MANGO, K. MILLER-RADEST ADD JO CUTS IN COLLEGE DUAL;

BROWN, CHO, K. DUVVURI, J. FELSEN, A. GALEA, E. GORHAM, KATZ (6), G. SORIANO & YU WIN 14 EVENTS AT HALLOWEEN,

CRITCHLEY, A. DUVVURI (2), A. GALEA (4), I. LA RAIA & G. SORIANO ADD JO SWIMS AT HALL-O-WEEN;

 

            Elite greeted Autumns fall colors by putting on their racing gear this past weekend; six of the seven Elite training groups competed at two separate weeks. The Seniors and the Senior Preps journeyed to Cranford to compete in a college tri-meet format against the host Jersey Gators and the Monmouth Barracudas while the Age Groupers traveled to Seton Hall University in South Orange to compete in the annual Hall-o-ween Meet. Although the season is very, very young, the results were quite impressive.

 

College Dual

 

At the College Tri-Meet, Senior Alex Mango and Senior Prep Kara Miller-Radest each posted a Junior Olympic qualifying time in their respective 200 butterfly swims. For Mango, who joined Elite this past spring, this was his first Elite SCY meet and his first Elite SCY JO cut (2.08.80). Miller-Radest added her 2nd Junior Olympic swim for next March, by dropping 5.5 seconds from her previous best 200 fly swim last March.            

 

            Elite’s older advanced swimmers clearly dominated their competition, winning 13 of the 18 events and 3 of the 4 relays contested. Chelsea Allocco (200 breast-2.39.65), Priya Duvvuri (200 IM-2.22.13), Venka Duvvuri (200 IM-2.10.92 & 500 free-5.18.46), Duncan Hall (50 free-23.63), Regan Kology (1000 free-11.20.26), Brendan Miller-Radest (200 breast-2.34.81), Lindsay Stearns (200 fly-2.20.09), Michael Strand (200 fly-1.59.65 & 200 back-2.04.34), Adam Weinbrom (1000 free-10.57.89) and Ryan Wyer (200 free-1.58.03 & 100 free-53.52) all posted 1st place finishes.

 

Swimmers who participated (# in parathesis is number of best Elite SCY best times):  Matt Ahlmeyer (2), Chelsea Allocco (1), Jenni Allocco (1), Lindsay Anderson, Tad Deatly, Anthony Don (2), Sam Duren (1), Priya Duvvuri, Venka Duvvuri (1), Duncan Hall, Brent Jones, Regan Kology, Emmie Lai, Michael Li (2), Alex Mango (2), Danielle Martinez, Brendan Miller-Radest, Kara Miller-Radest (1), Dan Muro (2), Maggie Nelson, Katie Ragan, Ryan Sebastian (2), Andrea Shepard, Lindsay Stearns (2), Michael Strand (1), Erica Takahashi, Adam Weinbrom (1), Ryan Wyer (1)

 

Hall-o-ween

 

            At Hall-o-ween, Elite competed against 22 other teams (there were a total of 3300 splashes!!). While many of Elite’s swimmers were competing in their secondary events, saving their best events for Fall Festival, the results were still wonderful. Eight swimmers won 14 events while six different swimmers added 9 Junior Olympic qualifying times. Elite’s JO team totals now stand at 29 swimmers qualified in 111 events.

 

12 year old Zach Katz won all 6 events he entered, all in best time fashion.  Two of his swims were top Elite all-time swims for a swimmer his age (50 free-25.22 & 50 breast-30.81). Zatz also won the 50 back (29.07), 100 back (1.05.55), 50 fly (27.94) and the 100 IM (1.02.74).

 

            11 year old Andrea Galea was nearly as impressive, as she won the 100 IM (1.08.37), placed 2nd three times (200 free-2.13.43), 50 back (30.09), 50 fly (29.64) and 4th in the 50 breast (36.00).  Galea’s 50 back time is now the top Elite all-time swim (and Andrea is just 11 last spring!!) in her first crack at the event in this age group.

 

            Newcomer Caitlin Brown, who moved from Brooklyn this summer, won the 200 free (2.08.86) while also placing 2nd twice (200 fly-2.37.02 & 500 free-5.56.98). A 14 year old, Caitlin is a welcome addition to an already strong Girls 13-14 age group!

 

            10 year old Emily Gorham placed no higher than 3rd in her five events; winning the 50 back (36.55), placing 2nd in the 50 breast (44.05) and the 200 free (2.39.03) and 3rd in both the 100 breast (1.36.67) and 100 IM (1.22.11) events.

 

10 year old Gian Soriano, new to Elite this fall, posted his 1st JO qualifying time in his first Elite meet by winning the 50 fly in a 35.38 time. Gian also placed 4th in the 100 IM (1.23.74). 

 

14 year old Brannon Cho won the 200 free in a 2.02.00 time while splashing to a 2nd place finish in the 100 fly (1.02.50). Cho also placed 4th in the 50 free (25.27).

 

            13 year old Juliet Felsen won the 200 fly with a 2.34.24 performance while placing 3rd in the 500 free (5.59.18), 4th in the 200 free (2.12.80) and 5th in the 200 back (2.34.24).

 

            14 year old Richard Yu stroked to a victory in the 200 breast (2.41.79) and a 2nd place in the 200 back (2.33.92).

 

14 year old Krishna Duvvuri, following his older brother’s lead, won the 200 fly in a 2.28.36 time. Krishna also placed 4th in the 500 free (5.54.45).

 

12 year old Isabel LaRaia earned her 1st Junior Olympic qualifying time this season with her 6th place finish in the 50 breast (37.05).

 

Two 4th place finishes brought future Junior Olympic swims to Avinash Duvvuri. Avi posted JO cuts in both the 50 breast (36.32) and the 50 back (33.56).

 

11 year old Matt Critchley also sparkled in the 50 breast, finishing 5th (right behind Avi) and also added a JO swim to his swim calendar with a 37.46 time.

 

            While a distance swimmer at heart, 11 year old Chris Balbo still managed to place 3rd in the 100 fly (1.1014), 4th in the 50 fly (32.07), 4th in the 100 IM (1.11.23) and 5th in the 100 back (1.11.54).

 

            10 year old Michael Maccia touched 2nd twice (100 back-1.20.92) and 50 back (38.06) while reaching the wall 3rd in the 200 free (2.49.23) and 4th in the 50 fly (41.07).

 

            10 year old Karen Iizuka churned to a 2nd place finish in the 50 back (37.52) and added two 4th place finishes (100 fly-1.31.62 & 100 IM-1.23.73).

 

            13 year old Matthew Hong got to the wall 2nd in the 500 free (5.49.09) and 3rd in the 100 free (56.64).

 

            Following his older brother’s lead in the breaststroke, 10 year old Brandon Li glided to a 2nd place finish in 100 (1.38.48).

 

            13 year old Daniel Chu stroked to a 3rd place finish in the 200 breast (2.50.52) after placing 5th in the 200 fly (2.38.03).

 

            9 year old Evan Ng also went 3-5; finishing 3rd in the 100 fly (1.38.49) and 5th in the 200 free (2.51.32).

 

            9 year old Vivian Xia placed in the top 10 in all 5 of her events, with her best being two 4th place finishes (50 breast-44.66 & 50 fly-50 fly-37.61). Vivian was also 5th in the 50 back (39.51).

 

13 year old Jeffrey Dong was 4th in both the 100 fly (1.05.27) and the 200 fly (2.34.27), 5th in the 200 free (2.08.86) and dropped 30 second from his previous 500 free swim to dip under 6 minutes (5.59.71).         

 

            After placing 4th in the 100 breast (1.43.21), 10 year old Andrew Huang followed up with a 3rd place finish in the 50 fly (39.78).

 

            13 year old Jess Gorham placed in the top 10 in all 6 of her events with her best showing in the 200 IM (2nd-2.27.30) and 2 thirds (50 free-26.78) and 200 fly (2.40.49).

 

            14 year old Jonas Singer had a pair of 3rd place finishes: 200 fly (2.34.23) and the 500 free (5.52.47).

 

            15 year old Jessica Chu, new to Elite this fall, placed 3rd in the 500 free (6.09.55) and 4th in both the 200 IM (2.31.56) and the 100 back (1.09.71).

 

            14 year old Clark LaRaia dropped 10 seconds to finish 3rd in the 200 back (2.42.07) and also placed 4th in the 200 breast (2.50.62).

 

            11 year old Kaitlin Stearns replicated a former JO performance in the 50 back with her 4th place, 31.63 time and was 5th in the 50 free (27.94).

 

            15 year old Kelly Delaney muscled to a 4th place finish in the 200 fly (2.46.15) while 14 year old Ariel Gelman was 4th in the 500 free (6.35.70). 14 year old Emma Harris placed 5th in the 500 free (6.35.86). 11 year old Caroline Nash stroked to a 4th place finish in the 50 fly (31.55). 15 year old Carolyn Shu was 4th in the 200 breast (2.54.19).

 

12 year old Karl Melchior repeated an earlier JO performance in placing 5th in the 50 back (33.76). 9 year old Grace Xu, new to Elite this fall, placed 5th in the 100 free (1.16.18).      

 

Swimmers who participated (# in parathesis is number of best Elite SCY best times):  Michael Alelov, Chris Balbo (3), Megan Balbo (4), Brielle Barba (6), Lindsay Behar (6), Mark Berns (6), Ethan Blum (2), Nicole Blum (1), Katie Brosnan (4), Caitlin Brown (6), Emily Buckman (3), Eloise Burn (2), Meggie Butler (3), Richie Carchia (3), Claire Chiperfield (4), John Chiang (6), Brannon Cho (3), Daniel Chu (6), Jessica Chu (4), Morgan Conley (5), Jimmy Coyne (4), Matthew Critchley (3), Elizabeth D’Altrui (4), Drew D’Andrea (6), Carolyn Delaney (3), Kelly Delaney (5), Will Delaney (5), Jeffrey Dong (4), Ryan Dorneo (2), Amy Duren (3), Corey Duren (3), Avinash Duvvuri (6), Krishna Duvvuri (4), Madeleine Faust (6), Juliet Felsen (4), Andrea Ferrell (4), Andy Fresen (3), Katherine Friday (3), Andrea Galea (5), Clio Galea (3), Ariel Gelman (6), Tabatha Georget (5), Patrick Gilfillan (4), Lindsay Giostra (2), Emily Goad (1), Emily Gorham (5), Jess Gorham (5), Andre Guacelli (3), Julia Guacelli (3), Emma Harris (5), Alyssa Hartigan (6), Matthew Hong (5), Patrick Hong (5), Rachel Hong (5), Elana Horowitz (5), Andrew Huang (3), Jennifer Huo (5), Lynna Huo (2), Alicia Iizuka (5), Erica Iizuka (5), Karen Iizuka (5), Monica Iizuka (3), Katie Iovel (4), Zach Katz (6), Rachel Keselman (1), Audrey Kim (4), Jared Kovacs (6), Jessica Kraus (2), Patrick Lai (1), Clark LaRaia (4), Isabel LaRaia (6), Aaron Levin (1), Brandon Li (6), Jessie Lowe (6), Sarah Lowe (3), Gregory Maccia (6), Michael Maccia (6), Cody Matheson (5), Karl Melchior (2), Matthew Migliozzi (6), Ryan Miller (6), Andrew Morrison (1), Charlotte Morrissey (4), Sandeepan Mukherjee (4), Julia Muro (5), Caroline Nash (5), Alexandra N’Diaye (3), Eugene Ng (5), Evan Ng (6), Gregory Niccolai (2), Michael Nitting (4), Dara O’Gorman (3), Danielle Peterson (1), Christina Pick (1), Gabrielle Pick (2), Joseph Pick (4), Michelle Pick (6), Natalie Pruitt (3), Camille Relota (5), Taylor Savarese (1), Daniel Scherb, Katy Shepard (5), Abigail Shvorin (4), Jonas Singer (6), Gian Soriano (6), Kaitlin Stearns (4), Will Stearns (4), Brittany Sun (6), Sachi Tanwar (4), Abir Thakur (4), Rachael Tortorella (3), Amy Tsay (5), Katie Tselepis (3), Caroline Watt (3), Vivian Xia (5), Claire Xu (5), Gloria Xu (4), Grace Xu (6), Remenna Xu (4), Richard Yu (5) & Carolyn Zhu (2).

 

DISTANCE DERBY 4 WEEKS OUT; PLEASE RESPOND TO CAROLYN BALBO’S COORDINATION EMAIL:

 

            In order to help provide racing opportunities for our swimmers, Elite hosts or co-hosts New Jersey Swimming/USA Swimming sanctioned meets thru the swimming year (September thru July). Times from these meets are downloaded into USA Swimming’s SWIMS database (truly, the national swimming database for times, as in addition to USA Swimming meets, YMCA championship meets and NCAA championship meets are included in this database. One can access this database at http://www.usaswimming.org/usasweb/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=358&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en-US.

 

            This year (Sept 2009 thru July, 2010), Elite will host 2 meets and co-host 3 meets. Co-hosting meets allows Elite to run meets without the full burden of hosting the meet. Hosting meets is a significant burden on the club’s membership (fully recognized by the coaching staff and appreciated). Both hosting and co-hosting meets provides our swimmers and swimmers from other clubs “splash” opportunities in racing situations. Next weekend, Hall Aquatics Club will be providing that opportunity for our club, as will X-Cel at Fall Festival on November 7 & 8. Thus, NJ Swimming is a community, and Elite needs to do its part as part of this swimming community.

 

            The first meet Elite hosts each year is Distance Derby, to be held this year on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22 (4 weeks out) at Newark Academy.  All Elite swimmers in the Senior and Wavebuster training groups are entered into this meet. Parents of every swimmer in the Senior and Wavebuster training groups (Gold, Black and Teal) are expected to work this meet in the sessions that their swimmer(s) are participating in as part of their parential obligation to Elite. Jobs include officiating, timing, concessions, admissions, coaches hospitality, set-up & clean-up.

 

            Coordinating this year’s Distance Derby Parents is Carolyn Balbo (thanks Carolyn!). Carolyn will be emailing a questionnaire to all parents this week requesting preferences as to what work each parent prefers. Please respond to this email asap as it will help Carolyn create her work coverage chart. Carolyn’s email is: cbalbo@comcast.net.

 

            If Carolyn does not hear from you, she will reach out again. A total non-response will require Carolyn to place those non-response workers in positions she needs filled, rather than their preference.

 

            If a parent/family forsees a problem fulfilling their parential obligation, they need to contact Carolyn asap. In the past, parents/families have fulfilled their parential obligation by having a relative (grandparents or siblings) work, or even hiring a worker for their spot. Thus, there is almost no reason a parential obligation can be fulfilled.

 

            Any family who does not fulfill their parential obligation will be jeopardizing their swimmer’s roster spot on Elite. We expect parents to step up and help when it is Elite’s turn to provide splash opportunities for the greater swimming community.

 

FILMING AT MBS TO DISTRUPT ELITE’S LOCKER ROOM USE SUNDAY, NOV 1ST:

 

        Morristown-Beard will the site of a film shoot from Friday, October 30 thru Sunday, November 1st. Film crews will be using various parts of the campus.

 

            On Sunday, November 1st, the film shoot will involve the Girls Locker Room facility in the Athletic Center from 12 pm to 6 pm. On this day, Elite will be allowed to train in the pool but will need to make some accomondations to the film crew. The tentative plan is to have the Elite Girl swimmers use the Boys locker room that day and the boys use the upstairs Men’s Bathroom as a changing and bathroom facility.

 

MEET SCHEDULE & MEET ENTRIES UPDATED!!;

 

            Updated information has prompted changes to the meet schedule while this past weekend’s performances have allowed Elite to update some of their meet entries. It is advisable to double check both.

 

PRACTICE SCHEDULE CHANGES (SLIGHTLY) NOVEMBER 16 FOR MARLIN TEALS & MARLIN BLACKS….

 

Swimmers and Parents are reminded that the practice schedule will change come Monday, November 16. The changes will only affect the Marlin Teals and the Marlin Blacks practices.

           

Starting Monday, November 16, Newark Academy’s high school and middle schools will begin training for their winter competitions. To accommodate NA, the immediate effect will be that the Marlin Teals and Marlin Blacks will “lose” 15 minutes of training (actually, we add 15 minutes of training in September and October and just revert back to the original practice schedule) and begin training at 5:15 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays. Practice for these groups will still conclude at 6:00 pm.

 

….JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE NOT TO LOOK AT OUR PRACTICE SCHEDULE: HIGH SCHOOL MEETS TO DISRUPT PRACTICES:

 

            In December, January and thru the middle of February, high school & middle school swim teams conduct practice and meets at the two pools Elite uses. Incredibly, a total of 7 high school and middle school teams use either Newark Academy or Morristown-Beard School during this time in addition to Elite. What these means to us is that Elite’s practices will be disrupted as meets will encroach into Elite’s practice times.

 

            On days when there are no meets, Elite’s practices will be held at the identical time. However, on those days when a high school or middle school is using one of our pools for a meet, our practices might be shortened at the front end or on the back end. And meets get canceled and rescheduled. So, please continue to check the practice schedule for practice time changes on a daily basis!!

 

PARENTS: PLEASE WATCH YOUR SWIMMERS SIBLINGS DURING PRACTICE:

 

            Parents watching practice are urged to keep track of your swimmer’s siblings. Accidents have occurred in the past to unattended (and even attended) siblings.

 

            Parents are reminded that their swimmers are covered by USA Swimming’s master insurance policy while at practice. Siblings are not covered by this policy. Caution is requested when dealing with swimmer’s siblings.

 

            Parent also need to be aware that the space behind the Newark Academy bleachers is very dangerous. There are steel ropes holding the bleachers to the back wall. There has been a accident involving a child and these steel ropes in the past and parents are requested not to let anyone play or be behind the bleachers.

 

AGE GROUP COACHES ROLL OUT “STARS FOR STARS” PROGRAM; DAILY MOTIVATION THE TARGET:

 

            Head Age Group Coach Ashley Johnston is rolling out the new “Stars for Stars” program last week. The goal of this program is to heighten each swimmer’s daily motivation.

 

            Conceived by coaches Ashley, Becky and Michelle (the 3 Wavebuster Head Training Group coaches), the Stars for Stars program consist of master charts of each training group posted at Newark Academy. Space on the chart has been provided for each swimmer in the 5 Age Group Training Groups (Wave Golds, Wave Blacks, Wave Teals, Marlin Blacks and Marlin Teals) allowing the coaches to award sticker “stars” to those swimmers who have earned a star.

 

Stars will be earned by swimmers on a variety of behavior and swimming feats. Following Elite’s core philosophy, this program is a positive motivational tool to help motivate swimmers to achieve more as people and as athletes.

 

Additional awards will be issued to those who accumulate a significant amount of stars. Ashley, Becky and Michelle are working out the details of this “super-star” recognition/award.

 

MEETS ON THE HORIZON MEANS TIMING COORDINATION:

 

            In order for Elite swimmers to compete in meets (starting in 2 weeks!), Elite parents are expected to provide assistance in timing.  At non-Elite hosted NJ Swimming meets, Elite will be asked to cover a lane or two each session of the meet. At Elite-hosted NJ Swimming meets and at Elite dual meets, Elite will be expected to cover 6-8 lanes during the sessions. As a condition of having a swimmer on Elite, each parent obligated themselves to volunteer to help out when needed.

 

            Carolyn Balbo, Lisa Allocco, Jennifer Tortorella and Antone Balbo will coordinate the timing assignments the week before those non-Elite hosted NJ Swimming meets Elite attends (such as Hall-o-ween and Fall Festival. These volunteers have asked the following:

 

“Please add the following four email addresses to your e-mail address book to ensure you receive important information regarding Elite Hosted Meets, Timing Information for all other meets and Parent Association Information.  Adding the e-mail addresses will insure that these important e-mails do not go to your junk/spam folder.”

 

Carolyn Balbo -                   cbalbo@comcast.net

Lisa Allocco -                        lallocco@alcatel-lucent.com

Jennifer Tortorella -           jctortorella@gmail.com

Antone Balbo -                    abalbo@comcast.net

 

TENTATIVE LIST OF LEGAL SUITS POSTED ON TEAM WEBSITE:

 

            USA Swimming’s tentative list of legal suits is now posted on the Elite website, as well as USA Swimming’s website. FINA, the world swimming federation, has not yet posted its list of legal suits. At such time as FINA posts its list, USA Swimming will officially adopt this list as it’s final legal suit list. USA Swimming (and Elite) will update its list upon receipt of FINA’s list (not expected until December, 2009).

 

            Swimmers and parents can check out the list at: http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Suits/Reference List for Allowable Swimsuits 2009.htm

 

CLOTHING ITEMS CAN BE PURCHASED THRU ESCPO:

 

            The Elite Swim Club Parents Organization is offering “Elite-wear” to anyone interested in buying clothing with the Elite logo or name on it. This items are great birthday and holiday gifts.

 

            The link to the items available is: http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Parents Org/ELITE 2009 Clothing.pdf

 

REGISTRATION FORMS ARE NEEDED FROM THESE SWIMMERS:

 

                Registration forms were provided to each swimmer in their welcome packets handed out the first day of practice. At this time, the following swimmers still have not handed in their registration forms:

 

Marlin Blacks: Andy Fresen

 

Wave Teals: Tabatha Georget

 

Wave Blacks: Lindsay Ellerthrope, Isabella Morreale, Gloria Xu

 

            Wave Golds: Daniel Scherb & Jonas Singer

 

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!

 

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.

 

 

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!!!