ELITE NEWS BULLETIN 10-30-06
YOUNGSTERS IN
“MID-SEASON” FORM AT FALL FESTIVAL; LI, 10 & U
GIRLS WIN EVENTS:
Competing in their 1st “big” meet of the season, Elite swimmers showed they were already in “mid-season” racing form by performing exceptionally well at the annual Fall Festival Meet held at Princeton University this past weekend.
Despite it only being October (remember, we have 5 more months of training!), the Elite swimmers performed magnificantly. Elite was lead by 12 year old Michael Li, who won 2 events outright (the awards were given in two categories: Gold entry times and Silver entry times-thus, a swimmer could win a 1st place medal if they placed highest among those entered with a Silver entry time).
Li propelled himself to first place (overall) in both the 50 yard (33.89) and the 100 yard breaststroke (1.11.87) events. Michael added a 4th place finish in the 100 IM and an 8th place finish in the 100 fly.
The 10 & girl quartet of Courtney Brosnan, Regan Kology, Andrea Shepard and Lindsay Stearns rocketed to a 1st place finish in the 200 Freestyle Relay with a fantastic time of 2.07.06! The same girls teamed up for a 3rd place finish in the 200 Medley Relay with a time of 2.25.69.
Backstroke extraordinaire Chris Dart picked up where he left off last season by placing 2nd in both the 100 back (52.74) and the 200 back (1.55.13). Both times were just off personal bests Chris accomplished at the Sectionals at the end of last season (boding well for this upcoming season). Chris’s hard work also showed up in his other events as he dropped 2 seconds in his 100 free (49.16), placing 1st in the silver division (having only swum the event once last season-it was the last event Chris had that was not a JO cut time!)
Newcomer Ricky Martin, who is 14 years old, showed off his swimming prowess by splashing to a 2nd place finish in the 100 free (51.11) and a 3rd place in the 50 free (23.54). Ricky just arrived at Elite earlier this month and is among the best swimmers in the state in his age group. Ricky also added 4 other JO qualifying times to his totals this weekend.
Elite’s “other” Michael, Michael Strand, had an amazing weekend by performing personal bests in every swim despite breaking his foot in mid-September. Despite not being weight-bearing until 2 weeks ago, Michael continued to train (heavy drylands initially, then gradual increasing of pool time. Last week was Michael’s 1st full week of practice since the injury!). The results of his mental toughness showed: 3rd place in the Gold division in the 100 back (58.98), 1st place in the Silver Division in the 100 butterfly (1.01.45) and 3rd place in the Silver Division in the 50 Free (25.19). Michael also had 2 other JO qualifying swims (100 free & 100 breast).
Martin and Strand, combined with emerging swimmers like Venkatesh Duvvuri (who swam under the magical 1 minute mark for the 1st time in the 100 butterfly this weekend), Duncan Hall, who added a JO cut in the 100 back and last summer Zone Qualifier Greg Keiser make the 13-14 boys a formidable group within New Jersey Swimming.
Courtney Brosnan finished her 10 and Under career (Courtney ages up in early November) by finishing 2nd in both the 100 butterfly (1.19.18) and the 100 backstroke (1.14.47). Courtney added a 6th place finish in both the 200 free (2.29.06) and the 100 Free (1.07.69).
10 year old Regan Kology had a dynamite weekend by adding 5 Junior Olympic qualifying times bring her total to 6 (highest among the Elite girls). Regan’s highest place was 3rd in the 50 butterfly (36.70) but she had impressive swims in her 200 Free (2.29.60-a 20 second drop!!!), 50 breast (40.54), 100 breast (1.30.01), and 100 free (1.10.27).
10 year old Lindsay Stearns also had a great weekend, capped by her amazing 11 second drop in the 100 fly (1.20.72), which placed 1st in the Silver division. Lindsay also placed 1st in Silver division in the 100 back (1.25.32) and had a 4th place finish in the Gold Division in the 50 fly (33.47).
Zackie Katz, a 9 year old, burst into the 10 & Under swimming scene this weekend by qualifying for Junior Olympics in 4 events: 50 (42.00) and 100 (1.32.46) breast, 50 free (31.65) and 50 fly (37.69). Zackie placed 2nd in the fly, 3rd in the 100 breast and 3rd in the 100 IM in the Silver Division.
Jeffrey Dong, also a 10 & Under boy, added his 1st three Junior Olympic times this weekend in the 50 breast (42.74), 100 breast (1.32.58) and the 50 fly (38.26).
Brent Jones, a twelve year old, earned his 1st Junior Olympic cut by placing 1st in the 50 breast (37.27) event. Unfortunately, Brent will age up prior to JO’s.
Swimmers who participated at Fall Festival were (# in parathesis is # of best times): Lindsay Anderson (3), Courtney Brosnan (3), Crissy Condus, Kat Cupka (2), Victoria D’Altrui (3), Chris Dart (2), Corey Deatly, Tad Deatly, Carolyn DeMeo (1), Jeffrey Dong (6), Krishna Duvvuri (4), Priya Duvvuri (2), Venkatesh Duvvuri (5), Breana Fitzpatrick (4), Michelle Franks (6), Julianne Furdyna (2), Alistair Hall (2), Duncan Hall (2), Jerel Ho, Brent Jones (4), Kim Jones (4), Zackie Katz (4), Gregory Keiser (4), Victoria Keiser (1), Regan Kology (5), Emmie Lai (1), David Lemons (4), Matt Lemons (4), Aaron Levin (2), Michael Li (4), Robert Maloney, Ricky Martin (6), Danielle Martinez (1), Austin Meszaros, Brendan Miller-Radest (5), Kara Miller-Radest (1), Ali Morreale (3), Cesar Munoz, Dan Muro (1), Maggie Nelson (3), Dara O’Gorman (1), Evan O’Hara (1), Sarah Peay (4), Brittany Ross (1), Nicki Ross, Andrea Shepard (1), Lindsay Stearns (5), Michael Strand (5), Spence Turkington (1), Sarah Weinbrom (1), Kayla Wolonsky
The full results are posted on the website under meet results.
MEANWHILE,
ACROSS THE STATE, “UP & COMING” ELITE SWIMMERS ALSO SHOW OFF THEIR NOTABLE
IMPROVEMENT:
Simultaneously, across the state at the Hall-O-Ween Classic held at Seton Hall University, Elite’s “Up and Coming” crew also displayed their remarkable improvement since last spring.
Incrediably, the Elite swimmers at Hall-o-ween posted an astonishing 84.26% improvement rate on their times in 305 total swims!!! Twelve times were drops of 10 seconds or more!! 44 times were drops of 5 seconds or more!!!
Elite was lead by a pair of 15 year olds, Katie Ragan and Amanda Scherb. Ragan won the 200 breast (2.53.14) and was closely followed by Scherb, who placed 2nd (2.53.58). Scherb added 2nd place finish in the 100 back (1.10.30) and a 4th place finish in the 200 back (2.33.06).
13 year old Spencer Fisch, fully recovered from a broken shoulder this summer, placed 2nd in the 200 back (2.41.91) and also added two 6th place finishes in the 100 Free (1.02.48) and 50 Free (27.54).
14 year old John Burns also turned in an outstanding performance, placing 4th (50 free-27.23), 5th (100 fly-1.19.36), 6th (100 back-1.15.01) and 7th (100 free-1.02.60).
10 year old newcomer Juliet Felsen, recovering from a broken finger, dropped 6 seconds (from the September time trials) in finishing 4th the 50 butterfly (38.44). Juliet also posted a 6th place finish in the 200 free (3.08.91).
13 year old Ricky LaSalvia placed 4th in the 100 back (1.14.00), while adding a 7th place finish in the 200 IM (2.46.29) and 8th place finish in the 100 fly (1.22.55).
10 year old Kara Miller placed 5th in the 100 butterfly (1.47.85).
Swimmers who participated at Hall-o-ween were (# in parathesis is # of best times): Nicole Blum (3), John Burns (6), Taylor Campolattaro (4), Monica Carty (5), Ethan Cohen (2), Jonny Crowther (4), Laura Culiuc (3), Sam Duren (4), Brandon Faris (5), Madeleine Faust (6), Kristen Fedor (4), Juliet Felsen (6), Victoria Fetner (5), Spencer Fisch (6), Hannah Gleason (5), Katie Golway (6), Katie Gorman (6), Lydia Gracey (5), Rachel Greene (5), Julia Guacelli (4), Victoria Keiser (2), Morgan Kiley (1), Patrick Lai (2), Emmie Lai (1), Ricky LaSalvia (5), Jessie Lowe (6), Daniela Manzi (6), Marisa Manzi (6), Sarah McGrath (6), Kara Miller-Radest (2), Isabella Morreale (5), Madison Munoz (5), Dan Muro (3), Kendall Murray (3), Caroline Nash (5), Rebecca Niccolai (3), Dara O’Gorman (2), Evan O’Hara (3), Christina Pick (5), Gabrielle Pick (6), Michelle Pick (5), Chris Plunkett (5), Katie Ragan (4), Abigail Rollenhagen (5), Taylor Savarese (5), Amanda Scherb (6), Jonathan Scott (5), Bethany Stachenfeld (5), Kaitlin Stearns (5), Erica Takahashi (3), Lexi Tedesco (2), Sydney Todd (6), Jennifer Torre (3), Rachel Tortorella (5), Andrea Tyminski, Michael Wang (5), Caroline Watt (5), Sarah Weinbrom (2), Maggie Woodruff (4) & Richard Yu (6).
The full results are posted on the website under meet results.
INCIDENT AT NEWARK
ACADEMY FORCES TIGHTER SECURITY; GYM DOORS TO LOCK AT 6 PM; ENTRANCE
NOW AT MAIN DOORS AFTER THAT TIME; WAVE GOLDS TAKE NOTE:
A random but dangerous security situation last week at Newark Academy has prompted the school to significantly tighten security after 6 pm on an go forward basis. As a result, the gym doors (entrance from the lower parking lot to the pool) will be locked at 6 pm from now on and the only entrance into Newark Academy will be thru the main entrance in the school (by the circle) past a security guard.
Last Thursday, a suspected thief fleeing the Livingston Mall entered Newark Academy between 4 and 4:15 pm before escaping into the nearby woods. No injury occurred as a result of this incident.
Concerned with possible situations that could have occurred as a result of this situation, Newark Academy has tighten security to school as of last Friday. All visitors to the building will be required to enter thru the main entrance, where a security guard is posted, after 6 pm. This will specificially affect the Wave Gold training group, whom’s practice times start after 6 pm. Please plan to arrive alittle earlier to take into account the addition time it will take to get to the pool.
SOME
HELPFUL DO’S AND DON’TS TO HELP YOU SUCCEED:
Here are some Do’s and Don’ts that will be helpful this
weekend and the rest of the season:
DO stay well hydrated (drink good fluids) and stay well
rested (get sleep).
DO eat a variety of colorful
healthy foods.
DO get to practice on time (early).
DO wear hooded sweat shirts and wear sweats to drylands.
DO carry a symmetrical double strap
backpack to school- use both shoulder straps to evenly distribute weight.
Side slung book bags creats uneven stress on the body-which has to compensate
for the uneven weight and often times leads to shoulder, hip, knee injuries.
DO congratulate and cheer your
teammates for a job well done OR a challenge met-att practice or at a meet. Be
a leader of enthusiasm!!!
DO repeat to yourself Elite
training philosophy: "Today is my most important practice
because..."
DON'T forget you are not just any swimmer; you are an ELITE
swimmer AND an Elite Person. Correct behavior is as important (if not more
important) than fast times.
DON’Tt eat junk food (and yes, that
includes all candy in the machine at MBS).
DISTANCE DERBY
ON THE HORIZON;
HOSTING MEET
TAKES FULL TEAM EFFORT; AGE GROUP COORDINATOR TO BE IN TOUCH:
Each year, Elite runs two (Distance Derby and
the 9-10 Silver/Bronze Championships) New Jersey Sanctioned Swim Meets. Elite
hosts these two meets for two reasons: 1) to provide opportunities for our
swimmers to compete and 2) as a team fundraiser to help keep the costs of
running the team down.
Distance Derby will be
held on Saturday, November 18 & Sunday, November 19. Swimmers in the Wave
Teals, Wave Blacks, Wave Golds, Senior Preps and Seniors will compete in this
meet. Parents from these 5 training groups will be expected to help organize
and run the meet (there are a myriad of jobs that are needed to be performed
during each session each day). In addition, the parents from these 5 training
groups will be asked for a small donation (bagels, box of power bars, napkins,
etc). These donations will be requested to be delivered to Newark Academy the
week prior to the meet.
Parents of the Marlin
Teals and Marlin Blacks will also be requested to make a small donation (a case
of water per family).
Age Group Coordinators (12 & U: Ginger
Stearns, 13 & 14: Mary Ann Keiser
& 15 & Older is Debbie Scherb) will be in contact with each parent
regarding their individual responsiblities for this meet. If you have not heard
from your cooridinator, please reach out to them and volunteer.
Parents can show your support for your special swimmer(s) by
placing an advertisment within the Distance Derby Meet Program sold the day of
the meet. Advertisments information is posted on the website under Distance
Derby. Ads must be submitted prior to Wednesday, November 8th but
placing the advertisement in mailbox at Newark Academy or giving it to Bill.
Please get your ads today!!!!
HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMING TO AFFECT
PRACTICE TIMES IN DEC, JAN & FEB:
High
School Swimming at both Newark Academy and Morristown-Beard will affect Elite’s
practice schedule starting November 15.
Wave
Blacks are reminded that practice on Saturday’s, following November 15, with be
held from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm at Morristown-Beard School.
High
School swim meets at both Newark Academy and Morristown-Beard School will
occasionally push back practice start times from 5:15 pm to 5:30 pm. Please review 3 week practice schedule for
daily details.
ESCPO NEWS...
Yankee Candle Sale - Reminder
- Please turn in your completed order in the
Parent Organization Folder in Bill's box at Newark Academy or for Morristown
Beard swimmers, forms can be given to Bill. Orders are due now! Thanks to
all those who submitted their orders, the response has been great! Email
Sandi Niccolai (sandnic@aol.com), should
you have any questions or comments.
ESCPO Registration - For
those who have not registered for the Parent Organizaiton, forms will be
available at the upcoming Training Group Meetings, or please check under
the Parent Org section of the team website. Completed forms should be
returned to the Parent Organization folder in Bill's box at Newark Academy, or
for Morristown Beard swimmers, forms can be given to Bill. You will
receive a team directory, once your registration is
completed.
Training Group Meetings - All parents are requested to attend.
Elite Wear and Accessories - Forms for ESC merchandise orders, created by Jodiand Paul Shepard, are also available on the website under Parents Org. This merchandise is available for a limited time. Orders are due by Oct 31 to insure timely delivery for the holidays.
Preparations are underway for the biggest party of the season: Elite’s 12th annual Winter Swim Team Banquet!!! This year’s party will be held Sunday, March 25, 2007 from 12:00 am to 4:00 pm.
This year, Elite will again be at the Hanover Marriott, located at 1401 Route 10 East, Whippany, New Jersey. This facility can accommodate up to 700 people!!! The last 5 Elite banquets have had an excess of 350 people each!!!
Further
details about the banquet will be provided in the future. As for now, MARK
YOUR CALENDAR!!!
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!!!