ELITE NEWS BULLETIN               12-13-10

 

    “Cultivating Excellence in Academics, Character and Swimming”

 

SPECTACULAR SWIMMING BY ELITE THIS WEEKEND:

AT JUNIOR NATIONALS:

STRAND PLACES 5TH IN BREAKING STATE RECORD IN 100 BACK, QUALIFIES FOR SENIOR NATIONALS!!!;

AT HOLIDAY CLASSIC:

J GORHAM POSTS 2 SECTIONAL QUALIFYING TIMES

& K. STEARNS & GIRLS 9-10 MEDLEY RELAY PLACE 1ST;

COYNE, CRITCHLEY, GIOSTRA, E. IIZUKA (2), K. IIZUKA, PETERSON, B. ROSSI, C. PICK, S. SLEPIAN (9), S. SLEPIAN (3), SORIANO, SUN, WATT, C. XU (4) ADD 29 JO CUTS!!

 

            What a weekend of swimming!!!! In every direction one looks, Elite swimmers of all ages performed magnificently this weekend at two extremely prestigious meets.

 

            17 year old Michael Strand represented Elite in spectacular fashion at USA Swimming’s Junior Nationals, held at the site of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (now part of Georgia Tech University), by placing 5th in the 100 back in mind blowing 49.28 time (this was his prelim effort, his finals time was 49.34, also well under the state record). This 100 back time was:

 

             1) a new NJ State Boys 15-18 record (the fastest time ever recorded by any NJ Swimmer in this event)

             2) a USA Swimming Senior National qualifying time. Michael now has the option to compete at the highest level meet conducted in the US during 2011 and

             3) the fastest scy 100 back time in Elite history; which is significant as it overshadows former Elite swimmer and both USA and British Olympic Trial Qualifier Chris Dart’s best Elite effort by almost a full second (in 2008)!!

 

            Strand, who was plagued by mono and a foot injury last season, felt his junior year performance (which you and I would judge fabulous) was below what he could deliver at the time. Beset with those thoughts, Michael set about setting the stage for a “double” dip in times at Jr. Nats. Stating he
“wanted to open some eyes” as to what he could do, Michael raised his level of intensity in practice (which was already very high) starting back last May. His hard work paid off as he:

 

1)      Dropped significant time in 4 of his 5 events

2)      Finaled in 3 off those events (100 back, 100 fly and 200 IM) against an incredibly talented field of competition

3)      Nearly posted a double sub- 50 performance when he placed 19th in the 100 fly with his 50.12 effort

 

            Strand’s next goal is to successfully compete at CeraVe Invitational (in Jan, 2011) and at both USA Swimming’s Eastern Sectionals and New Jersey High School’s Meet of Champions, both to be held in March, 2011. Strand has been offered acceptance at Princeton University and is waiting (expecting to hear this week) from Yale University. Michael is expected to declare his college choice shortly.

 

            Meanwhile back at Holiday Classic, which was held at Rutgers University, Elite swimmers also performed brilliantly. All age groups swam impressively. At the highest levels, the combined performances now put Elite’s 2011 Sectional squad at 7 individual qualifiers in 29 events (last year’s totals were 8 individual qualifiers in 31 events-16 of those events qualified at JO’s-the week prior to the meet). Elite also has 9 of the 10 relays qualified AND the Girls now post two separate relays in 3 of the 5 relay events!!!

 

            Leading the way was Jess Gorham, who earned two Sectional qualifying times. Jess, who considers herself a sprinter, earned her first 2011 Sectional qualifying time by rocking her 200 back swim in finals with a 2.09.99 time (nearly a 6 second drop!) for a 6th place finish and then followed up with a 59.77 time in the 100 back for a 3rd place finish!! Jess finaled in 7 of her 8 events.

 

            12 year old Kaitlin Stearns was dynamite all weekend long. Kaitlin won her opening event by dropping 11.42 seconds in the 500 free to post a 5.19.10 time. Kaitlin just missed dipping under the 2 minute mark in the 200 free with her 3rd place, 2.00.23 time and was 5th in the 100 free (55.88). Kaitlin placed in the top 16 in 8 of her 9 events.

 

            The quartet of Claire Xu (back), Grace Xu (breast), Erica Iizuka (fly) and Katy Shepard (free) won the Girls 10 & Under 200 medley relay (2.17.56) while the foursome of Shepard, G. Xu, Brittany Sun and Emily Fu placed 6th in the 200 free relay.

 

            12 year old Chris Balbo touched 3rd in two events: the 500 free (5.23.70) and in the 200 fly (2.19.30). Balbo also was 6th twice: in the 200 free (2.03.04) and the 400 IM (4.57.76) and placed in the top 16 in all 9 of his events.

 

            14 year old Ryan Sebastian had a tremendous meet, as he dropped 7 seconds in the 400 IM (4.17.28) to place 3rd, dropped .5 in the 100 back to place 4th, dropped 12.50 seconds in the 500 free (4.52.25) to place 5th and 31 seconds in the 1650 free (17.06.87). Ryan placed in the top 16 in 8 of his 9 events.

 

            10 year old Grace Xu was also a significant point-scorer, posting a 3rd place finish in the 100 breast (1.23.85), a 9th place finish in the 200 IM (2.42.68) and an 11th place finish in the 50 breast (39.71).

 

            Newcomer 13 year old Sarah Slepian, who won high point at Junior Olympics last spring as a 12 year old, was extremely impressive in her Elite debut (Sarah transferred to Elite late in November) as she was 4th in three events: the 200 breast (2.30.26), the 400 IM (4.38.58) and the 100 breast (1.08.71). In that JO performance last spring, Sarah qualified for 3 Sectional events (200 breast, 200 back & 200 IM). Sarah’s performances this weekend pushed her close in several more events. Sarah placed in the top 16 in all 9 of her events.

 

            14 year old Lindsay Stearns finaled in 5 events, with her highest place being 4th in the 200 fly (2.12.06-just over her career best). Lindsay placed 6th in the 100 fly (1.00.49) and 10th in the 400 IM (with a 3 second drop to 4.43.07).

 

            12 year old Scott Harris earned 7th place twice: with his 35.59 time in the 50 breast and his 5.03.29 time in the 400 IM.

 

            10 year old Claire Xu, only competing in two days of the 3 day meet, earned 4 Junior Olympic times: 100 IM (1.18.64), 100 breast (1.28.40), 50 free (31.13) and the 200 IM (2.57.08).

 

            9 year old Erica Iizuka (who turned 9 last month!) earned her 3rd and 4th Junior Olympic qualifying times this weekend. Erica went gold in the 50 breast (42.01) and the 50 fly (35.07).

 

            16 year old Lindsey Giostra earned her first JO cut of this season by stroking to a 1.10.84 time in the 100 breast. 12 year old Karen Iizuka added her 3rd JO cut (all in breast) with her 35.93 time.

 

            11 year old Brandon Rossi earned his 1st career JO cut with his swift 50 breast swim (37.48). 11 year old Gian Soriano grabbed his first JO cut this year with his 31.90 time in the 50 butterfly.

 

            12 year old Danielle Peterson, who ages up prior to JO’s, earned her 2nd 13-14 Junior Olympic qualifying time with her 1.14.82 performance in the 100 breast. 12 year old Christina Pick pick up her 6th JO cut, this one in the 100 back (1.09.51).

 

            13 year old Gabrielle Pick dropped nearly 2 seconds to earn her 2nd JO qualifying time this season, this one in the 100 fly (1.04.50). 10 year old Brittany Sun earned her 4th JO cut with her 1.32.34 time in the 100 breast.

 

            14 year old Caroline Watt nabbed her 5th JO cut, this one in the 200 free (2.03.09). 12 year old Jimmy Coyne earned his 3rd JO cut with his 1.20.85 swim in the 100 breast.

 

            12 year old Matt Critchley pushed his JO total to 5 with his 1.09.59 performance in the 100 back.

             

Full results are posted on the team website.

 

Swimmers who participated (# in parathesis is number of best Elite SCY best times): Chris Balbo (8), Megan Balbo (1), Abbie Bigham (4), Emily Buckman (3), Richie Carchia (1), Morgan Conley (5), Jimmy Coyne (1), Matt Critchley (1), Nathan Davidovich (1), Amy Duren (3), Priya Duvvuri, Juliet Felsen (2), Emily Fu (2), Lindsey Giostra (1) Emily Gorham (6), Jess Gorham (9), Scott Harris (6), Alicia Iizuka (3), Erica Iizuka (4), Karen Iizuka (3), Jared Kovacs (6), Emmie Lai, Isabel LaRaia (1), Michael Li, Michael Macchia, Isabelle Malinowski (2), Alex Mango (8), Ali Morreale, Sandeepan Mukherjee (1), Caroline Nash, Maggie Nelson (1), Evan Ng (1), Danielle Peterson (7), Christina Pick (5), Gabrielle Pick (1), Brandon Rossi (1), Ryan Sebastian (14), Andrea Shepard, Katy Shepard (4), Gian Soriano (2), Kaitlin Stearns (8), Lindsay Stearns (5), Will Stearns (1), Brittany Sun (3), Cullen Walsh, Caroline Watt (3), Claire Xu (5) & Grace Xu (6).

 

KRYSTAL SPLEPIAN JOINS ELITE COACHING STAFF:

 

          Krystal Slepian, a long time friend of Elite thru her coaching at rival Sea Dragon Swim Club, has joined the Elite Coaching Staff. Krystal’s two daughters, Sarah and Sydney, have also joined Elite as swimmers.

 

            Krystal will be coaching within Elite’s Age Group program, helping out with stroke technique in the Wavebuster Teals, Wavebuster Black and Wavebuster Golds training groups.

           

            In her swimming days, Krystal was an Olympic Trials qualifier in the distance freestyle events.

 

            Both Sarah and Sydney are accomplished swimmers. As a Junior Olympics last spring, Sarah won the high point award for 11-12 Girls. Sarah also already has 3 Sectional qualifying times and is close to qualifying several other events. Sydney, as a 9 year old, already has 5 JO cuts.  

 

WINTERFEST ENTRIES UPDATED; PRINCETON ENTRIES TO BE POSTED SHORTLY:

 

            Based upon yesterday’s performances, Elite was able to modify its entries for Winterfest 2010, adding those swimmers and swims achieved at Gator Grid Iron.

 

            Meet information for Princeton Invitational (Elite co-hosts this meet at Princeton University) should be sanctioned shortly. As a result, Elite will post those entries this week. An attempt will be made to provide as many different events per swimmer between the two meets (Winterfest-qualifying meet & Princeton-Open Meet) held in January.

 

TOP 10 ALL TIME SWIMS UPDATED ON TEAM WEBSITE:

 

            Elite proudly displays its Top 10 All Time Best Times on its team website. The list for Short Course Yards (SCY) has been updated on the website thru Distance Derby. Check it out!!

 

….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 upon Elite’s practice times.

 

            On days when there are no meets, Elite’s practices will be held at the usual 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!!

 

TENTATIVE HOLIDAY SCHEDULE NOW POSTED:

 

            Elite’s tentative Holiday Practice Schedule is now posted on the website under “Practice Schedule.” While it is likely this will be the practice schedule, both NA and MBS have been known to ask us to re-schedule. Thus, please check the website prior to coming to a practice.        

 

PARENTS: PLEASE BE PROMPT IN PICKING UP SWIMMERS:

 

            Parents are requested to be prompt in picking up their swimmers at the end of practice. Recently, especially after the Wave Golds on weekdays and the Wave Teals on Saturday, swimmers have had to wait 30-45 minutes after practice for their ride.

 

            Bill has asked the coaches to remain at practice until the last child has been picked up (for the obvious safety reasons). Coaches are more than willing to do so occasionally. But Elite coaches have other full time jobs and several are attending school in addition to their primary jobs and coaching. It is unfair to ask the coaches to spend an additional 30-40 minutes waiting for parents to pick up their children.

 

            Elite is prompt about ending practice on time. Please help out the coaches by being prompt to pick up your child.

 

JOURNALISM INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE WITH SWIMMING WORLD AT CERA VE INVITATIONAL IN JANUARY:

 

            Recreating the opportunity provided to New Jersey Swimmers last winter, Swimming World and Berkeley Aquatic Club will provide journal internships during the CeraVe Invitational Meet to be held January 14 thru January 16, 2011.

 

            With the overwhelming success of the Summer 2008 Beijing Olympics and what swimming as a sport provided to that success, swimming is becoming more main-stream each year. NBC Sports has increased its coverage of high level swimming, including telecasting the Pan Pacific Games this past summer.

 

            Swimming World, the most widely read swimming magazine, will be providing internships for those people in New Jersey to 1) to interview Olympians and top swimmers at the meet 2) to be  involved in producing content for Swimming World’s magazine and website-both audio and visual and 3) to interact with the Swimming World Staff.

 

            For the past two years, Elite swimmer Sam Duren (now a Senior Prep) took advantage of this opportunity.

 

            Forms for applying for the internship are attached to this memo.     

 

TIMING COORDINATORS ASK FOR YOUR HELP IN RESPONDING TO EMAILS:

 

            Parents of Elite swimmers are asked to 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

Sanjeeta Mukherjee -        sanjumukhe@gmail.com         

Sue Duren -                            sueduren@aol.com

Antone Balbo -                      abalbo@comcast.net

 

NEXT UP: WINTERFEST; GO ELITE!!!; MEET INFORMATION POSTED; PLEASE RESPOND TO TIMER COORDINATORS EMAILS:

 

            Elite’s next competition will be Winterfest (qualifiers only) in early January. Information regarding these meets is posted on the team website at: http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Meet%20Schedule/homepage.htm. Please have your swimmer get in the habit of checking this page on a regular basis (and report back to you about details such as warm-up times, entries, meet locations!

 

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!!!