ELITE NEWS BULLETIN               6-20-11

 

    “Cultivating Excellence in Academics, Character and Swimming”

 

SWIMMERS CONTINUE TO SHOW IMPROVEMENT

SUMMER SOLSTICE TOTALS: 2 SECTIONAL & 12 JO CUTS

 

          Competing in the long course venue for the 3rd time this summer, Elite swimmers continued to whack away at their long course times this past weekend at 2011 Summer Solstice held at Rutgers University.

 

            Despite many swimmers facing academic pressures and end of the school year focus, Elite swam very well in its tune-up to this coming weekend’s Summer Sizzle 2011, one of the premier swim meets of the summer season. Place results from this meet are somewhat deceiving, as the meet was constructed as a two day meet with identical events on each day (in an effort provide more splash opportunities for NJ Swimmers). Thus, the Elite results are from Saturday’s events; swimmers may have finished with faster times in the identical events on Sunday.

 

            14 year old Ryan Sebastian won all three events he competed in; two in new sectional qualifying times. Ryan was magnificent in both breaststroke events and pushed his Sectional totals to 6 events (1 more than this past winter). Ryan dropped 6.6 seconds in the 100 breast (1.11.05) and 13 seconds in the 200 breast (2.34.05). Ryan also won the 400 free in a 4.28.29 time.

 

            16 year old Alex Mango dropped 9 seconds to win the 400 IM (4.57.04-JO cut). Alex followed up 20 minutes later to win the 400 free in 4.21.92).  

 

            16 year old Jenni Allocco, who has worked extremely hard this past year, saw her efforts pay off with her 24 second drop in the 400 free, good enough to win the 400 Free (5.02.96).  Jenni also placed 3rd in the 100 fly (1.15.28) and 4th in the 100 free (1.07.17).

 

            13 year old Sarah Slepian touch 1st in the 100 butterfly (1.13.03). Sarah also placed 2nd in the 200 free (2.21.18) and 4th in the 50 free (29.65).

 

            14 year old Jess Gorham was 2nd in the 400 IM (5.41.24) and 3rd in the 200 breast (3.07.13).

 

            14 year old Anthony Rizzo came in 2nd in the 50 free with his 27.89 effort, Coupled with his two breaststroke swims, Anthony earned 3 additional JO cuts this summer (total: 13).

 

            16 year old Krishna Duvvuri grabbed a 2nd place medal in the 200 breast (2.55.38). Earlier in the session, Krishna placed 4th in the 200 back (2.33.49).

 

            16 year old Rachel Emodi earned a 2nd place finish in the 400 free (5.17.68), the first time she competed in the event in long course.

 

            15 year old Lindsay Stearns earned 3rd place finishes in all 3 of her swims: 200 free (2.23.74), 200 breast (3.06.12) and 100 free (1.07.14).

 

            16 year old Matthew Ahlmeyer dropped time in all 3 of his swims; Matt’s highest place was 2nd in the 200 IM (2.36.90). Matt also dropped 13.5 seconds in the 400 free (5.00.74) to place 4th in the event.

 

            10 year old Summer Felsen, swimming in these events for the 1st time, placed 3rd in the 100 fly (1.54.27) and 4th in the 200 IM (3.42.12). 11 year old Emily Peter placed 3rd in the 100 back (1.24.30).

 

            12 year old Emily Gorham was 3rd in the 50 fly (34.42) and earned a JO cut in the 200 IM (2.51.86). 9 year old Monica Iizuka  dropped 4 seconds to place 3rd  in the 100 breast (1.51.83). 16 year old Lindsey Giostra touched 3rd in the 400 free with her 5.25.24 performance. 17 year old Sam Duren earned a 3rd place finish in the 200 fly (2.50.39).

 

            12 year old Amy Duren added her 4th JO swim this coming July with her 10th place finish in the 200 IM (2.53.72).

 

            13 year old Avinash Duvvuri’s 6 second drop and 4th place finish in the 200 breast (2.58.43) also earned him his 3rd swim at JOs this summer.           

 

            Full Results are now posted on the team website.

 

            Swimmers who participated (# in parenthesis is number of best Elite LCM best times): Matt Ahlmeyer (2), Jenni Allocco (2), Chris Balbo (3), Megan Balbo (3), Brielle Barba (3), Lindsay Behar, Natalia Beltran (3), Abbie Bigham (3), Katie Brosnan (2), Emily Buckman (3), Meggie Butler (3), Alyssa Cataldo (2), Grace Chang (2), Morgan Conley (3), Jimmy Coyne (3), Elizabeth D’Altrui (2), Nathan Davidovich (2), Amy Duren (3), Corey Duren (2), Sam Duren, Avi Duvvuri (3), Krishna Duvvuri (1), Lindsay Ellerthorpe (1), Rachel Emodi (3), Juliet Felsen (1), Summer Felsen (3), Andrea Ferrell (3), Emily Fu (3), Patrick Gilfillan (3), Lindsey Giostra (1), Emily Gorham (2), Jess Gorham (2), Jasmine Gulati (3), Abby Hartwig (3), Gab Hayek (2), Angharad Healey (3), Andrew Huang, Alicia Iizuka (3), Erica Iizuka, Karen Iizuka (3), Monica Iizuka (3), Katie Iovel (3), Nat Kawan (2), Rachel Keselman (2), Audrey Kim (3), Jared Kovacs (3), Jessica Kraus (3), Patrick Lai (1), Clark LaRaia (2), Isabel LaRaia (2), Brandon Li (3), Michael Li (2), Sarah Lowe (3), Teddy Maguire (2), Alex Mango (2), Cody Matheson (2), Katie McGrath (2), Karl Melchior (2), Matthew Migliozzi (1), Isabella Morreale (2), Charlotte Morrissey (2), Sandeepan Mukherjee (2), Fred Nagle (3), Eugene Ng (3), Evan Ng (1), Darragh O’Gorman (2), Nick Pachiolo (3), Emily Peter (3), Danielle Peterson (2), Gabrielle Pick (3), Joseph Pick (3), Natalie Pruitt (3), Anthony Rizzo (3), Michael Rizzo (3), Niki Rizzo (3), Brandon Rossi (3), Ryan Sebastian (3), Andrea Shepard, Katy Shepard (2), Abigail Shvorin (2), Jonas Singer (1), Sarah Slepian (3), Sydney Slepian, Gian Soriano (1), Kaitlin Stearns (2), Lindsay Stearns (1), Will Stearns (3), Jason Steinberg (2), Abir Thakur (3), Adam Vaynerman (3), Cullen Walsh (3), Caroline Watt (2), Ryan Wyer (1) & Claire Xu (3).

NEW TEAM WEBSITE COMING: ELITE PART OF TEAMUNIFY PLATFORM;

HUGE NEW BENEFITS ANTICIPATED:

UPGRADED COMMUNICATION SYSTEM INCLUDING

ONLINE REGISTRATION & CREDIT CARD PAYMENT PROGRAM

PLUS COOL NEW COACHING TOOL:

            As part of Head Coach Bill Deatly’s continual upgrading of the program, Elite has contracted with webserver TeamUnify http://www.teamunify.com/__corp__/ to host Elite’s new upgraded website.

            Pursuant to TeamUnify’s mission, they have “the most advanced swim team management platform in existence.” Nationwide, over 1500 team use TeamUnify. A sample of a NJ TeamUnify website is the Bergen Baracudas at http://www.bbswim.org/Home.jsp?team=njbbst.

            There are numerous features that the new website will offer Elite Swim Club members:

1)      Each swimmer will have their own account. Information can be stored in this account that no other swimmer/family can access.

2)      Each swimmer/family will do their own registration on-line. This means that there are no more Elite forms to fill out and all information is stored on the website. To change an email address, the actual swimmer/parent will do so directly on the website, instantly updating the information. Billing will also be coordinated thru this account, as a family accounts will be easily assessable from each family’s computer or mobile communication device. Credit Card and direct deposit will be options of payment-starting Sept 1.

3)      Email communication from the coaches can be broad based, sliced to just a training group or individualized. Communication will significantly improve with regards to meet coordination, practice changes, etc.

4)      Several practice calendar options so a swimmer/parent can access only the information they need.

            But by far the coolest feature is what TeamUnify calls “On Deck Mobile Coach” and On Deck Mobile Parent.” Coaches will be able to store audio (and probably video in the near future) in each swimmer’s personal account. This means that coaches can have technique and race analysis conversations on deck recorded and saved within each swimmer’s personal account to be accessed by coach, swimmer and parent at anytime thru ipad, iphone and itouch (sorry, this is only an Apple feature but the application is a free download).

            Head Coach Bill Deatly envisions smoother and more direct communication, easier access to Elite by club members, easier and a variety of payment options (credit card and direct on-line pay) PLUS an amazing coaching tool that will help coaches, swimmers and parents to be on the same page (and to have parents listen and understand what is being communicated to their swimmers).

            TeamUnify anticipates it will take approximately 1 month to build a new Elite website and train Bill how to upload information, etc. The website will definitely be in use by the start of the Winter 2011-12 Session in September but Bill will work to implement it even sooner!!

ESCPO OFFERING ELITE BACKPACKS FOR WINTER 2011- 2012

BACKPACKS ON SALE UNTIL 7-1-11

 

            The Elite Swim Club Parents Organization (“ESCPO”) is now coordinating an Elite Backpack Sale – the Speedo Backpack includes an Elite Logo and personalization.  The backpack is available for purchase by all Elite swimmers from now until Friday July 1, 2011.  Expected delivery is September 2011.

 

The order form is now posted on the team website at:

http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Parents%20Org/Elite%20Backpacks%20for%20FALL%202011.pdf

 

Carolyn Balbo (cbalbo@comcast.net) is the parent organization’s contact. Parents/swimmers should mail the form and check directly to Carolyn at the address listed on the form.

 

COMING NEXT FALL: ELITE PARENT MEET SHIRTS

PLEASE RETURN YOUR FORM WITH FALL DEPOSIT:

 

            As part of your ESCPO Parent Association dues this year, all families will be provided with TWO Parent T-shirts to be worn at Elite hosted and Co-hosted meets.  Please complete the T-shirt size form included in your swimmer’s promotion letter and return the form to Bill and Brandy along with your swimmer registration information by July 15, 2011.  Please contact Carolyn Balbo (cbalbo@comcast.net) with questions.  Additional forms are available on the team website.  http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Parents%20Org/Parent%20T-shirt%20Flyer%20-%20For%20Posting.pdf.

PLACEMENT LETTERS MAILED LAST WEEK:

OPTIONS FOR NEW MARLIN BLACKS & NEW WAVE TEALS:

            Placement letters were mailed last week to each current Elite Swimmer (in both the competitive program and Pre-Elite program) for the Winter 2011-12 Season.  For a current Elite Swimmer to reserve a roster spot on Winter 2011-12 team, a $300 deposit is required to be received by Head Coach Bill Deatly (32 Prospect Street, Summit, NJ 07901) by Friday, July 15.

            Congratulations for all those swimmers who have earned promotions thru their hard work and attendance commitment!!

          For swimmers who have earned promotions into the Seniors, the Senior Preps, the Wavebuster Golds and the Wavebuster Blacks, any promotion is effective as of the start of the new season (in Sept).

            For swimmers who have earned promotions into the Wavebuster Teals and Marlin Blacks, the swimmer has the option this summer to attend either their existing Spring 2011 training group practice or the new training group (or go back and forth between the two groups). Each practice will cost $10 and a bill will be sent at the end of the summer (late July/early August) to each family for costs incurred during the summer. Swimmers in these two groups will be expected to train with their new training group full time as of September. 

POSSIBLE USA SWIMMING ONLINE RECOGNITION FOR ELITE-A-THON:

SWIMMERS TOTAL NEAR $10,000!!

38 SWIMMERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT 10th ANNUAL ELITE-A-THON!!

CAMPBELL, HARTWIG, LEVEY, ORDOWER & SMITH COMBINE TO RAISE OVER $6000!!!!

 

As has been noted in past bulletins, Elite swimmers did a spectacular job raising money this spring in the 10th Annual Elite-a-thon fundraiser has completely blown away last year’s totals, which was the largest in recent memory!! With 19 swimmers reporting, Elite-a-thon totals stand at $9,775!!! With help from coordinator Lindsay Stearns, Elite swimmers MAY get some national recognition!!

 

Lindsay and mom (Ginger) recently reached out to USA Swimming regarding our swimmers fund-raising efforts this spring. Today, USA Swimming responded with a barrage of questions regarding who, how, when & about this year’s Elite-a-thon. It is possible that USA Swimming will provide some coverage of the event in their on-line version of Splash Magazine (as early as this Wednesday!!).      

 

If you have not given Lindsay your numbers and/or you have collected even more money than Lindsay knows about, PLEASE email Lindsay asap to give her your totals!!!

 

On Saturday, May 22, 38 wimmers spent 2 hours Saturday afternoon swimming to raise money for their own charities!! The back-to-back successes are a result of Elite swimmers who care about giving back to the community.

           7 year old Sadie Ordower has raised over $1600 for American Liver Foundation, showing fabulous support for her sick grandfather. 11 year old Abbie Hartwig has raised $885 (and expects more!). 8 year old Delaney Smith has raised $1000 for Juvenile Diabetes! And Ben Campbell reported this week “I was swimming for WorldVision, trying to raise $2,600 for a water well.  I swam 139 laps and have raised $2,215 to date.  There are a couple of people who have told me they would support me but haven’t sent in checks yet, so I hope that number will be higher and closer to my goal.”

            8 year old Grace Levey raised over $1085 in her spectacular effort to help her friend and neighbor Sydney thru her charity: Make Some Noise.  This charity is a foundation that is helping Sydney, who has been diagnosed with bone cancer.  Grace reports: “This charity is trying to help find treatments for kids with cancer and let more people know about pediatric cancer.  The day of the swim-a-thon was also Sydney's bat mitzvah!  I was at her service in the morning.  I feel really proud of what I did to help my friend.”          

The following were the Elite swimmers who participated:

 

Chris Balbo: $200 to Celiac Sprue Association, Lindsay Behar: Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer, Caitlin Brown: $500 to Arthritis Foundation, Hannah Brownstein: Pulmunary Foundation, Cordelia Burn: $100 to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer, Eloise Burn: $100 to Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer, Sarah Burn: $100 to Make a Wish Foundation, Ben Campbell: $2,215 to World Vision (A Water Well),  Juliet Felsen: Dystonia Research, Summer Felsen: Dystonia Research, Emily Fu: Japan Relief, Ariel Gelman: Red Cross Disaster Relief, Emily Gorham: St. Judes, Jess Gorham: St. Judes, Abby Hartwig: $885 to Camp Boggy Creek, Angharad Healey $50 to St. Huberts Animal Shelter, Erica Iizuka: St Huberts Animal Shelter, Monica Iizuka: American Cancer Society, Cloe Lawrence $201 to Anti-Hunger Coalition, Sophie Lawrence $201 to Jersey Animal Coalition, Grace Levey $1085 for Make Some Noise, Alyssa Levy: Valerie Fund, Ben Litvin: Emet College Outreach, Greg Macchia: tba, Isabelle Malinowski $50 to Autism, Daniel Mangabat: American Cancer Society, Alex Mango: $500 to Mt. Pleasant Animal Hospital, Katie McGrath: Make A Wish, Darragh O’Gorman: Red Cross Disaster Relief, Sadie Ordower $1,453 for American Liver Foundation, Andrea Shepard: Down the Block, Inc, Delaney Smith: $1000 to Juvenile Diabetes, Kaitlin Stearns: $300 to Bridges, Lindsay Stearns: $300 to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer, Will Stearns: $300 to Cora Hartshorn Arboretum, Sachi Tanwar: Make a Wish, Cullen Walsh $225 to Wildlife Conservation Society, Ryan Wyer: Red Cross Disaster Relief

 

SAY CHEESE AND DOWNLOAD PLEASE!

MEMORY BOOK PICTURES NEEDED!

 

            It is never too early to think about next years memory book!  Thank you Pam Coyne for doing a great job with the memory book this year!  Laura Matheson (Cody's mom!) has agreed to put together the book and slide show for next years banquet.   Parents and swimmers can provide pictures to Laura by email kmatheson531@earthlink.net, by thumb drive or by compact disk.  Laura can usually be found in the bleachers during Wave Gold practices.  Send your pictures to Laura as you take them and she will be sure that some of your favorite photos are included in this years memory book!  Remember, summer is a great time to get candid shots of your favorite swimmers at practice or at our many fun filled events.   

 

ELITE’S NEXT MEET HOSTING CHALLENGE: OFF-SITE HOSTING;

CONSTRUCTION AT NA NEXT FALL/WINTER WILL CHANGE PLANS FOR DISTANCE DERBY & 9-10’S:

 

            Elite’s newest meet hosting challenge: hosting a meet off site from Newark Academy!

 

            Last week, Newark Academy informed Elite that there will be, starting in July, major construction on the building which will significantly reduce the size of the “upper” parking lot during construction. NA has confirmed that Elite’s practice schedule will not be affected by the construction.

 

            Elite has already begun exploring alternative sites to run both Distance Derby (in November) and the 2012 9-10 Silver/Bronze Championship Meet (in February).            

           

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.

 

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: SUMMER SIZZLE GO ELITE!!!; MEET INFORMATION POSTED; PLEASE RESPOND TO TIMER COORDINATORS EMAILS:

 

            Elite’s next competition will be the Summer Sizzle Meet for qualifiers on Friday, June 24, Saturday, June 25 & Sunday, June 26 at Rutgers University. Elite will have multiple timing assignments. Please have your swimmer get in the habit of checking the team website 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!!!