The York Y Rambler,
16 November 2006
By Coach Michael, Homeowner
CHAMBERSBURG DUAL
This Saturday marks the beginning of our dual meet schedule, with a morning meet against the host Chambersburg. York Y swimmers should arrive there by 8:00 am; it takes about 1 hr 30 min to get there. The large majority of the team has been entered and will be attending, so I hope to see a strong showing. The meet should last until around 11:30 am. Regarding meet signups, see the next article.
MEET SIGNUPS
Before each meet, I will be distributing a simple meet flyer with the general meet information, and I will post the team’s tentative entries on the table or wall and individual entries in family mailboxes. If you have any problems, whether about events, or if you are not entered and would like to be, or vice versa, see me IMMEDIATELY so I can change our entries before we send them to the meet host. There are so many details to take care of when entering a meet for an entire team that mistakes will happen; it is much easier for everyone if we catch mistakes early in the process, and not wait until we get to the meet where it will likely be too late to remedy the problem. Also, please put any concerns in writing, succinctly, though of course you may tell me as well. After I have had a couple of days to gather any changes, I will be sending in our final entries. I will post the team’s final entries on the table or wall, but I will not be putting individual final entries in family mailboxes.
Regarding dual meets, please note that in age groups where we have few swimmers, for instance the 11-12 and 13-14 boys, each swimmer gets loaded up and swims the maximum number of events allowed by law. In age groups where we have a lot of swimmers, each swimmer swims fewer events, and usually each swimmer will swim a combination of “normal” and exhibition events. Everyone entered in the meet will swim at least a couple of individual events, and I am not simply loading up our fastest swimmers and trying to max out on team points. There are goals a lot more important than beating up on another team. As most of our swimmers will be swimming both normal and exhibition, you should note that the times count irrespective of whether you swim in the normal or the exhibition heat, so if you break a world record swimming exhibition, it will still count.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENTS
SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER: We will have NO practice for the Juniors/Seniors, because the team will be at the Chambersburg dual meet.
THURSDAY 23 NOVEMBER (THANKSGIVING): We will have morning practice from 5:30 to 7:30 for Seniors, Juniors, & Gold training groups. Then, I would like the ENTIRE TEAM, INCLUDING PARENTS, TO RUN IN THE Y’S 3.1 MILE TURKEY TROT. 14 & Unders run free ($10 if you want a hat), 15 & Overs cost $15 (if you want a hat, $20). The race proper begins at 9:00 am, but there is the usual registration, etc., before that. The race begins and ends at the Y. Flyers and registration materials are available at the Y front desk (they’re bright orange). This is, of course, not mandatory, but it is highly recommended, as both a team bonding exercise and exercise before you gorge yourself on turkey. Note that I will be running in this, also. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
Note that practices on Friday and Saturday will be at the regular times.
SPY ACCOMMODATIONS
For those swimmers attending the SPY Winterfest in early January, we have booked a group of rooms at the Greenbelt Marriott, about two miles away from the pool at the Univ. of Maryland-College Park. The cost per night is $109 whether you have one or four people, for the nights of January 5 and 6. If you are interested, call the Marriot at 1-800-228-9290; tell them you are with the York YMCA to reserve your room and rate. Any rooms not booked by Friday 15 December will be cancelled, and then you are on your own for hotels.
MR. BUSINESS
I have a proposal for our computer-oriented swimmers (parents are not allowed; this is not the pinewood derby): I need a business card. The Y has the same old same old business cards, but I would like something more stylish. Both when I was in York a few years ago, and then again in Phoenix, my swimmers designed my business cards, and quite impressively. I am absolutely certain that given the excellence of our present team, as well as the technical know-how of today’s adolescents, you all can come up with several appropriate, stylish, striking business cards for me to choose from. Bids will be accepted until 5 December 2006, and the winner will receive a special prize (don’t ask, I don’t yet know what it will be). The vital information for the card is:
Michael Brooks
Head Coach
York YMCA Swimming Team
mbrooks@ yorkcoymca.org
717-843-7884, ext. 268
FROM A LITTLE ACORN…
At our first morning practice we had two swimmers. The three of us spent a productive practice, but it was a little embarrassing. From that humble beginning, we have continually added one here, one there, until this morning we had nine swimmers at morning practice. Much much better, not only for those kids who hauled themselves out of bed early, but also as reflecting the increasing strength and commitment levels of our older swimmers. And while it is not always the same kids there, we do have a nice core group that is consistent, and another group that is becoming more so. We are getting some very nice work done, and the swimmers are getting a level of individual attention that is impossible in the afternoons. That extra work and attention will show.
From The CREDO: YORK Y PRIDE
=WE are proud to be members of the York Y Swim Team.
=WE all work to make York Y a team we can be proud of.
=EACH swimmer is responsible for the success of the team.
=EACH swimmer is responsible for the reputation of the team. So we carry ourselves with dignity, knowing our behavior and our words reflect on our teammates.
=WE treat one another the way we wish to be treated – with respect.
=WE behave like ladies and gentlemen.
=WE don’t whine when we lose, and we don’t gloat when we win. We embody quiet confidence.
=WE are confident because we have done everything right, we have done more than was asked, we are physically and mentally stronger than the rest. We are York Y.
CALLING ALL STUDENT-ATHLETES
I think academics is very important, and I would very much like to see the swimmers’ report cards when they come out. Any swimmers compiling a GPA of 3.5 or comparable will be listed in our York Y Swimming Academic Honor Roll, appearing in The Rambler. I understand that one term is over or just about over, so I am hoping to see a stack of report cards on my desk very soon. Study hard.
BIG CAT CRUSADE
York Y was nicely represented at Penn State’s Big Cat Invitational recently, with quite a few new team records and new “motivational time standards”, printed below, and scores of best times and nice swims. I am looking forward to the day when we attend these invitationals en masse and are the team that everyone notices, then everyone fears. Soon.
New Team Records:
Noah Stewart, 9-10 boys’ 100 back, 1:15.20
Sada Stewart, 11-12 girls’ 200 free, 2:03.00
Morgan Pfaff, 11-12 girls’ 100 breast, 1:13.89
Morgan Pfaff, 11-12 girls’ 200 breast, 2:38.77
Sada Stewart, 11-12 girls’ 200 fly, 2:24.37
Morgan Pfaff, 11-12 girls’ 100 IM, 1:05.24
Sada Stewart, 11-12 girls’ 100 IM, 1:04.90
Sada Stewart, 11-12 girls’ 200 IM, 2:17.96
New Standards:
AAAA Times
Sada Stewart, 200 IM
AAA Times
Alyssa Bixler, 50 free
Alyssa Bixler, 50 fly
Alyssa Bixler, 100 fly
Noah Stewart, 50 back
Noah Stewart, 100 IM
Sada Stewart, 100 IM
Caroline Bixler, 100 fly
Morgan Pfaff, 50 free
Morgan Pfaff, 200 breast
Morgan Pfaff, 100 free
Morgan Pfaff, 100 breast
Morgan Pfaff, 100 IM
Sada Stewart, 200 fly
AA Times
Shannon Mulcahy, 400 IM
Emily Schmittle, 100 fly
Emily Schmittle, 200 IM
Noah Stewart, 200 IM
Caroline Bixler, 100 back
Caroline Bixler, 200 fly
Morgan Pfaff, 200 fly
A Times
Emily Ilgenfritz, 50 fly (8 & Under!!)
Emily Schmittle, 50 back
Haley Vaughn, 100 free
Haley Vaughn, 100 IM
Jessica Hawk, 100 fly
Shannon Mulcahy, 200 back
Anna Schmittle, 100 fly
Anna Schmittle, 200 free
BB Times (for 8 & Unders)
Carley Vaughn, 50 back
Emily Ilgenfritz, 100 free
Emil Ilgenfritz, 50 back
Coleman Stewart, 50 fly
Coleman Stewart, 50 breast
Coleman Stewart, 100 IM