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Reports of WSY National Team YMCA Nationals in Fort Lauderdale written by Coach Mike
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Friday, April 10, 2009 (4pm) - So, Y
Nationals 2009 is about to conclude. Just got done with our final team
meeting (Video will be uploaded when we get home on
Saturday,
as hotel web connection is very slow). We have our annual team trip to
Dave and Busters later this evening, and then back to the hotel to pack our gear
for the return trip home on Saturday. This team of 21 WSY athletes came
together very well over the week. We had challenges such as some
sicknesses, ripped suits, and dealing with very cold weather, but everyone came
through. As a team we had 46% best times (last year we had 40%, and two
years ago 38%), which is very important to us at this meet. Getting
through four days of competition and continuing to swim fast is important.
Last evening, we had some great racing from our team. We started off with Claire's mile, where she went 16:46.98 her best time. Claire ended up 6th place, and Carly Munchel got 10th (16:57) from her swim earlier in the day. Our men's 200 free relay was up next and they saw some awesome individual split times, finishing 15th, with a 1:26.43. Steven and Eric had great 200 fly times (Steven went 1:51.98 for 17th, and Eric 1:53.83 for 20th). Our Men's 400 Medley relay was the final event of the evening, where we saw some very fast swimming. The guys went 3:31.42 for 16th place (All WSY Results are here)
Last
night we also had a small birthday celebration for Eric Naylor celebrating his
18th birthday. The fun part about these WSY National trips is watching the
swimmers get to know each other, and then go back to work in the pool when we
get home, knowing that the next trip will be upon us soon. What changes
will be made to practice habits to accomplish goals for the next trip??
What lessons learned from this trip will be thought about as we train in
practice for the next trip?? What will each of these athletes be talking
about to teammates back home who want to be on the next trip?? Each year
continues to get better from the previous. My first WSY National trip was
in Orlando in 1989, where our men's team was in the Top 4, and we had two
National Records set (Bill Schell in the 50 free, and 100 fly), and all of the
guys and girls relays were in the Top 4. We then went a few year in the
early 90's where were not even on the point board as we did not score any
points. After a few years, we began to get back on the point board.
We used each trip to spring board to the next trip. As each year passed
by, we build forward to the next. We added various team building events to
the trip experience. Then beginning about 2003-04, we started to see our
efforts pay off as we saw National Champions, National Records, and Team
Championships (Girls Long Course - 2008). Through all of this we continue
to build this experience for each WSY athletes that is with us on each trip.
After 20 trips, I continue to want to make each trip an experience of a lifetime
for each WSY swimmer that has the opportunity and desire to join us. We
have many WSY swimmers back home that I know have a goal to not only swim in
this meet, but to participate in an experience that they will remember for their
entire life.
Thanks
to the WSY Alumni for your continued support through email, texts, Facebook.
Your inspirational words go to show the great following we have as a team.
The current group of WSY swimmers are representing you well, carrying a
tradition that began in 1972, and now continues through 2010 as we are once
again back in Ft Lauderdale.
Thanks to everyone for reading. Hopefully I have given you a small glimpse of how our week progressed. We had a great group of young people who continue to enjoy being part of the WSY National Team experience.....................until next time........................GMG
Thursday, April 9, 2009 (4pm) - What a great day of prelims for WSY. We started off with some great 200 fly's with Eric and Steven both going 1:53, and getting evening swims. Morgan, and Maddie had some super time drops in their 200 fly. The guys 200 free relay (Eddie, Austin, Steven and Eric) swam a blazingly fast time to earn an evening swim. The guys also earned an evening swim in their 400 medley relay. Claire will be swimming her mile this evening for representation from the WSY women's team. We had some great mile's during the early afternoon. Ryan Turner (setting a new WSY Team record) dropped about 15 seconds from his lifetime best time, and Carly Munchel, after being sick most of the week with a bad stomach virus, swam one of the "toughest" mile's I have seen in a while. Earlier in the day Carly had some real signs of illness, and quite possibly a low grade fever. I talked to her about mid morning and asked if she wanted to swim it, knowing that Carly is a very tough person. I told her is was OK if she wanted me to scratch the event. She came back to me about 15 minutes later and said "Mike....I am ready to swim". Carly dove in the water, and never looked back......as like Ryan, dropped about 12 seconds from her time, going under 17:00 for the first time.
Many of the WSY swimmers had some "ups and downs" this week, but overall, we did not have any major problems. We have a great young team here this year, and are looking forward to our night of great swimming, a day of "Beach Time" on Friday, a team meeting on Friday to say goodbye to our seniors, talk about the fun we had this week, talk about what we learned from this meet, and then begin planning for the Long Course Meet this Summer, and Short Course Nationals of 2010 (as a side note I increased the number of rooms we reserved at the hotel as a sign of the new WSY swimmers that will be with us next year.
Here are some emails that will be read at our team meeting today from WSY Alumni:
As mike texted me at 5:51 this morning when I was on my way to workout, a cold chill went down my spine as I felt for all of you as I knew you were probably standing outside the gates of the pool getting ready for the legendary 3,000 yard workout.
There has always been a difference between West Shore and so many other teams that come this meet. I remember being in the locker rooms in the mornings before Nationals had even begun, listening to other swimmers talk about being at the beach all day, and even during the meet I remember as we got in the vans to go back to the hotel after prelims I could see those same group of guys sprinting to the beach. With the beach to our heels, I used to get so mad at the fact that Mike would not let us go to the beach until the meet was finally over. Then I saw that same swimmer after he had just finished one of his races, getting out of the water with his head hung and his coach going over to hug him and then it occurred to me. West Shore came to race.
Everyone of you has paid a steep price to be where you are today. Through countless practices, 200 free sprints with 5 seconds of rest before the next, butterfly till you hurt, I can only imagine the practices Mike has thrown at you over the course of this season. But there’s a reason behind everything. I remember one thing Mike always used to say to me during those practices, when I would begin to quit, Mike would look at me and shout, “What do you say John? What do you say?” And even though I could hardly breathe in the West Shore YMCA Natatorium, because of all the Chlorine trapped in my lungs, you just learn to put your head down and go. I know a lot of you can say the same through experience. And our obsession shows especially at this meet. When you get behind the blocks tonight remember how hard you worked, and you know that swimmer next to you who thinks ‘they got game’ did not come close tothe effort you put into this season, and think how upset you will be with yourself if you let them touch before you. You’ve earned this, now you have to go take it.
You each have to ask yourself that question, “What do you say?” Do you just go through the motions and become satisfied? I know that would be out of character for anyone from our land. You all have worked too hard for too long to allow yourselves to come down here and go through the motions. Everyone back here in Pennsylvania is watching you. You come from a long line of history and all of you represent us in this new era of fast swimming. The Swimming Hall of Fame is our stomping grounds. Steven, Justin, Eric, Emily, Stephanie, Adrienne and Claire—it’s incredible to see how far all of you have come. You each have your own story and you are blessed with the opportunity of deciding how it ends.
I’m even impressed with the young bloods Eddie Lanoue, Ryan Turner, Matt Brady, and Travis & Austin Bohn who I haven’t had the privilege of meeting. Welcome to the family.
I will end with this. I know Steven Gasparini felt some of that WSY pride when he ran down Boyertown, Brandywine and Bath Area in the 400 Free Finals. Remember how good that felt boys? Live it again tonight. LET THE BEATINGS BEGIN ......John Cremo Jr
Hey Mike, Coach Kim, and Coach Scott!
I'm so proud to see everyone swimming so well. My teammates here at UD talk about nationals and how the teams are doing they are always saying how people from wsy are dropping time and placing well... well erinne and i always point that out to everyone haha... I'm so excited to see the final results from tonight, this is my favorite day of the meet. i was going through the roster and i realized that wow i really don't know many of you.. its really strange because when i think about nationals and our team i remember all of us being so close and like a family during that whole week (and other teams being jealous of us). everyone that had differences just put them aside, but i really don't even remember people having differences. all i really remember from my WSY and nationals is having seriously the time of my life. i don't really remember my races (except when i had to swim off for that freaking 400 IM when i tied for 16TH!! uhg that was the worst that freaking girl dropped 7 seconds! she should have just tried in the morning) i remember winning relays but i honestly don't remember my individual races i couldn't even tell you what i placed in them let alone my times... there are a few random things i remember from before races like having dance offs with st. john literally running around with leah, jess, trish, and little weaner (HI how weird is it im writing an email. i'm so grown up). i think my point to this rant is, when it all comes down to it, its not about the individual swims or anything like that. its about having fun and taking advantage of the opportunity. i hope that we have someone continuing the tradition of dancing across the bulk head for finals and making sure people are excited/relaxed for their races. i miss this meet and can honestly say that i have never been to a meet like nationals or part of another team that could compare to wsy and i've been on a few...
ok i have a few shout outs hahaha
Desert Eagle Beegle! holy crap great job! your doing amazing keep it going into tonight. feed off of everyone's adrenaline and just have fun, because before you know it its all over. get excited and just go for it because there really is nothing to loose. and make sure that someone good gives you your flowers haha
Catfish! get it girl! congrats on everything your swimming so well! your 400 IM was great! i'm pretty sure you would have beat that girl i tied in prelims... haha i'm a bit bitter about that still.. ok anyway i'm so proud of you and happy your having a great year! don't waste it have some fun. and get ready for the beach and you better be getting good flower boys haha
Steven 3 second drop in your 200 fly! that's so amazing keep it up and get excited for tonight! ps good job at states people were talking about you at ud and erinne and i were like ha we know him!
Steph and Claire, you girls are swimming so well! i'm so proud of both of you finish the meet strong and get everyone ready for finals tonight!
Carrigan... idk if thats what you go by now... but i'm so excited that your at nationals! i wish i was there with you. you've grown up a lot since i last saw you and i'm so excited to watch you swim over the next few years i hope your having fun and i miss you!
Eric NAYLOR! wow. you've grown up a lot, your swimming so fast. i hope your having fun and pulling pranks on people and joking around like you always were. try to smile haha and when your at dinner tomorrow you better beat that game again! but find a good partner. cuz we all know i carried that team.
hahaha. finish out the meet tonight and swim fast at finals! good luck!
ok and finally Little Weaner!!!!! your like my little sister i miss you so much and i'm so proud of you. things get tough but you always swim amazing in the end and i knew you would. i hope your having fun i wish i was there with you. you better be dancing for me! finish fast and have fun at the beach. i miss you.
Mike- I hope you weren't tooooo loud at 5 am even though i know that you being quiet is something that would be so weird! i'm glad to see that your keeping the team together and makin everyone fast. thank you for everything nationals would not have been the same with out you. thanks for making my wsy experience fun.
Coach Kim- Thank you Thank you Thank you. your an amazing coach and person. you helped me at nationals more than you know. you always encouraged me when i had a tough time and made sure that everyone was happy or just sucking it up.. i hope your getting a great tan and i miss you.
Coach Scott- you helped me so much at my last nationals. advising me to take ice baths and how to swim my 4 IM i tied. uhg. thank you, because even tho you never really coached me i felt like you had coached me fore years and still feel like i could come to you about anything. your a great coach. and i hope your having fun with the team.
Good luck everyone!
-Marianne Flynn
ps. EVERYONE SAY THANK YOU TO THE COACHES RIGHT NOW! because they do more for you than you know. when your napping they are working when you feel tired so do they. just say thank you.
WSY National Team,
I bet you are all having a great time in sunny Florida, soaking up the sun and swimming fast. I have seen some of the results and can imagine that some of you are having the meet of your life and others are disappointed with how some outcomes have turned. Fortunately for everyone, there are still 2 days left in the meet. These two days are the time for everyone to pump up the volume and set new standards of how to swim fast. Imagine yourself at your best in the past; now in vision yourself, here in Florida, being better than that previous vision. I know you all have trained so hard this year and this is the last chance to show the YMCA crowd how fast West Shore can really be this season.
West Shore has a great repuation of bringing more power on the last day than any other team and I expect that this group will continue this tradition. Don’t give up on your dreams and ambitions if things have not been going your way. Create new visions for yourself and your team. Everyone matters and plays a key role to the mission of West Shore. People before you have set a high standard of West Shore’s presence at Y nationals—continue this standard and raise the bar for future swimmers on this team.
This meet is one of the most fun meets to compete in and anytime you get nervous or doubt yourself, forget those thoughts and just have a great time. You will only remember the good times that you had at these meets, not the times you swam. So live it up! Have fun! I’ll see you down there in a couple of days and continue the tradition of excellence of West Shore.
2-4-6-8 West Shore Y!
See you soon!
Tricia
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 (10pm) -
Another great day of swimming today, the 3rd day of competition. The air
temperature was a bit rough during warm ups today. Luckily I had a wool
ski cap with me, and it came in very handy this morning along with 2
sweatshirts, and sweatpants. The swimmers are OK once they are in the
water as the water temperature is 81 degrees in the water. We have been
having great warm ups each day. The other great part about the 2009 WSY
Nationals team, and no
one has been late for any meeting, or overslept and
missed a wake up call. Very responsible group. We had a great prelim
session, where for awhile during this morning, we had all best times, which is
great to see at this meet. These athletes have been training hard since
September (actually since April of last year), and to go through all of the
meets we have done, and still come to a 4-day meet, and swim well is great.
Don't get me wrong, we have had some ups and downs, and two swimmers actually
get very sick one evening, but even though we had two sick swimmers, no one gave
up, and every one swam all of their events. As each day passes us by, this
team grows closer together. Most of this group will be back to this meet
for a few more year, along with many WSY swimmers working hard back home.
At our team meeting on Friday, we will talk about the Seniors leaving, and the
many WSY National Team trips they have attended. Each WSY National Trip is
very special to each swimmers part of that team.
As for specifics, we had a great day. Once the sun came up, it got very hot. The sun index was a 10+ meaning you could burn very easily and not know it. Out of the many thousands of swimmers and spectators, the pool medical staff had to treat over 20 people for dehydration. As we say to the swimmers, you must keep drinking water down here. Most of the WSY swimmers are going through 8-10 bottles of water a day. The girls had a great 800 free relay this evening, getting 5th place, our highest place thus far. Steph and Adri mad the most of an opportunity....meaning a swimmer scratched from the finals in their events (100 free and 400 IM), and both Steph and Adri took advantage of that opportunity, and swam faster that they did this morning. Morgan was our top individual finisher thus far getting 8th place overall in her 400 IM. Swim Network has great video of the finals heats here
We look forward to a great final day on Thursday.....2 relays, 1650 free, 200 fly, and 100 breastroke. A very busy day, but in true WSY form, Thursday will be "Last Day-Fast Day". Here is an email from WSY Alum Allison Luttermoser that we received and read at today's meeting. Thanks also to WSY Alum Joe Kinderwater, Mary Flynn, and Kayla Ricedorf for their text messages to the group
great.
We had two of the girls feel a bit sick last evening, but both are doing well
and working through their sickness. Tonight's swims included Steven and
Eric swimming great times in the
most
of the coaches were now in sweatshirts, and the athletes about 3 sweatshirts.
With the new "LZR" type suits being worn, we are dealing with "Suit
Malfunctions", and as Claire was getting her suit on, it ripped........Coach
Craig was on it quickly........He had 10 minutes to run back to the hotel, get
Claire's back-up suit, and then allow enough time for Claire to get in the new
suit. Not only did we make the 10 minutes, before the relay actually
started, each of the girls remained calm, and swam GREAT in this
for
them. One of the items I told the team last week at our team meeting was
this trip was going to be an "experience" for each person. I also
encouraged each person to be sure to get to know many others on the team.
Part of the "experience" with attending this meet with WSY is getting to know
your team mates, and not simply attending this meet to swim. The swimming
is an important part, and WSY will be swimming fast, but we need to think about
what actually makes you swim fast. The 30 weeks of training prior to the
meet is obviously important, but other important factors include working
together as a team, limiting distractions, limiting stress, and being positive
as a team. Each of our practices from that point forward have been
great. Tomorrow evening (Thursday) night is a team favorite as it is "Team
Outfitting Night", where all 21 athletes will get their "gear" for the week.
After Thursday night's practice we will all venture over to the Brownrigg's
house for our Annual National Team dinner. A great time for the team to
gather and talk about the trip.
Personally I am really looking
forward to this years trip....it
is also great to see 21 athletes
come together and work as a team
to accomplish Team Goals. Follow
along to see how this group
comes together to accomplish
this goal. Most likely I
will not post again until we get
to Fort Lauderdale. We
depart on Saturday AM, and
should be on the ground in
Florida by noon on Saturday.
Hopefully everyone enjoys our
added features this year.....the