(Wednesday, April 7, 2010)  This is going to be a quick up date as it is 10:30pm and I have been up since 4am.  Weather has been great, but I hear it is actually warmer back at home that we have here.  Tonight's finals were great with some SUPER WSY swims in the 100 backs and 500 free's.  We are looking for some strong 400 free relays tomorrow as we get through the mid point of the meet.  All of the team members are very appreciative of all the WSY Alumni email.  Justin "JB" Beegle checks in from Emory University in Atlanta

WSY National Team

I have spent the last several days preparing for an important test in one of my classes. I have skipped social functions, and had to drag my books to the outdoor pool to study. As I walked into the exam this morning, I realized that I could not possibly be any more prepared. There was nothing to do but walk in there and give it my best shot.

I encourage you all in Fort Lauderdale to employ that same mindset this weekend. You have endured practices that make most swimmers cringe, regularly gotten up before the crack of dawn for swim practice (and to sprint to the benches to save the seats!), and spent hundreds of hours refining your skills and “studying” for the big test – YMCA Nationals. At this point, all that is left to do is race. While a lot of people come to this meet physically prepared, it is those that get up to race that earn night swims and personal bests. Swim your races in a way that you will feel good about – your preparation is nothing without a solid performance on race day. Be able to leave Fort Lauderdale knowing that you took your test as effectively as possible.

A few other notes….keep Crunch away from the Sarasota boys….and keep Austin and Travie away from Mandy, Sandy, Dandy and Candy….be sure the Tulip is always wearing her sunscreen and staying away from Jordan Hartman…and finally make sure, even though he now swims for Sarasota, that RT is wearing a swimsuit of suitable size! Good luck, swim fast, and maybe me and Adri will show up at some point to make sure that Clairee is behaving.

FAST and steady wins the race,
JB
 

 

(Tuesday, April 6, 2010)  Sorry for the lack of "Blogging" here in Ft Lauderdale where the weather is awesome....mid 80's during the day, and almost no clouds.  We arrived yesterday (Monday) about 1:30pm and Coach Scott, Ryan and I agreed, one of our easiest "transports" from Camp Hill to the pool here at the Swimming Hall of Fame.  Each of the WSY team members were great in keeping their spirits up, a positive attitude, and really wanting to have a GREAT National meet.  We had one workout yesterday where we were able to get some quality swimming in and really some great training.  We had our annual Team Dinner last evening at Bubba Gumps where it was a great social opportunity for all of the team members.  If you are not able to follow us on Twitter (for instant updates), you can view the feed here.  We have been posting most of our photo's to facebook, and they are available here.  All of our video is here. 

This morning (Tuesday) we had a great wake-up swim at 5:45am......had our first team breakfast at the hotel, as well as lunch and of course the world famous "Dough Boys" for Dinner.  The Team Meeting was great today. Video is here.  The team meetings are always a highlight of the trip.  Earlier this evening we had our final workout prior to the meet that begins on Wednesday.  Everyone looked fast and ready for a great four-day swim meet.  I will do better with reporting each day.  Be sure to follow our video and "tweets".  In closing.......Coach Scott and Ryan are my roommates this week.  It seems that I must toughen them up when it comes to keeping the room at 55 degrees.  They tell me that it feels like an igloo.......I am sure they will get adjusted to it.  Here are several more messages we have received from our WSY Alum:

WSY National Team:

At first I was shocked to see Sam Apa’s name on this list and then I remembered his dad told me after I broke the state record in the 100 breaststroke, “John, Sam said he is going to erase you from the MASH record books”. I smiled then as I watched this 10 year old Sam Apa struggling in the pool but now I realize that my banners at MASH may be dropped to make room for our new breaststroke king.

Luke Trimmer---you wowed a lot people a few weeks ago. If you got half the guts of your older brother, in that 500 you’ll take those Sarasota boys out on the town that first 200 and let them TRY to catch you.

Steven, Emily, and Steph---you are almost graduated from G. Michael’s school of hard knocks--you three have not only been at this meet for the past 4 years now, but you are the only ones left from my generation---and I feel I speak on behalf of all us, that it is you three that must to set the tone and let everyone in Fort Lauderdale remember why we at West Shore are as tough as they come.

Get up and swim fast in prelims. I was a #4 seed in the 100 breaststroke my senior year and didn’t even make it back at night. Get psyched up for your races. No one here should be nervous, if anything be excited to dive in that pool and light it up with the nation’s finest. One of my most rewarding experiences in my 15 years with the West Shore YMCA was swimming under the lights at this meet. I hope each of you swim your hardest and reward yourself with this prize. Use your training and each other these next few days.

WSY National Team:

Just wanted to wish everyone good luck at Nationals. Have fun, enjoy every minute, and just remember to believe in yourselves and all the hard work you've done. Mike, don't forget your socks for beach day, and please make sure that Clairee knows how many laps she's swimming. All the best to everyone. It was a pleasure to train with this team last summer, and I know that everyone on the team is capable of some great things.

Penn State Proud,

Erin Luley
 

Hey Team,

I'm sitting in my dorm room getting ready for practice and wishing I was in sunny Ft. Lauderdale with you guys! I wanted to wish all of you good luck and to swim fast, which I know you will. There's no need to be nervous. You should be confident because you put the work in all year, and it's going to show. Remember to have fun because before you know it, you will be in your dorm room wishing you were at nationals like me. And don't forget to believe in yourselves! I want to make a few shout outs. Keep Carly away from my man and away from RT. Also it would be wise to keep Steph and Emily away from sun tan lotion and boys. And someone needs to keep travie and claire separated since JB will not be there to keep everybody in line! Good luck to everyone and swim fast! And extra good luck to first-time qualifiers. Swim fast Sam! I'll probably be writing again so talk to you later.
Love,
Adri
 

(Thursday, March 25, 2010)  We are 11 days out from departure, and we have a great 2010 WSY National Team.  We have been getting in some great work in the pool and are very much looking forward to another week in Ft Lauderdale, which has become one of the greatest weeks in the WSY Year.  As many of our WSY Alumni are watching this week, we get some great words of encouragement from them .  Here are several messages we have received from our WSY Alum:

WSY National Team,

First i want to give a shout out to my two future teammates Steven and Steph, all of us in Tigertown wish yall good luck and will be watching and cheering for you during the week. And Steven remember our bet.......so far I am winning! I am looking forward to seeing both of you here in Clemson next year.

And to all of you National Team swimmers I want to wish good luck as well. For the youngsters that i don't know, I want yall to enjoy it and have fun, its a great experience and you will get to learn what YMCA Nationals is all about. And to the veterans who have been here before, yall know how it goes just relax and do what you've practiced so many times. And finally to the seniors, cherish every moment of your last Nationals, it really is an amazing meet so just go out and leave nothing behind.

I had fun training with yall this past summer, except for Emily (just kidding). So I know yall have put in the hard work and training, now its time to relax and just swim fast!

Harry Foster

Awwww Nationals! I still have my blue and white WSY team sweats! I worked so hard to get one and be a part of a lifelong team. These are some of the best memories that these swimmers are creating. OH, and the little nats bag that you get. I have four of them and they are all currently in use.
Anyway, this is a great opportunity to bond with your team mates, meet new people, vacation in Florida, and of course swim fast. One thing I do regret though. I wish I would have cheered more for my teammates. Not only is it important for the swimmer in the water, but its important for the cheerer too. That kind of camaraderie is something that will stick with you your whole life. I still remember Rick Estocio's words, "leave it in the water". If Mike remembers, I did. My 100 fly split in the 200 was faster then my 100 fly event. Then my last 50 was slower than a 10 and under's. It was actually kinda funny. These are the kind of things you will be remembering. Be there to see your teammates memories too.
Other things I remember about Nats: "You've Been" shirts, girls, gallon jugs of clear pee (drink lots of water!), girls, swimming in the ocean against the current because we're from PA and have no concept of 'currents', girls, and team meetings, oh yeah and girls. Have Fun! Oh and Mike, be sure to sit in the hall all night long! If they don't you'll hear from me!

.....Zane Sebasovich (WSY Class of 2001)

My experience with the National team was something i will remember forever. My advice to everyone swimming is to think about each race on individually. You never know what you will be able to accomplish, even if you had a bad race, you can turn it around and achieve your goals. But the most important thing is to make memories, have an awesome time, and swim as fast as you can. Because if you let one bad race get to you, you may miss out on other races, other experiences, and I am so glad that I pushed through the bad, to be able to experience the good, and just had fun above all else. You never know what might happen to you and this meet is a place where anything can. Swim fast and good luck!

.....steve doemland