NO PRACTICE MONDAY 10/25/2010

Fort Bend Classic

So we finally got to race today!  I thought we showed real signs of improvement.  We had almost all best times, showed that we are beginning to gain some aerobic endurance, and COMPETED all day long.

I'm going to be focused on our turns the next few weeks.  We need to make a greater effort at attacking our walls.  A lot of us are breathing just before the turn, or gliding into the wall.  We need to excelerate in order to turn our feet to the wall quicker and carry momentum off the wall in our streamline kick. 

I liked that some were really working to push the pace faster at the beginning of their races.  100 yard races ARE sprints if you don't race the first 50 you'll probably be out of the race when you come out of your turn, and 200's are controlled sprints - Liesl had perfect splits for her 200 (31/34/34/34). 

I think timing looks good in our relay starts.  Some of you are really getting a great leap out into the race.  Remember, we swing our arms to get momentum off the blocks and we want to leave in a horizontal position, then the head goes into streamline - repositioning your body to enter fingers first...the rest of the body should follow the hole our hands make.  If we leave the blocks with a downward body position, we didn't finish our swing and drive off the blocks with our legs.

SATURDAY MEET

I made a mistake when scheduling the Fort Bend Classic.  Because it was held on Thursday and Friday last year, that is when I scheduled it for this year.  As most of you now know, Diving was today and Swimming is tomorrow.  The Aquatic Director was gracious enough to open the pool and let us get in a practice.  The athletes had a pretty good time, and I think it all turned out well with them.

I'm sorry for the confusion.  Here is tomorrow's timeline...
SATURDAY:
The bus will leave from the pool at 9:30am.

We will warm up at 11:00am, the meet will run from 12:00noon until approximately 4:00pm.  We should be back between 5:00-5:30pm.

Athletes need to wear team warm ups onto the bus.  They should have extra clothing and towels to stay warm and dry at the meet and on the way home.  They need to bring several waters snack foods and a sack lunch to eat during the meet (good lunch ideas include healthy sandwichs, dry vegetables, fruit, granola, trail mix, the more the better...we want them to snack all day).

School Wide Testing Wednesday

We will not have morning practice on Wednesday 10/13/2010 due to school wide testing.  All AM athletes should report to advisory at 8:45am.  There will be normal practice in the afternoon from 3:15-4:45pm.

Swim Meet Thursday @ Fort Bend ISD

The team will travel to Fort Bend's Don Cook Natatorium on Thursday, 10/7/10.  Athletes will be excused from 7th period.  They are to report to the Pool, change into suits, warm ups and be prepared to load the bus at 3:15pm.

I have posted the 20 guys, and 20 girls that will travel to this meet.  I wish I could take everyone, but the bus only holds so many.

The meet actually starts at 6:00pm, and should be over by 8:00pm.

Go Deer!

Order Form

Athletes were given spirit wear order forms today.  There is a firm due date of September 30th for orders to be turned into the coaches.

No Practice Monday

Holiday practice has been canceled for Monday, September 27th.  Our Teacher's schedule has changed to early in the morning and later in the afternoon than what I had expected.  Enjoy the three day weekend!

T-Shirts

Remember, any T-Shirt ideas must be reported to captains, or coaches by Friday.  We will make final decisions on Friday during "team" for the coaches approval.

Great Start!

We've gotten off to a great start.  100% of varsity swimmers are now in the water.  We just have a few JV swimmers who need to make a decision this weekend as to whether they really want to be with us or not.  I hope we were able to get a good grasp on the drills we will start the season trying to perfect.  Remember, at this time of the season it is PERFECT swim technique that will carry us when we are tired and pushed to our limit in November, December and January.
AM Practice is at 7:45am on Tuesday.  See you then.  Hope you have a great weekend!

First Week of Practice

At this point, all athletes should have completed DPISD's Athletic Participation Packet and should have turned it into the campus trainers.

We will begin swimming on Thursday, August 26th. Morning swimmers will splash at 7:45am, afternoon swimmers will be done at 4:45pm.

Welcome!

I want to welcome followers. I am very excited to be taking over the reigns of the Deer Swimmers and Divers this year! I have started this blog as a way to help our athletes and families keep up with news, updates and good swim information as our season progresses.