Well it is that time of year again, Short Course Regionals are over and the coaches sit down and review the season thus far. How was participation at the meet? We had a good number of swimmers attend but we were missing a few of our new older swimmers and a lot of our younger swimmers. Where do we go from here? We get the swimmers who have not yet qualified for regionals excited about getting better technique, better attendance at workout, a more consistent work ethic at each workout and a goal on doing what it takes to be the best swimmer you can be by Long Course Regionals in June! If you didn't make regionals and you want to make that commitment speak to your coach about what it will take. You have almost 4 months and a lot of things can happened in that span of time. Already made the qualifying standard BUT want more from your 2008-2009 swim season? Well step it up and get you sights set on the next level of swimming and what you can do to get there. 4 months in long enough to learn new skills, get great fitness, and break bad habits... use your time wisely!
Team Spirit and Unity review... With half the season under out belts how is the team doing at working together supporting each other and showing their pride? Well we still have swimmers without team suits and caps showing up to the meet expecting to swim! I am pretty sure if you show up to hockey without your team jersey you don't play for the team. Get your head around the fact that we look stronger as a team when we look like a team! Our team cap is white with a Red G on it and out team suit is a navy aquablade! No exceptions are made without the coaches permission and no permission will be given till maybe club nationals?! Tack suits and T-shirts on deck are proper attire that is why we have them. Some swimmers show great spirit BUT we still have along way to go in this department both on and off the deck! Lets work together to get our people all moving in the same direction, we will make it further and easier without the fight against the traffic!!!
Performance Summary: We had some great swims and some swimmers who stepped up and performed at the right time! That is the point of Championship Meets, better atmosphere, better support, better performance! I think this was the case for the majority of GMAC's athletes. If you are one of the swimmers who didn't reach your goals or swim to the best of your ability NOW is the opportunity to ask why and how can I fix this for the end of Long Course Season? Did I train hard and smart and consistently? Do I race in my own lane and stay focused on my swimming? Did I feel confident and sure that I was ready to race?
Technical Feedback... considering there there is unlikely a club out there that spends as much time and money and resources on technical perfection I was a little disappointed in some of our swims from a technical perspective. Kickouts, turns and stroke length were lacking almost across the board. I think that we have some work to do in this department and you will see a difference at Long Course! Keep your eyes on the pool and see how far we go from here.
Good Job in Short Course season! Lets get moving towards a great Long Course season. How about we aim for 65 qualifiers for Long Course Regionals? How about we aim for the best turns, starts and strokes of all the clubs. Lets elevate our performance at the meet starting today!
