Highlander Aquatics Team Newsletter
Newsletter
5/9/11
Happy May Birthdays
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Olivia Allen
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8-May
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Daniel Kind
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10-May
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Brandon Foley
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11-May
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Timothy Domescek
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11-May
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Sean Duggan
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13-May
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Aniston Goldstein
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14-May
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Emily Owens
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15-May
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Tina Glatz
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17-May
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Julia Nicholson
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17-May
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Saumya Sao
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20-May
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Paden Brunault
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23-May
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Ryan Marin
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23-May
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Ashley Hayes
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26-May
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Victoria Pratt
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26-May
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Jack Dworetsky
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26-May
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The Wright Stuff
June is quickly approaching!! Sign up now for our summer programs, starting June 6th!
Highlander Splash Camp (Kindergarten – 5th grade)
Students will participate in a variety of fun water games and activities in Lake Highland’s state-of-the-art Olympic Aquatic facility. Students will also be involved in other sporting events such as baseball, kickball, and team games outside of the pool. In addition to our activities at Lake Highland, campers will be offered the opportunity to explore an additional aquatic facility which features a zero depth splash pad and a water slide. Campers should bring a swimsuit, two towels, play clothes with running shoes, sunscreen, a lunch and a snack daily.
Weeks: June 6th – 10th and June 13th – 17th
Half Day Morning Session: 9:00 – Noon
Half Day Afternoon Session: 12:30 – 3:30 pm
Full day Session: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Highlander Jr. Splash Camp (entering PreK – 1st)
Students will participate in a variety of fun water games and activities in Lake Highland’s state-of-the-art Olympic Aquatic facility. Students will also be involved in other sporting events outside of the pool that are skill appropriate for this age range. In addition, campers will also be offered a daily 30 minute swim lesson. Campers should bring a swimsuit, two towels, play clothes with running shoes, sunscreen, a lunch and a snack daily. (PreK students will only need a snack daily; PreK campers are dismissed prior to lunch).
Weeks: July 11th – 15th, July 18th – 22nd, and July 25th – 29th
PreK students (2011-2012 school year) 9:00 am – Noon
K & 1st Grade (2011-2012 school year) 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Swim Lessons (Ages 2 – 14)
Highlander Aquatics and Lake Highland Preparatory School are pleased to offer a complete SwimAmerica instructional program. SwimAmerica is the learn-to-swim program of the American Swimming Coaches Association, the most prestigious swim coaches association. The program is taught in ten stations ranging from blowing bubbles for our toddlers to learning the four competitive strokes for our lower- & middle-schoolers. Every student progresses at his/her own rate, independent of the other students’ development. In this program, the aquatic experts — the coaches — teach your child. SwimAmerica teaches much more than just how to swim. Proper techniques of swimming are emphasized with care given to correct breathing, body position, movement of limbs and timing. Proficiency leads to achievement and self-esteem. Lake Highland will be offering seven weeks of lessons for ages 2–adult. Each session consists of Monday–Thursday lessons for a specific half hour for a week. Group and private lessons are available each half hour. Lessons are available in the mornings from 8:00 to 11:00 and in the afternoons from 3:00 to 7:00. Swimmers are encouraged to sign up for at least eight lessons.
Weeks include: June 6th – 9th, June 13th – 16th, June 20th – 23rd, June 27th – June 30th, July 11th – 14th, 18th – 21st, July 25th – 28th.
For registration and more information, please contact Stacy Wright at 407-206-1900, ext.1182, or via email at swright@lhps.org. Online registration is available at
www.highlanderaquatics.org under “Lessons”. Register now, spaces are limited!
Seasonal Swim Team (Ages 5–13)
Highlander Aquatics will be hosting its 7th annual Summer Seasonal Swim Team. This is a great program to get your child in the water for fitness and fun during the hot summer months. The primary goals of the team will be to have fun and learn about competitive swimming. This program will include the basics of competitive swimming, including stroke mechanics of all four strokes, racing starts, and racing turns. Each child must be able to swim Freestyle and Backstroke for at least 25 yards to participate on the team. The summer team also provides the opportunity to compete in “low-key” novice competitions against swimmers of similar ability.
An 8-week session with various practice days and times will begin on Monday, June 6th and run through Friday, July 29th. For registration and more information, please contact Stacy Wright at 407-206-1900, ext. 1182, or via email at swright@lhps.org. Registration is also available online at www.highlanderaquatics.org
under “Summer”.
Curley’s Corner
Happy May! First off I am very encouraged not only by the participation, but the effort we have had at our morning workouts. We are getting very close to the end of the school year and cannot emphasize enough how important it is for everyone to take care of themselves. You are not only going to be stressed in the pool, but as the important exams approach, stress from the classroom will tax you as well. Nutrition and sleep will be vital to continued health. Stay hydrated, increase your vegetable and fruit intake.
I am very much looking forward to the Senior Trip to Sarasota this June. I am hoping that more of you will commit to taking part in this memorable
Keep up the great work,
Coach Curley
Senior Practice Schedule
May
9 Monday 5:30 - 7:15 am 3:30-6:00 pm
10 Tuesday 3:30-6:00 pm
11 Wednesday 5:30 - 7:15 am 3:30-6:00 pm
12 Thursday 3:30-6:00 pm
13 Friday NO AM workout Patriot Long Course Invite
14 Saturday Patriot Long Course Invite
15 Sunday Patriot Long Course Invite
16 Monday 5:30 - 7:15 am 3:30-6:00 pm
17 Tuesday 3:30-6:00 pm
18 Wednesday 5:30 - 7:15 am 3:30-6:00 pm
19 Thursday 3:30-6:00 pm
20 Friday 5:30 - 7:15 am 3:30-6:00 pm
21 Saturday NO Practice LHPS Graduation
Looking Ahead to Memorial Day Weekend: Tentative Practice Schedule
27 Friday 5:30 - 7:15 am 3:30-6:00 pm
28 Saturday NO Practice
29 Sunday NO Practice
30 Monday NO AM Practice 3:30-6:00 pm
We will re-up the tradition of Senior Group Team Trips this summer. With the help of Coach Stacy Wright I am currently planning a team bonding trip to Sarasota. Currently we have 2 beach cottages in Siesta Key, Wednesday, June 22 thru Sunday June 27. We will compete in the Sarasota Sharks Summer Invite and I have arranged for training with the Sharks prior to the swim meet. I hope all members of the senior team will commit to participate in this memorable experience. In order to complete all the plans I would like to have rsvp's by the end of April.
Thus far commitments:
Jeandre Pretorius, Hayley and Riley Sprigman, Cydeny Glasser, Corbin Cooper, Katie and Sean Duggan, Harlin and Suzanne Bessire, Parker Quackenbush, Paden Brunault, Alex Pena, Arthur Smith, Ashley Hayes, Michael Dulfer, Brandon Foley, David Perez, Angela Algee, Shelby McLean, Lauren Robertson, Steyn Funk, Hannah Lillo, Cory Walsh and Harrison Curley.
American Red Cross Life Guarding Class (You must 15 years old)
June 13 - 16 @ Lake Highland
For more information please email or call:
Coach Curley 407-206-1900 ext 1180 mcurley@lhps.org
The Segrest Section
What a Fantastic meet last weekend. It was fun to see the age group kids swim so well in our pool with our new scoreboard. You can watch some of it on the “Florida Swim Network.” There are many pictures on the website in the “Photo Gallery,” thank you Karen Carlsen. We are getting back to work so we can make improvements by this weekend at the Patriot Meet and beyond.
The Trinity Meet is fast approaching and then the Age Group Groups are scheduled to attend the Sarasota Meet. 12 & Unders do not have qualifying times while the 13 & older swimmers have fairly stiff cuts. Please check the meet information for details.
The Full Nelson
Are you prepared?
It's practice time. Are you prepared? Do you have your suit, your equipment etc.? Do you waste valuable practice time searching for such things. Are you ready with your swimsuit, goggles that fit, cap that is in good shape? Are you ready to have a good productive day at the pool?
It's meet time. Are you prepared? If warm up is at 8:00, do you show up at 8:00? If so, you are just now trying to find the team area, put on your suit, goggles, cap, apply sunscreen, stretch, and get the instructions from the coach. You might find yourself getting in late and missing a significant part of warm up. Better to start the day off doing things right. Now, do you have a shady area to sit in a chair you brought, appropriate team gear on to show your spirit and keep warm or cool or dry? Snacks to keep your energy level up, bottles of water to stay hydrated? Do you know what events you are in and following the meet so you can be mentally prepared versus panicked at the last minute. Did you pre-race visit your coach? Are you prepared to make this day of the meet a success and push the limits of what you thought you were capable of? Yes? Good. That is the essence of what this game is all about. The more things you do right, the less luck you need.
Newsletter - March 21, 2011
Newsletter
3/21/11
Happy Birthday!
 March
1 Siddarth Pinnamaneni
2 Lucie Adams
4 Grace Gibson
7 Sarah Merriman
13 Matthew Vaughan
18 Harlin Bessire
22 Sophia Kuvan
22 Sara Logan
23 Ainsley Thurston
24 Chadwick Seiler
25 Wesley Crownover
25 Michael Dulfer
The Wright Stuff
Age Group Seasonal Group
We are so happy to have over 80 seasonal swimmers in the pool this spring! Let’s welcome some new faces in 2011…
Jack Dworetsky Drew Jansen Sara Logan Tate Piercy
Lucie Adams Ainsley Myers Ella Bines Carlee McCook
Dean Bronson Daniel Kind Morgan Dworetsky Grace Gibson
Hanna Barbaree Taylor Davidson Ashley Thurston James Boone
Baldwin Brown Lilly Swinson Blake Lochmandy Jared Jansen
Macy Akins Annabelle Roh Michael Conti Zoe Richter
Isabella Pino Kole Piercy Riley Livengood Siddarth Pinnamaneni
Chloe Misseldine Ainsley Thurston Sarah Kind Joe Rehmet
Nilufer McCoy Paven Kanumalla Alessandra Scarpa Chadwick Seiler
Santiago Calderon Francesca Murphy Zane Zeagler Kirsten Murphy
Maya McClary Olivia Allen Frank Kogan Reid Marlett
Jay Nagabhairu Hannah Schneeberger Julia Kelso Adian Baumann-Hays
Our seasonal group celebrated St. Patrick’s Day this past Thursday with some festive relays and shamrock treats. We are looking forward to the Crock Pot Cook-Off on Wednesday and our first developmental swim meet on Monday, April 4th. Keep up with our group at
www.highlanderaquatics.org under “Group News”.
Highlander Crock Pot Cook Off on Wednesday, March 23rd at 5:00 pm
Reserve your space no w…email Coach Stacy at swright@lhps.org!
Let’s get together for a fun, food-filled party that everyone is sure to love! Everyone is invited to
participate and sample...the more, the merrier!!
• Participants are asked to bring their creation in a slow cooker for easier serving. In addition, please bring your own extension cord, power strip and ladle.
• Each participant will be assigned 3 feet of table space. Use your area to spice up your cookin’!
• Include the name of your crock pot creation but remember not to mention your name.
• Tables, sample cups and spoons will be provided.
Your vote counts! Everyone will be asked to vote for their favorites. And with awards come prizes!!!
Our “Top Chef” will earn his/her name on the Highlander Crock Pot Cook-Off Trophy with last year’s winner, Janet Salerno. Will she defend her title?!
Email Coach Stacy at swright@lhps.org if you would like to enter your crock pot recipe in the cook-off!
Summer Swim Lessons and Swim Team start June 6th!! Register online at www.highlanderaquatics.org under “Summer”!
Coach Pat is continuing to recover at home. She really appreciates your cards and letters. If you would like to contact her, the information is included below.
Pat Kane’s info:
2833 Harbour Grace Ct
Apopka, FL 32703
407-353-5468
 The Full Nelson
Great job at the Area 2 meet in Oviedo! Congrats to Matt Nardozzi, winner of the 13-14 boys high point award. We swam 65% best times. Some highlights include: Sophia Buoniconti swimming in her first meet, Caroline Cooper dropped 13.47 seconds in her 500 free, Camille Carlsen down 6.63 in the 200 IM, Hayden Curley dropped 5.16 in 100 breast, Caroline Fogg minus 17.66 in 100 IM, Davis Fogg dropped 9.40 in 50 free, Brandon Foley down 8.13 in 200 back, Cydney Glasser down 23.27 in 200 fly, Elaine Glatz dropped 10.07 in 100 fly, Marlene Glatz down 33.45 in 500 free, Tina Glatz minus 48.59 in 500 free, Ashley Hays minus 7.39 in 200 fly, Alexis MacArthur going ALL best times, Natalie McFadden minus 8.72 in 100 free, Alejandro Nunez minus 10.98 in 50 breaststroke, Emily Owens ALL best times, sister Theresa minus 8.08 100 back and dropped 34.76 200 free, Alixandra Roy down 40.10 in 500 free, Sumer Sao dropped 9.33 in 100 back, Ildar Tukhtakhunov (there will be a test later) minus 18.51 500 free and Matthew Vaugan down 8.48 200 IM.
Best of luck to Calvin Lillo who is competing in the Florida vs Gold Coast All-Star meet in Fort Pierce this weekend!
See you at the Crock Pot Cookoff!
The Segrest Section
 Last weekend, we ended our Age Group short course season with some nice performances at a nice meet on a beautiful weekend. This was the first time I had seen most of our swimmers compete for a long time. Wow! What a fun time, what a great group of kids. I am lucky to be able to work with them. While watching the kids perform, I noticed a few common themes in areas that many of our swimmers could use improvement. Now is a great place in the year to take the time to work on these things.
In this time after short course season (Calvin Lillo has one more short course meet - “All Stars” this weekend) and starting up the long course season, the Age Group Swimmers will be doing a lot of work on stroke technique. We have spent a week working on body position, posture, and strengthening our kicks. We will be trying to make great improvements in technique that we can develop into stronger strokes as we begin training for the summer championship meets.
 Curley’s Corner
Striving Towards Excellence, Coach Curley
"Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical & expecting more than others think is possible."
Sitcom stars, movie stars and stars in sports have all become role models for the general public. But questions always arise with regard to being a positive impactful role model or a negative one. See recent media stories about Charlie Sheen and Coach Jim Tressel.
In spite of the bombardment of negative, I still find myself looking for the ideals, the idols we can point to and say "Be like that". True positive role models are those who possess the qualities that we would like to have and those who have affected us in a way that makes us want to be better people.
With help from leadership authority Dr. John C. Maxwell I have listed some of the characteristics of positive role models.
- Self Discipline
- High standard of integrity
- Desire for higher purpose
- Willingness to put that purpose before selfish wants
- Assuming responsibility for all personal actions
- Ability to listen to criticism and not be defensive.
- Self Reliance
- Dependability
- Strength to tell the truth without blaming other people.
I was a fan of Charlie Sheen when I watched movies like Wall Street and Major League. And I have to admit I enjoyed the show “Two and Half Men”. I used to hear lot of great things about the consistency of preparation behind Tiger Woods.
Though they were admired for their talents at some point of time, both of them did not learn to consider the consequences of their actions in a broader sense.
The question I ask is: how are we helping each other grow to become the best that we can possibly be?
Who are the role models we look to so we can become the best we can be? What changes can I make now so that I can become extra-ordinary and become someone to emulate?
Once everyday actions are transformed in such a way that we adhere to high standards of integrity, then the success we attain will be of permanent nature.
Newsletter - Feburary 25, 2011
Newsletter
2/25/11
March B irthdays
7 Sarah Merriman
13 Matthew Vaughan
25 Michael Dulfer
18 Harlin Bessire
22 Sophia Kuvan
25 Wesley Crownover
The Full Nelson
Great Highlander team effort for the FLAGS meet in Clearwater last week. Check out the results. First time FLAGS participants included Alix Roy, Alexis Macarthur, Paige Hamilton, Lauren Kelso and Matt Nardozzi. The next FLAGS meet will the summer Long Course Champs July 14-17 here in Orlando at the I Drive Y. Prepare to be awesome!
Don’t miss out on the Area 2 meet March 11-12 in Oviedo next month. Let’s keep getting better!
Still have spots open for the freestyle/backstroke clinic for this Saturday. Please let me know if you’d like to sign up.
We are all really enjoying the whole team practices on Wednesdays. Big kids and little kids get to interact, have fun and learn from each other.
Thank you parents for being so nice to us coaches and devoting so much to the swimmers.
The Segrest Selection
“Success is a journey, not a destination.” Ben Sweetland
“Success is relative.” TS Eliot
“Success is a matter of hanging on after others have let go.” William Feather
“Success is the ability to go from one failure to another without loss of enthusiasm.” Winston Churchill
“Success is dependent on effort” Sophocles
“Success is the child of audacity.” Benjamin Disraeli
“Success is how high you bounce when you hit the bottom.” General George Patton
How do you define success?
Everyone wants to succeed or be successful in whatever they do. Was today a successful day for you?
I have had many successful days without having succeeded in attaining some of my goals. Many days were successful in my quest to get a scholarship to swim in college, many were not. Many days were successful in my quest to be an Olympian, many were not. Two goals, one success, one failure, was I successful in my swimming career?
Today was a success in my quest to run a marathon next year. Most days from June to December last year were failures in my quest to run a marathon. In December, my quest, which had become more of a daily failure, hit a big bump. I owe today’s success to those failures. I hope my body will allow me to reach my goal, but if I can be successful each day in reaching for that goal, I will consider myself successful.
How are you going to succeed today?
The Wright Stuff
Highlander Crock Pot Cook Off on Wednesday, March 23rd at 5:00 pm
Let’s get together for a fun, food-filled party that everyone is sure to love!
- Everyone is invited to participate and sample...the more, the merrier!!
- If you would like to “crock pot” it, start thinking of your favorite recipe.
- Participants are asked to bring their creation in a slow cooker for easier serving. In addition, please bring your own extension cord and ladle.
- Each participant will be assigned 3 feet of table space. Use your area to spice up your cookin’!
- Include the name of your crock pot creation but remember not to mention your name.
- Tables, power strips and sample cups & spoons will be provided.
- Your vote counts! Everyone will be asked to vote for their favorites.
- And with awards come prizes!!! Our “Top Chef” will earn his/her name on the Highlander Crock Pot Cook Off Trophy plus other prizes will be given for a variety of categories.
Spring Seasonal Swim Team starts on Monday, March 7th! Practices are offered Monday – Thursday at 3:30 or 5:30 pm and Saturday from 8:00 – 9:00 am. Join us this spring for an exciting line up of events – St. Patrick’s Day practice, Easter hunt, Spring Celebration and more. To register, go to www.highlanderaquatics.org and click on the “Registration” link.
Curley’s Corner
Coaches and Communicating at Swim Meets: Why do we ask the kids to visit us right before and after a swim?
We as a staff at Highlander Aquatics realize that communication is invaluable.
In this short yarn I would like to discuss one of the most important and effective times to communicate with an athlete, the time being just before a swim and just after a swim. I believe that at that very moment the athlete’s attention can be focused on the task at hand and the learning moment is just right.
I once heard on the deck as I eavesdropped on a famous coach; "There are practice coaches and there are meet coaches…and the meet coaches have something special that they bring to their athletes on the day of competition. That something special gives them confidence, strength, and determination. If we could bottle it, we could retire!"
That being said, the reason we ask the kids to visit us right before and after a swim…
Timeline: 20 to 30 minutes prior to a swim
#1 Putting the child at ease (instilling relaxed confidence) – Prior to a race the coach has the opportunity to make his/her athletes feel comfortable. During this exchange a great meet coach has the ability to look the child in the eyes and put anxiety to rest.
#2 Every swim should have a single, solitary purpose - The coach uses the communication before a race to simply and clearly define the goal of the race. "We want you to swim this in a negative split fashion, that is, swim the back half of the race faster than the first half." This is a clear, concise, measurable, objective look at what to do in the swim. This purpose is set up and explained during practices sessions before the meet, and explained in detail to the athlete.
#3 The message includes the process – The coach explains to the athlete the “how to” “I want you to do that by picking up your arm tempo and your kick to change gears on the second half.” This communication also asks the athlete to focus on process rather than just result, stressing that the race is entirely in the ability of the athlete, not depending on his/her competition doing anything in particular or not doing anything.
Timeline: On the way to the blocks/starting platforms
#4 Last minute reminders - The athlete "stops by" the coach on the way to the blocks for reiteration. During this moment the coach might a question "OK, now what did we say you wanted to do on this one?". This step is crucial at all ages from 6 years of age through very capable seniors. It teaches the child to be focused on process rather than results, and it helps focus the swimmer.
Immediately after the swim:
#5 Constructive feedback and evaluation - Immediately after the swim, the athlete should return to the coach first, and have a "show and tell" session. The coach might ask "how was that?" (an open ended invitation to speak or vent). The coach may ask specific questions…"how did you feel on that last 25, and did you know why you felt that way?"
The coach then follows with concise constructive feedback of a technical nature, not emotion laden messages.
"You set out to negative split that 400, and you went 1:12, 1:16, 1:15 and 1:14. Not bad. But, with just a little effort, you could have evened out those middle two 100’s and swum very close to a totally even split. The next time you swim this, let’s get out a bit more aggressively and look to have more energy coming home." Knowing that positive constructive feedback along with specific praise is both meaningful and consequential, the coach has the opportunity to use this priceless time to teach.
#6 Post meet review session - A day or two after the meet we as coaches can relate the training in the past and coming up in the future, to the race strengths and weaknesses explored.
As both a coach and a swim-parent I offer this advise – Athletes should talk to parents after they speak with their coach. As a coach we want parents to ask questions, but we want them to ask them at the proper time. As a swim-parent I understand we want to help our children succeed, but the best question might be, "What did your coach say?" Hopefully with maturity and experience, the child can express the communication that took place between the coach and themselves. If the answers are a bit incoherent, I advise double checking with the coach at the proper time.
Newsletter - February 11, 2011
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Highlander Birthdays - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
February
11 Zander Dally
19 Corbin Cooper
20 Riley Springman
23 Sam Dixon
28 Harrison Curley
The Full Nelson
Start and Turn Clinic. Thanks all of you who participated in our clinic. It was a lot of fun to perfect our technique. We went a little over on time (well, a lot) but it was worth it since we were getting so much done. Coach Ty, Coach Stacy and I thank you.
Fast Lane Last Chance Meet. Come rain or shine, Florida kids are always ready to swim! And we had lots of rain. Bring extra towels and your parka and you will be fine. Extra shout out to Alix Roy who brought her Uggs which seemed silly when it was 75 and sunny, but proved to be a wise instance of preparedness. Brand new FLAGS (nee JOs) times were made by the following: Lauren Kelso (200 breast), Darius Lowe (100 fly), Alix Roy (200 IM), and Hayden Curley (200 IM).
I’d like to point out another swim that was fantastic. Allison Lindsey has had the goal to break 6:00 in the 500 free since the high school season. Several times she got close, most recently at the YCF meet at I-Drive where she was clocked at 6:00.2. Well, at Fast Lane she smashed 6:00 going 5:48.65! Why am I so proud? One, she’s a good kid who comes to practice with a smile on her face and is most cooperative. Two, after a setback (or a couple) she went back to work and tried even harder than before. Three, even though it was cold and rainy at the swim meet, she kept her focus and didn’t let a silly thing like the weather detract her from her goals. Great job Allison!
Be my Valentine. Join us for the pancake breakfast after Saturday practice.
FLAGS. Congrats to our swimmers in the Florida Age Group Swimming Championships next weekend in Clearwater. This is the same meet as JOs just with a name change. Step 1 is qualifying for the meet. Step 2 is doing your best AT the meet. Let’s come prepared and excited about having a GREAT meet and setting new personal bests. But also, being a member of the Highlander Aquatics TEAM and helping us do our best.
Here is the list of swimmers on our Highlander Flags team:
Harlin Bessire, Abigail Burke, Camille Carlsen, Caroline Cooper, Corbin Cooper, Hayden Curley, Katherine Duggan, Paige Hamilton, Ashley Hayes, Lauren Kelso, Sophia Kuvan, Viktoria Lien, Calvin Lillo, Carley Lowe, Darius Lowe, Alexis MacArthur, Sarah Merriman, Matthew Nardozzi, Emily Owens, Theresa Owens, Victoria Pratt, Alex Roy, Riley Springman, and Travis Stuart
GO HIGHLANDERS!
Curley’s Corner
“I can” Is Courageous
What would we like to have?
What would we like to do?
What would we like to be?
Now, whatever we said, what's stopping us?
Why don't we have it? Why don't we do it? Why don't we be it?
Let’s put ourselves on the spot, what is it?
Be brutally honest.
Do we really want that?
Sometimes we think we want something
and then when we really get right down to it,
it isn't that important to us.
So now that we have that out of the way,
What is it that we truly want.
And why isn't it ours?
Let’s take a step back and have a personal “gut” check.
What's our block?
What's standing in our way?
What do we want!?
Now, What's our block?
Is it because there's an "I can't" thought?
"I can't do it.
I can't have it.
I can't be it."
Along with the "I cant'" thought many assorted excuses follow:
I can't because, not enough money, not enough time, no one to help me, it might not work out anyway, too old, too young, not enough education, too much education, don't know how, don't know who, don't know where to start, don't have what it takes, haven't done it yet so probably won't do it now, it's too late…
You know what that's only a partial list.
We creatures can get very imaginative about our "I cant's."
What is it for you?
I can't because ____________________.
Behind any "I can't" is, ‘I won't."
And behind the, "I won't" is fear.
Once again let’s take a step back and do a “gut” check.
It's the fear that blocks us.
And Fear is just a feeling.
But its tough to let it go.
I assure you, one must let it go, face it and conquer it or
we'll stay stuck there in fear forever
and never be able to move into having, doing or being.
What does it take to attain the objects of your dreams?
It begins with an attitude of, "I can. I can do it. I can have it. I can be it."
Notice the difference in energy?
When we say, "I can"
Have you ever noticed that it's a done deal?
When you say, “I can do it," its game over.
It's done.
True we have to carry out the steps to finish it.
But it's done when we say, "I can."
When we say, "I can,"
we are setting in motion the remarkable power of Courageousness.
Instilling courage is a very important part of our coaching philosophy at Highlander Aquatics.
COURAGE is the willingness to accept risk and endure failures
Courage exists when there is a situation that presents the opportunity for success;
we encourage our athletes to embrace these opportunities and to not fear the outcome.
Courageousness is power-packed drive that says, "It is done."
Courageousness opens the door to acceptance and ownership.
"I can do it. I can have it. I can be it."
When we make the courageous decision, "I can,"
There's no doubt.
There's no questioning.
There are no excuses.
There is no wanting.
We Can, We Will!
The Wright Stuff
Mark your calendars...Crock Pot Cook Off on Wednesday, March 23rd at 5:00 pm. Start thinking of your favorite recipe!! Bring your most delicious crock pot treat for everyone to enjoy some pool side sampling. Prizes will be awarded and one special person will earn their spot on the Highlander Cook Off Trophy! More details to follow.
Spring Seasonal Swim Team begins on Monday, March 7th. Sign up online at www.highlanderaquatics.org under "Registration" and "White Group". Join us for our next 12 week session that will include 4 developmental swim meets, a St. Patrick's Day party, the Crock Pot Cook Off, an Easter Hunt and our End of the Year celebration.
Senior Team Schedule
February
14 3:30 – 6:00 pm FLAG kids out approx. 5:30 pm
15 3:30 – 6:00 pm FLAG kids out approx. 5:15 pm
16 3:30 – 6:00 pm paper workout JO kids out approx. 4:45 pm
17 3:30 – 6:00 pm FLAG kids loosen swim only, FLAG’s begin
18 3:30 – 6:00 pm FLAGS in Clearwater
19 8:00 – 10 am FLAGS in Clearwater
20 11:30 – 1:00 pm Optional Practice, FLAGS in Clearwater
21 3:30 – 6:00 pm SR Champ kids out approx. 5:30 pm
22 3:30 – 6:00 pm SR Champ kids out approx. 5:15 pm
23 3:30 – 6:00 pm SR Champ kids out approx. 4:45 pm
24 3:30 – 6:00 pm SR Champ kids loosen swim only, SR Champs begin
25 3:30 – 6:00 pm SR Champs in Orlando
26 8:00 – 10:00 am SR Champs in Orlando
27 SR Champs in Orlando
XBox 360 Swimming Game
Read up and watch a trailer of the new Michael Phelps swimming-themed video game, which we think looks like a lot of fun.
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2011/02/02/michael-phelps-dives-into-video-games.html?ana=e_pft
The SEC Championships will be held in Gainsville next weekend. One of the fastest meets anywhere, a lot of fun to watch.
GatorVision Online to Provide Free Live Video of SEC Swimming & Diving Championships
http://www.gatorzone.com/swimmingdiving/tour/sec/2011/
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Newsletter - January 28, 2011
Newsletter for January 28, 2011
Welcome back the Highlander Aquatics Newsletter. This will be a biweekly publication of team news and information. We hope you will enjoy and welcome your feedback. (tsegrest@lhps.org)
February Birthdays - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
2 Sumer Sao
7 Alex Pena
9 Parker Goldstein
11 Zander Dally
19 Corbin Cooper
20 Riley Springman
23 Sam Dixon
28 Harrison Curley
Upcomming Events: The Seniors will be attending a meet at Trinity Prep this weekend, the Black Group will be going to a 1 day meet in Clermont next weekend. The following Saturday, Feb. 12 there will be a Valentine Team Breakfast following workout. The last two weekends in Februrary are occupied by the Championship Meets, FLAGS and Senior Champs.
Enjoy something sweet at our TEAM Valentine's Breakfast. Join us for a pancake breakfast after practice on Saturday, February 12th! More details to follow.
Highlander Pride: We are going to continue to push our Highlander Pride theme. We are proud of our team and facility and want to act accordingly. We are proud of our swimmers; how they act, how they train, how they support each other, and how they perform. Our swimmers wear BLACK suits and HIGHLANDER caps in meets, they look like a team. Our facility is spotless because everyone takes care to pick up after themselves, picks up any trash they see lying around, and takes care with their own clothing and equipment. We are proud to be Highlanders!
Spring Seasonal Swim Team begins on Monday, March 7th. You can register for this 12 week session on our website at www.highlanderaquatics.org by clicking on the link for "Registration". We have a lot of fun activities planned this spring - five developmental swim meets, a crockpot cook-off, St. Patrick's Day party, Easter hunt, and an age group dual meet followed by a picnic lunch. Don't miss out...sign up today!
Spring Swim Lesson registration is available online at www.highlanderaquatics.org under "Swim Lessons". Private and group lessons are offered, starting March 21st, for 8 weeks. Spaces are limited!
YCF Swim Meet: Congratulations to the white, green and red group swimmers who participated in the YCF Meet this past weekend! Way to go, Caroline, Molly, Emma, Natasha, David, Joseph, Davis, Natalie, and Theresa!! We saw a lot of best times and some really smart swimming. Results are posted on the red board in the pool lobby.
Coach Stacy
That Championship Feeling............
It’s that time of year again. The best time to be a swimmer is when the championship meets are coming around. Why? Because this is what we’ve been working for all season. The chance to shine, to go out hard but smart, to execute turns to perfection, and to come home tough. All of this while spending time with my cool teammates, cool coaches and even cool parents (sometimes). Looking forward to watching all of our swimmers perform at our big meets including Florida Age Group Swimming Champs (FLAGS, formerly JOs) in Clearwater, Area 2 meet in Oviedo, Senior Champs at I-Drive and the NCSA Junior Nationals also at I Drive. It’s a busy championship season but that’s what makes swimming so much fun.
YCF meet, great job to the swimmers at this meet. New FLAGS times were made by Alix Roy, Travis Stuart and Hayden Curley. Kudos!
Good news, Bad news. Our Saturday clinic for Saturday (duh!) January 29 is full! Thank you all for signing up for our “Start and Turn” clinic. We will have another one soon.
Great news! One of the most fun days we’ve had at practice was this past Wednesday. Fun because we had an all group practice AND we took a break to celebrate the successful funding of our new scoreboard project. This is awesome! Kudos to so many involved including terrific support from Lake Highland School. Can’t wait to see it in action @ our April Long Course Invitational.
The last thing I want to mention is to remind swimmers and parents of the importance of the pre-race and post-race meetings with your coach. Pre-race we want to give reminders, strategy and/or assurance. Post-race gives us the opportunity to give praise (obviously!) but also evaluate and continue to guide the learning process. That is how we continue to make progress meet after meet year after year.
Coach Eric
Why do we warm up and what does "READY" feel like?
Warming up is something all swimmers do to prepare to swim fast.But why do we need to warm up?
From a scientific standpoint we know that an effective warm up:
Increases body temperature
Increases heart rate
Increases blood pressure
Increases energy producing enzyme activity
As coaches we observe that an effective warm up:
Increases confidence by giving swimmers a feel for the pool, the water temperature, wall, flags, blocks and general conditions, (increases familiarity with the race conditions).
Increases race readiness through the opportunity to rehearse specific pacing and stroking strategies.
The overall aim of warm up is to get your mind and body "READY" to race fast. How many times has your coach or your swim team friends asked "So, are you ready?"
But what does "READY" feel like? What's "ready" for you may not be "ready" for someone else.
Some swimmers like to sit with friends and family, laughing and joking to help them feel ready.
Some swimmers prefer to do just the opposite - they need peace and quiet to perform at their best.
Others like to listen to music, some read, a few walk, others talk, some jog ...there are many ways that swimmers prepare to get the best out of themselves.
The key to an effective warm up is to know what your own personal "READY" feels like before you get to a meet.
It doesn't make sense to prepare for months, commit yourself to training and working hard, eating the right foods and so on then not knowing what actually gets you "ready to race".
One simple way to learn what your "ready" is all about is to write down everything you can about your race day routine. Simple things like the quality and quantity of sleep, your breakfast, your stretches and your pool warm up can have a real impact on your racing performance. At your next minor meet or local club competition, try the "what ready feels like for me" questionnaire. Fill it out and then discuss the results with your coach.
In this way, if you swim well, you will know exactly what makes you "ready" and if you don't swim well, you'll know what to do better (or to avoid) next time.
A few little tips to help you get ready on race day:
1. The Swim Meet Program tells you only two things - what lane you are in and what race you are in. All other information is relatively unimportant. Many swimmers get "freaked out" when they look in the meet program and see the entry times listed by the other swimmers. It doesn't matter who you are racing or what times they may have claimed to have done, your job is the same - swim to the best of your ability. It doesn’t and shouldn’t matter if Ryan Lochte is on one side of you and Michael Phelps on the other side, you still have to swim the same race distance, in the same water, in a lane that is the same length and width. The race credentials of other swimmers have no bearing on your own swimming performance.
2. If you are not ready to race, do something about it before the race. Going to your coach at the end of the day and saying "I really wasn't ready to swim fast" is not an excuse for a poor performance. If you are not ready - do something to get ready.
3. Being ready is an individual thing. If you are not feeling ready to swim fast and your swim team friends are off to the showers, don't go with them just to be sociable. If you are not ready to do your best, do more warm up, or rest, or go for a jog, or skip, or eat something, or sleep, or talk to your coach - just do it! You can catch up on the meet chat later.
4. Pack in your swim bag all the things you need to get ready to race. If you are a reader, pack a few books. If you like music, pack your ipod. If you like to sleep, pack your own pillow. Take what you need to get the job done.
5. Ignore 90% of what you hear said in the change rooms, the ready rooms and bleachers. Every competitive swimmer has heard questions like "What time do you do?" or "How many sessions a week do you swim?" Would you like to know a little secret? Most of it is 100% pure rubbish. The swimmers who try this cheap attempt at "psyching out" are usually the ones who have not prepared for the and are looking to make up for their poor preparation by making you feel less confident. Do not listen to them. Or have a clever answer for them. If you get asked "What's your best time", answer "I'll tell you after this race".
6. A good "get ready" trick if you haven't had time to practice race starts as part of your pool warm up is to do a few dry starts. Find a clear, flat space (ideally on grass) somewhere around the pool area where you can hear the starter. A good time to do this is around 15-20 minutes before your race. When the starter says "Take Your Marks" to the swimmers on the blocks about to race, drop into your race start position on the grass or safe pool deck area and when the horn goes, jump forward fast with explosive speed and power. This is a great exercise to get your brain and muscles firing and prepares you to explode off the blocks when it is your time to race.
If you want to race real fast,
And never be the one to come in last,
Learn what gets your body ready,
And when it counts you'll be the one who's steady!
Learn how to get ready to race. It is a skill that will make the difference.
Submitted by Coach Curley
THANK YOU HIGHLANDERS!
With Christmas, the New Year, the scoreboard fund raising, meets, and all of the holiday madness, it is amazing to me how much support my family and I recieved from you. We are overwhelmed with the love and kindness that came from the Highlander family. I am doing well so far, learning to eat differently and exercise as a part of my daily routine rather than when I have time should help me live a long healthy life. Thank you Coaches for your support and for filling in for me. Thank you Highlanders for all of the cards, letters, logistical support, help with doctors, and the gifts. Thank you Gators? (Hard for an LSU grad to say) The University of Florida and Shands Medical Center were wonderful, I couldn't have had a heart atack in a better place. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Coach Ty
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