Gator Nation
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Going for Greater Gator Glory
Laura Kovalsky, part of the crack (cracked?) Gator photo team, sent me some photos on Monday from Saturday's wonderful Divisional Championships, but I've been traveling on business and was remiss in adding them to the article. Here's some of her shots from Saturday:
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Eight Gators going to All-Stars!
The MVP Gators are sending eight swimmers in thirteen events to next Saturday's All-Star event. There is still the possibility that additional Gator swimmers might be going to All-Stars as vacation and other scratches might provide more openings.
Cassidy Bayer grabbed two first seeds, Emily Makin snagged a 2nd and 3rd seed, and Sara Bertram earned 4th and 6th seed. On the boys side, Nick Dupuis and Cameron both earned five seeds.
The Gator All-Stars are:
Cassidy Bayer grabbed two first seeds, Emily Makin snagged a 2nd and 3rd seed, and Sara Bertram earned 4th and 6th seed. On the boys side, Nick Dupuis and Cameron both earned five seeds.
The Gator All-Stars are:
- Nick Dupuis, 5th seed, 11-12 boys 50 freestyle
- Sheridan Phalen, 16th seed, 11-12 girls freestyle
- Cassidy Bayer, 1st seed, 13-14 50 girls freestyle and 1st seed, 13-14 50 girls fly
- Sara Bertram, 4th seed, 15-18 girls backstroke and 6th seed, 15-18 girls fly
- Kevin Adams-Mardi, 11th seed, 15-18 boys breaststroke and 15th seed, 15-18 boys IM
- Emily Makin, 2nd seed, 9-10 girls fly and 3rd seed, 9-10 girls IM
- Cameron Morey, 5th seed, 13-14 boys fly and 15th seed, 13-14 boys IM
- Jessica Metter, 1st Alternate, 15-18 girls fly
Gators Cap Solid Season With Strong Showing at Divisional Champs!
Gator swimmers earned eight first places, eleven second places, and eight third places at Divisional Champs yesterday. They also earned plenty of fourth, fifth, and sixth place plaques, and celebrated late into the night at the annual Awards Banquet and Campout.
First place finishes were earned by:
- Nick Dupuis (free and breaststroke)
- Cassidy Bayer (free and fly)
- Sara Bertram (back)
- Juliette Fore (breaststroke)
- Emily Makin (fly and IM)
Second place finishes were earned by:
- Jessie Bricker (free and IM)
- Brian McNamara (breaststroke)
- Kevin Adams-Mardi (breaststroke)
- Lily Palmerino (breaststroke)
- Cameron Morey (fly)
- Sara Bertram (fly)
- Brian McNamara (IM)
- Taylor Makin (IM)
- Cameron Morey (IM)
- Kevin Adams-Mardi (IM)
Third place finishes were earned by:
- Sheridan Phalen (free)
- Lily Palmerino (back)
- Juliette Fore (back)
- Taylor Makin (back)
- Lily Penn (breaststroke)
- Sean Jansen (breaststroke)
- Donovan Kovalsky (fly)
- Charlie Ruppe (fly)
Five Gator Team Records Smacked Down
Two were only five days old, one was seven days old, while another was from 2003, and one was from recently, but I'm not sure when. They were five Gator records, and they were rewritten at the Divisional Championship meet.
Eleven years ago, when the team's now-18 year olds would have been just seven years old, 14 year old Brendan Haley swam a 29.70 50 fly. Cameron Morey lowered that mark by 0.45 seconds to a stellar 29.25.
But Cameron was not done. When the Individual Medley rolled around, he threw five day old record of 1:09.65 in the trash by swimming a stellar 1:07.92, knocking 1.73 off that mark.
In the season-long battle of the Kevin Adams-Mardis, Kevin got revenge on Kevin by once again taking back the records Kevin took from him last week. With last week's Kevin swimming it in a 32.15, this week's Kevin had a fast task ahead of him to get back into the record book -- and he did with a 31.60. Each Kevin has broke the record twice this season, which means someone named Kevin Adams-Mardi has lowered it a total of four times -- from the 1989 Gator mark of 33.85. A Kevin Adams-Mardi has busted the record three Saturdays in a row, which can only mean one thing -- Kevin keeps getting faster (that's the kind of expert analysis my beloved readers turn to this blog for, isn't it?).
This week's Kevin wasn't done breaking last week's Kevin's records (following all this? Neither am I!). After last week's Kevin swam a record breaking 1:03.42, this week's Kevin lowered the mark by 0.71, swimming a 1:02.71. Old record-holding Kevin has one last chance this season to get back at new record-holding Kevin on Saturday at All-Stars.
Sara Bertram also broke her 15-18 girls back record, Swimming 0.41 seconds faster than her old record, Sara covered the 50 meters in 30.56.
Sara Bertram also broke her 15-18 girls back record, Swimming 0.41 seconds faster than her old record, Sara covered the 50 meters in 30.56.
Stat Boy Runs Wild!
Unedited Stat Boy notes were found this morning, so even though he tried to keep them hidden, as a free press, we are committed to getting them out there!
∙ Your 2014 MVP Gators! They won the Individual Medley Invitational trophy for the fifth year in a row, and finished 3-2 in Division 3 for the second season in a row. Before these last two years, we have not that many wins in Division 3 since the 1960s, which is almost before I was born.
∙ For those of you newer to swim team than Carol and I, which is everyone but the Fracassos, when our oldest daughter started in 1999, we were in Division 13, so we’ve jumped over 60 teams – and been in D-3 for three of the past four years. Btw, there are 103 teams in the NVSL, and around 18,000 swimmers. By some estimates, it is the largest sports league in the country.
∙ We scored the most points against undefeated Donaldson Run, 13 more points and we win the meet. By the way, we were only 2.07 seconds away in twelve races in two meets from an undefeated season. But, I did not figure out how close we were to a winless season, although it wasn’t nearly that close!
∙ The point is NOT to say, darn, we should have been undefeated. The goal is to show everyone how close and exciting these meets are. We were 2.07 seconds away from being undefeated – shows you how close and exciting swim meets are.
∙ We had 274 swimmers join the team – making us one of the largest teams in the NVSL. We had 143 girls and 131 boys. 56 6 & U, 64 7-8 year olds, 61 9-10 year olds, 41 11-12 year olds, 25 13-14 year olds, and 27 15-18 year olds.
∙ We had 215 swimmers swim in meets, including 100 who swam in A Meets. Fully 55 kids scored points in A Meets, including 25 girls and 30 boys who scored individual points. First time for more boys scoring points than girls!
∙ In the 12 meets tracked by Hy-Tek, we had 2,452 “splashes” and that’s 14,712 starts and stops by timers. James Piland was the Splash King with 36 swims in those meets, while Donovan Kovalsky and Kenny Krogh share the Splash Prince title with 31.
∙ On the girls side, Sheridan Phalen was the Splash Queen with 37 swims in those meets, while Parker Fulghum was the Splash Princess with 35.
∙ We had 14 swimmers with perfect attendance at meets – Clark Bayer, Torie Bolger, Juliette Fore, Anna Fracasso, Will Friedman, Parker Fulghum, Emma Jones, Emily Makin, Taylor Makin, Cecilia Morales, Elaina Phalen, Sheridan Phalen, James Piland, and Juliana Skopp-Cardillo.
∙ We had nine swimmers score points in all ten of their individual A meet events. Stand up – Kevin Adams-Mardi, Torie Bolger, Cameron Morey, Parker Fulghum, Sean Jansen, Sheridan Phalen, Brian McNamara, Emily Makin, and Juliette Fore.
∙ Family scoring the most points – last season it was the Blondins, but they are at the bottom of their age group this season. In fifth place – the Fores with 47 points, we had a tie for third place between the Adams-Mardis and the Dupuis with 49 points, in second place, it was the Phalens with 66 points, and with an impressive 97 points – the Makins! It’s great to have Coach Paul contributing to the team!
∙ We sent eleven teams to All-Stars, finishing 13th overall – out of 103 teams. We were seeded 16th in the league. We scored more relay All-Star points than Waynewood, Mansion House, and Hollin Meadows combined.
∙ Four team records set today and ten for the season. There were six individual team records and four relay records broken. One record broken was from 1978. Another from 1992. Some from last week or last season. But all rewritten.
∙ For the girls records – 1 from last century (8 & under 25 breaststroke from 1985), 8 from the last decade (the aughts), and 28 from this decade.
∙ For the boys records – 13 from last century, five from last decade, and 19 from this decade!
∙ Call up the team record setters – 4 boys and ten girls: Nick Dupuis, Cameron Morey, Kevin Adams-Mardi, James Piland, Cassidy Bayer, Parker Fulghum, Emma Jones, Elaina Phalen, Jessie Bricker, Anna Fracasso, Jessica Metter, Sara Bertram, Emily Makin, and Sheridan Phalen.
∙ Divisonal Championships were held today at Donaldson Run. Stat Boy did some complicated math – Gators took a top three in 27 out of 48 events – 56% of the events, and 49% of Gator swims were best times. We had 51 top six finishes, out of 97 swimmers.
∙ I hand-scored it like an A meet. Why? Because I’m Stat Boy/no life. VW – 64, O – 65, DR and LG – 75 each, and MVP finished with 81, just one point behind LRR.
∙ Your 2014 MVP Gators! They won the Individual Medley Invitational trophy for the fifth year in a row, and finished 3-2 in Division 3 for the second season in a row. Before these last two years, we have not that many wins in Division 3 since the 1960s, which is almost before I was born.
∙ For those of you newer to swim team than Carol and I, which is everyone but the Fracassos, when our oldest daughter started in 1999, we were in Division 13, so we’ve jumped over 60 teams – and been in D-3 for three of the past four years. Btw, there are 103 teams in the NVSL, and around 18,000 swimmers. By some estimates, it is the largest sports league in the country.
∙ We scored the most points against undefeated Donaldson Run, 13 more points and we win the meet. By the way, we were only 2.07 seconds away in twelve races in two meets from an undefeated season. But, I did not figure out how close we were to a winless season, although it wasn’t nearly that close!
∙ The point is NOT to say, darn, we should have been undefeated. The goal is to show everyone how close and exciting these meets are. We were 2.07 seconds away from being undefeated – shows you how close and exciting swim meets are.
∙ We had 274 swimmers join the team – making us one of the largest teams in the NVSL. We had 143 girls and 131 boys. 56 6 & U, 64 7-8 year olds, 61 9-10 year olds, 41 11-12 year olds, 25 13-14 year olds, and 27 15-18 year olds.
∙ We had 215 swimmers swim in meets, including 100 who swam in A Meets. Fully 55 kids scored points in A Meets, including 25 girls and 30 boys who scored individual points. First time for more boys scoring points than girls!
∙ In the 12 meets tracked by Hy-Tek, we had 2,452 “splashes” and that’s 14,712 starts and stops by timers. James Piland was the Splash King with 36 swims in those meets, while Donovan Kovalsky and Kenny Krogh share the Splash Prince title with 31.
∙ On the girls side, Sheridan Phalen was the Splash Queen with 37 swims in those meets, while Parker Fulghum was the Splash Princess with 35.
∙ We had 14 swimmers with perfect attendance at meets – Clark Bayer, Torie Bolger, Juliette Fore, Anna Fracasso, Will Friedman, Parker Fulghum, Emma Jones, Emily Makin, Taylor Makin, Cecilia Morales, Elaina Phalen, Sheridan Phalen, James Piland, and Juliana Skopp-Cardillo.
∙ We had nine swimmers score points in all ten of their individual A meet events. Stand up – Kevin Adams-Mardi, Torie Bolger, Cameron Morey, Parker Fulghum, Sean Jansen, Sheridan Phalen, Brian McNamara, Emily Makin, and Juliette Fore.
∙ Family scoring the most points – last season it was the Blondins, but they are at the bottom of their age group this season. In fifth place – the Fores with 47 points, we had a tie for third place between the Adams-Mardis and the Dupuis with 49 points, in second place, it was the Phalens with 66 points, and with an impressive 97 points – the Makins! It’s great to have Coach Paul contributing to the team!
∙ We sent eleven teams to All-Stars, finishing 13th overall – out of 103 teams. We were seeded 16th in the league. We scored more relay All-Star points than Waynewood, Mansion House, and Hollin Meadows combined.
∙ Four team records set today and ten for the season. There were six individual team records and four relay records broken. One record broken was from 1978. Another from 1992. Some from last week or last season. But all rewritten.
∙ For the girls records – 1 from last century (8 & under 25 breaststroke from 1985), 8 from the last decade (the aughts), and 28 from this decade.
∙ For the boys records – 13 from last century, five from last decade, and 19 from this decade!
∙ Call up the team record setters – 4 boys and ten girls: Nick Dupuis, Cameron Morey, Kevin Adams-Mardi, James Piland, Cassidy Bayer, Parker Fulghum, Emma Jones, Elaina Phalen, Jessie Bricker, Anna Fracasso, Jessica Metter, Sara Bertram, Emily Makin, and Sheridan Phalen.
∙ Divisonal Championships were held today at Donaldson Run. Stat Boy did some complicated math – Gators took a top three in 27 out of 48 events – 56% of the events, and 49% of Gator swims were best times. We had 51 top six finishes, out of 97 swimmers.
∙ I hand-scored it like an A meet. Why? Because I’m Stat Boy/no life. VW – 64, O – 65, DR and LG – 75 each, and MVP finished with 81, just one point behind LRR.
Friday, July 25, 2014
Thoughts on the Tragedy
Six years ago on July 27th, 2008, Mark Fracasso died in an accident. Mark was a Gator swimmer, a tennis player on the MVP team, a lifeguard, and a pool rat who spent many hours at the Park that is our second home in the summer. His youngest sister, Anna, is a swimmer and assistant coach on the Gators, his mom, Michele, is our Chief Marshal (wearing the yellow vest), his dad is a former Park President, his brother a former Gator, and his sister was a Gator and then an assistant park manager for several years . This is an article written on July 28, 2008 for the Gator website, with comments from other MVPers, about Mark, and has run each year since. We continue to hold the Fracasso family in our hearts and minds.
As long as I am involved with the Gators, I hope to honor the Mark and his family with this remembrance. I ask that the parents of younger kids who do not know the Fracassos read this as well -- it offers a good reminder on how precious life, and life events like MVP swim, are.
As long as I am involved with the Gators, I hope to honor the Mark and his family with this remembrance. I ask that the parents of younger kids who do not know the Fracassos read this as well -- it offers a good reminder on how precious life, and life events like MVP swim, are.
The link to the article is here:
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
We Are Champions of the World! Or At Least the Greater Mt. Vernon Area, Which Is Just As Good!
The Mount Vernon Park Gators won their sixth Individual Medley Invitational in the last seven years, including an on-going streak of five in row. The Gators were passionate and dedicated in winning the trophy, lacking only a trophy shelf for their many prizes!
The continued reign of the Gators was greeted with Gator love, Gator peace, and Gator joy throughout the world (except in Ukraine, Israel/Gaza, Nigeria, Iraq, Syria, Myanmar, and the Brazilian soccer federation). Drawn by the excitement of the 13 team, 410 swimmer meet hosted at Mt. Vernon Park, neighbors came flooding out of their houses to celebrate with the winning team! They could not rein in their joy. Speaking of reign/rein, it did not rain Monday night, bringing joy to the Meet Manager.
(Editor's Note: Impressive display of the proper use of reign and rein, including sneaking rain in there! Reporter: Just literally call me Mr. Language Person, figuratively speaking, of course!)
Less happy with the outcome were Hollin Meadows, Mansion House, Riverside Gardens, and Waynewood. The Gators seized control of the Colonial Division in the second event, pushing past Waynewood's early double-digit lead, and never looked back. The Gators scored 131 points, far outpacing Hollin Meadows' 72 points for second. Mansion House finished third with 69, while Waynewood and Riverside Gardens tied for fourth (aka "last") with 59 each.
Alex, I will take "things that make you go hmmm. . ." for $1,000 please: What team finished tied for last in the IMI despite winning Division 5 this year? That's right -- Riverside Gardens went 5-0 in Division 5. Meanwhile Hollin Meadows went 3-2 in Division 6, Mansion House was 3-2 in Division 7, and Waynewood was 1-4 in Division 7. (This is me, shaking my head.) That's why they swim the meets!
Two new Gator team records were set (scroll down for related article), and one Gator broke her own IMI record set last year. (If you have to ask who, you haven't been paying attention!) (See related article).
Overall event winners were Emily Makin and Cassidy Bayer.
As noted above, the 13 teams are divided into three divisions based on size. Points are awarded to the top eight finishers per division -- 10 points for first, eight for second, six for third, and then a one point drop per place -- so eighth place scores one point. Only three swimmers per team can score points (known as the "Waynewood rule" from back in the day when they dominated the IMI).
Along with Emily and Cassidy, Lily Palmerino placed first for the Gators in the Colonial Division.
Other point scorers for the Gators were:
Congratulations to Coach Paul, Coach Emily, and the entire Gator team for once again winning this prestigious event!
The continued reign of the Gators was greeted with Gator love, Gator peace, and Gator joy throughout the world (except in Ukraine, Israel/Gaza, Nigeria, Iraq, Syria, Myanmar, and the Brazilian soccer federation). Drawn by the excitement of the 13 team, 410 swimmer meet hosted at Mt. Vernon Park, neighbors came flooding out of their houses to celebrate with the winning team! They could not rein in their joy. Speaking of reign/rein, it did not rain Monday night, bringing joy to the Meet Manager.
(Editor's Note: Impressive display of the proper use of reign and rein, including sneaking rain in there! Reporter: Just literally call me Mr. Language Person, figuratively speaking, of course!)
Happy Gators celebrate another season
winning the IM Invitational trophy!
Less happy with the outcome were Hollin Meadows, Mansion House, Riverside Gardens, and Waynewood. The Gators seized control of the Colonial Division in the second event, pushing past Waynewood's early double-digit lead, and never looked back. The Gators scored 131 points, far outpacing Hollin Meadows' 72 points for second. Mansion House finished third with 69, while Waynewood and Riverside Gardens tied for fourth (aka "last") with 59 each.
Alex, I will take "things that make you go hmmm. . ." for $1,000 please: What team finished tied for last in the IMI despite winning Division 5 this year? That's right -- Riverside Gardens went 5-0 in Division 5. Meanwhile Hollin Meadows went 3-2 in Division 6, Mansion House was 3-2 in Division 7, and Waynewood was 1-4 in Division 7. (This is me, shaking my head.) That's why they swim the meets!
Two new Gator team records were set (scroll down for related article), and one Gator broke her own IMI record set last year. (If you have to ask who, you haven't been paying attention!) (See related article).
Overall event winners were Emily Makin and Cassidy Bayer.
As noted above, the 13 teams are divided into three divisions based on size. Points are awarded to the top eight finishers per division -- 10 points for first, eight for second, six for third, and then a one point drop per place -- so eighth place scores one point. Only three swimmers per team can score points (known as the "Waynewood rule" from back in the day when they dominated the IMI).
Along with Emily and Cassidy, Lily Palmerino placed first for the Gators in the Colonial Division.
Other point scorers for the Gators were:
- 8 points: Caroline Miller, Kenny Krogh, Juliette Fore, Cameron Morey, Jessie Bricker
- 6 points: Donovan Kovalsky, Brian McNamara, Kevin Adams-Mardi
- 5 points: James Piland, Sean Jansen, Parker Fulghum
- 4 points: Will Friedman, Taylor Makin
- 3 points: Sheridan Phalen, Cyrus Adams-Mardi, Torie Bolger
- 2 points: Matthew Makin, Grace McGee, Juliana Skopp-Cardillo, Anna Fracasso
- 1 point: Clark Bayer, Collin Sundsted, Elaina Phalen
Congratulations to Coach Paul, Coach Emily, and the entire Gator team for once again winning this prestigious event!
58 Years of Gator Records Broken!
It was 1978. Cal Ripken, Jr. was drafted by the Orioles. It was the year the Washington pro basketball franchise won the NBA title. The top movies were Grease, Superman, and, of course, the finest cinema verite of the year, Animal House! Followers of Jim Jones had a really bad year, while peace in the Middle East had a really good year.
On Monday, July 27th, Bill Martin was fired by the New York Yankees, who then caught the Red Sox from 14 games behind, won a one game playoff (Bucky Dent!), the ALCS, and the World Series. On the same day Martin was fired, Mike Labonge of the Mount Vernon Park Gators swam the 15-18 boys 100 IM in 1:04.10.
It was a record that stood the test of time, until Kevin Adams-Mardi knocked Mr. Labonge out of Gator glory on Monday night at the Individual Medley Invitational. Kevin swam it in a scintillating 1:03.42 to break it by 0.68 seconds. Kevin took 2.56 seconds off his seed time to make sure the record went down.
Kevin's swim caused his parents to say "You light up my life." He celebrated by "Shadow Dancing" -- he had "Night Fever" because he was "Stayin' Alive." He had no problems swimming, despite being "Thicker than Water." The timers knew they were watching something special, because they started singing "Baby Come Back."
(Editor's Note: So you are saying 1978 was the height of the disco era? Reporter: No, more like the height of the disco error, but no one can resist "Stayin' Alive!").
Fast forward 14 years to 1992. Rodney King literally took a beating, while George H.W. Bush figuratively took one. The Redskins won their last Super Bowl before the Daniel Snydererror era began. The NY football Giants have won two since then, but who's counting? (I am!) Alas, the Yankees did not win the World Series, but neither did the Red Sox, so that's okay. Duke won the NCAA championship.
(Editor's Note: I'm glad you still use "literally" and "figuratively" correctly. Reporter: I literally cannot believe they did that!).
Movies that were similar -- Aladdin and Basic Instinct -- were both hits.
Editor's Note: Exactly how are those two movies "similar"? Reporter: They both show that relationships can be difficult. Editor: (Speechless).
On July 20, 1992, Sir-Mix-a-Lot capped his career with the number hit in the country, "Baby Got Back." Lance Wormel of the Gators set the boys 13-14 IM record with a time of 1:10.68. Twenty-two years later, Cameron Morey broke that mark, swimming a 1:09.65 -- taking a full 1.03 seconds off. Cameron's seed time was 1:13.04, so he swam a personal best by a full 3.39 seconds!
Congratulations to both swimmers -- breaking team records from before they were born! (The scary thing is, undoubtedly there are a few Gator parents who are younger than the 36 year old record that was smashed!) Kevin broke a 36 year old record, while Cameron took down a 22 year old mark -- so in two swims, a combined 58 years of Gator records were erased!
Three records from the 1970s still remain, so if they get broken next year, there will be more trips down memory lane!
On Monday, July 27th, Bill Martin was fired by the New York Yankees, who then caught the Red Sox from 14 games behind, won a one game playoff (Bucky Dent!), the ALCS, and the World Series. On the same day Martin was fired, Mike Labonge of the Mount Vernon Park Gators swam the 15-18 boys 100 IM in 1:04.10.
It was a record that stood the test of time, until Kevin Adams-Mardi knocked Mr. Labonge out of Gator glory on Monday night at the Individual Medley Invitational. Kevin swam it in a scintillating 1:03.42 to break it by 0.68 seconds. Kevin took 2.56 seconds off his seed time to make sure the record went down.
Kevin's swim caused his parents to say "You light up my life." He celebrated by "Shadow Dancing" -- he had "Night Fever" because he was "Stayin' Alive." He had no problems swimming, despite being "Thicker than Water." The timers knew they were watching something special, because they started singing "Baby Come Back."
(Editor's Note: So you are saying 1978 was the height of the disco era? Reporter: No, more like the height of the disco error, but no one can resist "Stayin' Alive!").
Fast forward 14 years to 1992. Rodney King literally took a beating, while George H.W. Bush figuratively took one. The Redskins won their last Super Bowl before the Daniel Snyder
(Editor's Note: I'm glad you still use "literally" and "figuratively" correctly. Reporter: I literally cannot believe they did that!).
Movies that were similar -- Aladdin and Basic Instinct -- were both hits.
Editor's Note: Exactly how are those two movies "similar"? Reporter: They both show that relationships can be difficult. Editor: (Speechless).
On July 20, 1992, Sir-Mix-a-Lot capped his career with the number hit in the country, "Baby Got Back." Lance Wormel of the Gators set the boys 13-14 IM record with a time of 1:10.68. Twenty-two years later, Cameron Morey broke that mark, swimming a 1:09.65 -- taking a full 1.03 seconds off. Cameron's seed time was 1:13.04, so he swam a personal best by a full 3.39 seconds!
Congratulations to both swimmers -- breaking team records from before they were born! (The scary thing is, undoubtedly there are a few Gator parents who are younger than the 36 year old record that was smashed!) Kevin broke a 36 year old record, while Cameron took down a 22 year old mark -- so in two swims, a combined 58 years of Gator records were erased!
Three records from the 1970s still remain, so if they get broken next year, there will be more trips down memory lane!
Cassidy Bayer Breaks Her Own IMI Record
It was 2013. Barack Obama was still President. "Modern Family" was still on TV. You could still hear Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" on the radio. There was major unrest in the Middle East.
(Editor's Note: ALL of those things are STILL true. Reporter: I deal in facts!)
Cassidy Bayer set the 13-14 girls record for the Individual Medley Invitational meet with a time of 1:05.72 as a 13 year old. A year later, she broke it with a time of 1:05.46.
It is not a team record -- she actually set that, and the NVSL record, last season at Divisionals with a time of 1:04.02 -- but her swim Monday makes it harder for anyone else to take down the IMI record.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Gators Chomp Dolphins, Finish With Winning Record
The MVP Gators closed out their A meet season with their third straight win, beating Lee-Graham by a convincing score 231-189. The Gators came from behind after backstroke, winning breaststroke and butterfly by a combined 36 points, and capping it off with seven relay wins in the 12 races.
The Gators finished the A meet season with a 3-2 record, marking their third straight winning season. Last year MVP went 3-2 in Division 3 as well, and the year before they went 4-1 in Division 4. No need to mention 2011 in Division 3, while they went 5-0 and won Division 5 in 2010 and 5-0 to win Division 6 in 2009.
The Gators finished tied for second this season along with Vienna Woods and Little Rocky Run. The Gators beat LRR and lost to VW. MVP was expected to beat VW and lose to LRR, which goes to show why you actually swim the meets. Lee-Graham, named after the Confederate general and the inventor of my favorite kind of cracker (so, two crackers are involved in the naming!), finished 5th with a 1-4 record.
(Editor's Note: Great -- now we will be deluged with angry emails from people upset we are calling Robert E. Lee a cracker! Reporter: No offense intended. I was, as usual, going for the cheap joke and not making an editorial comment.)
The meet was close through the first twenty events. The Gators won freestyle 48-42, but the Dolphins came roaring back to win backstroke by eight points (41-49) and take the lead.
(Editor's Note: Dolphins don't roar. They whistle, click and use burst-pulsed sounds to communicate. Reporter: (Sigh). Okay, how's this: "the Dolphins came whistling, clicking, and burst-pulsed sounding back to win backstroke. . ." Editor: That works!)
The Gators won seven of the twelve relays, including all six girls relays.
The Gators honored their seven graduating seniors with "Senior Day" at the swimming equivalent of half-time (the break between individual events and relays). Long-time Gator fans were thrilled by the return of long-time announcer Greg Taylor to both call the meet and recognize the seniors. Congratulations to our seniors -- Cyrus Adams-Mardi, Kate Babiuch, Sara Bertram, Sarah Busch, Griffin Colaizzi, Jessica Metter, and Austin Neal.
Gator heroes of the week were Joseph Ienzi, a twelve year old who swam backstroke in the 13-14 boys breaststroke and finished fourth, Gabby Cullo an 8 year old who did 9-10 girls butterfly, and 12 year old Sheridan Phalen, who swam as part of the 13-14 girls relay and helped the team to victory.
The Gator races of the week came from Donovan Kovalsky for the boys and Lily Penn for the girls. Donovan beat his Dolphin opponent by 0.15 seconds in the first event of the meet, the 8 & under boys freestyle. Lily won her race by a close 0.19 seconds against her Lee-Graham opponent in the 11-12 girls breaststroke.
There was only one Gator sweep on the meet, and they waited until the last individual to do it. Sara Bertram, Jessica Metter, and Jessie Bricker went 1-2-3 in the 15-18 girls butterfly. For Sara and Jessica, it was a fitting cap for their final individual A meet race of their storied swimming careers.
Unlike the previous two Gator victories this season, where the other teams won more races but MVP had more second place finishes, this time team put it out of reach by winning events.
Double Gator winners were Donovan Kovalsky (free and fly), Juliette Fore (free and breaststroke), Nick Dupuis (free and breaststroke), Sheridan Phalen (free and fly), Sara Bertram (free and fly), Lily Palmerino (back and fly), Emily Makin (back and fly), Cameron Morey (back and fly), Torie Bolger (back and breaststroke), and Elaina Phalen (free and fly). Having ten Gators win double events is likely a modern MVP record.
Also winning races were Caroline Miller (free), Matthew Makin (back), Taylor Makin (back), Jack Dupuis (breaststroke), Caroline Baker (breaststroke), Colby Webber (breaststroke), Lily Penn (breaststroke), and Kevin Adams-Mardi (breaststroke). The Gators won 28 out of 40 individual races, proving a 140-60 advantage on first place points for the meet.
Second place points were earned by Colby Webber (free), Juliana Skopp-Cardillo (free), Sean Jansen (free and breaststroke), Parker Fulghum (free and back), Jessie Bricker (free), Olivia Blondin (backstroke and fly), Matthew Makin (butterfly), Caroline Miller (fly), Charlie Ruppe (fly), Emma Jones (fly), and Jessica Metter (fly). Olivia's backstroke swim actually ended in a tie with the Dolphin swimmer. While the 14 second place finishes is lower than normal, Gators won so many races that it would be expected for the Dolphins to take a majority of second place finishes.
Third place points were racked up by James Piland (free), Emma Jones (free), Kevin Adams-Mardi (free), George Schulte (back), Katya Zaitsev (back), Kenny Krogh (back), Collin Sundsted (back), Anna Fracasso (back), Alexander North (breaststroke), Will Friedman (breaststroke), Brian McNamara (breaststroke and fly), Juliana Skopp-Cardillo (breaststroke), Sarah Jones (breaststroke), and Jessie Bricker (fly). The Gators took 15 third places.
Divisionals are Saturday at Vienna Woods, with the order being free, back, breaststroke, (break), fly, and IM. Then, of course, Saturday night is the great Gator gathering, the Annual Awards Banquet! That starts at 6 pm at MVP.
Cameron and a Little Gator being attacked by water.
The Gators finished the A meet season with a 3-2 record, marking their third straight winning season. Last year MVP went 3-2 in Division 3 as well, and the year before they went 4-1 in Division 4. No need to mention 2011 in Division 3, while they went 5-0 and won Division 5 in 2010 and 5-0 to win Division 6 in 2009.
The Gators aren't about swim team. It's also about life.
Here, the assistant coaches demonstrate personal hygiene.
"Step One: raise your arm. Step Two: grab the deodorant."
The Gators finished tied for second this season along with Vienna Woods and Little Rocky Run. The Gators beat LRR and lost to VW. MVP was expected to beat VW and lose to LRR, which goes to show why you actually swim the meets. Lee-Graham, named after the Confederate general and the inventor of my favorite kind of cracker (so, two crackers are involved in the naming!), finished 5th with a 1-4 record.
Dance, Dance Revolution is popular with teens. Who knew?
(Editor's Note: Great -- now we will be deluged with angry emails from people upset we are calling Robert E. Lee a cracker! Reporter: No offense intended. I was, as usual, going for the cheap joke and not making an editorial comment.)
Colby with the sportsmanship handshake.
The meet was close through the first twenty events. The Gators won freestyle 48-42, but the Dolphins came roaring back to win backstroke by eight points (41-49) and take the lead.
Abby takes her mark.
(Editor's Note: Dolphins don't roar. They whistle, click and use burst-pulsed sounds to communicate. Reporter: (Sigh). Okay, how's this: "the Dolphins came whistling, clicking, and burst-pulsed sounding back to win backstroke. . ." Editor: That works!)
Cyrus churns up the water.
Anna wants to make sure she doesn't false start.
The Gators honored their seven graduating seniors with "Senior Day" at the swimming equivalent of half-time (the break between individual events and relays). Long-time Gator fans were thrilled by the return of long-time announcer Greg Taylor to both call the meet and recognize the seniors. Congratulations to our seniors -- Cyrus Adams-Mardi, Kate Babiuch, Sara Bertram, Sarah Busch, Griffin Colaizzi, Jessica Metter, and Austin Neal.
Leah is focused on the task at hand.
A common occurrence: Mom talks, daughter ignores
by checking out smart phone. Could be any family.
The Gator races of the week came from Donovan Kovalsky for the boys and Lily Penn for the girls. Donovan beat his Dolphin opponent by 0.15 seconds in the first event of the meet, the 8 & under boys freestyle. Lily won her race by a close 0.19 seconds against her Lee-Graham opponent in the 11-12 girls breaststroke.
This is why coaches always yell "look forward!"
There was only one Gator sweep on the meet, and they waited until the last individual to do it. Sara Bertram, Jessica Metter, and Jessie Bricker went 1-2-3 in the 15-18 girls butterfly. For Sara and Jessica, it was a fitting cap for their final individual A meet race of their storied swimming careers.
Ellie in lane 5, while Gabby was in lane 1.
Unlike the previous two Gator victories this season, where the other teams won more races but MVP had more second place finishes, this time team put it out of reach by winning events.
Caroline and Lily plot strategy before the relay:
"If we swimmer faster than them, we win!"
Double Gator winners were Donovan Kovalsky (free and fly), Juliette Fore (free and breaststroke), Nick Dupuis (free and breaststroke), Sheridan Phalen (free and fly), Sara Bertram (free and fly), Lily Palmerino (back and fly), Emily Makin (back and fly), Cameron Morey (back and fly), Torie Bolger (back and breaststroke), and Elaina Phalen (free and fly). Having ten Gators win double events is likely a modern MVP record.
Emily flies over Juliette.
Also winning races were Caroline Miller (free), Matthew Makin (back), Taylor Makin (back), Jack Dupuis (breaststroke), Caroline Baker (breaststroke), Colby Webber (breaststroke), Lily Penn (breaststroke), and Kevin Adams-Mardi (breaststroke). The Gators won 28 out of 40 individual races, proving a 140-60 advantage on first place points for the meet.
Sean swims a key leg in a winning relay.
Second place points were earned by Colby Webber (free), Juliana Skopp-Cardillo (free), Sean Jansen (free and breaststroke), Parker Fulghum (free and back), Jessie Bricker (free), Olivia Blondin (backstroke and fly), Matthew Makin (butterfly), Caroline Miller (fly), Charlie Ruppe (fly), Emma Jones (fly), and Jessica Metter (fly). Olivia's backstroke swim actually ended in a tie with the Dolphin swimmer. While the 14 second place finishes is lower than normal, Gators won so many races that it would be expected for the Dolphins to take a majority of second place finishes.
Jim can smile -- the season is nearly over!
Third place points were racked up by James Piland (free), Emma Jones (free), Kevin Adams-Mardi (free), George Schulte (back), Katya Zaitsev (back), Kenny Krogh (back), Collin Sundsted (back), Anna Fracasso (back), Alexander North (breaststroke), Will Friedman (breaststroke), Brian McNamara (breaststroke and fly), Juliana Skopp-Cardillo (breaststroke), Sarah Jones (breaststroke), and Jessie Bricker (fly). The Gators took 15 third places.
He's also smiling because his daughters are swimming so well.
Divisionals are Saturday at Vienna Woods, with the order being free, back, breaststroke, (break), fly, and IM. Then, of course, Saturday night is the great Gator gathering, the Annual Awards Banquet! That starts at 6 pm at MVP.
Gator Superhero of the Season -- Kaila Stein
Well, this is a first time for the Superhero of the Season, but the circumstances demanded it. Rising high school junior Kaila Stein had earned a lane in this week's A meet. In one of the classiest moves ever, Kaila selflessly gave up her spot so that graduating senior Sarah Busch could swim in her final A meet.
For that amazing display of support for her teammate, Kaila Stein earns the first ever Gator Superhero of the Season recognition. For that, Gator fans are appreciative and congratulate Kaila.
For that amazing display of support for her teammate, Kaila Stein earns the first ever Gator Superhero of the Season recognition. For that, Gator fans are appreciative and congratulate Kaila.
Gator Swimmers of the Week -- Nick Dupuis and Torie Bolger
Not only was Nick Dupuis a double winner again in the meet against Lee-Graham, he had a great Relay All-Stars as well. The most impressive part of his swimming is that he easily beat a Lee-Graham Dolphin swimmer who was well under last year's All-Star cut.
Nick swam a 29.15 50 free, defeating his opponent by 0.45 seconds. His Dolphin opponent swam 1.25 seconds under last year's cut, meaning Nick was 1.70 below -- an impressive number especially in the 11-12 50 free. Nick also won his breaststroke race over a pretty good Dolphin swimmer as well.
Torie celebrated her 17th birthday by earning Swimmer of the Week honors. She won both her races despite going into the meet facing a Dolphin opponent with better best times of the season than hers. But Torie won both close races. She took backstroke by 0.21 seconds over her Lee-Graham opponent, and then won breaststroke from lane 5. Her Lee-Graham opponent came into the meet 0.29 seconds faster than Torie, but Torie swam a season best time by 0.56 seconds to win another close one by 0.21.
Congratulations to both Gators!
Nick swam a 29.15 50 free, defeating his opponent by 0.45 seconds. His Dolphin opponent swam 1.25 seconds under last year's cut, meaning Nick was 1.70 below -- an impressive number especially in the 11-12 50 free. Nick also won his breaststroke race over a pretty good Dolphin swimmer as well.
Nick, wearing Clark's cap and a new swimsuit, takes double firsts.
Torie celebrated her 17th birthday by earning Swimmer of the Week honors. She won both her races despite going into the meet facing a Dolphin opponent with better best times of the season than hers. But Torie won both close races. She took backstroke by 0.21 seconds over her Lee-Graham opponent, and then won breaststroke from lane 5. Her Lee-Graham opponent came into the meet 0.29 seconds faster than Torie, but Torie swam a season best time by 0.56 seconds to win another close one by 0.21.
Torie finishes strong for the win. AFrac finishes a close third.
Congratulations to both Gators!
Kevin Adams-Mardi Strikes Back
Kevin Adams-Mardi took back the team 50 breaststroke record he had set earlier in the season from the guy who broke it last week, Kevin Adams-Mardi.
Kevin lowered Kevin's record from 32.35 to 32.15, allowing Kevin to recapture a record he feels is rightfully his. Of course, the other Kevin Adams-Mardi should have a chance to take the record back away from Kevin Adams-Mardi next Saturday at Divisionals, or hopefully at All-Stars. Do not fret Gator blog readers, your faithful, if not slightly befuddled, blog correspondent will closely follow the battle of the Kevins through to the end!
Kevin lowered Kevin's record from 32.35 to 32.15, allowing Kevin to recapture a record he feels is rightfully his. Of course, the other Kevin Adams-Mardi should have a chance to take the record back away from Kevin Adams-Mardi next Saturday at Divisionals, or hopefully at All-Stars. Do not fret Gator blog readers, your faithful, if not slightly befuddled, blog correspondent will closely follow the battle of the Kevins through to the end!
Friday, July 18, 2014
Memories of a Gator -- Kate Babiuch
(Editor's Note: Each year, I ask the graduating Gators to write a blog post about their memories of being a Gator. Kate will be attending West Virginia Wesleyan College in the Fall.)
When I think of this swim team and all the time I have dedicated to the program I think of all that has changed from when I started. I still remember when we took our team pictures on the high dive and A meets where held in the 50 meter pool.
I remember the coaches that have come and gone and am proud off all the swimmers standing here today. Some I can remember from when I first started 8 and others I have met the numerous times I’ve moved back. I remember when I was the kid so excited to swim in A meets, to when I became to swimmer just in it for the work out and friends. Either way summer swim has been something I look forward to each summer. The memories are unforgettable, the friends I’ve met I will forever cherish and the coaches no matter what always are looking out for you.
So to sum up my reflection I’d say no matter how involved I was in swim team it was always worth it and I’m forever blessed to have been a part of this program and I will miss it next summer.
When I think of this swim team and all the time I have dedicated to the program I think of all that has changed from when I started. I still remember when we took our team pictures on the high dive and A meets where held in the 50 meter pool.
I remember the coaches that have come and gone and am proud off all the swimmers standing here today. Some I can remember from when I first started 8 and others I have met the numerous times I’ve moved back. I remember when I was the kid so excited to swim in A meets, to when I became to swimmer just in it for the work out and friends. Either way summer swim has been something I look forward to each summer. The memories are unforgettable, the friends I’ve met I will forever cherish and the coaches no matter what always are looking out for you.
So to sum up my reflection I’d say no matter how involved I was in swim team it was always worth it and I’m forever blessed to have been a part of this program and I will miss it next summer.
Gator Relays Rip Through All-Stars
Like a Nick Dupuis swimsuit, the MVP All-Star relay teams tore through their events Wednesday night. The Gators scored 198 points to finish 13th out of the 62 teams that scored points.
In the last seven years, MVP has finished 13th, 8th, 9th, 14th, 11th, 16th, and 14th at All-Star Relays. Of the teams that finished higher, six are Division 1, four are Division 2, and two are Division 3.
Not that we pay attention to these things, but I always check to see how the 25th place, 32nd, 43rd, and 53rd place teams did. Wow -- what a coincidence -- it turns out those are Riverside Gardens (118 points), Hollin Meadows (97 points), Waynewood (62 points), and Mansion House (30 points). Who knew?
Stat Boy notes that last season Mansion House scored 154 points and Riverside Gardens only had 16, so the MVP consistency of scoring lots of points and finishing seven straight seasons between 8th and 16th place is pretty darn impressive.
Three team records were set by Gator relays (scroll down for related article blog post).
The highest Gator finish was the girls mixed age relay team of Sheridan Phalen, Emily Makin, Cassidy Bayer and Sara Bertram. They finished second place, missing out on the win by just 0.02 seconds. The four broke a team record that was believed to be unbreakable. They improved from 3rd seed to second place, and cut an amazing 2.32 seconds off their seed time.
Two Gator relays tied for the biggest Gator seed jumpers -- both moved up five places from their seed.
The first were the boys mixed age relay team of Nick "Rip" Dupuis, James Piland, Cameron Morey, and Kevin Adams-Mardi. Besides setting a new team record, they went from 17th seed to 12th place. They cut a solid 0.88 off their seed time. (All kidding aside, Nick swam an amazing lead-off leg for a guy with a undamaged swimsuit, much less doing it after a wardrobe malfunction!).
The 13-14 girls medley relay team of Parker Fulghum, Elaina Phalen, Cassidy Bayer, and Emma Jones also moved up five places, going from 14th seed to 9th place. They also whacked 1.47 seconds off their seed time.
The biggest Gator time drop came from the 15-18 girls medley relay team of Anna Fracasso, Torie Bolger, Sara Bertram, and Jessie Bricker. They cut a full 3.23 seconds off their seed time. They were seeded 13th and finished ninth, a jump of four spots.
Nearly every Gator relay had really strong performances.
In event order, the other Gator relays:
In the last seven years, MVP has finished 13th, 8th, 9th, 14th, 11th, 16th, and 14th at All-Star Relays. Of the teams that finished higher, six are Division 1, four are Division 2, and two are Division 3.
Not that we pay attention to these things, but I always check to see how the 25th place, 32nd, 43rd, and 53rd place teams did. Wow -- what a coincidence -- it turns out those are Riverside Gardens (118 points), Hollin Meadows (97 points), Waynewood (62 points), and Mansion House (30 points). Who knew?
Stat Boy notes that last season Mansion House scored 154 points and Riverside Gardens only had 16, so the MVP consistency of scoring lots of points and finishing seven straight seasons between 8th and 16th place is pretty darn impressive.
Three team records were set by Gator relays (scroll down for related article blog post).
The highest Gator finish was the girls mixed age relay team of Sheridan Phalen, Emily Makin, Cassidy Bayer and Sara Bertram. They finished second place, missing out on the win by just 0.02 seconds. The four broke a team record that was believed to be unbreakable. They improved from 3rd seed to second place, and cut an amazing 2.32 seconds off their seed time.
Two Gator relays tied for the biggest Gator seed jumpers -- both moved up five places from their seed.
The first were the boys mixed age relay team of Nick "Rip" Dupuis, James Piland, Cameron Morey, and Kevin Adams-Mardi. Besides setting a new team record, they went from 17th seed to 12th place. They cut a solid 0.88 off their seed time. (All kidding aside, Nick swam an amazing lead-off leg for a guy with a undamaged swimsuit, much less doing it after a wardrobe malfunction!).
The 13-14 girls medley relay team of Parker Fulghum, Elaina Phalen, Cassidy Bayer, and Emma Jones also moved up five places, going from 14th seed to 9th place. They also whacked 1.47 seconds off their seed time.
The biggest Gator time drop came from the 15-18 girls medley relay team of Anna Fracasso, Torie Bolger, Sara Bertram, and Jessie Bricker. They cut a full 3.23 seconds off their seed time. They were seeded 13th and finished ninth, a jump of four spots.
Nearly every Gator relay had really strong performances.
In event order, the other Gator relays:
- The 9-10 boys medley relay team of Kenny Krogh, Colby Webber, Charlie Ruppe, and James Piland finished 13th, improving their seed by one position. They cut 1.95 seconds off their time.
- The 11-12 girls medley team of Taylor Makin, Lily Penn, Sheridan Phalen, and Juliana Skopp-Cardillo finished 15th with a time drop of 0.79.
- The 11-12 boys medley team of Andrei Zaitsev, Brian McNamara, Parker Blondin, and Nick Dupuis picked up one place to finish 15th, and they cut 0.89 second off their time
- The 11-12 boys free relay of Clark Bayer, Brian McNamara, Andrei Zaitsev, and Nick Dupuis finished 13th overall.
- The 13-14 girls free relay of Cassidy Bayer, Elaina Phalen, Parker Fulghum, and Emma Jones hit their high seed on the mark, finishing fourth overall.
- The 15-18 girls free relay of Sara Bertrm, Anna Fracasso, Jessica Metter, and Jessie Bricker set a new team record, and moved up from 11th seed to 9th place. They cut 1.34 seconds off their seed time.
The other Division 3 teams had a wide range of finishes. Little Rocky Run finished 10th with 240 points, and Donaldson Run was right behind them in 11th place with 214 points. Lee-Graham finished 15th with 170 points, Vienna Woods finished 29th with 108 points, and Oakton was 34th with 92 points.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Three Team Relay Records Fall At All-Stars
Three Gator records were broken Wednesday night at All-Star Relays -- including two within the first two MVP swims.
It was not a mixed bag for the Mixed Age relays. The girls 200 free relay team of Sheridan Phalen (12), Emily Makin (10), Cassidy Bayer (14), and Sara Bertram (18) swam a scintillating 1:57.71. It broke the old mark set in 2010 by Torie Bolger, Cassidy Bayer, Sara Bertram, and Christine Rholl of 1:57.91. When the Gators swam it in 2010, it was the second-fastest mixed age girls swim ever in the NVSL. The current mark is certainly one of the fastest swum in NVSL history.
The boys 200 free relay team were thus inspired and swam just a wee bit faster, clocking a 1:57.56. The team of Nick Dupuis (12), James Piland (9), Cameron Morey (14), and Kevin Adams-Mardi (16) broke their own record of 1:59.75 set just one week ago by a solid 2.19 seconds. The boys are holding their heads a bit higher, as the mixed age boys record is finally once again faster than the mixed age girls record.
So after the initial records fireworks, Gator fans had to wait till the very last Gator relay of the night to see one more broken record. The foursome of Sara Bertram, Anna Fracasso, Jessica Metter, and Jessie Bricker clocked a 1:57.06.
That shaved 0.55 seconds off the record set last year at All-Stars by Maddy Bolger, Anna Fracasso, Torie Bolger, and Sara Bertram.
The "oldest" Gator girl relay records still on the books date from only 2006. In those eight seasons, the relay records have been rewritten many a time. For the boys, nine of the relay records have come in this century, while five date from the previous century.
It was not a mixed bag for the Mixed Age relays. The girls 200 free relay team of Sheridan Phalen (12), Emily Makin (10), Cassidy Bayer (14), and Sara Bertram (18) swam a scintillating 1:57.71. It broke the old mark set in 2010 by Torie Bolger, Cassidy Bayer, Sara Bertram, and Christine Rholl of 1:57.91. When the Gators swam it in 2010, it was the second-fastest mixed age girls swim ever in the NVSL. The current mark is certainly one of the fastest swum in NVSL history.
The boys 200 free relay team were thus inspired and swam just a wee bit faster, clocking a 1:57.56. The team of Nick Dupuis (12), James Piland (9), Cameron Morey (14), and Kevin Adams-Mardi (16) broke their own record of 1:59.75 set just one week ago by a solid 2.19 seconds. The boys are holding their heads a bit higher, as the mixed age boys record is finally once again faster than the mixed age girls record.
So after the initial records fireworks, Gator fans had to wait till the very last Gator relay of the night to see one more broken record. The foursome of Sara Bertram, Anna Fracasso, Jessica Metter, and Jessie Bricker clocked a 1:57.06.
That shaved 0.55 seconds off the record set last year at All-Stars by Maddy Bolger, Anna Fracasso, Torie Bolger, and Sara Bertram.
The "oldest" Gator girl relay records still on the books date from only 2006. In those eight seasons, the relay records have been rewritten many a time. For the boys, nine of the relay records have come in this century, while five date from the previous century.
Memories of a Gator -- by Jessica Metter
(Editor's Note: Each year, I ask the graduating Gators to write a blog post about their memories of being a Gator. Sarah Busch's is right below this one, and others will be posted as they are sent to me. Jessica will be attending the University of Missouri in the Fall.)
I am so sad that this is my last season but I understand
that it is time to move on. I know the team will continue to get stronger and
someday soon you or your child will be sitting down to write this and trying not
to cry. Dr. Seuss said, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it
happened.” Keep that in mind when you
see all the smiles of gators at practice or meets. I am going to miss my Gator
family and can’t wait to see what each of them and the team will accomplish.
I put off writing this for a long time and for no good
reason either. For me, writing this would be acknowledging that this is the end
of swim team and I wasn’t ready for it, even as I write this I don’t want to
say good bye.
Most of you who are reading this already know that I’ve been
swimming with the Gators for 13 years, swam club for 9 of them and have been
helping out on deck and as a coach for five years. I met some of my best
friends through this program and it has been my summer home for these past 13
years. I remember one of my first years
of swimming when we won division 12 and everyone went crazy. We couldn’t
believe that we had done it and were so proud of ourselves. Fast forward to
now, three head coaches later and 9 divisions higher to find where the program
is today. It makes me incredibly proud of the team to show that we have the
drive and heart to be one of the top teams in NVSL.
There are so many things I’ve learned from this team and
sport that follow me everywhere I go. I learned to push myself to reach for
that wall, to do that extra 50 in practice, to not take that one last breathe
my lungs wanted but didn’t need. By doing that I learned to hold myself
accountable, to push myself to be the best I could be, and be disciplined. I
took these skills from swimming and applied them to school and my other sports.
Lacrosse is the sport I’ve had the most success with, but with my Gator pride
pushing me all the way. I got into one of the top programs for Pre-Veterinary
Medicine in the country at a great school that I love. I don’t think I could
have done it without using the skills I learned at Mount Vernon Park.
I have never been the
fastest swimmer in the pool but I worked hard at it. Simply because I knew I
could be better and wanted to go faster. I went from a developmental swimmer as
an 8 and under to becoming an A meet swimmer as a 9 and over. I have never been
the fastest on the team but I have a boxful of ribbons that show just how many
points I have earned for the Gators and how many meets I’ve helped win.
I didn’t swim for any other reason than I love it. I love
being in the water and being active – my parents always called me a fish. My
favorite part of coaching, especially the little ones, is that they have so
much enthusiasm for swimming. All of them want to go first and all want to get
better. It makes me smile everyday because I am sure that is how I acted when I
was their age, especially the 6 and unders.
Memories of A Gator -- by Sarah Busch
(Editor's Note: Each year, I ask the graduating Gators to write a blog post about their memories of being a Gator. Sarah's is the first this season, and others will be posted as they are sent to me. Sarah will be attending Virginia Tech in the Fall.)
I
cannot seem to find a way to explain how much being a Gator has meant to me. I
look to all of the Gators that have “graduated” from the team in the past and
to the new Gators that I met just this season in disbelief. My time as a Gator
has almost come to a close. I joined the Gators in 2002 when I was just six
years old. None of us owned flippers, so I could barely make it across the
pool, but I did. Some of the faces I met that fateful year are those I still
swim next to this very day. Although this may seem surprising, I am not fazed.
Those who have stayed for thirteen years have caught the Gator spirit.
I
have seen so much change come through such a resilient program. From the growth
of our once small team, to one of the biggest in the area to climbing from
Division 12 to Division 3, some things have never changed. I will never lose
the camaraderie and friendships that I have made on the team which will outlast
any trial. I will never forget all of the rainy meets I have spent either huddled
into the pavilion or in the car at an away meet. Or the campouts where I would
try and stay up all night and then sleep the entire next day. These memories
are timeless and truly will never be forgotten.
Although
I never became the fastest swimmer I always wanted to be, it does not matter. I
may have never made all-stars or relay carnival, but the truth is, not many
swimmers do. I have stuck with this team because I care strongly about what we
stand for, not for all of the plaques or blue ribbons. I would never take back
any of the memories I have made for that. I love this team because of its
relentless sportsmanship. I cannot remember a time where we never shook hands
after a race or did not have a high-five line along the fence.
As
my final season comes to a close, I leave with cherished memories as both a
coach and a swimmer, yet I leave with the fresh memory of sportsmanship through
another swimmer, Kaila, to which I will never forget. At the end of the day, I
leave with the knowledge that sportsmanship will always get you further in life
than winning. I leave as a Gator.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Monday, July 14, 2014
Dave Anderson's Gifts of Saturday's GIFs.
In news unrelated to swimming, "Grinch the Musical"
opened Saturday in Mount Vernon Park.
Then the Whos young and old would
shake their butts like Little Gators
And the Whos would start singing. They'd sing. And
they'd sing. And they'd sing. Sing. Sing. Sing!
Oh the noise. Oh the noise, noise, noise!. That's one thing he hated.
The Noise, noise, noise, noise!
He turned around fast, and he saw a small Who!
Little Cindy-Lou Who, Who was not more than two eight!
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