Gator Swimmer of the Week (Week 1)

Getting psyched. 

Choosing this week's Swimmer of the Week would seem to be a pretty simple decision to make. In an eight day period, Donovan Kovalsky set SEVEN pool records for the 11-12 Boys age group: Freestyle (twice), Backstroke (once officially and once unofficially at a B Meet), Breaststroke, Fly, and Individual Medley. If that doesn't define a "Swimmer of the Week" performance, well then I don't know what does.

But trust me, there is some difficulty making the call. First, we're the Gators, we always have lots of great swimmers doing great things every week and this week was no exception. Second, this is the beginning of what I fully expect to be an epic season for Donovan... so do I really want to burn Swimmer of the Week on him up front? Or should I keep some powder in reserve his next phenomenal performance sometime in the next month and a half? Maybe a Divisionals title? Or an All-Star win? Dare we dream of an NVSL record perhaps? All of those are in the realm of possible for him this season. (Gator Blogger Note: It should be pointed out that there is no rule about not winning SOTW more than once per season, but it has been a practice that I've tried to maintain... but like all unwritten rules, it could change. We'll see.)

Little Gators take note:
You can't set records without great form. 

And third, technically, Donovan wasn't just a winner this week. He was also a loser, in a roundabout sort of way. He did have two of his records broken, which is never fun. (Yes, I know, they were broken by him... but, they were broken nonetheless!) As a matter of fact, he is only setting himself up for repeatedly having his records broken as the season progresses and he potentially breaks his own records again and again.

Alright, admittedly, I may be stretching the reasons not to give the award to him with that third one. But, I've always been told that supporting lists are better in groups of three, rather than just two. And I do need to fill some blog space. The decision was a probably bit easier than I might be trying to make it out here. He kicked some butt and now owns the record Gator books. (See here.)

Congrats, Donovan, our Gator Swimmer of the Week.

Father/Record-Holder bonding.