(Or, what did I get myself into?)
So, you signed your precious little one up for swim
team, cautiously optimistic that they won’t have to be rescued on their first
lap across the pool.
But, you are wondering, what’s it all about, Alfie? (If you don’t get my
obscure cultural references, just pass them by.) Most importantly, your child
will improve dramatically in swimming, just by practicing for real everyday.
It is most likely, unless your child is an undiscovered Mark Spitz, if this
is their first season on swim team, they will be swimming in the Developmental
Meets. These meets are for ALL swimmers on the team, and provide a fun
environment for learning the ropes of swimming in a meet, rather than just in
practice.
Your child should try swimming at least two different strokes during the meet
(freestyle, backstroke, and/or breaststroke, with the potential for fly later
on. Developmental meets are also a good place to volunteer. The easiest way to
volunteer is to be a timer. You get to meet other parents, and have the
opportunity to see and learn close up. And, timing is easy.
But don’t volunteer at YOUR first meet. Watch, enjoy, have fun. My oldest
daughter Julia has been very successful at swimming for Mount Vernon Park, but
at her first Developmental Meet (they were called “B” meets till that was deemed
politically incorrect a few years ago), she (all of six years old) jumped in the
water long after everyone else, swam well, and then stopped for a while to tread
water and look around just before reaching the end. She finally touched as the
timers beseeched her to finish what she started.
I didn’t know a thing about organized swimming, but I knew that being last in
the water and dawdling at the end wasn’t what you want. So I took a whistle into
the family room and we practiced starting and finishing. . .not because we have
a pool in that room (or in any other room, for that matter). Instead, I had her
jump off the one couch and run to the other side. While that might be a little
compulsive on my part, it helped tremendously.
Beyond that, your main goal for your little Gator should be for them to
improve their time from meet to meet. That means they are learning and
improving, and soon they'll be swimming well enough you can actually read a book
or play tennis while frequenting MVP.
Don't be concerned if your child DQ's (disqualifies) during a race. It
happens to everyone (even Michael Phelps DQ'd, and he's done okay since then),
and the coaches will work to improve your child's technique. DQs
happen.
Gator Nation
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Summer Practice Schedule
GATOR SUMMER 2013
FEEDING SCHEDULE
Summer Practice begins Wednesday, June 19th
(SCROLL DOWN FOR SPRING PRACTICE DAYS/HOURS)
Monday - Friday
Ages 13-18: 7:30-8:45 AM
Ages 9-12: 8:30-9:45 AM
Ages 7-8: 9:30-10:30 AM
Ages 6&Under: 10:30-11:00 AM (M-Th)
Supplemental Practice. This practice is intended only for
swimmers who cannot make morning practice due to camp or childcare
issues. It is not intended for kids who don't want to get
out bed in the morning! We have limited coaching
resources for these sessions so please leave it open for those who truly
need it. Held Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Note:
There is no Wednesday evening practice if there is a meet event that
night.
Age 9 and Older - 5:15 - 6:15 PM
Age 8 and under - 6:00 - 6:45 PM
From the May MVPA Newsletter -- Helpful Background on Gator Swim
We
are pleased to announce the formation of the 2013 Mount Vernon Park swim team.
All MVP members between the ages of 5 and 18 are eligible to join. The
ability to swim the across the 25-meter pool unassisted is the first step to
becoming involved in a summer-long activity that provides fun and
competition. The swim team is a fantastic summer experience and we
encourage all eligible children to join.
The
MVP team competes in the Northern Virginia Swim League (NVSL), the largest
summer swim league in the country. The NVSL has over 14,000 swimmers on
102 teams, which are divided into 18 five or six team divisions. The
divisions are organized relative to each team’s overall ability based on the
previous season’s results. The MVP swim team is moving to Division 3 for 2013.
We
are pleased to announce that Paul Makin will return for his seventh season as
head coach. Kellee Brotherton will again serve as
the assistant head coach. This coaching team brings extensive
experience as being highly regarded USA Swimming coaches with Nation’s Capital
Swim Teal (NCAP).
Pre-Season
Registration-Information Meeting
Our
Pre-Season Registration-Information session will be on Sunday, May 19 from 3-5
PM at the Mount Vernon Park pavilion. Coaches and team reps will be on
hand to answer questions during the registration. Team suits and other Gator gear
will also be available for purchase. This
is a great opportunity to meet our coaches. The team is also going to try
on-line registration for the first time ever, so look for more information.
A
Registration-Emergency Contact form, available at www.mtvpa.com,
(under “Forms”) is required
for each swim team family before your child may begin practice. This is
the first season registration will be done on-line. The link will be sent in a park-wide
email. Registration must include correct
email addresses, as this is the primary way to communicate across the swim team
families. Additional league and team
information is available at the NVSL web site at http://nvsl.nvblu.com
and at the Gator blog: http://mvpgators.blogspot.com/ -- the schedule is already up.
Prior
to registration, at 2:30pm that day, there
will be an information session for new and relatively new swim team
parents. The team reps and the coaches will host a meeting to inform and
answer any and all questions regarding swim team. During that time,
assistant coaches will be at the park to supervise your child on the
playground.
Participation
Fee
As
part of the registration process, the swim team collects a participation
fee. The swim team committee collects this fee to help provide funding
for team activities during the season, to purchase equipment used exclusively
by the swim team and to supplement the funds provided by the park for coaches’
salaries. Examples of previous purchases are lane lines and backstroke
flags. The fee schedule for 2013 is as
follows: 1st child $25, 2nd child $20, 3rd
child $15, 4th child $10, maximum per family $70.
Registration is not considered complete until the registration form and
participation fees are submitted.
Swim Team Opportunities
The
number of swimmers on the MVP Gators squad has grown to over 280 children over
the last several years. Although the large interest in the program does
increase competition, all skill levels are welcome. The season includes
five NVSL meets on Saturday mornings, five developmental meets on Monday
evenings, a Saturday morning time trial, three special event meets on weekday
evenings, the Individual Divisional Championship meet on Saturday, July 27th followed by the awards banquet that
evening. The calendar of events starts in early June and includes the
entire month of July.
None
of this can happen without dedicated parental involvement. The
pre-season registration session is a great opportunity to determine how you
would like to participate. Swim team committee members will be available
both at the 2pm meeting and at the registration meeting to answer questions
about the variety of tasks necessary to organize a swim meet and to help you
find a niche. Some of the “swim meet” tasks include: timing, stroke and
turn judging, pre-meet set-up, post-meet clean up, ribbon writing, competition
starter, event announcer, refereeing, relay judge, and snack bar concession
worker. Your help with some or all of the events will go a long way to
making your child’s involvement both enjoyable and organized.
Age Groupings and Practice Times
The
NVSL divides competition between boys and girls and into five different age
divisions. The age groupings are: 8 & under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, and
15-18 with the swimmer’s age group based on the his or her age as of June 1st.
As we have a very large 8 & under contingent, we will further divide that
age group into 7-8 and 6 & under groups. Daily practice will begin on
Tuesday, May 28 1, from 3:30-6:30 pm.
Groupings
will be: Middle and High School (ages 13+) 3:30 - 4:30, 9-12 year
olds 4:15 - 5:15, 7-8 year olds 5:15 to 6:00 and 5-6 year olds
6:00-6:30pm. Summer MORNING practice schedule will begin Wednesday June 19th with practices
beginning at 7:30 am for 13-18 group, 8:30 for 9-12, 9:30 for 7-8 and 10:30 for
6 & Under. Morning practice will run M-F for the older 3 groups and
M-TH for the youngest group. There will be a supplemental practice in the
evenings T-W-TH, available only for those who
cannot make the morning practices. See the MVPA web site and the MVPA
bulletin board for additional details.
Swim Lessons
Swim
team practices are not a substitute for lessons, particularly if your swimmer
is just beginning. There are simply too many swimmers (over 280) for the
coaches to provide individual attention during the practice sessions. To
participate on the Gator Swim Team, we require that a child be able to swim
unassisted across the pool using any method they are comfortable with.
This insures some degree of comfort in the water. For those needing a
little help attaining this level of comfort, or for any swimmer who wants a
real boost in the swimming, private and semi-private lessons are available
through the coaching staff and lifeguard staff at extremely reasonable
prices.
To
arrange lessons, simply talk to any of the coaching staff, line up times and
dates, then go to the gatehouse to pay for the lessons. Coaches and
lifeguards cannot accept money directly. The gatehouse will give you a
receipt which you then give the coach at the time of the lesson. Clinics
given by the larger USA Swimming clubs will also be available from time to time
during the season and will be posted on the bulletin board and park web site.
Swim Suits & Caps
The
MVP Gators will be sporting a new team swimsuit this year.
Team suits are encouraged but not required for practice or competition.
However, it does give younger swimmers a great sense of pride and belonging to
wear one. Team suits will be available for purchase during the Registration
Meeting, at the Pasta Dinner the evening before time trials, and directly from
our swimsuit retailer – Sport Fair in Arlington.
Team
swim caps will also be sold for $12 each. Once again, there is an option
to get a ‘personalized’ Gator cap with the last name (or nickname if you
prefer) on the cap as well. These are available by special order only
with a minimum of 2 caps per name at a cost of $15 per cap (minimum $30).
Not only does this give the swimmer a sense of pride, it will help you figure
out which lane they are in and will also keep their caps from constantly being
lost.
Sportsmanship
The
NVSL provides a wonderful summer swim experience. When Mount Vernon Park joined
the NVSL in 1956 as a charter member, the league’s goal was to build
sportsmanship and a love of swimming. The NVSL’s goal of fostering
sportsmanship is still paramount today as the team
and the league begin our 57th year of
league competition. The Swim Team committee and coaches will be working
to build on the goals of the NVSL and bring sportsmanship and a love of the
sport to MVP.
We
hope to see you on May 19th for the
registration session and look forward to another great season.
Glen
Bolger & Carol Farquhar Bolger - NVSL Team Representatives for
the Mount Vernon Park Gators
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Back of the 2013 Gator T-Shirt Unveiled
Gator senior Leigh Orleans took the unusual quote selected by the team reps and went with an off-beat theme that will make Gator wearers the envy of the neighborhood all summer long. Be sure to get the t-shirt on May 19th at registration.
Monday, February 25, 2013
GATOR 2013 SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Spring
Practice begins Tuesday, May 28th
Ages 13-18: 3:30-4:30 PM
Ages 9-12: 4:15-5:15 PM
Ages 7-8: 5:15-6:00 PM
Ages 6 & Under: 6:00-6:30 PM
Come to practice 5-10 minutes early
2012 MVP Gator Swim Team Schedule (Preliminary)
(Note: This is subject to change, unless it does not)
May 19 – Registration MVP 3
to 5:00 PM
May 28 - First after
school practice
June 14- Pasta Dinner 6-8:00
PM @ MVP
June 15 - Team Time Trials
@MVP 9:00 AM
June
17- B-Meet MVP
@ Waynewood 5:00 PM
June 19 - Morning
Practice Begins (8-10:45)
June 22 – A-Meet MVP @ Fairfax 9:00 AM
June 24 - B-Meet Stratford @
MVP 5:00 PM
June 26 - Fort Hunt
Sportsman Relays @ RSG 5:30 PM
June 29– A-Meet Vienna
Woods @ MVP 9:00 AM
July 1 - Green and White
@ MVP 5:00 PM
(Internal Team Meet including IMs)
July 6 - A Meet MVP @ Lee-Graham
9:00 AM
July 8 – B-Meet Mansion
House @ MVP 5:00 PM
July 10 - Divisional
Relay Carnival @ Wakefield Chapel 5:00
PM
July 13 - A Meet Wakefield
Chapel @ MVP 9:00 AM
July 13 - Picture Day ~ 11
AM. Everyone should come
July 15 - B-Meet w Riverside
5:00 PM
July 17 - All Star Relay
Carnival @ Lincolnia 4:00 PM
July 20 – A-Meet Donaldson
Run @ MVP 9:00 AM
July 22 - IM Invitational
@ Stratford 5:00 PM
July 24 - 3rd Annual Gator
Romp in the Swamp 8 AM
JR Gators vs JR Gators,
Officiated by SR Gators at MVP
July 27 - Divisional
Championships @ Donaldson Run 9:00 AM
Awards Banquet and Campout @ MVP 5:00 PM
Aug 3 – Individual All
Stars 9:00 AM @ Annandale
Monday, July 30, 2012
MVP Gators Shine At Divisionals
It was a beautiful day for swimming on Saturday, and the MVP Gators had a great showing at the Division 4 Individual Championship, also known as Divisionals.
Thanks to some lucky breaks with alternates getting into the race, MVP had the most swimmers of any team, and there were four team records set (see related blog post).
Stat Boy would like to note that Cassidy's time would place her first in both the 13-14 girls and 15-18 girls IM. . .for freakin' All-Stars! It also would place her 6th in the 13-14 boys IM for All-Stars.
On the fly, Casidy's time is also faster than the top seed for 13-14 and 15-18 girls, and would have seeded her 5th for 13-14 boys. In Division 4, her fly time would have gotten Cassidy first place in every gender/age group except 15-18 boys, where she would have finished 2nd.
I'm too tired to do a lengthy write-up, so here are your Gators who finished top six:
First Place
Nick Dupuis -- 9-10 free
Mac Brotherton -- 9-10 back
Cameron Morey -- 11-12 back
Juliette Fore -- 8 & under 25 breaststroke
Holly Jansen -- 11-12 breaststroke
Cassidy Bayer -- 11-12 fly
Sara Bertram -- 15-18 fly
Cassidy Bayer -- 11-12 IM
Second Place
Kevin Adams-Mardi -- 13-14 free
Kevin Adams-Mardi -- 13-14 back
Torie Bolger -- 13-14 back
Sara Bertram -- 15-18 back
Jayne Orleans -- 15-18 breaststroke
Emily Makin -- 8 & under 25 fly
Anna Fracasso -- 13-14 fly
Holly Jansen -- 11-12 IM
Third Place
James Piland -- 8 & under 25 free
Cameron Morey -- 11-12 free
Tom Dupuis -- 13-14 free
Leigh Orleans -- 15-18 free
Molly Cabral -- 13-14 back
Parker Blondin -- 9-10 breaststroke
Sarah Jones -- 13-14 breaststroke
Emma Jones -- 11-12 fly
Mollie Passacantando -- 13-14 fly
Nick Dupuis -- 9-10 IM
Maddy Bolger -- 15-18 IM
Fourth Place
Andrei Zaitsev -- 9-10 free
Emma Jones -- 11-12 free
Mollie Passacantando -- 13-14 free
Molly Rutherford -- 8 & under 25 breaststroke
Brian McNamara -- 9-10 breaststroke
Sheridan Phalen -- 9-10 breaststroke
Kaila Stein -- 13-14 breaststroke
Charlie Ruppe -- 8 & under 25 fly
Parker Blondin 9-10 25 fly
Jessie Bricker -- 13-14 fly
Maddy Bolger -- 15-18 fly
Tristan Colaizzi -- 13-14 IM
Anna Fracasso -- 13-14 IM
Fifth Place
Elaina Phalen -- 11-12 free
Jessica Metter -- 15-18 free
Kenny Krogh -- 8 & under 25 back
Cage Theriot -- 8 & under 25 back
Andrei Zaitsev -- 9-10 back
Collin Sundsted -- 11-12 back
Parker Fulghum -- 11-12 back
Elaina Phalen -- 11-12 breaststroke
Emily Walzl -- 13-14 breaststroke
Kenny Krogh -- 8 & under 25 fly
Jessica Metter -- 15-18 fly
Sean Jansen -- 11-12 IM
Sixth Place
Sheridan Phalen -- 9-10 free
Jessie Bricker -- 13-14 free
Taylor Makin -- 9-10 back
Lily Penn -- 9-10 breaststroke
Sean Jansen -- 11-12 breaststroke
Olivia Blondin -- 9-10 25 fly
Cole Miller -- 11-12 fly
Mac Brotherton -- 9-10 IM
Torie Bolger -- 13-14 IM
Jayne Orleans -- 15-18 IM
Congrats to all Gator Divisionals swimmers.
Thanks to some lucky breaks with alternates getting into the race, MVP had the most swimmers of any team, and there were four team records set (see related blog post).
Stat Boy would like to note that Cassidy's time would place her first in both the 13-14 girls and 15-18 girls IM. . .for freakin' All-Stars! It also would place her 6th in the 13-14 boys IM for All-Stars.
On the fly, Casidy's time is also faster than the top seed for 13-14 and 15-18 girls, and would have seeded her 5th for 13-14 boys. In Division 4, her fly time would have gotten Cassidy first place in every gender/age group except 15-18 boys, where she would have finished 2nd.
I'm too tired to do a lengthy write-up, so here are your Gators who finished top six:
First Place
Nick Dupuis -- 9-10 free
Mac Brotherton -- 9-10 back
Cameron Morey -- 11-12 back
Juliette Fore -- 8 & under 25 breaststroke
Holly Jansen -- 11-12 breaststroke
Cassidy Bayer -- 11-12 fly
Sara Bertram -- 15-18 fly
Cassidy Bayer -- 11-12 IM
Second Place
Kevin Adams-Mardi -- 13-14 free
Kevin Adams-Mardi -- 13-14 back
Torie Bolger -- 13-14 back
Sara Bertram -- 15-18 back
Jayne Orleans -- 15-18 breaststroke
Emily Makin -- 8 & under 25 fly
Anna Fracasso -- 13-14 fly
Holly Jansen -- 11-12 IM
Third Place
James Piland -- 8 & under 25 free
Cameron Morey -- 11-12 free
Tom Dupuis -- 13-14 free
Leigh Orleans -- 15-18 free
Molly Cabral -- 13-14 back
Parker Blondin -- 9-10 breaststroke
Sarah Jones -- 13-14 breaststroke
Emma Jones -- 11-12 fly
Mollie Passacantando -- 13-14 fly
Nick Dupuis -- 9-10 IM
Maddy Bolger -- 15-18 IM
Fourth Place
Andrei Zaitsev -- 9-10 free
Emma Jones -- 11-12 free
Mollie Passacantando -- 13-14 free
Molly Rutherford -- 8 & under 25 breaststroke
Brian McNamara -- 9-10 breaststroke
Sheridan Phalen -- 9-10 breaststroke
Kaila Stein -- 13-14 breaststroke
Charlie Ruppe -- 8 & under 25 fly
Parker Blondin 9-10 25 fly
Jessie Bricker -- 13-14 fly
Maddy Bolger -- 15-18 fly
Tristan Colaizzi -- 13-14 IM
Anna Fracasso -- 13-14 IM
Fifth Place
Elaina Phalen -- 11-12 free
Jessica Metter -- 15-18 free
Kenny Krogh -- 8 & under 25 back
Cage Theriot -- 8 & under 25 back
Andrei Zaitsev -- 9-10 back
Collin Sundsted -- 11-12 back
Parker Fulghum -- 11-12 back
Elaina Phalen -- 11-12 breaststroke
Emily Walzl -- 13-14 breaststroke
Kenny Krogh -- 8 & under 25 fly
Jessica Metter -- 15-18 fly
Sean Jansen -- 11-12 IM
Sixth Place
Sheridan Phalen -- 9-10 free
Jessie Bricker -- 13-14 free
Taylor Makin -- 9-10 back
Lily Penn -- 9-10 breaststroke
Sean Jansen -- 11-12 breaststroke
Olivia Blondin -- 9-10 25 fly
Cole Miller -- 11-12 fly
Mac Brotherton -- 9-10 IM
Torie Bolger -- 13-14 IM
Jayne Orleans -- 15-18 IM
Congrats to all Gator Divisionals swimmers.
Nuh, Nuh, Nuh, Nuh, Nuh, Nuh, Nuh, Nuh Nuh, Nuh, Nuh. . .Stat Boy! Stat Boy! Stat Boy!
(Above headline must be sung to the tune of the original Batman TV show. Meanwhile, Stat Boy's notes were found in Gotham City, at which point they were posted to this blog!)
Your 2012 MVP Gators! They won the Individual Medley Invitational trophy for the third year in a row, and finished 4-1 in Division 4.
We had 285 swimmers join the team – making us one of the largest teams in the NVSL. 54 kids age 6 or younger, 84 kids age 7-8, 64 swimmers age 9-10, 41 swimmers age 11-12, 22 swimmers age 13-14, and 20 kids age 15-18
We had 222 swimmers swim in meets, including 97 who swam in A Meets. Fully 70 kids scored points in A Meets, including 38 girls and 32 boys. Last season, we had 60 kids score points in A Meets – good depth this year.
In the 11 meets tracked by Hy-Tek, we had 2,704 "splashes" – that’s 16,224 starts and stops by timers – well, 16,221 if you don’t count the three watches in that Kevin Adams-Mardi race! Elaina Phalen was the Splash Queen with 38 swims in those meets. On the boys side, the Splash King was Kevin Adams-Mardi with 34.
We had one dozen swimmers with perfect attendance at meets – Torie Bolger, Ellie Cullo, Juliette Fore, Parker Fulghum, Kenny Krogh, Cecilia Morales, Liam Orr, Mollie Passacantando, Elaina Phalen, Sheridan Phalen, James Piland, and Emily Walzl!
We’ve won seven IM Invitationals, including five in the last seven years.
Three teams did not lose a relay race – the 11-12 girls, the 13-14 girls, and the 15-18 girls. Overall, the Gators won 38 of 60 relays this year – a .633 winning percentage and better than we did 2 years ago when we went undefeated!
We sent twelve teams to All-Stars, finishing 9th overall – out of 102 teams. We were seeded 20th in the league.
Oh, and yes, MVP scored 230 points in that meet. We finished far ahead of – oh, let’s pick some random pools – Mansion House, Waynewood, Riverside Gardens, and Stratford.
I’d like Nick Dupuis to come up here. Two years ago, Nick was the only Gator boy to set a team record. This year, he’s got company. Please come up when I call your name: Recognition of NVSL record setters – Cassidy Bayer set the backstroke, butterfly, and IM records for NVSL. Also three National Age Group records – 11-12 50 fly, 100 fly, 200 fly. Joining Cassidy on an NVSL record relay were Holly Jansen, Emma Jones, and Elaina Phalen
Kenny Krogh, Will Friedman, Charlie Ruppe, James Piland, George Pacious, Connor Dunn, Nick Dupuis, Cameron Morey, Sean Jansen, Cole Miller, Sam McBroom, Dom Heratsch, Kevin Adams-Mardi, Cyrus Adams-Mardi.
Cage Theriot, Juliette Fore, Emily Makin, Cecelia Morales, Cassidy Bayer, Holly Jansen, Emma Jones, Elaina Phalen, Torie Bolger, Sarah Jones, Anna Fracasso, Jessie Bricker, Sara Bertram, Jayne Orleans, Leigh Orleans.
Overall, 18 new team records were set by 15 girls and 14 boys.
Divisonal Championships were held today at Hunt Valley. Stat Boy did some complicated math – Gators took 21.5% of top six places, when the average team should take 16.6% – which means MVP swimmers overperformed the average by 30%.
Four new team records were set today.
We had 13 swims go under last year’s All-Star cut, and bunch who are on the bubble. The cut DOES change, so let’s hope they all make it.
Your 2012 MVP Gators! They won the Individual Medley Invitational trophy for the third year in a row, and finished 4-1 in Division 4.
We had 285 swimmers join the team – making us one of the largest teams in the NVSL. 54 kids age 6 or younger, 84 kids age 7-8, 64 swimmers age 9-10, 41 swimmers age 11-12, 22 swimmers age 13-14, and 20 kids age 15-18
We had 222 swimmers swim in meets, including 97 who swam in A Meets. Fully 70 kids scored points in A Meets, including 38 girls and 32 boys. Last season, we had 60 kids score points in A Meets – good depth this year.
In the 11 meets tracked by Hy-Tek, we had 2,704 "splashes" – that’s 16,224 starts and stops by timers – well, 16,221 if you don’t count the three watches in that Kevin Adams-Mardi race! Elaina Phalen was the Splash Queen with 38 swims in those meets. On the boys side, the Splash King was Kevin Adams-Mardi with 34.
We had one dozen swimmers with perfect attendance at meets – Torie Bolger, Ellie Cullo, Juliette Fore, Parker Fulghum, Kenny Krogh, Cecilia Morales, Liam Orr, Mollie Passacantando, Elaina Phalen, Sheridan Phalen, James Piland, and Emily Walzl!
We’ve won seven IM Invitationals, including five in the last seven years.
Three teams did not lose a relay race – the 11-12 girls, the 13-14 girls, and the 15-18 girls. Overall, the Gators won 38 of 60 relays this year – a .633 winning percentage and better than we did 2 years ago when we went undefeated!
We sent twelve teams to All-Stars, finishing 9th overall – out of 102 teams. We were seeded 20th in the league.
Oh, and yes, MVP scored 230 points in that meet. We finished far ahead of – oh, let’s pick some random pools – Mansion House, Waynewood, Riverside Gardens, and Stratford.
I’d like Nick Dupuis to come up here. Two years ago, Nick was the only Gator boy to set a team record. This year, he’s got company. Please come up when I call your name: Recognition of NVSL record setters – Cassidy Bayer set the backstroke, butterfly, and IM records for NVSL. Also three National Age Group records – 11-12 50 fly, 100 fly, 200 fly. Joining Cassidy on an NVSL record relay were Holly Jansen, Emma Jones, and Elaina Phalen
Cage Theriot, Juliette Fore, Emily Makin, Cecelia Morales, Cassidy Bayer, Holly Jansen, Emma Jones, Elaina Phalen, Torie Bolger, Sarah Jones, Anna Fracasso, Jessie Bricker, Sara Bertram, Jayne Orleans, Leigh Orleans.
Overall, 18 new team records were set by 15 girls and 14 boys.
Divisonal Championships were held today at Hunt Valley. Stat Boy did some complicated math – Gators took 21.5% of top six places, when the average team should take 16.6% – which means MVP swimmers overperformed the average by 30%.
Four new team records were set today.
We had 13 swims go under last year’s All-Star cut, and bunch who are on the bubble. The cut DOES change, so let’s hope they all make it.
Hey Now, We've Got All-Stars!
MVP is sending 12 Gators to All-Stars for 16 swims:
James Piland -- 8 & under 25 free -- 2nd Alternate
Nick Dupuis -- 9-10 50 free & 100 IM -- 5th seed and 15th seed
Cameron Morey -- 11-12 50 free -- 16th seed
Mac Brotherton -- 9-10 50 back -- 16th seed
Kevin Adams-Mardi -- 13-14 50 back -- 18th seed
Torie Bolger -- 13-14 50 back -- 17th seed
Sara Bertram -- 15-18 50 back and fly -- 11th seed and 10th seed
Holly Jansen -- 11-12 50 breaststroke -- 4th seed and 3rd seed
Charlie Ruppe -- 8 & under 25 fly -- 16th seed
Emily Makin -- 8 & under 25 fly -- 10th seed
Cassidy Bayer -- 11-12 50 fly and 100 IM -- 1st seed in both
Emma Jones -- 11-12 50 fly -- 15th seed.
Having five boys qualify for Individual All-Stars is a modern day Gator record! Congrats to all MVP All-Stars.
Cassidy Bayer has scratched her swims because she is participating this weekend in the SuperSectionals in Buffalo. (A trip to Buffalo is quite a prize for being the fastest 11-12 girl butterfly swimmer in American history!).
Good luck on Saturday to all our All-Stars who will be swimming at Waynewood (which is like Buffalo, but closer!).
(Just kidding -- both Buffalo and Waynewood are nice places, you know, all things considered.)
James Piland -- 8 & under 25 free -- 2nd Alternate
Nick Dupuis -- 9-10 50 free & 100 IM -- 5th seed and 15th seed
Cameron Morey -- 11-12 50 free -- 16th seed
Mac Brotherton -- 9-10 50 back -- 16th seed
Kevin Adams-Mardi -- 13-14 50 back -- 18th seed
Torie Bolger -- 13-14 50 back -- 17th seed
Sara Bertram -- 15-18 50 back and fly -- 11th seed and 10th seed
Holly Jansen -- 11-12 50 breaststroke -- 4th seed and 3rd seed
Charlie Ruppe -- 8 & under 25 fly -- 16th seed
Emily Makin -- 8 & under 25 fly -- 10th seed
Cassidy Bayer -- 11-12 50 fly and 100 IM -- 1st seed in both
Emma Jones -- 11-12 50 fly -- 15th seed.
Having five boys qualify for Individual All-Stars is a modern day Gator record! Congrats to all MVP All-Stars.
Cassidy Bayer has scratched her swims because she is participating this weekend in the SuperSectionals in Buffalo. (A trip to Buffalo is quite a prize for being the fastest 11-12 girl butterfly swimmer in American history!).
Good luck on Saturday to all our All-Stars who will be swimming at Waynewood (which is like Buffalo, but closer!).
(Just kidding -- both Buffalo and Waynewood are nice places, you know, all things considered.)
Four New Team Records, Two New NVSL Records Set At Divisionals
Four new team records were set at Divisionals, including two NVSL records (see related post below). Nick Dupuis's freestyle actually tied a record from 1967 -- he hopes to take it out on Saturday at All-Stars.
With appreciation to Karen Stein for keeping track of all this:
If any records are broken at All-Stars, this posting will be updated. For now, your new Gator team records and record setters!:
With appreciation to Karen Stein for keeping track of all this:
- Girls, 11-12 50M Butterfly, Cassidy Bayer bettered her NVSL Record time of 28.74 from 7 Jul 12 with a new time of 28.49.
- Girls 11-12 100M IM, Cassidy Bayer broke the NVSL Record with a time of 1:06.78. The old record was from 7/26/2008 held by Janet Hu with a time of 1:07.81. The old team record was held by Cassidy from Monday's IM Invitational (7/23) was also the IM Invitational Record with a time of 1:07.59.
- Girls 15-18 50M Backstroke, Sara Bertram, new time 31.59. Sara held the record from 14 Jul 12 with a time of 32.13.
- Boys 9-10 50M Freestyle, Nick Dupuis, tied the current record from 1967 held by Bill Richardson with a time of 33.00.
If any records are broken at All-Stars, this posting will be updated. For now, your new Gator team records and record setters!:
2012 New MVP Gator Swim Team Records
Boys 8&Under 100M Medley Relay-1:39.62-Kenneth Krogh,
Will Friedman, Charlie Ruppe, James Piland
Boys 8&Under 100M Free Relay-1:16.91-James Piland,
George Pacious, Connor Dunn, Charlie Ruppe
Boys 9-10 50M Freestyle-33.00-Nick Dupuis (Tied with 1967 Record
by Bill Richardson)
Boys 11-12 50M Backstroke-34.21-Cameron Morey
Boys 11-12 100M Medley Relay-1:08.04-Cameron Morey,
Sean Jansen, Cole Miller, Samuel McBroom
Boys 11-12 100M Free Relay-1:00.78-Cameron Morey, Sean Jansen,
Samuel McBroom, Dom Heratsch
Boys 13-14 50M Backstroke-31.96-Kevin Adams-Mardi
Boys 18&Under Mixed Age 200M Free Relay-1:59.91-Cameron Morey,
Nicholas Dupuis, Kevin Adams-Mardi, Cyrus Adams-Mardi
Girls 8&Under 100M Medley Relay-1:29.55-Cage Theriot,
Juliette Fore, Emily Makin, Cecelia Morales
Girls 11-12 50M Freestyle-27.36-Cassidy Bayer (NVSL Record)
Girls 11-12 50M Backstroke-31.55-Cassidy Bayer
Girls 11-12 50M Butterfly-28.49-Cassidy Bayer (NVSL Record)
Girls 11-12 100M IM-1:06.78-Cassidy Bayer (NVSL Record)
Girls 11-12 100M Medley Relay-1:01.80-Cassidy Bayer, Holly Jansen, Emma Jones, Elaina Phalen (NVSL Relay Carnival Record)
Girls 11-12 100M Free Relay-55.97-Holly Jansen, Emma Jones,
Elaina Phalen, Cassidy Bayer
Girls 13-14 100M Medley Relay-1:03.05-Torie Bolger, Sarah Jones,
Anna Fracasso, Jessie Bricker
Girls 15-18 50M Backstroke-31.59-Sara Bertram
Girls 15-18 200M Medley Relay-2:10.87-Sara Bertram,
Jayne Orleans, Cassidy Bayer, Leigh Orleans
Banquet & Divisional Haiku
Gator land party.
More records set this season.
All Stars, all fun, sleep.
More records set this season.
All Stars, all fun, sleep.
One Divisionals, Two Swimmers, Four NVSL Records
Rita Bertram had the great PR sense to snap swimming sensations Cassidy Bayer (MVP Gator) and Janet Hu (Mosby Woods Raiders) after their stunning swims on Saturday. The two broke four NVSL records -- including Cassidy breaking one of Janet's (see related post). Anyhow, great pic that in four/eight years might end up on national TV.
These two set the only NVSL records on Saturday -- so Hunt Valley was definitely the place to be.
Here's the blurb from the NVSL website -- it has all the details:
Hunt Valley was definitely the place to be for Divisionals if you wanted to witness NVSL records. There, at the Division 4 Individual Championships on July 28, Mount Vernon Park's Cassidy Bayer and Mosby Woods' Janet Hu put on an incredible show. Cassidy started things off in the girls 11-12 50 meter butterfly with a time of 28.49, bettering the record of 28.74 she set on July 7. Cassidy then followed that up by recording a 1:06.78 in the girls 11-12 100 meter IM, shattering Janet's record of 1:07.81 set in 2008. But just as soon as she lost one record Janet obtained another, swimming an amazing 26.27 in the girls 15-18 50 meter freestyle which broke the record of 26.42 set by Kings Ridge's Amanda Kendall in 2009. And finally, Janet broke her own record in the 15-18 girls 50 meter backstroke with a time of 28.52, eclipsing the mark of 28.98 set at Hunt Valley on July 5. Awesome performances Cassidy and Janet!
These two set the only NVSL records on Saturday -- so Hunt Valley was definitely the place to be.
Here's the blurb from the NVSL website -- it has all the details:
Hunt Valley was definitely the place to be for Divisionals if you wanted to witness NVSL records. There, at the Division 4 Individual Championships on July 28, Mount Vernon Park's Cassidy Bayer and Mosby Woods' Janet Hu put on an incredible show. Cassidy started things off in the girls 11-12 50 meter butterfly with a time of 28.49, bettering the record of 28.74 she set on July 7. Cassidy then followed that up by recording a 1:06.78 in the girls 11-12 100 meter IM, shattering Janet's record of 1:07.81 set in 2008. But just as soon as she lost one record Janet obtained another, swimming an amazing 26.27 in the girls 15-18 50 meter freestyle which broke the record of 26.42 set by Kings Ridge's Amanda Kendall in 2009. And finally, Janet broke her own record in the 15-18 girls 50 meter backstroke with a time of 28.52, eclipsing the mark of 28.98 set at Hunt Valley on July 5. Awesome performances Cassidy and Janet!
Friday, July 27, 2012
Coach Paul's Car -- 2012
The assistant coaches have continued their annual reign of terror against the despotic head coach. This year's edition included peanut butter on the inside of the door handles (it's a car! it's a tasty treat!), toilet paper and string booby-trapping the inside, and post-it notes. The beer cans tied on the back came from MVP recycle bins -- it appears the park membership is keeping the cheap domestic beer industry in business.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Thoughts on the Tragedy
Four 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 on the Gators, his mom, Michele, is our Chief Marshal (wearing the orange 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 summer. 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.
Your first reaction upon hearing the news is as though someone punched you in the gut. Then there is the hopeful thought -- well, maybe that information is not quite right and there is some hope. But then, when it becomes clear that the news about Mark Fracasso is the worst possible, you are stunned into shock and tears.
For some people the tears are deep and heaving. For others, it's more of the glistening eyes (that's more for us "tough" guys).
A young life extinguished because of a split second. There was no alcohol, no drugs. Just bad luck. The worst. The "what ifs" aren't worth it. We're not Superman -- we can't make the Earth spin backs to change time.
I know what you are thinking. I'm thinking it too. No parent should have to bury their son or daughter. This isn't fair, and this isn't how life is supposed to be. Especially for a 15 year old boy who was it in for the fun. Now, I can't say I knew Mark well -- that's not the case. But I do know two things about him.
The first thing I knew about him is that I noticed that he had this sly grin on his face every time he was on the pool deck with the race about to start. It's like he knew -- "okay, I may not be the fastest, but I'm here for fun." Mark always struck me as having a smile on his face -- which is the sign of a happy, positive attitude about life. Which, after all, is the only one to have. . .but's it's also okay -- even important -- to have an interregnum for a mourning period like this.
The other thing I know about Mark is that we all feel for his parents. I'm a much better man for the years I've spent raising children. Every parent reading this knows that what they are going through is the single biggest fear that a parent can have -- and for one of our community, that fear has been realized in the worst possible way. Mark and Michele will never have the satisfaction of watching Mark grow into adulthood -- which has its own set of challenges, responsibilities, and thrills.
Life is precious. Life doesn't have to always be fun, doesn't always have to be an adventure. But, there is beauty in the everyday. Sunday morning, unaware that Mark was fighting for life, Tom Hickok and I were watching the kids rise from their chaise lounges at the sleepover, groggy after just a few hours of sleep. Tom, nursing a cup of coffee, turned to me with a simple declarative sentence that made me appreciate the day even more -- "MVP really is a special place." He had just spent the night on the ground with just a sleeping bag and no tent, and yet he was appreciating the life we are living.
Kids -- when your parents hug you a little bit tighter and a little bit long, please let them.
A few years ago, a song came out by Kenny Chesney about the pain of losing someone young in your life. Sometimes song lyrics can be over the top, but this one hits the emotion that Michele and Mark, and their children Ali, Matthew, and Anna, will always have:
Sunny days seem to hurt the most.
I wear the pain like a heavy coat.
I feel you everywhere I go.
I see your smile, I see your face,
I hear you laughin' in the rain.
I still can't believe you're gone.
It ain't fair: you died too young,
Like the story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.
God knows how I miss you,
All the hell that I've been through,
Just knowin' no-one could take your place.
An' sometimes I wonder,
Who'd you be today?
Would you see the world? Would you chase your dreams?
Settle down with a family,
I wonder what would you name your babies?
Some days the sky's so blue,
I feel like I can talk to you,
An' I know it might sound crazy.
It ain't fair: you died too young,
Like the story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.
God knows how I miss you,
All the hell that I've been through,
Just knowin' no-one could take your place.
An' sometimes I wonder,
Who you'd be today?
Again, kids -- when your parents hug you a little bit tighter and a little bit long, please let them. Parents, when you see Mark and Michele, it's okay to hug them. Life isn't simple, but it is precious.
**************
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.
Your first reaction upon hearing the news is as though someone punched you in the gut. Then there is the hopeful thought -- well, maybe that information is not quite right and there is some hope. But then, when it becomes clear that the news about Mark Fracasso is the worst possible, you are stunned into shock and tears.
For some people the tears are deep and heaving. For others, it's more of the glistening eyes (that's more for us "tough" guys).
A young life extinguished because of a split second. There was no alcohol, no drugs. Just bad luck. The worst. The "what ifs" aren't worth it. We're not Superman -- we can't make the Earth spin backs to change time.
I know what you are thinking. I'm thinking it too. No parent should have to bury their son or daughter. This isn't fair, and this isn't how life is supposed to be. Especially for a 15 year old boy who was it in for the fun. Now, I can't say I knew Mark well -- that's not the case. But I do know two things about him.
The first thing I knew about him is that I noticed that he had this sly grin on his face every time he was on the pool deck with the race about to start. It's like he knew -- "okay, I may not be the fastest, but I'm here for fun." Mark always struck me as having a smile on his face -- which is the sign of a happy, positive attitude about life. Which, after all, is the only one to have. . .but's it's also okay -- even important -- to have an interregnum for a mourning period like this.
The other thing I know about Mark is that we all feel for his parents. I'm a much better man for the years I've spent raising children. Every parent reading this knows that what they are going through is the single biggest fear that a parent can have -- and for one of our community, that fear has been realized in the worst possible way. Mark and Michele will never have the satisfaction of watching Mark grow into adulthood -- which has its own set of challenges, responsibilities, and thrills.
Life is precious. Life doesn't have to always be fun, doesn't always have to be an adventure. But, there is beauty in the everyday. Sunday morning, unaware that Mark was fighting for life, Tom Hickok and I were watching the kids rise from their chaise lounges at the sleepover, groggy after just a few hours of sleep. Tom, nursing a cup of coffee, turned to me with a simple declarative sentence that made me appreciate the day even more -- "MVP really is a special place." He had just spent the night on the ground with just a sleeping bag and no tent, and yet he was appreciating the life we are living.
Kids -- when your parents hug you a little bit tighter and a little bit long, please let them.
A few years ago, a song came out by Kenny Chesney about the pain of losing someone young in your life. Sometimes song lyrics can be over the top, but this one hits the emotion that Michele and Mark, and their children Ali, Matthew, and Anna, will always have:
Sunny days seem to hurt the most.
I wear the pain like a heavy coat.
I feel you everywhere I go.
I see your smile, I see your face,
I hear you laughin' in the rain.
I still can't believe you're gone.
It ain't fair: you died too young,
Like the story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.
God knows how I miss you,
All the hell that I've been through,
Just knowin' no-one could take your place.
An' sometimes I wonder,
Who'd you be today?
Would you see the world? Would you chase your dreams?
Settle down with a family,
I wonder what would you name your babies?
Some days the sky's so blue,
I feel like I can talk to you,
An' I know it might sound crazy.
It ain't fair: you died too young,
Like the story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.
God knows how I miss you,
All the hell that I've been through,
Just knowin' no-one could take your place.
An' sometimes I wonder,
Who you'd be today?
Again, kids -- when your parents hug you a little bit tighter and a little bit long, please let them. Parents, when you see Mark and Michele, it's okay to hug them. Life isn't simple, but it is precious.
**************
Recently while I have not been as involved as in the past, I have never forgotten the great sense of village we have here at our special place quietly tucked a short distance from another world. You and many others have continued to allow our kids to grow up and develop in this somewhat protected world.
In most respects Michele and I are very blessed. Mark on that fateful day unfortunately was not so lucky.
So last evening, when you chose to write about Mark we both were so very touched and grateful at your willingness to use your talent to help us, that is all of us, begin the long healing process. Providing this forum and the vigil tonight will go a long way to allow us all to join again together as a village to celebrate life Mark s life.
And so in closing, we so want to thank you and let you know from our hearts that while perhaps you did not know Mark as we his parents, you really do know Mark and have captured his spirit in your article.
Tonight we will come together in our special place and I ll be looking for my hug. Thank you and we both also want to thank the Mount Vernon community.
Mark& Michele
****************
****************
I would just like to say I am soooo sorry for the Fracasso's loss. Words can not describe the heaviness that we all feel for them. They will be in our prayers!!
Love, Teresa, Bill, Kate and Natalie
*************
Cindy
*************
Love, Teresa, Bill, Kate and Natalie
*************
The Laporta family is deeply saddened by the Fracasso's tragic loss. As part of our amazing Gator family, Mark was wonderful to Peter over the years and will be desperately missed. The Fracasso's are in our prayers.
*************
Perhaps readers will be comforted by this excerpt of a message sent to St Mary s altar boys by Fr John DeCelles, the priest who administered the sacrament of the sick to Mark early Sunday morning:
Death is a very difficult thing to bear, especially the death of someone we know, or are close to. Particularly the death of a young person so filled with hope and great prospects as Mark was. But as the funeral ritual says: for those who love the Lord, life is changed, not ended. This is what our faith comes down to: life on earth is great, but the love of God and the joy of heaven are what we re made ultimately for. Mark s death should remind us all that God calls us home when He chooses, not when we choose. We need to be ready when he calls not afraid, because God loves us, but ready. We need to live everyday with our eyes on heaven again not with fear but filled with hope and joy, trying to be the very best we can everyday so we can love each other here and live forever in perfect happiness with God, and with each other, in heaven.
Mary
**************
(This) tribute is a beautiful reflection of someone I have loved for many years and watched grow in so many different ways. His smile is a signature that I too often cannot help recalling when I think of him. I will treasure it always.
**************
(This) tribute is a beautiful reflection of someone I have loved for many years and watched grow in so many different ways. His smile is a signature that I too often cannot help recalling when I think of him. I will treasure it always.
Thank you-Jean
**************
***************
On Sunday morning I was going about my usual business here in Salisbury
and I received a phone call from my dad. When he told he had some bad
news I was thinking, maybe we aren t going to the outer banks anymore ,
never in a million years did I think I was going to hear what I heard.
He told me the news about Mark being in the hospital and I had to sit
down. I was in shock. For the next two hours I walked around in a daze.
I kept hoping that the news wasn t true, and if the news was true, I
kept praying that everything would be alright. I was dreading that final
phone call with the worst possible news.
Mark Fracasso and my brother were good friends and partners in
crime every summer at Mount Vernon Park. I can t even count how many
times I would hear my brother say can we go pick up Mark? , and for the
rest of that day I d be keeping tabs on the two boys making sure they
didn t get into too much trouble. It was like every summer I gained a
new little brother. Hearing that my own brother was devastated by the
loss of his friend, who he had just hung out with two days before, and
that he was planning to ask Mark to spend a week in the Outer Banks with
us the next time he saw him, made me twist and turn inside.
It is unreal that a life can be lost so young. To think of the
other Fracasso children and Marks friends who are dealing with the loss
at such a young age is an experience no child should have to go through.
Only being twenty, I am not a parent myself, but I am old enough to know
that the loss of a child is one of, if not the most, heartbreaking
things a parent would ever have to experience. You read things like this
in the paper but you never think it will hit this close to home. Of all
families this had to happen to it hurts that it was the Fracasso family.
When a tragedy like this happens, one can t help but wonder,
Why him, he s so young? For those of us that believe in Karma and
that everything happens for a reason , it makes you wonder, Well, what
exactly is the reason for this? As much as we would all like to know
the answer to these questions it s something we will never know. The
only thing we can do is try our best to be there for each other and try
to help younger members of the community understand what happened. The
Gator family has lost more than a swimmer, but a brother, son and friend
who is irreplaceable.
Ryann Doyle
*******************
**************
If we are lucky in life, we get to meet someone like Mark Fracasso, Jr. at least once. A young boy with a free spirit and a twinkle in his eye. Full of energy, quizzing the world about its limits, challenging the competitive edge with a smile. We look at these boys with marvel, because we instinctively know we are watching a leader prepare for a purpose that we have yet to understand.
We often think that leadership will be demonstrated later in life, in those adult years when we assume the world needs it. But sometimes, these free spirits are only here for a short time, a blink of time in God's eye. They are here to teach us how to live each day with joy in our own hearts. Much like a bright star in the sky, we wonder at the sparkle, and are awed and forever grateful for the opportunity to see it shine. We are all blessed to have that brief moment with Mark Fracasso, Jr.
The Bourne Family wishes to express our love and prayers to the Fracasso Family. Thank you for letting Mark shine.
***************
On Sunday morning I was going about my usual business here in Salisbury
and I received a phone call from my dad. When he told he had some bad
news I was thinking, maybe we aren t going to the outer banks anymore ,
never in a million years did I think I was going to hear what I heard.
He told me the news about Mark being in the hospital and I had to sit
down. I was in shock. For the next two hours I walked around in a daze.
I kept hoping that the news wasn t true, and if the news was true, I
kept praying that everything would be alright. I was dreading that final
phone call with the worst possible news.
Mark Fracasso and my brother were good friends and partners in
crime every summer at Mount Vernon Park. I can t even count how many
times I would hear my brother say can we go pick up Mark? , and for the
rest of that day I d be keeping tabs on the two boys making sure they
didn t get into too much trouble. It was like every summer I gained a
new little brother. Hearing that my own brother was devastated by the
loss of his friend, who he had just hung out with two days before, and
that he was planning to ask Mark to spend a week in the Outer Banks with
us the next time he saw him, made me twist and turn inside.
It is unreal that a life can be lost so young. To think of the
other Fracasso children and Marks friends who are dealing with the loss
at such a young age is an experience no child should have to go through.
Only being twenty, I am not a parent myself, but I am old enough to know
that the loss of a child is one of, if not the most, heartbreaking
things a parent would ever have to experience. You read things like this
in the paper but you never think it will hit this close to home. Of all
families this had to happen to it hurts that it was the Fracasso family.
When a tragedy like this happens, one can t help but wonder,
Why him, he s so young? For those of us that believe in Karma and
that everything happens for a reason , it makes you wonder, Well, what
exactly is the reason for this? As much as we would all like to know
the answer to these questions it s something we will never know. The
only thing we can do is try our best to be there for each other and try
to help younger members of the community understand what happened. The
Gator family has lost more than a swimmer, but a brother, son and friend
who is irreplaceable.
Ryann Doyle
*******************
It was the most wonderful day. A hot, bright high summer afternoon. Many Gator families present and congenial, some working the divisional championship meet, some taking a rare day off. Everyone enjoying the great competition provided by a slippery pool and well trained swimmers intent on posting their best times. And then, after a fabulous meet, spilling back into our very own elysian fields to honor those who worked hard and swam fast. Every year I enjoy the awards banquet so much I start feeling wistful even before it ends.
This year, as I looked out at the tree canopy line turning dark after sunset, I felt even stronger. This really was the most wonderful day, the best year for our team. So many good swimmers. So many good kids. So many new swimmers, and with them great families, new friends. A large group of parents who are now so used to working together, we re like an old married couple. (like an old married couple?) Just like the machine of a family that can get Thanksgiving dinner for 20 on the table with aplomb on Monday nights and Saturday mornings we set up a meet, put on the meet, serve a meal for dozens, break it all down into neat folded parcels and plastic storage containers and still manage a few jokes and good camaraderie before heading home. Heck, we even won the Miss Congeniality award from our fellow Division 6 teams! As I sat there with children prancing around me I thought we are all, collectively, doing something right by our kids.
This year, as I looked out at the tree canopy line turning dark after sunset, I felt even stronger. This really was the most wonderful day, the best year for our team. So many good swimmers. So many good kids. So many new swimmers, and with them great families, new friends. A large group of parents who are now so used to working together, we re like an old married couple. (like an old married couple?) Just like the machine of a family that can get Thanksgiving dinner for 20 on the table with aplomb on Monday nights and Saturday mornings we set up a meet, put on the meet, serve a meal for dozens, break it all down into neat folded parcels and plastic storage containers and still manage a few jokes and good camaraderie before heading home. Heck, we even won the Miss Congeniality award from our fellow Division 6 teams! As I sat there with children prancing around me I thought we are all, collectively, doing something right by our kids.
Saturday was the most wonderful day. Except we now know it really wasn t. At the same time I was looking at the treeline turn dark, Mark Fracasso - one of our most precious our children! - was slipping away and through the grace of those who knew, we were able to sit with our warm and happy thoughts through the night, even though the most unthinkable thing was happening. Those who knew, allowed those of us who didn t, to fully inhale the beauty of a summer night, becoming fortified maybe for what we would discover the next day.
Here s what I know: the Fracasso family is an amazing family. I don t know every member of their family, but I know Michele, and she is part of that collective married couple that we have become at Mount Vernon Park, she is strong, she is a calm and mirthful tour de force. Michele is a person you can count on. And for Michele, and Mark, Ali, Matthew and Anna we have counted on you, and now you can count on us. Even on what appears to be the most beautiful day, the stirring of tragedy will build and erupt. And conversely on the most awful days, the most awful days like today, the beginnings of hope can, well, at least begin.
My hope is that we, along with the many other friends, schoolmates and family members of the Fracasso family, can knit ourselves into a security blanket to help them through the times to come.
Lisa Guide
*********************
Lisa Guide
*********************
| Hi I am Peter, a good friend of Mark, and I saw that we could share good times evern humorous times with Mark. This was the first that came to my mind right away: It was after school and Mark, Richard Pastorino, and myself went to seven eleven and went into the store. Richard had got a drink but decided he didn't want it so he put it back. The people that worked at the store had noticed that Richard took the drink but never saw him put it back. So while we walk out of the store the workers had approached us 3 saying that we hid the drink and stole it. They searched the 3 of us but when Mark got searched he "made sure" they knew he had not stolen anything. Mark freely and comfortably starts stripping his shirt, yelling" Do you believe me now" then the people agreed with MArk. But of course Mark would not ended just like that, he had to make sure he left his "MARK" at 7/11. He started taking his pants of and stripped himself down to just his boxers. Everyonne even the workers were laughing so hard and Mark was happy because he made a point and was still able to make people laugh like he always did. I Loved Mark. He was a great person and a great friend. R.I.P. ************ |
I Am Waiting for You
Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play; smile; think of me, pray for me. Let my name be the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effort
Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is absolutely unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of your sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near around the corner.
All is well. Nothing is past; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before only better, infinitely happier and forever we will all be one with Christ in heaven.
Matt O'Brien
**************
We are so sad and sorry to hear about Mark's death. The Fracasso family will be in our thoughts and prayers in the difficult days and weeks to come.
Teresa, Scott, Andrew, Jessica, and Matthew Taylor
Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play; smile; think of me, pray for me. Let my name be the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effort
Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is absolutely unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of your sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near around the corner.
All is well. Nothing is past; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before only better, infinitely happier and forever we will all be one with Christ in heaven.
Matt O'Brien
**************
We are so sad and sorry to hear about Mark's death. The Fracasso family will be in our thoughts and prayers in the difficult days and weeks to come.
Teresa, Scott, Andrew, Jessica, and Matthew Taylor
Directions to Hunt Valley
7100 Sydenstricker Road
Springfield, VA
Take the Fairfax County Parkway to the Sydenstricker Road exit. Stay on Sydenstricker Road till reaching Hunt Valley swim club. Right across from Hunt Valley Elementary School.
Parking is available at the school and on the street. Please do not block driveways or fire hydrants.
Springfield, VA
Take the Fairfax County Parkway to the Sydenstricker Road exit. Stay on Sydenstricker Road till reaching Hunt Valley swim club. Right across from Hunt Valley Elementary School.
Parking is available at the school and on the street. Please do not block driveways or fire hydrants.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Gators Dominate IM Invitational, Take Home Another Trophy
In the history books, this era in swimming will be remembered for the Mt.Vernon Park Gators having won four out of the last five IM Invitational trophies in the powerhouse Colonial Division, and for Michael Phelps (not necessarily in that order).
The Gators were dominant, beating local rivals Mansion House, Waynewood, and Riverside Gardens by 147 to 91, 84, and 68 points respectively.
Cassidy Bayer set a new IM Invitational (and team) record by swimming a blistering 1:07.59, smashing her own meet record (1:10.36) of last year. Cassidy's time would have set a new NVSL record, but the IM Invitational is not a league-sanctioned event.
The IM Invitational is run two ways -- first, there is the overall event. However, the teams are divided into three divisions -- the Colonial Division (four teams), the Minuteman Division (four teams), and the Patriot Division (five teams). The Colonial Division consists of the four largest teams (including MVP), the Minuteman Division is in the middle, and the Patriot Division are smaller teams. The top eight finishers on teams from each division get points for their team.
Cassidy was the only overall event winning Gator, although Charlie Ruppe took second in the 8 & under fly, Emily Makin did the same on the girls side, Nick Dupuis took second in the 9-10 boys IM, Holly Jansen finished second in the 11-12 girls IM, and Anna Fracasso got second in the 13-14 girls IM.
Because of advancements in how they are keeping score, this is the first year that results by division are available. So, even if a Gator did not win the overall event, if they were the fastest in the Colonial Division, they earned 10 points. Second place is worth 8, while third is worth 6, and then it drops one point per place through eighth place. In an effort to keep dominant teams from running away with the meet, a team can only have three swimmers in an event score points.
So, for the Colonial Division, here are your Gator point scorers:
Thus, three Gator swimmers scored points in eight of the ten events, using their speed and depth to score the crushing victory.
The Gators were dominant, beating local rivals Mansion House, Waynewood, and Riverside Gardens by 147 to 91, 84, and 68 points respectively.
Cassidy Bayer set a new IM Invitational (and team) record by swimming a blistering 1:07.59, smashing her own meet record (1:10.36) of last year. Cassidy's time would have set a new NVSL record, but the IM Invitational is not a league-sanctioned event.
The IM Invitational is run two ways -- first, there is the overall event. However, the teams are divided into three divisions -- the Colonial Division (four teams), the Minuteman Division (four teams), and the Patriot Division (five teams). The Colonial Division consists of the four largest teams (including MVP), the Minuteman Division is in the middle, and the Patriot Division are smaller teams. The top eight finishers on teams from each division get points for their team.
Cassidy was the only overall event winning Gator, although Charlie Ruppe took second in the 8 & under fly, Emily Makin did the same on the girls side, Nick Dupuis took second in the 9-10 boys IM, Holly Jansen finished second in the 11-12 girls IM, and Anna Fracasso got second in the 13-14 girls IM.
Because of advancements in how they are keeping score, this is the first year that results by division are available. So, even if a Gator did not win the overall event, if they were the fastest in the Colonial Division, they earned 10 points. Second place is worth 8, while third is worth 6, and then it drops one point per place through eighth place. In an effort to keep dominant teams from running away with the meet, a team can only have three swimmers in an event score points.
So, for the Colonial Division, here are your Gator point scorers:
- Charlie Ruppe -- 8 & under fly, 10 points
- George Pacious -- 8 & under fly, 4 points
- James Piland -- 8 & under fly, 1 point
- Emily Makin -- 8 & under fly, 8 points
- Cage Theriot -- 8 & under fly, 6 points
- Grace McGee -- 8 & under fly, 5 points
- Nick Dupuis -- 9-10 IM, 10 points
- Brian McNamara -- 9-10 IM, 5 points
- Andrei Zaitsev -- 9-10 IM, 4 points
- Sheridan Phalen -- 9-10 IM, 8 points
- Taylor Makin -- 9-10 IM, 4 points
- Mac Brotherton -- 9-10 IM, 3 points
- Sean Jansen -- 11-12 IM, 8 points
- Sam McBroom -- 11-12 IM, 3 points
- Collin Sundsted -- 11-12 IM, 1 point
- Cassidy Bayer -- 11-12 IM, 10 points
- Holly Jansen -- 11-12 IM, 8 points
- Emma Jones -- 11-12 IM, 5 points
- Kevin Adams-Mardi -- 13-14 IM, 6 points
- Tristan Colaizzi -- 13-14 IM, 3 points
- Anna Fracasso -- 13-14 IM, 10 points
- Emily Walzl -- 13-14 IM, 6 points
- Torie Bolger -- 13-14 IM, 5 points
- Cyrus Adams-Mardi -- 15-18 IM, 3 points
- Sara Bertram - 15-18 IM, 6 points
- Maddy Bolger -- 15-18 IM, 3 points
- Leigh Orleans -- 15-18 IM, 2 points
Thus, three Gator swimmers scored points in eight of the ten events, using their speed and depth to score the crushing victory.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Thunder and Delay. . .Riverside!
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water … you hear thunder at the Riverside Gardens B meet. Again. Seems to happen every year.
But the first rain delay of the year did not dampen the spirits of the Gators this past Monday night. Numerous personal bests were set -- some in the dark.
Those swimmers knocking off more than 3 seconds off their best times this late in the season were: Jack Klopson, William Mochel, Jack Dupuis, (5 year old) Charlie Bruce, (5 year old) George Schulte, Lily Palmerino, Lilana Fore, Mikayla Gordon, (4 year old) Charlotte Fischer, Maddie Cullo, Natalie Terwilliger, Sammy Anderson, Russell Dale, Ceci Morales, and Kelly Riley. Topping the charts was 5 year old Gavin Fore who dropped more than 24 seconds off his 25 free time.
Other 5 year olds in the pool were: Matthew Makin, Will Milito, Ceci Theriot, Jill Humphreys and Elizabeth Whitson.
Heat winners included Donovan Kovalsky, Alex Heurtas, Cameron Mulla, Bella van Damme, Caroline Miller, Natalie Terwilliger, Rachel Skopp-Cardillo, Austin Neal, Nicholas Swetz, Zach Staples, Jack Dupuis, Lily Palmerino, Emily Atkinson, Will Friedman, Bobby Kelly, Isabelle Thornburg, Halen Anderson, Olivia Heck, and Sarah Busch.
Last meet of the season for all those not swimming Divisionals … Romp in the Swamp Wednesday morning, July 25 at MVP
Former Gator Sasha DiGiulian On Cover of Sunday's Post Magazine
Former Gator relay All-Star swimmer Sasha DiGiulian was the feature story in Sunday's Washington Post magazine. Sasha swam with the Gators at Relay All-Stars when she was seven and eight years old and the Gators were only sending one or two teams.
She gave up swimming to concentrate on climbing. Now she is listed as "arguably the best female climber in the world." Apparently that move from swimming to climbing has worked okay out for her. Congrats to another former Gator making her way.
She gave up swimming to concentrate on climbing. Now she is listed as "arguably the best female climber in the world." Apparently that move from swimming to climbing has worked okay out for her. Congrats to another former Gator making her way.
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