Holly Park Sharks

There are 3 days of prelims, and times have not yet been posted, but they will likely start at 7am like usual.  However, they are on a week day, so plan for that.

Monday, July 13th is 8 and unders (and 6 and unders) at Southglenn.  Please be aware that 6 and unders will be swimming as 8 and unders and are subject to disqualification.

Tuesday, July 14th is 11-12 and 13-14 at Sundance

Wednesday, July 15th is 9-10 and 15-18 at Holly Park (home)

Swimmers will select three events that they would like to swim.  At prelims we don't swim relays, so swimmers are trying to qualify in their individual events.  The top 8 swimmers in each event advance to Championships.  However, those who did not qualify for their events have a possiblity of being in a relay at Championships.

I will provide more information as it is verified.

Relays are a team effort.  I mean really, you are swimming with three other team mates and working together.  If one swimmer doesn't swim, or isn't there, that leaves three of your team mates without a relay.  I understand that the last relay (free relay) comes at a time of day that everyone is tired and ready to go home, but please try to stick around for the last relay.  If you must leave early, please let us know when you submit your meet entries.  Otherwise, we will put you in a relay and we will expect for you to swim in that relay.  Some age groups have plenty of additional people that we can put in place for the last relay, but some age groups do not have any alternates.  So when you opt to not swim in the free relay, three of your team mates don't get to swim either.

The coaches spend quite some time putting the meet together and planning the relays.  We do our best to make sure eveyone gets to swim in at least one relay.  Please help us out by being flexible and ready to swim at the last minute if you are needed.

Please keep this in mind when you are at a meet and you are tired.  Get the rest you need and do it in the shade so the sun isn't soaking up all your energy.  Get plenty of rest the night before a meet and drink plenty of water at the meet.

I saw such an improvement this last meet!  And I see improvement everyday in practice.  We just need to remember the little things at meets, like two hand touch on breast and fly, and touching the wall on our backs in backstroke.  This week, my goal, and now OUR goal is less DQ's.  Breaststroke and Back seem to get us, and the occational Butterfly.  Be at practice this week please as well will be working on starts and FINISHES, flip turns, and overall technique with our lesser strokes.

I am so impressed with how well we did at this weeks meet.  I don't know what the point were and honestly don't care, because I saw a great improvement from everyone last weekend.  We will get the information online as soon as possible.  I think I have figured out how to work the meet programs (fingers crossed).

I just wanted to let you, parents and swimmers alike, know that if you ever have a comment or concern, PLEASE come talk to me.  I will do my best to answer your question or calm or concern.  Let me know what you like so far, what you don't like, what you would suggest.  Us coaches love our jobs and look forward to practice every day, but we want to know that you are loving swim team too.

Thanks for being such a great team!

OK, who is still tired??  It took a couple of naps and some good night sleep, but I'm ready for this week!!  I hope everyone had fun this weekend.  I know that I learned a lot of what to do and what not to do.  With that, I thank all of you for your patients and understanding.

Although we didn't win Satruday, I know that everyone swam their very best, which is all we ask.  We had some confusion with meet entries, so we did a number of last minute changes.  This week we are the away team (at Highlands Ranch) and we will not be allowed to make changes last minute like that.  SO, we need everyones entries in by Wednesday, no later than 10am.

We had a number of DQs, mostly in breaststroke, butterfly, and a couple in backstroke.  We will be working on every stroke this week, but very little freestyle.

If you have any questions of concerns, please let me know.