ELITE NEWS BULLETIN               03-08-10  

 

 

BLIZZARD OF FABULOUS PERFORMANCES-THE SEQUEL;

ELITE SWIMMERS (AND PARENTS) AWESOME AT 13-19 SILVER BRONZE!! !

NELSON & C. ALLOCCO’S PERFORMANCES ADD 2 ADDITIONAL SECTIONAL RELAYS FOR LASSES; FOR 1^ST TIME; ELITE HAS QUALIFIED ALL 10 SECTIONAL RELAYS!!!

 

C. ALLOCCO, V. DUVVURI, M. LI, NELSON (2), L. STEARNS WIN 6 SILVER EVENTS!!    

C. ALLOCCO, V. DUVVURI, FELSEN (2), J. GORHAM (4), HALL, M. HONG (3), M. LI, B. MILLER-RADEST, I. MORREALE, NELSON (2), G. PICK, SEBASTIAN (2), A. SHEPARD (2), L. STEARNS (2), WATT & YU (2) 27 JUNIOR OLYMIC QUALIFYING TIMES:

             Oops, we did it again!  

            Elite again rolled out our impressive formula of swimming spectacular at a Silver-Bronze meet while our parents provided the opportunity!

This past weekend (following last weekend’s 9-10 Silver/Bronze South Championships), Elite co-hosted (along with MCSC) 1750 swimmers and provided 8600 splashes at New Jersey Swimming’s 13 & Older Silver/Bronze Championships held at Rutgers University. Between the two meets, Elite provided over 11,250 splashes to the swimmers of New Jersey.  

            Even better, Elite swimmers once again ROCKED!!! 5 Elite swimmers won 6 Silver events-all in JO fashion! 16 swimmers added 27 JO cuts (team figures now stand at 57 individual qualifiers-most ever in 308 events-short of last year’s 346 with 11-12 Silver Bronze still to be held).  

            And for the 1^st time, Elite individual performances have qualified the team for all 10 Sectional Relays offered!!  

            Stunning performances this weekend by 17 year old Maggie Nelson and 17 year old Chelsea Allocco enabled the Elite ladies to add the last two remaining relays (the 4 x 100 free and the 4 x 200 free relays) and complete the relay sweep. Nelson and Allocco both turned in their impressive performances AFTER PERFORMING at the State High School Meet of Champions Meet on Saturday in south Jersey (more on that in blurb below regarding Strand & Co.).  

            Nelson, who has literally blossomed in the last two months, won both the 100 free (55.07) and the 1000 free (11.12.48) and placed 2^nd in the 200 free (with a 1.58.90-the fastest female time in Elite history! Point of reference-1 year ago Nelson swam a 2.05.35 200 free). Nelson also placed 3^rd in the 500 free (5.21.28) and 5^th in the 100 back (1.04.33).  It was Nelson’s 100 free swim that dropped the 4 fastest Girls times under the 4 x 100 free Sectional qualifying time while it was Chelsea Allocco’s 4 second drop in the 200 free (Allocco went 2.02.60) along with Nelson’s sub 2 minute 200 free performance that dropped Elite under the 4 x 200 free relay time. Nelson’s 100 & 200 free times were JO qualifiers.  

            But the Nelsonian legend that will live on at Elite is as follows: Maggie competed in the 50 free (26.07) to place 12^th. Maggie literally got out of the pool, walked over 3 lanes and got up on the block to compete 30 seconds later and win (by 18 seconds!!!) the 1000 free!!! Her 1000 free time was just .4 of a second over the JO qualifying time (actually closer than her 50 time-which was. 6 over!).  

            Allocco, adopting a new stroke technique, churned to a 1^st place finish in the 200 breast (2.33.04-a 3.5 second drop). Allocco followed up with her 200 free performance, clinching the 800 relay berth for Elite.

               Elite went 1-2 in the boys 200 backstroke, with 16 year old Michael Li (2.06.26) dropping 4 seconds to win the event while 17 year old Duncan Hall touched 2^nd (2.06.32). Both were JO qualifying swims.

             17 year old Venkatesh Duvvuri, also a participant at the high school championship meet, touched 1^st (by 2.5 seconds) in the 400 IM with a 10 second drop. Placing 3^rd in the event was 15 year old Brendan Miller-Radest, whose 3 second drop was also fast enough for a JO cut.  

            In the 2nd event of the meet, 13 year old Lindsay Stearns rocketed to a victory & a JO cut in the 100 back (1.04.09) with a 2.25 second drop. Stearns also picked up a JO cut in the 50 free with her 26.31 4^th place performance.  

            13 year old Jess Gorham and 13 year old Caroline Watt opened the meet with a pair of JO cuts in the first time either swimmer had participated in the 1650 free. Gorham’s 19.00.52 time and Watt’s 19.06.31 time were good enough for 4^th and 5^th place respectively. Gorham also collected JO cuts in the 200 IM (2^nd place-2.21.92), the 400 IM (5.01.44-4^th place) and the 100 fly (1.06.21-7^th place) while Watt dropped an eye popping 122 seconds in her 1000 free (11.40.87) to place 4^th. Caroline also placed 2^nd in the Bronze Division of the 50 free (28.26).  

            13 year old Matt Hong grabbed his first 3 JO cuts of the season by slipping up the qualifying times in the 100 fly (1.03.18-8^th place), the 100 back (1.03.61) and the 100 free (54.82). Matt was also just .1 over the 50 free cut with his 25.08 performance.  

            13 year old Andrea Shepard continued her dynamite swimming by adding a pair of JO cuts. Andrea went gold with her 200 fly 2^nd place finish of 2.26.32 and her 5^th place 200 IM finish of 2.22.90. Andrea also placed 7^th in the 200 free (2.06.51).  

            13 year old Ryan Sebastian, competing in the only two events he did not have JO times in, placed 4^th in both and completed his JO sweep with his 53.81 effort in the 100 free and his 24.73 effort in the 50 free.

             13 year old Juliet Felsen also remains on fire, as she posted JO time #6 & #7 with her 5^th place finish in the 400 IM (5.04.84) and her 7^th place finish in the 500 free (5.36.75). Juliet also placed 5^th in the 200 free (2.05.65).

             14 year old Richard Yu also continues to sparkle, as he also added JO time #6 & #7 this weekend. Richard, known as a sprint free & breast specialist, broke thru with a JO cut in his 6^th place 500 free swim (5.24.42-a 16 second drop) and his 7^th place 200 IM (2.15.86) swim. Richard also dropped 15 seconds with his 4.59.14 400 IM effort.  

            14 year old Isabella Morreale crushed her 100 breast swim, posting a JO cut (her 1^st this year) with 1.13.18 performance (a 2.6 second drop). Isabella also placed 3^rd in the 200 breast with her 2.44.18 swim.  

            13 year old Gabrielle Pick, who just aged up 6 weeks ago, streaked to a JO qualifying time in the 100 butterfly. Her 1.06.29 performance was good enough for 9^th place.  

            In his last performance as an Elite swimmer (after 12 seasons), Tad Deatly placed 2^nd in the 1650 free (18.25.90) and 8^th in the 1000 free (11.01.65). Tad also had a 25 second drop in his 400 IM swim (4.46.38), a 3 second drop in the 200 Fly (2.15.17) and 1 second drop in his 100 fly (1.00.58).    

            Other notable performances were:  

1)      15 year old Lindsay Behar’s 2^nd place finish in the Bronze Division in the 200 breast (2.52.20)

2)      13 year old Eugene Ng’s 2^nd place finish in the Bronze Divison in the 100 breast (1.16.60)

3)      13 year old Ryan Miller’s 3^rd place finish in the Bronze Division in the 200 back (2.34.70) & his 8^th place finish in the 200 breast (2.53.88)

4)      15 year old Dan Muro’s 4^th place finish in the Bronze Division in the 200 IM (2.17.19)

5)      15 year old Lindsey Giostra’s 4^th place finish in the Silver Divison in the 100 breast (1.12.65) & 5^th place finish in the 200 breast (2.35.28)

6)      15 year old John Chiang’s 4^th place finish in the Bronze Division in the 200 breast (2.42.56 & Silver cut) John also had 6 best times!

7)      13 year old Kara Miller-Radest’s 5^th place finish in the Silver Division in the 1000 free (11.44.90)

8)      15 year old Jenni Allocco’s 5^th place finish in the Bronze Division in the 200 IM (2.27.48-6.7 second drop  & Silver cut)

9)      15 year old Jonas Singer’s 6^th placed finish in the Bronze Division in the 200 back (2.24.70)

10)  14 year old Patrick Lai’s 7^th place finish in the Bronze Division in the 100 breast (1.19.15)

11)   14 year old Sarah Weinbrom’s 7^th place finish in the Silver Division in the 200 fly (2.31.72)

12)  14 year old Corey Duren’s 7^th place finish in the Bronze Division in the 100 fly (1.08.98)

13)  15 year old Gregory Macchia’s 7^th place finish in the Bronze Division in the 200 back (2.25.97)

14)  16 year old Emmie Lai’s 8^th place finish in the Silver Division in the 200 fly (2.20.88-4 second drop)

15)  16 year old Brent Jones’s 8^th place finish in the Bronze Division in the 50 free (24.99)

16)  13 year old Drew D’Andrea’s 8^th place finish in the Bronze Division in the 200 back (2.38.91)             

            Swimmers who participated (# in parathesis is number of best Elite SCY best times): Matt Ahlmeyer (3), Michael Alelov (2), Chelsea Allocco (3), Jenni Allocco (2), Lindsay Anderson, Lindsay Behar (3), Mark Berns (4), Caitlin Brown, John Burns (3), John Chiang (6), Brannon Cho (5), Daniel Chu (6), Jessica Chu (4), Victoria D’Altrui, Drew D’Andrea (3), Tad Deatly (4), Kelly Delaney (2), Jeffrey Dong (3), Ali Dorneo (6), Corey Duren (5), Sam Duren (4), Krishna Duvvuri (4), Priya Duvvuri (1), Venka Duvvuri (2), Lindsay Ellerthorpe (3), Madeleine Faust, Juliet Felsen (6), Ariel Gelman, Linday Giostra (5), Jess Gorham (4), Lydia Gracey (1), Andre Guacelli (1), Julia Guacelli (2), Duncan Hall (3), Emma Harris (1), Matthew Hong (5), Elana Horowitz (4), Lynna Huo (2), Brent Jones (5), Emmie Lai (6), Patrick Lai (6), Clark LaRaia (6), Michael Li (3), Jessie Lowe (6), Gregory Macchia (4), Danielle Martinez, Katie McGrath, Ryan Miller (6), Brendan Miller-Radest (4), Kara Miller-Radest (4), Ali Morreale (1), Isabella Morreale (4), Charlotte Morrissey (5), Dan Muro (4), Alex N’Diaye (1), Maggie Nelson (6), Eugene Ng (6), Rebecca Niccolai, Michael Nitting (3), Darragh O’Gorman (3), Nick Pachiolo (2), Gabrielle Pick (4), Michelle Pick (3), Angela Relota (4), Taylor Savarese (1), Ryan Sebastian (2), Andrea Shepard (3), Jonas Singer (3), Lindsay Stearns (3), Erica Takahashi, Rachael Tortorella, Caroline Watt (5), Sarah Weinbrom (2), Ryan Wyer, Remenna Xu (1), Richard Yu (4) & Carolyn Zhu (4).  

AND FOR AN ENCORE; ELITE PARENTS PROVIDE 8600 SPLASH OPPORTUNITIES FOR 1734 SWIMMERS!!!

              Once again, the Elite parents performed at a level approaching their swimmers in co-hosting New Jersey Swimming’s 13 & Older Silver Bronze Championship Meet at Rutgers University. The meet, which is the last chance for swimmers 13 & Older to qualify for the prestigious Junior Olympic Meet, provided 1734 New Jersey swimmers with 8600 splash opportunities.  

            Coordinating the meet was Carolyn Balbo, whose management skills and attention to details made the meet a fabulous success. A special thanks to the Session Coordinators: Debra Jones, Margie Lowe & Jodi Shepard.

            While Elite parents worked tremendously hard to make this a “usual” fabulous Elite hosted meet, the meet would not have been successful without co-host Morris County Swim Club. Their volunteers manned the diving pool timing assignment and the coaches hospitality room.  

STRAND A STATE CHAMPION;

MANGO POSTS 1^ST SECTIONAL QUALIFYING TIME; WEINBROM ALSO FINAL;

             17 year old Michael Strand became the 2^nd Elite swimmer to become a high school State Champion. Strand won the 100 yard backstroke at the New Jersey Meet of Champions this past weekend in a stunning 50.03 time (career fastest!!). To win, Michael had to beat last year’s champion Luke Papendick of Mt. Lakes. Michael is a junior and represented Chatham High School.  

            Strand follows in the footsteps of former Elite standout Chris Dart, who also won the 100 yard backstoke as a junior and also represented Chatham High School. As a senior, Dart won both the 100 back and the 200 IM (both in meet state record times).  

            Demonstrating his versatility, Strand placed 2^nd in the 100 yard butterfly in 50.90 (also in a career fastest). Strand’s best times in the several other events would have placed him near the top of the competition.  

            Also performing spectacularly in individual events at this high school meet were:  

1)      Adam Weinbrom, who placed 10^th in the 100 back with a 53.70 and 15^th in the 100 butterfly (54.61)-both swims career bests.

2)      Alex Mango, who won the consolation heat in the 200 free in 1.46.21. This is Alex’s first Sectional qualifying time and puts Elite at 4 individual qualifiers. Alex also placed 11^th  with his 49.06 performance.

3)      Priya Duvvuri, who placed 17^th in the 100 back (1.01.03) & 25^th in the 100 fly (1.00.26)

4)      Venka Duvvuri who placed 24 in the 100 fly (54.52) &  

NAMES OF TRAINING GROUPS TO CHANGE: MARLINS TO BECOME EXPLORERS, WAVEBUSTERS TO BECOME BELIEVERS, SENIORS NOT YET DECIDED UPON:  

          In an attempt to properly describe what a training group is all about and where the swimmer is within their personal development, Elite will be changing the names of their training groups this spring.

             The Marlin Training Groups will become the Explorers, as the swimmer is at the level where they are exploring both the sport of swimming and Elite as their swim program.  

            The Wavebuster Training Groups will become the Believers, as the swimmer will be at the level where they now “believe” swimming is THEIR sport and Elite is THEIR swim program.  

            As of yet, the name for the Seniors and Senior Prep remains undetermined. Bill has not yet found the exact name that properly describes the level of commitment and enthusiasm to best describe the Senior level of training in Elite. Names being considered are: Zealots, Impassioned, Intentness, Immersion. Anyone with a suggestion is welcome to contribute it to Bill.  

            Because in swimming, a swimmer wants a “lower” time, the scales within the training groups will start with higher numbers and work down. Thus:

            Marlin Teals= Explorers 2           Marlin Blacks= Explorers 1

            Wavebuster Teals= Believers 3   Wavebuster Blacks= Believers 2   Wavebuster Golds= Believers 

PICTURES FOR MEMORY BOOK AND SLIDE SHOW TO CHRISTY HARTIGAN;

             There is still time to get great photos of your favorite swimmer in both the Memory Book, as provided by ESCPO and the Slide Show (to be presented at the Awards Dinner).  

            Please get your electronic photos to Christy Hartigan asap. Christy’s email address is: CHARTIGAN1@OPTONLINE.NET.  

WITH SEASON END IN SIGHT, TIME TO PLAN TO PARTY!!!

AWARDS DINNER RESERVATION FORM NOW POSTED UNDER AWARDS DINNER:  

            Preparations are underway for the biggest party of the season: Elite’s 15^th annual Winter Swim Team Banquet!!! This year’s party will be held Sunday, April 11^th from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm. 

          This year, Elite will again be at the Hanover Marriott, located at 1401 Route 10 East, Whippany, New Jersey. This facility can accommodate up to 700 people!!! The last 8 Elite banquets have had an excess of 300 people each!!! The reservation form is now posted on the website: http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Awards%20Dinner/Awards%20Dinner%20reservation%20form%202010.htm

 

To reserve your dinner reservations, please print out a reservation form from the website (under Awards Dinner), fill it out and mail the form with the appropriate check amount to Bill Deatly, 32 Prospect Street, Summit, New Jersey 07901. Cost per person is $55. All 12 & Under Swimmers must have at least 1 adult accompanying them.  

Parents, Bill will do his best to honor your seating arrangement requests. Swimmers will be seated by Bill by training group!!  

Reservation forms must be in by Thursday, March 30, 2010.

 

END OF SEASON NOW IN SIGHT:

CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON/MEETS, TRYOUTS & SPRING SESSION EYED:

EVERYONE TRAINS TIL FRIDAY, MARCH 12:  

            In keeping with its long term developmental goals for its swimmers, Elite will provide training for all swimmers thru Friday, March 12. Regardless of when a swimmer’s last championship meet occurs, all swimmers will be welcome to continue to train thru March 12.   

            All 8 & Unders, all 9 & 10’s and all 13 thru 19 swimmers will continue training AFTER their Mini Championship meet or AFTER their Silver/Bronze Meets. 11-12s will train thru their Silver-Bronze Meet, to be held March 13-14.  Junior Olympic, Sectional and Zone swimmers will continue to train thru the conclusion of their last championship meet.  

All swimmers (with the possible exception of Sectional & Zone swimmers), will begin their Spring Season together on Monday, April 5.  

            This schedule allows for non-JO level swimmers (and parents) 3 weeks off between seasons (much needed mental and physical rest) and Junior Olympic swimmers at least 2 full weeks off between sessions.  

            Please note that the training within each training group will be altered during this time frame, with the post championship swimmers grouped together in practice to work on conditioning while the pre-championship swimmers will focus on stroke details, racing and resting for their upcoming championship meet.     

            Tryouts for Elite’s Spring/Summer 2010 Session will be held Tuesday, March 23 at 4:30 pm at Newark Academy. Information regarding this tryout will be posted on the team website this week.  

THINKING SUMMER? THINK SUMMER SWIM CAMPS!:  

            Although the hot sun and humid weather seems millions of years away, summer is only 6 months away and top-notch swim camps are already taking registrations for the summer of 2010. When planning the upcoming summer, please consider sending your Elite swimmer (Wave Black level, Wave Teal level, Marlin Black level or Marlin Teal level) to one of the numerous swim camps. Wave Golds and Seniors should remain training with Elite thru the summer months  

Each summer, numerous Elite swimmers spend a rewarding week (or two) at a summer swim camp. The benefits of such a camp are: 1) individual attention by renown swim coaches 2) an increased knowledge of the sport of swimming and 3) personal growth that occurs as a result of “being on one’s own.” The formula that seems to work best is finding an Elite friend to spend the week with at the swim camp.  

If you are considering sending your swimmer to a swim camp, now is the time to do the research and make decisions (many of these camps are sold out by mid-Spring). On the website, under Swim Camps at http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Swim Camps/index.html is information regarding Summer Swim Camps. Many of these swim camps close out in late February and early March!!! Also check out this month’s Swimming World Magazine, which lists many of the swim camps.  

Thinking about summer? Think Swim Camps!!           

REMINDER: SCHOLAR/ATHLETE AWARDS WILL BE HIGHLIGHT OF AWARDS BANQUET:

 

          With the conclusion of the 2nd marking periods, swimmers are reminded that the ultimate award an Elite swimmer can earn at the season ending Awards Banquet (Sunday, April 11, 2010) will once again be the Elite Scholar-Athlete Awards. Great grades, in addition to great swim times, are required for a swimmer to earn one of these awards.

 

            These awards will be broken down into three levels:  

1) All-American Scholar Athlete Award: Swimmer must have a 3.5 grade average and at least 1 Sectional Qualifying time. This award is actually a USA Swimming Award and will be presented by New Jersey Swimming. Elite will also provide a certificate to those swimmers who have qualified for this award.  

2) The Elite Scholar-Athlete Gold Award: A swimmer must have all A’s and no more than 1 B (or the equivalent of all A’s and 1 B) plus at least 1 individual Junior Olympic Qualify Time  

3) The Elite Scholar-Athlete Teal Award: Swimmer must have all A’s and B’s (of the equivalent) plus at least 1 individual Silver Qualifying Time  

In addition to each swimmer receiving an impressive certificate from Elite acknowledging this achievement, Elite posts the names of its scholar athletes on its website-forever acknowledging its most special scholar-athletes. 

 

Parents of grammar school students should remember that Bill will review the grading legend (assuming A’s and B’s are not given) to ascertain if the swimmer has fulfilled the academic requirements to receive the award.

 

Bill will begin accepting the scholastic information on March 1st. If your swimmer made a JO or Silver qualifying time last summer or this winter and then aged up, an applicant must fill out the application form on the team website that will point Bill to the swim in question. All scholastic information needs to be to Bill by Wednesday, March 31 (date has been extended!).           

COLLEGE BOUND AND SWIMMING? NJ SWIMMING SCHOLARSHIP MONEY AVAILABLE:  

            New Jersey Swimmers who are attending college next year and plan to swim can apply to receive a $1,250 one-time scholarship from New Jersey Swimming. Here is the link: http://www.njswim.org/NJ%20Swim%20Scholastic%20Forms/2010%20NJSIScholarshipApplicationForm.pdf

             Information regarding this scholarship opportunity is attached and the application is posted on the NJ Swimming website under the College tab.   

PARENTS: PLEASE BE PROMPT IN PICKING UP SWIMMERS:  

            Parents are requested to be prompt in picking up their swimmers at the end of practice. Recently, especially after the Wave Golds on weekdays and the Wave Teals on Saturday, swimmers have had to wait 30-45 minutes after practice for their ride.  

            Bill has asked the coaches to remain at practice until the last child has been picked up (for the obvious safety reasons). Coaches are more than willing to do so occasionally. But Elite coaches have other full time jobs and several are attending school in addition to their primary jobs and coaching. It is unfair to ask the coaches to spend an additional 30-40 minutes waiting for parents to pick up their children virtually every night.  

            Elite is prompt about ending practice on time. Please help out the coaches by being prompt to pick up your child.  

CLOTHING ITEMS PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED THRU ESCPO NOW IN: CONTACT ALLISON NASH:  

            The clothing items previously purchased thru ESCPO have arrived. Parents are encouraged to contact Allison Nash to arrange pick-up at Newark Academy.  Allison’s email address is ALLISONRNASH@MSN.COM.

WHEN IN DOUBT, CHECK THE WEBSITE:  

            If you have questions about Elite, your first source of information is Elite’s website located at eliteswimclub.org.  When in doubt, first check the website!!!