2009 April-may Shark Attack Newsletter

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Vallejo Aquatic Club P.O. Box 5846 Vallejo, CA 94591 (707) 553-swim www.vallejoaquatics.org

April - May 2009 2009 “Senior” Edition

Shark Attack The Official Newsletter of the Vallejo Aquatic Club Presidential Proclamation

2008 - 2009 VJO Board Debbie Rodinsky, President Angelynne Yee, Vice President Dove Butler, Treasurer

Congratulations to all of our seniors. As you all move into the next phase of your lives, I hope that you take with you the memories, hard work and dedication that you acquired from VJO. You have set the standard high and left your mark on this team. I personally will miss seeing you on deck during high school water polo season, swim season and of course, practicing with VJO. Each of you are to be congratulated on your accomplishments. May God Bless you and bring you back each summer.

Jennifer Unger, Secretary Diane Powell, Membership

Go Seniors! Go Sharks!

Debbi Tucker, Officials Debbie Rodinsky, Interim Meet Director

Debbie Rodinsky Board President

Debbie Cameron, Newsletter

Coaches Coach Tuffy Williams

2009 Swim-A-Thon Goal: $25,000 Get those pledges collected and turned in!

Coach Aaron Jon Toch Coach Lesley Toch

Christian Dowell and Makenna Pezzuto Share 2009 Favaro Scholarship Honor Christian “Cuppy” Dowell and Makenna Pezzuto are the well deserved recipients of the 2009 Jeanne Roberts Favaro Scholarship Award. Both recipients attended St. Patrick – St. Vincent High School. Cuppy graduated with a 4.21 GPA and Makenna a 4.29 GPA. Both are members of NHS & CSF. Cuppy swam for St. Patrick – St. Vincent and plans on attending UC – Davis. Makenna swam for the Benicia swim club and St. Patrick – St. Vincent as well as for VJO. She also played water polo for GVRD, Oakland and St. Patrick – St. Vincent. She plans on attending Santa Clara University and playing water polo for their women’s water polo team. The Vallejo Aquatic Club wishes both of these excellent student athletes the best and would like to thank the Favaro family for continuing this fine tradition.

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Reflections from the Deck

NOTES FROM THE TUFFGUY

To all the Hammerheads: this is the week we have been waiting for...R.E.A.L.'s (Redwood Empire Aquatic League) in Ukiah.

Coach Tuffy

For those of you who signed up for the meet, you will have a great time swimming well and having fun. Don't forget, the theme this year is "Western" so dress like a cowboy or cowgirl!

accomplishments and wish them the best of luck as they begin their future endeavors and “real life.”

Coach Aaron Jon .

As this newsletter is dedicated to our graduated Seniors, I’d like to acknowledge their many

Our group of 6 in the Class of 2009 represent not only some of the brightest students in Vallejo, but some of the best people. From their academic achievements to their talents outside of the pool, we can truly be proud that they were associated with our team. I’d like to encourage all of our younger swimmers (and their parents) to read about them and what they’ve

Shark Attack

This is our last meet of the year so make it your best meet. After this meet we will take a two week break and return to the pool on Monday, August 24th. Practice times will be the same (5:30-6:30 OR 6:30-7:30). Have a great meet and break. Tuffy

been able to accomplish. It’s no coincidence that greatness in the classroom is accompanied by dedication in the water--the two combine to form wellrounded, mentally and physically healthy children with a deep-rooted confidence in what they can achieve. This sense of purpose (that many children today seem to lack) is something special and is what makes VJO such a special place to be.

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SHARK PROFILES April - May 2009

Max Tiuseco

Age: 18 Shark Attack: What are your plans for next year? Max: Attend St. Mary's as a full time student. SA: What are your future goals? Max: Graduate, have a family, and a good paying job. SA: How do you think swimming will impact your future? Max: By teaching me dedication, responsibility, and leadership. SA: What advice would you give new swimmers? Max: It's not about the suit, it's about the swimmer. SA: What was your favorite set? Max: 8 Rounds of 4 x 50 [20 sprint /30 ez, 30 sprint / 20 ez, all ez, @100 pace] SA: What is your favorite memory from swimming? Max: Making new friends and long lasting friendships; achieving so much in so little time.

Nikki Bueno

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Shark Attack

SHARK PROFILES April – May 2009

Cuppy Dowell

Age: 17

Shark Attack: What high school do you attend? Cuppy: St. Patrick-St. Vincent High School SA: What are your plans for the next year? Cuppy: I'll be heading off to UC Davis in the fall with an undeclared major in Physical Sciences looking to play water polo at the club level. SA: What are your future goals? Cuppy: I hope I can get a good job out of college and hopefully head off to graduate school. SA: How do you think swimming will impact your future? Cuppy: Swimming has given me an outstanding foundation in athletics and has surrounded me with great people. It will undoubtedly provide me with a great future, both indirectly and directly. SA: What advice would you give new swimmers? Cuppy: When going to practice, focus on what you're doing! Try to focus on working harder everyday and perfecting everything you can about your stroke. SA: What was your favorite set? Cuppy: 1000 Timed Kick, without question. Best set ever. SA: What is your favorite memory from swimming? Cuppy: Winning BSAL Championships last year with the SPSV Varsity and JV Team! SA: Tell us something about you that would surprise us. Cuppy: I'm 17 years old and still can't ride a bike.

Makena Pezzuto

Age: 18 Shark Attack: What high school do you attend? Makena: St. Patrick-St. Vincent High School SA: What are your plans for the next year? Makena: Attend Santa Clara University and play water polo. SA: What are your future goals? Makena: To harness my ninja-like skillz. SA: How do you think swimming will impact your future? Makena: In order to stay in shape for water polo, I need to continue swimming. SA: What was your favorite set? Makena: 11 x 100m cone set. SA: What is your favorite memory from swimming? Makena: The delicious potlucks after the Swim-A-Thon and at holiday parties. SA: Tell us something about you that would surprise us. Makena: I have freckles! 

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SHARK PROFILES April – May 2009

Lucas Spacil has moved on…we wish you the best!

Jenna Yoshisato Shark Attack: What High School do you attend? Jenna: St. Patrick-St. Vincent High School SA: What are your plans for the next year? Jenna: I’ll be at UC Davis studying biology. SA: What are your future goals? Jenna: I’m going to travel the world. Ireland, Rome, Egypt, Japan, Machu Picchu. I want to see it all. SA: How do you think swimming will impact your future? Jenna: Swimming has given me a lifelong skill. Not only does it give me peaceful time for myself, but it keeps me in excellent shape. SA: What was your favorite set? Jenna: I like distance sets. I find them relaxing. I always look forward to a good thirty minute swim. SA: What is your favorite memory from swimming, e.g. race, event? Jenna: At my junior year BSALs, after winning my first event, Aaron told me I had a “dogged determination” and I should swim summer. The alliteration won me over. SA: Tell us something about you that would surprise us: Jenna: I have old-fashioned hobbies. I crochet everything from blankets to socks and cross stitch on the side. It’s my favorite pastime. Oh. And I almost have a black belt in Hokushin Shito Ryu Karate-Do.

Age: 18

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Shark Attack

Can you say “Mayhem”? VJO May Meet Pix

Fun in the Sun in Napa

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Tidbits from USA Swimming… RULES

The technical rules of swimming are designed to provide fair and equitable conditions of competition and to promote uniformity in the sport. Each swimming stroke has specific rules designed to ensure that no swimmer gets an unfair competitive advantage over another swimmer. Trained officials observe the swimmers during each event to ensure compliance with these technical rules. If a swimmer commits an infraction of the rules that is observed by an offical, a disqualification (DQ) will result. This means that the swimmer will not receive an official time and will not be eligible for an award in that event. A disqualification may result from actions such as not getting to the starting blocks on time, false starting, performing strokes in an illegal manner, or unsportsmanlike conduct. DQs are also a result of technical rules violations. They include but are not limited to: Freestyle: Walking on the bottom, pulling on the lane rope, not touching the wall on a turn, or not completing the distance. Backstroke: Pulling or kicking into the wall once a swimmer has turned passed the vertical onto the breast. Turning onto the breast before touching the wall with the hand at the finish of the race. Breaststroke: An illegal kick such as flutter (freestyle), dolphin (butterfly), or scissors (side stroke); not on the breast; alternating movements of the arms; taking two arm strokes or two leg kicks while the head is under water; touching with only one hand at the turns or finish. Butterfly: Alternating movements of the arms or legs; pushing the arms forward under instead of over the water surface (underwater recovery); a breaststroke style of kick; touching with only one hand at the turns or finish. For specific language on any technical rules consult the USA Swimming Rules and Regulations book. Violations of the rules are reported to the Referee. The rules require that every reasonable effort be made to notify the swimmer or his coach of the reason for the disqualification. If your child is disqualified in an event, be supportive rather than critical. For beginning swimmers, a disqualification should be treated as a learning experience, not as a punishment. A disqualification alerts the swimmer and coach to what portions of the swimmer's stroke need to be corrected. They should be considered in the same light as an incorrect answer in schoolwork-they point out areas that need further practice. Disqualifications are necessary to keep the competition fair and equitable for all competitors. A supportive attitude on the part of the official, coach, and parent can make a positive situation out of the disqualification. For more information, go to USA Swimming's Rules and Regulations.

Life in the “Unattached” Fast Lane

Welcome (Back) to the Deck New Swimmers

Returning Swimmers

Isabelle Ramos Bryce Yee Mary Falcon Jericho Putong Jackie Vega Holly Fedor Eli Prompradit Devin Babot Jake Everett

Andres Rojas Adriana Rojas Izzy Fouad

These swimmers were missed in the last issue due to their “unattached” status…so sorry!!! A Times:

B Times:

VJO SC C/B/A+ (2/6-8): John Bayotas: 1000 Free Andrew Butler: 100 Breast Tomas Horder: 50 Free Napa SCY C/B/A+ (2/20-22): John Bayotas: 500 Fr, 200 IM Andrew Butler: 100 Fly Mel Chaewsky: 100 Free

VJO SC C/B/A+ (2/6-8):

JO Times: Napa SCY C/B/A+ (2/20-22): Tomas Horder: 200 Breast Max Tiuseco: 100 Fly

Mariel Bautista: 100 Breast Mel Chaewsky: 100 Free Chris Duplantis: 100 Back 100/200/500 Free Chris Craft: 100 Breast Far Western Times: Spring JOs (3/20-22): Max Tiuseco: 500 Free

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Shark Attack

Donation Station & Volunteer Central Some great big THANK YOUs to organizations & people who have contriubuted so generously to & in behalf of VJO!

THANK YOU to all of the volunteers that worked from dawn to dusk on the May Meet. A special thank you to Felix Viray for being the Meet Director. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: At away meets, please make sure to sign up to do some timing. We typically need 3 timers at a time and try to get enough parent volunteers to sign up so that no one has to time for more than 2 hours at any meet. Look for a sign up sheet in the VJO “Village”. At home meets, consider becoming a Stroke and Turn Judge. You get to wear blue pants, white shirt, & white shoes. It does require certification so check with Debbi Tucker to see when the next training session is. At the meet, you will observe swims and make judgments regarding legality of the strokes. You must be able to raise your hand to indicate an infraction and then write legibly on the disqualification slip and inform the swimmer of such infraction. You must be able to withstand a few tears and turn a deaf ear to parents and coaches (actually send them to the Referee).

Life in the Fast Lane The following swimmers achieved new time standards at the following meets: THE “A” TEAM:

“B” Times:

Far “Out” Western Times…

VJO LC C/B/A+:

VJO LC C/B/A+:

10 & Under Championships:

Mirelle Augst: 50/100 Back, 200 IM Mariel Bautista: 100 Free/Br, 200 IM Gerica Butler: 50 Free Anjel Falcon: 100 Back Bobby Hilton: 50 Free, 50 Back Regina Horder: 400 Free Tomas Horder: 100 Free Milton Lau: 200 Free/IM, 100 Breast Ricki Liang: 50 Free, 50 Fly Sam Man: 100 Free Tim Man: 100 Breast Brandon Miguel: 100 Breast Laurie Tucker: 200 IM Colin VanDervoort: 50 Free Alexander Viray: 100 Free, 50 Back Marshall Zia: 50 Free Mitchell Zia: 50 Breast, 100 Breast

Jalen Aquino: 50 Free Mirelle Augst: 100 Breast Gerica Butler: 50/100 Fly, 200 IM Kaeleigh Cameron: 50 Free, 100 Br Taylor Castro: 50 Free Mel Chaewsky: 100 Back Anjel Falcon: 50 Free Frankie Liang: 100 Free, 200 IM Tim Man: 100 Free Chris Rodinsky: 100 Free Colin VanDervoort: 100/200 Free Braeden Yee: 100 Free, 50 Back

Alyssa Powell: 50 Free

2009 BSAL Swimming & Diving: Evan Augst: 50 Free Mariel Bautista: 50 Free, 100 Free Crisha Cahil Carlos: 50 Free Mel Chaewsky: 50 Free

VJO LC C/B/A+: Brandon Miguel: 100 Fly Alyssa Powell: 50 Free, 200 IM

PRT Times: S/C Far Westerns: Alyssa Powell: 50 Back, 50/100 Fly

JOOOOOOOOO Times:

10 & Under Championships:

VJO LC C/B/A+:

VJO LC C/B/A+:

Brandon Miguel: 50 Fly, 200 IM Dylan Powell: 400 Free, 800 Free Max Tiuseco: 200 Free

Alyssa Powell: 50 Fly, 100 Fly

Sam Man: 25 Breast

New Sectional Cut: 2009 San-Joaquin Section: Andrew Butler: 100 Fly Tori Singley: 100 Free

Post- Coast Junior + Walk On: Evan Augst: 500 Free, 1650 Free

2009 North Coast Section Swimming & Diving Championships: Max Tiuseco: 200 Free