Shark Attack - Dec. 08/jan. 09

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

December 2008January 2009

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 Jennifer Unger, Secretary Diane Powell, Membership Debbi Tucker, Officials Debbie Rodinsky, Interim Meet Director Debbie Cameron, Newsletter

Coaches Coach Tuffy Williams Coach Aaron Jon Toch Coach Lesley Toch

What a busy last couple of months. Between ice skating, our home meet and movie night, VJO has been busy. The next couple of months will be just as busy. Keep an eye out for information on the spaghetti dinner/talent show and dessert contest (swimmers) as well as the PEN/General Membership Meeting during the month of March. If anyone has

ideas and/or would like to plan one of our monthly team activities, please let either myself or Angelynne Yee know. We welcome all ideas and support. Our home meet was a huge success. We had 39 visiting teams and a total of 614 swimmers. VJO once again received rave reviews on another successful meet. Thank you to each of you that

worked during the meet and/or donated items for the snack bar and hospitality. It is because of each of you that VJO has such a great reputation. A special thank you to Diane Powell and Debbie Cameron for putting the ice skating/pizza trip together and to the Coaches for a great movie night. Debbie Rodinsky

Don’t forget, there will be an Officials Clinic on March 14 in Santa Rosa…if you are interested in being our new Meet Director, this is the place to start. Debbie Rodinsky will not be available to be on deck for our May meet so the team could really use some help at this position. Please contact Debbi Tucker at 707-980-2663 for more info on the clinic.

ANNOUNCING: NEW SHARK GROUPS Hammerheads – our novice swimmers – working on the basics Makos – a bit more advanced than Hammerheads – refining strokes

Tiger Sharks (Age Group) – improving endurance & developing aggressive behavior Great Whites (Seniors) – WATCH OUT! They don’t get any fiercer than this

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Reflections from the Deck

Coach Tuffy NOTES FROM THE TUFFGUY Things couldn’t be going better. We just had one of the

Coach Aaron Jon Hello Sharks, First, I’d like to start by mentioning that we’ve given each one of our groups a sharkthemed mascot/name. Tuffy’s Group will now be called the “Hammerheads” and Lesley’s Group the “Makos.” The Age Group will still primarily be called the “Age Group,” but its shark is the “Tiger Shark.” The Seniors’ mascot, of course, is the “Great White,” although they too will still be mostly

most successful swim meets we have ever held. You, the swimmers, swam great. We had swimmers swim events for the first time and get a time while not disqualifying! Good for you. Every one of you who had previously swam an event and swam it in our meet improved at least one individual time! Good, Good for you! We had twice the number of swimmers we had at the same meet last year. Good, Good, Good for US! What you need to do next is to keep practicing and encourage your teammates to keep coming to practice; practice hard daily and be a good

referred to as Seniors. These new group names are so much cooler than a coach’s name! Since our last newsletter, we’ve had quite a few meets and several social activities: breakfast after morning practices, our Christmas party, Zone 3 Winter Championships, underwater video, Ice Skating, our own meet, and a team movie night—whew!! I’d like to thank everyone who attended these gatherings and everyone who volunteered their time and energy to making them such a success. These events and people are part of what makes VJO such a special team and family! Speaking of team and family, after big meets, the Senior Group has started meeting together to talk about things their teammates did that were impressive. I’d like to share one of the coolest, and most impressive, things I’ve seen at a swim meet. At Zone 3 Winter Championships, our 15-18 Girls 400 Medley Relay team were having problems. One had a severely sprained ankle, one had injured shoulders, and the other two were struggling to breath well in the indoor pool…oh—and who was going to swim the fly?

Shark Attack

Hammerhead! This will make all of you much better swimmers and Vallejo Aquatics a better team. I know that some of you could not attend practice at Solano College just before the Napa meet, but do not let that be a distraction to you or your swimming…just pick up the pieces and renew your efforts. This will be Good for you and the team. Go Sharks!

Without whining, without hesitation, they went for it. Laurie Tucker led off the backstroke leg without being able to get real breaths. Danika Felix swam the breaststroke leg with two bum shoulders, even though it’s not one of her favorite strokes. Tori Singley, who had never swum a 100 Fly before in her life, overcame that and her breathing issues to complete the third leg. Camille Miguel brought home the freestyle. Although her ankle hurt on each flip turn, she still kicked home the last 25 with more gusto than in any individual event she swam that morning. After the race, two of her relay mates had to carry Camille back over to the coaches’ table. As I saw the four girls grouped together, exhausted and nursing their wounds though still somehow proud, I couldn’t help but think that it was one of those moments that transcends sport. Four teenagers, from different high schools and different backgrounds, had come together and given each other an extraordinary effort. They had accomplished something great. And that is something everyone on our team can take pride in.

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SHARK PROFILES December 2008 – January 2009

VJO CAPTAIN Max Tiuseco

Age: 17

Favorite Strokes: Freestyle Favorite Meet Events: 50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Free, 500 Free Role Models: Aaron Jon Toch Hobbies: Snowboarding & hanging with friends Favorite Movie: The Princess Bride Favorite Book: Calvin and Hobbes When Max grows up, he wants to be a nurse.

Brandon Miguel Favorite Strokes: Breaststroke Favorite Meet Events: 50 Breaststroke Role Models: Brandon’s Dad Future Goal: To go to college Hobbies: Skateboarding & playing video games Favorite Songs: Numb from Linkin Park, Numb Techno Remix Favorite Movie: Transformers

Age: 12

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SHARK PROFILES

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December 2008 – January 2009

Taylor Garcia

Age: 14

Favorite Strokes: Backstroke Favorite Meet Events: 200 Free Hobbies: Swimming & writing Favorite Book: Twilight  Favorite Movie: Pan’s Labyrinth

Gabriel Hilton Favorite Stroke: I like the backstroke Favorite Meet Event: 25 Free Role Model: Ms. Lisa Simms, my teacher Future Goal: I want to learn to play the violin. Hobbies: Swimming, coloring & drawing, reading Favorite Song: The Joker, I sing it on Wii Guitar Hero World Tour. Favorite Movie: Harry Potter Favorite Book: Give A Mouse A Cookie When Gabriel grows up, he wants to be a science teacher.

Age: 6

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SHARK PROFILES December 2008 – January 2009

Sarina Chang

Age: 8 Favorite Stroke:

Breast Stroke

Favorite Meet Events:

25 Breast Stroke and 100 IM

Role Models: Natalie Coughlin and My Dad Future Goals: To get gold medals in the Olympics, To have a good job. Hobbies: Singing, Dancing, and Swimming Favorite song: "My Heart Will Go On" Favorite Movies: "Narnia" and "Sound of Music" Favorite Book:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

When Sarina grows up, she wants to be a dentist. If Sarina could change one thing, it would be: "Pollution"

Jeromy Chang Favorite Stroke:

Butterfly

Favorite Meet Event:

25 Free Styles

Role Models: Michael Phelps and My Dad and Mom. Future goals: To go to College, Be a Good Swimmer. Hobbies: Tennis, Biking, and Play Wii. Favorite Songs: Symphony 5, Rudolph and the Red Nose Reindeer Favorite Movies: Indiana Jones and Transformers Favorite Books:

Green Eggs and Ham, Curious George

When Jeromy grows up, he wants to be a policeman or a fireman. If Jeromy could change one thing, it would be to have a little sister. He wants to be the "Big Brother" who takes care of his little sister.

Age: 5

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Everything You Wanted to Know About Swim Meets But Were Afraid to Ask (Excerpt from USA Swimming’s Sample Club Handbook) Please be sure to check with your swimmer’s coach for specifics that may be different from the examples below. Swim meets are a great family experience. They're a place where the whole family can spend time together. Listed below are some very in-depth guidelines geared to help you through your first couple of swim meets. It may seem a little overwhelming, but we tried to be as specific and as detailed as we possibly could. If you have any questions, please ask your coach. Before the Meet Starts 1. Arrive at the pool at least 15 minutes before the scheduled warm-up time begins. This time will be listed in the meet information handed out to all swimmers and also in the team newsletter. 2. Upon arrival, find a place to put your swimmer's blankets, swim bags and/or sleeping bags. The team usually sits in one place together, so look for some familiar faces. 3. Find the check-in place. Usually, parents are not allowed on deck so this may be a responsibility of your swimmer or your swimmer’s coach. Make sure your swimmer checks in with his or her coach! 1. Check for special posted instructions in the check-in area. Usually one will need to circle the swimmer's name or "#" before each swimmer's name, in each event he or she is swimming, that day. If this is not done, the swimmer will not be allowed to swim that event. Check-in is required so that the people running the meet know who is actually at the meet. After check-in, the meet administrators "seed" the swimmers into heats. Heat and lane assignments will be posted, so be sure your swimmer knows where to look! 2. Sometimes the meet is "pre-seeded" and no check-in is required. You and your swimmer can find heat and lane assignments by purchasing a program. 4. Once "checked in", write or have the swimmers write each event-number on his or her hand in ink. This helps him/her remember what events he/she is swimming and what event number to listen or watch for. 5. Your swimmer now gets his/her cap and goggles and reports to the pool and/or coach for warm-up instructions. It is very important for all swimmers to warm-up with the team. A swimmer's body is just like a car on a cold day-he/she needs to get the engine going and warmed-up before he/she can go all out. 6. After warm-up, your swimmer will go back to the area where his/her team is sitting and wait there until his first event is called. This is a good time to make sure he/she goes to the bathroom if necessary, gets a drink, or just gets settled in. 7. The meet will usually start about 10-15 minutes after warm-ups are over. 8. According to USA Swimming rules (because of insurance purposes), parents are not allowed on deck unless they are serving in an official capacity. Similarly, all questions concerning meet results, an officiating call, or the conduct of a meet, should be referred to a coach. He or she in turn, will pursue the matter through the proper channels. 9. Psyche Sheet or Heat Sheets. A psyche sheet is usually available for sale in the lobby or concession area of the pool. It lists all swimmers in each event in order of "seed time". When the team entry is sent in, each swimmer and his/her previous best time (up to the date that the entry was submitted) in that event is listed. If the swimmer is swimming an event for the first time, he/she will be entered as a "no-time" or "NT". A "no-time" swimmer will most likely swim in one of the first heats of the event. A Heat sheet may be available close to the start of the meet that lists the actual heat and lane a swimmer will be competing in. Meet Starts 1. It is important for any swimmer to know what event numbers he/she is swimming (again, why they should have the numbers on their hand). He/she may swim right away after warm-up or they may have to wait awhile. 2. Generally, girls events are odd-numbered and boys events are even-numbered. Example: "Event #26, 10-Under Boys, 50 freestyle" 3. Most meets are computerized. There are generally two ways a swimmer gets to his/her lane: a. A swimmer usually reports directly to his/her lane for competition a number of heats before he/she actually swims. Check with your swimmer's coach for specific instructions. b. In some novice meets, a swimmer's event number will be called, usually over the loudspeaker, and he/she will be asked to report to the "clerk of course" or “bullpen”. Swimmers should report with his/her cap and goggle. Generally, girls events are odd-numbered and boys events are even-numbered. Example: "Event #26, 10-Under Boys, 50 freestyle, report to Clerk of Course." The "Clerk of Course" or “bullpen” area is usually where all swimmers checked in before the warm-up. i. The clerk will usually line up all the swimmers and take them down to the pool in correct order. ii. You can expect at least 4-8 heats of each event. 4. The swimmer swims his or her race. 5. After each swim: a. He/she is to ask the timers (people behind the blocks at each lane) his/her time. b. Depending on the coaches instructions, the swimmer may be asked to do some recovery swimming if a "warm down" pool or lanes are available. c. The swimmer should then go immediately to his or her coach. The coach will discuss the swim with each swimmer. Some coaches may wish to talk with the swimmer before her recovery swim. 6. Generally, the coach follows these guidelines when discussing swims: a. Positive comments or praise b. Suggestions for improvement c. Positive comments 7. Things you, as a parent, can do after each swim: a. Tell him how great he did! The coaching staff will be sure to discuss stroke technique with him. You need to tell him how proud you are and what a great job he did. b. Take himback to the team area and relax. c. This is another good time to check out the bathrooms, get a drink or something light to eat. d. The swimmer now waits until his next event is called and starts the procedure again. 8. When a swimmer has completed all of her events she and her parents get to go home. Make sure, however, you, as a parent, check with the coach before leaving to make sure your swimmer is not included on a relay. It is not fair to other swimmers who may have stayed to swim on a relay where your swimmer is expected to be a member and she is not there. 9. Results are usually posted somewhere in the facility. Awards are often gathered for a team and given to the coach at the end of the meet. The coach will give the awards to the swimmers at a later time.

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ICE, ICE BABY VJO shows they can handle water in any form while ice skating in Vacaville YOU CAN DO IT!!!

As Coach Aaron Jon encouraged his team…

some team moms sat on the sidelines waiting for the inevitable. At least they kept the bandaids hidden.

How to put on skates…………………………….how NOT to put on skates.

Well, at least she survived!

Welcome (Back) to the Deck New Swimmers Kim Goyena Meigan Dutcher

Returning Swimmers Cyril Carlos Danika Felix Trevor McGuire Jessica Arteaga Tomas Horder Amy Kistner Cuppy Dowell

Megan Gregory Emma Spillner Nikki Bueno Jake Hernandez Regina Horder Jackie Souvercaze Chris Duplantis

Question: How do you get swimmers to practice really early on New Year’s Eve? Answer: Bribe them with breakfast at Momo’s afterwards.

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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 Nelson & Angelynne Yee for donating a new printer for the Colorado. THANK YOU to VJO swimmers & families for their generous donations/purchases at our White Elephant Auction – the team raised $771.60 to donate to the Christian Help Center. THANK YOU to VJO swimmers & families for their dontation of food and cash during our Food Drive – cash donations totaled $146.00 and we also made several trips to the Food Bank with food donations. THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered time and brought in donations for our last meet – once again you have shown what VJO is all about!!!

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

(thanks Diane!):

Zone 3 Winter Championships: Bobby Hilton: 50 Free Mitchell Zia: 50 Back Vallejo February Meet: Mirelle Augst: 100 Back, 50 Fly, 200 IM John Bayotas: 1000 Free Gerica Butler: 50 & 100 Free John Butler: 50 Free, 50 Back, 50 Fly Ares Elmore: 1000 Free Anjel Falcon: 100 Back Kelley Henderson: 100 Fly Regina Horder: 50 Fly, 100 Back, 100 Breast Tomas Horder: 50 Free Milton Lau: 50, 500 & 1000 Free Ricki Liang: 100 Fly Ronick Putong: 100 Breast Alexander Viray: 50 Back, 100 IM William Rodinsky: 1000 Free Alyssa Powell: 1000 Free

JOOOOOOOOO Times:

Far “Out” Western Times…

Zone 3 Winter Championships:

Zone 3 Winter Championships: Andrew Butler: 100 back

Andrew Butler: 50 & 100 free, 200 back Cuppy Dowell: 100 fly Ares Elmore: 200 & 500 free Kelley Henderson: 500 free Ashley Sotelo: 50 fly

400 Free Relay Team: Andrew Butler, Cuppy Dowell, Will Rodinsky, Max Tiuseco

Vallejo February Meet: Ares Elmore: 100 & 200 back Kelley Henderson: 400 IM

SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO: Max Tiuseco for making the 100 Free finals at the Pacific Short Course Senior Championships & Alyssa Powell for making the 50 Fly & 100 Breast finals at the Winter Junior Olympics