Shark Attack - Oct./nov. 08

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

October/November 2008

Shark Attack The Official Newsletter of the Vallejo Aquatic Club President Debbie’s Opening Address

2007 - 2008 VJO Board Debbie Rodinsky, President Angelynne Yee, Vice President Dove Butler, Treasurer Suzanne Barbagelata, 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

VJO parents & swimmers: We have just finished our November meet: what an exciting time! We had 71 VJO swimmers participate, the largest number anyone (Tuffy) can remember for a November meet. The number of parents working the meet was astounding. A thank you goes out to every parent, sibling, and family member that donated items for the snack bar or hospitality, as well as those that worked as runners, marshals, head timers, clerk of course, in

the snack bar, hospitality, and computer room. A special thank you to Pam Henderson for coordinating our swim caps for Breast Cancer. Between the swim caps and the penny war that took place at the Halloween party, VJO will be sending about 700.00 to the Susan G Kolman charity. Way to go Sharks! If you have not done so yet, please take a few minutes to say hello and meet our new coach, Lesley Toch.

Something new this year, the coaching staff and the board has tried to schedule a social event every month. For November it is a trip into San Francisco to check out the Academy of Science museum and for December our team Christmas Party. Stay tuned for additional information. Do not forget about our can food drive and “buy a bag” fundraiser for the Contra Costa Solano County Food Bank. Go Sharks!

WANTED: Talented “Shark” to perform National Anthem at upcoming meet – please see Debbie Rodinsky for more information

Swim Caps/Penny War bring in big bucks in the fight against breast cancer Some called it “Witches vs Warlocks”; some called it the “Battle of the Sexes”, but in the end, Susan G. Komen for the Cure was the big winner of VJOs 2008 Penny War. The donation totaled $248.12 with the final tally being: Witches: $103.77 in change minus $28.00 in bills for a “War Total” of $75.77 Warlocks: $72.35 in change minus $44.00 in bills for a “War Total of $28.35 Warlocks: don’t forget to bring more “green” next time! In addition to the Penny War donation, VJO swimmers also purchased and proudly wore swim caps bearing the pink ribbon. An additional $500 was raised in this fundraising effort.

TOTAL FUNDS RAISED: $748.12 – WAY TO GO, VJO!

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Thoughts from the Deck

Coach Tuffy Many Thanks! I would like to thank all the swimmers who attended the Vacaville, Reno and Vallejo meets. The team needs to swim in as many meet as possible now.

In the Spring time with high school swimming and many senior trial and final meets there are not as many age group meets for you to attend. We will be trying something new this year. With the help of Mrs. Tucker (our only starter) we are arranging short (4 hr.) Saturday meets. These will be small meet with 3-5 invited teams. When we firm up the dates I will need you and your parents to help with the meet. You will be swimming and your parents will be helping to run the meet. This will provide a great opportunity for you to swim and for your parents to try out new jobs. My hope is that these smaller meets will encourage you sign up and swim in meets during the summer. This year our Summer Championship meet will be in Ukiah, CA. We will be

because the challenge exists to make things better. Obviously, then, one’s character and frame of mind determine how readily he brings about change and how he reacts to change that is imposed on him.” —King Whitney Jr.

Coach Aaron Jon “Change has considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring

After a presidential election in which the rhetoric swirled around the motif of “change,” I thought it would make a fitting topic for this month’s newsletter. VJO has undergone some monumental changes over the past month. Each and every one of us have coped with it in our own way and when I first read the above quote, I thought it spoke to how a lot of us might be feeling. The different and new bring the gamut of emotion, and these responses are healthy and natural. Sometimes change is positive or negative, sometimes it inherently just is. Regardless of our feelings about that change, we are ultimately left with the

staying over night and having fun. The dates are August 7,8 & 9. Mark your Calendars. Remember to dress warm, wear a hat, shoes and socks. Tuffy

decision of how best to move forward. Shall we be fearful? Shall we be hopeful? Or shall we feel the inspiration to challenge our team and ourselves to become better? The answer, of course, is yours to decide.

Shark Attack

SHARK PROFILES

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October/November 2008

Coach Lesley Toch

Age: 23 Favorite Strokes: Butterfly Favorite Meet Events: 100 Fly and 200 Medley Relay Role Models: Tuffy & Aaron Jon Future Goals: To marry her fiancé in July and to continue to improve as a coach and a teacher Hobbies: Cooking, reading, crocheting, writing Favorite Song: Anything by Queen Favorite Movie: The Princess Bride Favorite Book: The Lord of the Rings If Lesley could change one thing, she would like to see more people recycle. When Lesley grows up, she wants to be a teacher or speech pathologist, although she did comment “I have to grow up?” It does appear as though she has grown up – her brother, on the other hand…well you know.

Sabrina Yee Favorite Strokes: Freestyle or breaststroke Role Models: Natalie Coughlin Future Goal: To get at least one gold medal in the Olympics Hobbies: Swimming, art & skiing Favorite Songs: Soak Up the Sun & Bubbly Favorite Movies: Kit Kittredge & Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Favorite Books: Warriors Series When Sabrina grows up, she wants to be a teacher or a superstar.

Age: 10

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SHARK PROFILES

Shark Attack

October/November 2008

Ashley Sotelo

Age: 10 Favorite Strokes: Freestyle Favorite Meet Events: 50 Free, 200 Free, 50 Back Role Models: None, whatsoever Future Goals: To make Far Western times in 50 back and 50 free Hobbies: Singing, swimming (duh!), breathing? Favorite Song: There’s A Good Reason These Tables Are Numbered & Camisado by Panic! at the Disco Favorite Bands: Panic! At The Disco and Paramore Favorite Book: The SWEEP Series If Ashley could change one thing, she would either like to make Aaron Jon let her do really easy stuff OR stop Global Warming…sounds like the weather will be cooling off soon, doesn’t it? When Ashley grows up, she’s not really sure what she wants to be

Alexander Viray Favorite Meet Events: 50 Back, 100 Back, 50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Free Hobbies: Playing the guitar, video games, rubiks cube, drawing & reading Favorite Song: Viva La Vida by Coldplay Favorite Book: Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright If Alexander could change one thing, he would like people to stop polluting and respect the environment. When Alexander grows up, he would like to be a scientist or a photographer.

Age: 9

Shark Attack

Halloween Party Brings Out the Best

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(well, except maybe that moustache that Aaron Jon is sporting)

Welcome (Back) to the Deck New Swimmers

Returning Swimmers

Ragnar Elinbergsson Brynja Elinbergsson Nicolas Nicolai Joshua Phillips Justeen Singley Sabrina Yee Kim Goyena

Alexander Viray Lynea Hall Jamie Phillips Lucas Guinon Erin Unger Isabel Grey

Nuggets from Napa

LUCKY SCRIP CARD NOW AVAILABLE Please see Diane or Debbie C. on deck for your card or drop a note in the “Cameron” file. There is no cost for this card and no need to register it - just give it to your cashier to scan before they start ringing up your groceries.

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Fast Facts 11/3/08: Alumni Brian Domecus was named Mountain Pacific Sports Federation MIKASA Co-Player of the Week. The senior men’s water polo goalie had a season high 16 saves against UC Santa Barbara on November 2. He currently leads the MPSF with 279 saves this year, an average of over 11 saves per game.

New "A" times, and faster, from our meet on Nov. 1-2. Congratulations!:      

Kelley Henderson: AA in the 50 Free, JO in the 1,000 Free Bobby Hilton: A in the 25 Free Samantha Man: A's in the 50 Free & 25 Breast Alyssa Powell: AA's in the 50 Free & 50 Breast Dylan Powell: JO in the 1,000 Free, A in the 500 Free Mary Welton: FW in the 1,000 Free, AA's in the 200 Free & 100 I.M.

VJO November Meet Yes, we did get in some swimming, although it’s hard to tell from these pictures!

Sea of “VJO Blue” Takes Over California Academy of Science Field Trip is a big hit!

Hot Cocoa Nights Off & Running Hot Cocoa Nights resumed the first Thursday in November and have been smashing successes so far. Thanks to all of the parents who have contributed food, supplies & their time and a special thanks to Heather & Rebecca Sabio for donating a griddle to keep that hot food coming on those cold winter nights!