August 31, 2010               

Good Tuesday Morning: 

 We had our first SCAY Board for the 2010-11 season meeting Sunday night.  The August meeting is at our house (though my wife, Kelli Hoover, is the main reason this meeting is so fun - we meet and then have dinner.  (I hope this is enticing you to consider being on the board in the future.))  We have a wonderful board that is very interested in making sure we do the best we can for our swimmers.  As the season goes on please make sure that when asked by our board to volunteer for the many and various jobs that need to be done to help our kids, you respond in a positive way. 

I was recently asked what is the difference between 'Juniors' and 'Seniors' in the JR/SR group.  Juniors are those who are too young to try out for the high school team, are not going to try out for the HS team, or do not make the HS team.  Swimmers who are planning on trying out for the HS team should register as a Senior; if they do not make the HS team, then you will need to go to the Y and make the financial adjustment. 

JR/SR Dryland over the next week looks like this: 

    Wed, Fri (9/1,3) 3:45 - 4:45 p.m. at the Y 

    Mon (9/6) 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. at the Y (I will bring food for afterward) 

    Wed (9/8) begin regular morning DL schedule (6:00 - 7:15) 

  

I met with some of the kids coming to dryland and they indicated they wanted our Fall/Winter dryland to start at 6:00, so this will be the case.

                JR/SR swim practices begin Tuesday, September 7.  They will swim from 3:40 - 5:00 p.m.  Our Stroke Clinic will be from 5:00 - 6:00. As in the past I am asking that at least 5-6 JR/SR swimmers stick around to help with the Clinic.  All practice groups start on Monday, September 13.

                I will get our met schedule out very soon.  Most weeks I will be sending out a note, which I usually try to on Tuesdays.

                We will have a parent meeting on Sunday, September 12, 2:00 p.m., at the Y.

More soon.....

 

SP

  SP

August 22, 2010

Good Sunday Morning:

I will be listing this year’s groups, practice times and fees.  We have decided to not increase fees from last year to this.  In response, I hope everyone will register their swimmers as soon as possible.  Swim team registration begins tomorrow at the Y.  The list of swimmers will be at the front desk.  Only swimmers on this list will be able to register, and only in the group indicated.  Should your swimmer not be on the list, no need to panic; if you think your swimmer is not listed in the correct group, no need to panic.  These situations occur each year.  The best way to take of these situations is to give me a call at home – 231-0340.  I am normally home during the middle of the day.

My considerations in group placement include age, ability and an effort to keep group sizes similar, so that one group is not huge and another tiny (especially the D 1, 2, 3 groups).  Another consideration at this time of the year, i.e., before the season starts, is that we do have a Stroke Clinic (more on this below) that will place 25-ish swimmers onto the team.  If the coaching staff (and I approve any/all group changes) believes a group change at any time is best for the team and swimmer, we will make that change after contacting the swimmer’s parents.  The ‘normal’ times we change swimmers into a new group are after the first two weeks of the season (giving the staff a chance to evaluate our groups), and in the middle of November when the high school season starts.  All changes (I tend to not move a swimmer down) depend on space available starting with the Junior/Senior group.  There will be swimmers moved from the D3 group (I have them earmarked) when the high school season starts.  So, as space becomes available in groups due to changes, we move swimmers into a new group.  {I hope this is not too confusing.}  Keep in mind that most Clinic swimmers joining the team will join in the Cubs, Pride and D1.

Over the past few years once high school season starts in mid-November we have been able to move the D3 group to 4:10-5:40, Monday through Thursday.  This is the goal again this year, and cannot be promised.

                *A recruiting clinic for SCAY

                *Available to swimmers (including SCAY) who ARE NOT year round swimmers

                *We cover all four strokes

                *Clinic participants will receive a Clinic t-shirt and participation certificate

                *All SCAY coaches and JR/SR swimmers will be on deck and involved

Please pass the word about our Stroke Clinic.  If anyone has questions about the Clinic or SCAY, please feel free to give them my phone number/email address, though the phone number is more expedient.

                Concerning Assistant Coaches, ads have been placed in the Daily Collegian and on Craig’s List.  If you know anyone, especially ex-SCAY swimmers, who might be interested in coaching this year, please have them contact me soon.

                Pre-Season Dryland will begin tomorrow, 9-10 a.m., at the Y, Monday, Wednesday, Friday.  For the most part we will be outside behind the Y.  If it is raining we will meet in Gym B.  Once school starts we will meet on these days from 6:15-7:15 a.m. in Gym B.

                Concerning Fall/Winter 2010-11 swimming practice schedule, the Junior/Senior group will start on September 7, from 3:45-5:00 p.m.  There will be JR/SR practice from 9:00-11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 11.  All groups will practice according to the schedule provided below, beginning September 13.  More information on the D groups Saturday practices will come soon.  We will be tweaking these practices this year, which I think will be good for the team.

Fall/Winter 2010-11 Practice Groups

JR/SR     Kate Cooper, Grace VanDyke,  Breanne Cummins, Ayla Ross, Kylyn Ross, Quinn Ross, Kiana Albert, Leandra Albert, Kirsten Hillsley, Alex Hillsley, Courtney Quinn, Ted Smith, Rosie Sowers, Trevor Beahm, Sarah Bevilacqua, Chloe Deonna, Mike Feffer, Danielle Feffer, Dan Fritsch, Laura Holleran, Phoebe Jordan, Sarah Koberna, Ian Schrock, Zack Schiffer, Garrett Wagner, Seamus Wagner, Micah Cattell, Jordan Garrigan, Kelly Miller, Lauren Moreschbacher, Hannah Parry, Joe Woodman, Patrick Lawrence, Madeline Myford, Elise Warfield, Jessica ook, Meredith Atanasio, Harley Stuveyesant, Hanna Mancuso, Collen McDonough, Joshua MacKnight

D3           Patrick Adair, Riley Bick, Alex Chen, Fredrick Cullin, Ruth Dangelo, Lear Du, Seth Erdley, Hannah Finton, Matthew Fritsch, Sarah Henninger, Jordan Hillsley, Irani Zaraan, Rebecca Koch, Joseph Liechty, Miranda Myford, Benjamin Schiffer, Xabine Stager-Kamatz, Brittany Torbic, Grace Tothero, Nathan Woonman, Janet Yang, Lewis Yeaple, Avery Cymbor, Ruth Dangelo, Jackie Feffer, Nick Feffer, Joe Feffer, Luke Hurley, Kelsey Linzell, Annie Liu, Fiona Vashaw, Madison Lambert, Hannah Rater, Shelby Querry, Tobias VanDyke, Ryan Lundsford, Jacob Witt, Sarah Dangelo,

D2           Thalia Stout, Rafay Ahmad, Roy Xing, Amber Bick, Erin Bevilacqua, Patrick Caswell, Samuel Johnson, Wasi Kahtri, Lea MacKnight, Shea Stuvesant, Carly Cameron, Kelsey Craighead, Daniel Cullin, Grace Dangelo, Sarah Finton, Luke Genovese, James Hook, Kathryn Koberna, Madison Lundford, Matthew Morris, Sherry Shang, Emma Wilcock, Noah Witt, Anders Sonsteby, Wasi Katri, Avery Belser

D1           Lauren Alexander, Chloe Bevilacqua, Aaron Cheung, Ashley Franks, Andrew Geng,  Giselle Nairn, Trey Oyler, Will Bakken, Claire Burnside, Kristina Hughes, Joseph Leahy, Thomas Leahey, Adam Smith, Mackensie Harvill, Maya Jdfferies, Hannah Foster, Casey Restivo, Auyesh Upneja, Christina Kim, Noah Smith, Michaela Harpster, Aaron Li

Pride     Mary Behr, Sam Behr, Alinda Cheung,  Annie Geng, Yixuan Liu ,Andrew Geng, Maya Foster, Catherine Caswell

Cubs      Krupa Hedge, Nora Parks, Jodie Chellis,

April 28, 2010

Good Wednesday Morning:

Y Photos/Check-in                           

Beginning Monday the Y will be going through the process of updating member photos in our system.  There are many Y members, SCAY swimmers and otherwise, of whom we do not have a photo in our system.  Also, we may have an old photo of one of our swimmers that doesn't look like they look like now.  Beginning Monday, when a swimmer checks-in for practice (or general Y use) the good folks behind the front counter will look at the swimmer's photo in the system to determine if a new photo is needed, at which point they will take a photo.  Hey, they may even need to take a few photos of our SCAY parents!  Here are a few things about members checking in:

*All Y members are asked to bring their Y card to check in - please make sure your children have their Y card with them when they come to practice or to use the Y in any other way.

*All swimmers 11 and older are to have cards.

*Members 10 and younger are to check in, though they will not be issued a card.

The folks behind the desk work hard at what they do, and being as they are our 'front line', they often endure complaints and criticism from our members over which they have no influence.  My hope is that we can make their job easier.  It's nice to be nice.

Should you have any questions, contact me and I will make sure they get answered.

Signed Respectfully,

SP. a/k/a Cy Young 

April 22, 2010

Good Thursday Morning:

Banquet                                 

This year's banquet was alotta fun.  It's funny, sometimes it is difficult recognizing kids when they are not in suits, caps and goggles.  I want to thank everyone for a very fun 2009-10 season.  We had a good deal of success which will, hopefully, propel us into better things in the future.

Nationals                               

As is the case, Nationals was a good experience.  We took five swimmers who were new to the meet - Rookies!  YMCA Nationals is unlike any meet these swimmers will attend.  It is intense due to the 5000+ people in the pool area and the boys and girls competition going on at the same time, intimate with all the activities going on, and, most of all, fun.  In addition, it is a great situation for the kids to learn a little about themselves.  Kelli Miller is Swimmer of the Meet.

Spring Swimming                   

Spring swimming has begun and we have a good group of swimmers who are working hard.  Every Friday we have a 'Spring Friday Activity'.  This week's SFA is pizza after practice.  Next Friday we will have our third annual "Steve Strikes Everybody Out" wiffle ball game during practice time - weather permitting.

Spring/Summer Meets          

Here are the meets on our schedule for the next 3+ months.  I will take care of Nationals entries.  For all other meets our Meet Entry forms must be used.  All meet information is located on the Mid-Atlantic website:  maswim.org    Go to Meets and find the meet on the calendar.  Meets fill up fast, so I want all meet entries in our Meet entry folder by May 5.  Each meet must be entered separately and must have a meet entry fee check attached, payable to SCAY.  Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Meet                                                   Date                                        Location

WSY/HSY LC Classic                         June 18-20                               Bucknell

NLAC Swim Fest                                 June 24-27                               PSU

MA Senior Champs                              July 21-24                                Bucknell

YMCA Nationals                                  July 26-30                                U Maryland

In addition, I am trying to arrange for a dual meet during spring.  If we cannot arrange for a dual meet we will have an intersquad meet.

Nationals                               

I would like email confirmation about intent to participate at Nationals by May 5.  We need to plan ahead, so please let me know.

More soon.....SP

March 30, 2010

Good Tuesday Morning:

States                         

I was pleased with our results;

            *13^th overall finish:        third highest from the West District

            *3 individual titles:         Susanne Gingher, 15-19 50 and 100 freestyles

                                                Alex Hillsley, 13-14 100 backstroke

            *2 team records:           Alex Hillsley, 13-14 200 IM

                                                Janet Yang, 10/U 50 breaststroke

            Swimmers of the Meet:

                                                10/U    Janet Yang

11-12     Matthew Fritsch

11-13     Alex Hillsley

15-18     Joe Woodman

Congratulations to these and all SCAY swimmers.  You did great!

Last Practices           

The last practices for the Fall/Winter season, except for Nationals swimmers is tomorrow, March 31.

Nationals                   

We have five going to Nationals, which will be held April 7-10.  You can follow the meet on ymcaswimminganddiving.org

                                    Here are our qualifiers and their events

Susanne Gingher           50, 100 freestyles

Micah Cattell                50, 100 freestyles

Danielle Feffer  100 butterfly

Kelly Miller                  200, 400 Medley Relays

Marie Gingher

Danielle Feffer

Susanne Gingher

Nationals Practice Schedule             

This week start times:

                                    Tuesday                       3:40 p.m.

                                    Wednesday                  3:40 p.m.

                                    Thursday                      9:00 a.m.

                                    Friday                          9:00 a.m.

                                    Saturday                       9:00 a.m.

Spring Swimming       

Spring swimming will start April 14.  Morning dryland will begin on Monday, April 19.  Schedule below.  Registration for Spring swimming begins April 5, at the Y.

2/5/10

February 5, 2010

Good Friday Afternoon:

My best friend lives in Fairbanks, Alaska.  He laughs at our 'snow days'.  Up there they cancel bus service when the temp gets to 20 below - which means parents have to get their kids to school.

Brookville has asked that we let them know tonight whether or not we are coming tomorrow. 

I will let you know around 6:00 tonight if I am canceling the meet.  So you understand, I have always erred on the side of caution with traveling to our meets in inclement weather.

Though school is closing an hour early, right now I am planning on holding practices tonight - and the Junior group will wish I had cancelled practices.  If this changes we will send out a note at 2:00.

So you know, Jen Stephens, our IT person at the Y, sends these messages out over our server as I was having email problems from my computer.  I thank Jen immensely for this and all the work she does for SCAY.

February 4, 2010        

Good Early (3:37) Thursday Morning:

Mr. Short Shower, here.....

I hope you are up and seeing a beautiful starry sky and the moon.  This is the best time of the day. 

Brookville                                          

Entries are attached.  Due to the weather possibilities and the potential "degree of road crapiness" (I will not divulge who sent that to me), I will send a note out at 5:00 a.m. Saturday.  The note will only be sent to you if the weather is such that we shouldn't go.  I have alerted Brookville on this.

A correction (and I will not divulge the name of the parent who alerted me to this) since our warm ups start at 8:30, swimmers should arrive by 8:15 (not 7:45) to check in with their coaches.  All coaches will be at the meet.

Nationals                                           

I need to know ASAP if swimmers who qualify for Nationals will be going.  Please let me know by Monday, February 8.  See attached qualifying times.

All Team Practice                             

There will be an all team practice on Friday, February 12, from 4:00 - 5:00.  Parents are invited to send in treats (you know, things such as carrots, celery etc) for after practice in the lobby.  Thanks in advance.

I'm gonna go out now and bark at the moon.....

SP
Steve Power

Head Swim Team Coach
State College Area YMCA
A Branch of the YMCA of Centre County

February 2, 2010

Good Tuesday Afternoon:

February 1, 2010

Good Monday Morning:

THE POOL IS OPEN SO THERE WILL BE PRACTICES TONIGHT

SCAY/Brookville 

We will begin taking sign ups for our away meet with Brookville.  Our warm ups will begin at 8:30, so swimmers should arrive by 8:15 to check in with their coaches.  Parents, you can confirm yes or no by emailing me. 

SCAY/Hollidaysburg 

Having to cancel this meet threw a huge wrench in the works of getting our high school swimmers qualified for Champs and Districts.  I am working on getting this figured out and will let you know as soon as I can.

Coming soon.....    

KYSL and District entries.  More information will be coming your way.

Head Swim Team Coach
State College Area YMCA
A Branch of the YMCA of Centre County

Head Swim Team Coach
State College Area YMCA
A Branch of the YMCA of Centre County

January 18, 2010

Good Monday Morning: 

Swimmers of the Meet for Saturday's dual meet with TY-Valley are Hannah Mancuso and Ben Schiffer.  Great job, Hannah and Ben.  I also want to thank all the parents who helped run the meet - and our Late Night - as all your efforts certainly are appreciated.

A short today, I know.  More as it happens.....

January 13, 2010

Good Wednesday Morning: 

The meet event this Saturday is butterfly, so everyone who is legal will be swimming the butterfly event in their age group.

Concerning Late Night this Saturday.  The main activities will be rock climbing and the world renown SCAY Coin Dive.  The pool will be open from 9:30 - 10:30, and the coin dive will take place at 10:15.  Oh, did I mention the annual swimmers vs old people basketball game, which will begin sometime between 8:15 and 8:30.  Though this morning all those boys who have been telling me the Old Guys were going down, were telling me something about an away meet and they may not get back in time.  Same excuse I would use if I were them, under these circumstances.  If you are interested in hearing some of the highlights of the history of these games, simply ask.

*One of my favorite quotes is from Marin Luther King, which contained 'judging a man by the content of his character, rather than by the color of his skin'.

More as it happens.....

January 7, 2010

Good Thursday Morning:

The next time you come into the Y take a gander at our new trophy case and bulletin board.  Thanks to our board and Karen Myford and Heather Jordan, our area looks great.  My hope is that we will win a few more awards to display.

v     The swimmers lead the singing of our National Anthem.  Please follow suit and sing loud and, as James Brown intoned, "Proud".

v     Entries by name will be posted in the lobby - this will include relays. 

v     If you can, keep your swimmers to the end of the meet.  As happens a few times during the season, we need swimmers to fill the freestyle relays.  Otherwise we have to scratch that relay.

v     Please have your swimmers sit on the side of the pool where the team and coaches are.  This will help us round up the stray who is late to the seeding area.

v     Food is not to be eaten on deck.  Swimmers and spectators are to eat all food in the lobby/concession areas.

More as it comes up.....

December 15, 2009

Good Tuesday Morning:

SCAY/Dubois Dual Meet 

We had a good meet at Dubois, and I really appreciated their efforts in conducting an efficient and quick meet.  Swimmers of the Meet are Ruth Dangelo and Luke Hurley.

 Holiday Wish 

This will probably be my last note before the Holiday break.  However you celebrate this time of the year, I wish for all peace, love and full bellies.  Next time you see me, ask about the surfing/Sports Illustrated story. 

November 2, 2009 (Happy Birthday, Mom -- #90)

Good Monday Morning:

Þ    Today the coaches will start taking sign-ups for Sunday’s SCAY Invitational.  Everyone will swim the IM, so we will be asking the kids what other three events they want to swim, in order of importance, as we may drop the 4^th event so they can swim a relay.  Our warm ups are at 12:00 sharp and the meet begins at 1:00.

Þ    Yesterday’s Halloween Invitational was blast!  I have not received the results yet, and when I do I will get them out to you.  Another thing we are going to do is to send out updated best times after each meet.  Swimmers of the Meet are Kiana Albert for the morning session and Danielle Feffer for the afternoon session.  The Swim of the Meet (not recognized at every meet) is Sarah Dangelo’s 200 free.  She was a stud.  Swimmers of the meet receive a certificate recognizing their performance.  Swimmer of the Meet criteria are, in order:

Team support

Sportsmanship

Best times

Points Scored

Please keep in mind the award is usually subjective.  For yesterday’s morning session we coaches discussed 5 or 6 swimmers.

Þ    As we have in the past, the D3 group will begin practicing from 4:10 – 5:40.  This will take place beginning Monday, November 30.  The D3 group will practice from 4:10 – 5:40 Monday through Thursday.  Friday and Saturday (when there are no meets) will remain the same as they are now.

Þ    I am having a JR/SR Group meeting today.  We will be going over some items that are pertinent to the beginning of the high school season.  We will also be distributing our Property Of Shirts, which look great this year.

Þ    For this Saturday D1,2,3 practice we will be working on two hand turns and breaststroke pullouts.

More as it happens…..

SP

October 31, 2009       

Good Saturday Morning:

Man, or Woman, I just looked in the mirror and it was scary!  Must be Halloween.

I forgot to attach Williamsport entries yesterday, here they are.  I know there will be some changes in the relays, so make sure you check the relays posted in our team area.  And remember, depending on the timing, if a swimmer doesn’t show we may just have to scratch that particular relay.  This is a fun meet.  For those of you who have not been to this meet before it is very crazy at the beginning of the morning session.  Please make sure you keep you kids the team area. 

See you all tomorrow.  Go Washington Huskies!

October 30, 2009       

Good Friday Morning:

Þ    If you missed our annual Halloween Costume Contest and Apple Bob last night, you missed a fun event.  Thalia Stout, as a Zombie, won the scariest category; Miranda Myford (as an old man – hey, aren’t I already old?! – running for president) won the funniest category; Ruth Dangelo, as a bag of groceries, won the most creative category.  Then we bobbed for apples.  If I hadn’t called them out of the water I think Phoebe Jordan would still be in the water trying in vain to get her apple.

Þ    We have two meets going on this weekend.  I will list warm up times and meet start times below.  Keep in mind we want the kids to arrive 15 minutes early to check in with their coaches.  I will attach our entries for Williamsport, which we will also post at the meet.  Depending on the timing (it can be crazy) if a relay member doesn’t show, we may have to scratch that relay.

Þ    For all of our meets until Districts SCAY swimmers are to wear SCAY imprinted suits and SCAY caps.  If you are new and don’t have a SCAY imprinted suit, not to worry – wear, if you can, a dark color suit.  We will have SCAY caps at Williamsport.  Should you need one, latex caps are $4 and silicone are $11.

Þ    For our Senior group practice on Monday, November 2 (Happy Birthday Mom) we will swim 90 fast and furious minutes then have a meeting to go over a few things as the high school season approaches.  We will also distribute our Property Of shirts – they look great this year!  The plan is to have everyone wear theirs to school Tuesday.

Lots going on now.  More as it happens…….

SP    

October 26, 2009

Good Monday Morning: 

Again, thanks for a great effort by everyone at Aqualaps yesterday.  And for the many birthday wishes and the cake.

• A reminder that we have an all-team practice tomorrow from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.  We will be practicing for Aqualaps, which is on Sunday.
• In case you don't know, this is how Aqualaps will operate.  The format is a relay.  We will have six relays with kids of all ages on each relay.  The relays will swim 5000 yards (200 lengths).  There will be swimmers of all ages/abilities on each relay.  There will be a time standard for the relays to beat, AND the goal of all relays finishing within 5 seconds of each other.  Hence, there will be frequent changes of personnel within each relay and across the relays.  Swimmers may not all swim the same number of legs on the relays.  Say one relay is getting too far behind and little Johnny is up next.  We may put the fastest swimmer on the team in Johnny's place to catch the relay up.  It is very fun.  Swimmers should arrive by 12:30.  The relays will begin at 1:00 and will certainly be done by 2:00.  There will be food and drinks for the participants.
• I got an inquiry the other day about a swimmer not being able to participate on Sunday, and what can they do to support the Aqualaps effort.  We hope swimmers can raise at least $125.  If your swimmer cannot participate, or you want to support the effort, simply send in a check for the $125 - or any amount - to the Y.
   
   
  See you on Sunday!
   
   
  
  SP
  Steve Power
  
  Head Swim Team Coach
  State College Area YMCA
  A Branch of the YMCA of Centre County
  

Good Friday Afternoon:

           Þ    The Y is closed today due to power outages so there will not be practice tonight.  The Y will open tomorrow morning, so there will be practice.

           Þ    Williamsport entries deadline is extended to after practices Monday.  I will submit what entries I have first thing Tuesday morning.  Let me reiterate here:  I will only be submitting entries for invitational meets once; entries must be submitted on Meet Entry forms, located in the lobby (please do not email me your entries); no fees are required for our  scheduled Y meet entries.

SP

Good Wednesday Morning:

Aqualaps - If you have not gotten your folder/information, please pick it up at the Y.  The coaches have been handing them out.  The box with packets will be in the lobby.  This is a very important fundraiser for us, and we need everyone involved.  Come Sunday, October 25 (1:00 p.m., at the Y), you will see how very important this is to our team, as a fundraiser, and, much more importantly, a team builder.  And remember, fees from this event will pay for all entries to our scheduled Y meets, and each Aqualaps participant will receive a latex SCAY cap.

Aqualaps Practices - As we do every year, we will have All-Team practices for Aqualaps.  These will be the next two Fridays (October 16 and 23), from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.  These are for all SCAY swimmers.

Williamsport - Entries are due by Friday, October 16.  No fees are required.  All you need to do is to complete a Meet Entry Form, located in the Y, and place in the meet entry folder.  The meet is Sunday, November 1.  The meet information is pinned to our bulletin board.

USA Registration - Also due this Friday.  You MUST download the registration form from the Mid-Atlantic website (maswim.org), attach a check for the fee (payable to SCAY) and place in my folder.  I will not process any registration with out the form and check.

Meet Schedule - I will get this to you as soon as I can.  There is one situation I need to work out before I send it to you.  The meets we have coming up before Thanksgiving are Williamsport (Nov 1), SCAY Invite (Nov 8), and the Bloomsburg Invite (Nov 14.  Our dual meet schedule begins December 5.

Halloween - Remember, our annual Halloween Costume Contest and bobbing for apples is Thursday, October 29, from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.  There will not be any other practices this night.  The categories for costumes are:

Funniest  -  Scariest   -   Most Imaginative.  1^st place prizes will be awarded in each category.

Special Note - I was talking with the person who does our shirts and team wear the other day.  We were talking about parents and I told her that I am very lucky to have the parent group on SCAY.  You guys let us coach and provide amazing support for we coaches and the swimmers.  Thanks for all you do.

I’m tearing up………SP

Good Wednesday Morning: 

Seems like this time of year gets really hectic, what starting up the new season, getting communication organized – heck, getting to know all the kids names!  From my vantage point things are going well in the water.  It seems the kids have come to work this year and the coaches are doing a great job.

On the parent side of things there has been a big change:  Cathy Dufour stepped down as SCAY President (her daughter decided not to swim this year).  Jenny Koberna agreed to take over this position.  Let’s all work to make Jenny’s job easier – if she calls, please respond to help with what she asks she to do.  At every banquet in April I ask the kids to stand and give the parents a standing ovation.  I do this because, as I explain to the kids, none of what happens with SCAY happens without what our parents do.  So, ahead of time, I will thank all of you for your continued support of the swimmers and coaches.           

This will be a busy note, so, please, read it carefully.  Should you have questions about anything to do with what goes on in the water:  practices, meets, Aqualaps, etc., please feel free to contact me:  231-0340, and you have my email address.           

Now, on to business….. 

Y CHANGE -  If you don’t know, there has been a change with State College and Bellefonte YMCAs.  We have formed an association called YMCA of Centre County with the two branches being State College and Bellefonte.  This will have no effect on the two teams and we will remain separate.  Our team will still be called SCAY and we will retain our mascot, logo, cap, suit, team wear, identity number, etc. 

AQUALAPS  -  This is one of our two main fundraisers, the other being co-hosting PA East-West State Championships with Bellefonte, in March.  It is very important that all families participate in this event.  Starting tomorrow coaches will be giving swimmers their packet that will include information that should be self-explanatory.  Please remember that pledges can be obtained by door-to-door solicitation and through the mail (friends, relatives).  There is the 500 Club – swimmers obtaining $500 or more in pledges receive a special T-Shirt.  Two things that will come from Aqualaps money are all scheduled Y meets that require fees will be paid by the team, and each swimmer earning pledges will receive a free latex SCAY cap.  Please make sure your swimmers participate in this event – and the relay is a blast!  Aqualaps is on Sunday, October 25, 1:00 at the Y.  You should figure 1 ½ or so. 

HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST/APPLE BOB - On Thursday, October 29 we will have our annual Halloween Costume Contest and Apple Bob.  (We are doing this on Thursday because we have some kids in a meet on Friday night.  This will take place from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m., on deck at the Y.  All practices are cancelled this night.  Categories will be announced soon.  

MEET SCHEDULE - I will get out to you our final meet schedule next week.  However, there are a couple meets coming up in the next few weeks you should know about: 

Williamsport Halloween Invitational - This meet is on Sunday, November 1.  Information for this meet will be posted on the bulletin board at the Y.  Entries for this meet must be submitted on our Meet Entry Forms, located in our wall rack.  I am asking for entries into the Meet Entries folder by Friday, October 16, after practice.  I will be submitting these before practice the following day. 

SCAY Invitational - This meet is on Sunday, November 8.  I will get meet information out to you soon.  We will be swimming our normal dual meet events, and entries will be due Friday, October 30. 

USA REGISTRATION - For those interested in USA registration, you will need to get your registration form and your check into my folder by Friday, October 16.  I will be submitting these the next day.  All information regarding USA registration is on the Mid-Atlantic website:  maswim.org.  Go to forms depot, athlete registration.  Registration at this time covers you through the end of 2010.  I will only be submitting these registration at the one time. 

MEET ENTRIES - Other than our KYSL dual meets, I will only be entering invitational meets once.  Please get your meet entries in on time. 

OFFICIALS TRAINING - There will be a training for Level one officials in Hollidaysburg on November 7.  Information is in the wall rack at the Y.  This is a great way to watch a meet. 

COMMUNICATION - If you are receiving my messages and are no longer involved with the team, let me know and I will remove your address from my list.  If the name on your email address is incorrect, let me know and I will change it. 

Whew!  I think that is all for now.  Remember to contact me with questions. SP

Good Thursday Morning:

So far, everything is going well in practices.  I am impressed with how the coaches are working with the kids, and how the kids are responding to the coaches.  If we all play our cards well this could be a banner year for SCAY.  I especially want to thank Katie, Nicole, Zach, and Brendan for the super jobs they are doing.  Some items that are coming our way:

 Þ      Aqualaps is coming on October 25.  This is one of our two major fundraisers, the other being States in March.  Information will be coming to you soon, in the form of a packet that will be given to the kids or put in your family’s folder in the file cabinet.  All information/instructions will be included.  We hope that all families can raise AT LEAST $125 per family.  Remember, you can go door-to-door, in the workplace, and mail pledge forms to relatives.  This is a very important fundraiser, so I hope everyone will step up.
Þ      Williamsport Halloween Invitational is November 1.  The information will be posted on the bulletin board soon, and I will let you know.  This is a meet where you will need to complete a Meet Entry Form, which are located in the lobby at the Y.
Þ      SCAY Invitational -- we will be hosting a small invitational on November 8.  Teams that will be invited are those in our league, Bellefonte, Greensburg, Johnstown, Mon Valley.  Information you need to enter will come shortly.
Þ      SCAY Annual Halloween Costume Contest and Pool Party – Our annual event will be held on Friday, October 30.  This will be an all-team practice event from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.  We have categories and awards.  Look for more information soon.
Þ      Meet Schedule – Our annual KYSL meeting is October 4.  At that meeting we will establish our meet schedule for the season.  I will get this to you shortly after this meeting.Þ      This Saturday – the D1, 2, 3 groups will work on backstroke starts and turns. As always, should you have any questions, please feel free to email or call me at 231-0340.

 More as it happens….. 

Good Wednesday Morning:

             Things are looking very good as we gear up for the 2009-2010 season.  I am excited with the talent we have coming back, and with the potential we have coming in through the evaluations I have had this summer and the 50 swimmers registered for our Stroke Clinic.  Over the next short period of time I will be getting notes out to you.  Today I will concentrate on what we all need to be aware of as we get started on September 8. 

     Þ      Start of Season     We begin on Tuesday, September 8.  The JR/SR group will practice from 3:40 – 5:00 p.m., and our Stroke Clinic will be held from 5:00 – 6:00.  I always ask 5-6 of the JR/SR group members to stay and help with the Clinic.  This has never been a problem, and I look forward to their participation with the Stroke Clinic this year.
     Þ      Coaching Staff      I am very excited about our coaching staff this year.  I had a great applicant pool, many with PA YMCA experience, and I knew that I would be OK with whomever I chose.  Here is how the staff looks: 
          Cubs/Pride  Katie Boudreau, an Engineering Grad Student, specializing in Acoustics
          D1              Zach Smith      
          D2              Nicole Gonsorick, a Communication Disorders/Speech Therapy Student
          D3              Brendan Berthold 

      Þ      Parent Meeting      Sunday, September 13, 2:00 p.m., at the Y

Þ      September 14        Practices begin  - see schedule at link on left

Þ      Big Cat Fall Kick-off    October 30 – November 1.  Entries are due to me on Wednesday, September 9.  Information is available on the Mid-Atlantic website (maswim.org).  You must complete a meet entry form (located in the lobby), attach a check (include payment for surcharge fees if applicable), and place in the ‘Meet Entries’ folder.  Entries without a fee check (payable to SCAY – NO CASH) will be returned.  I will submit our entries on September 10 - no late entries will be accepted.  This is a USA meet and swimmers must be USA registered to participate.  We can enter swimmers who are not yet USA registered; I will get to you USA registration information in a couple weeks.  Should you have questions concerning USA registration/participation, please feel free to contact me

Þ      Meet Entries   For USA and YMCA meets that require payment:
*I will be submitting entries ONLY for meets on our schedule
*I will only submit entries ONCE on the day indicated – after that you will have to hope for on deck entries
*We will have a coach on deck for all meets listed on our meet schedule – our meet schedule will be finalized and published after our KYSL meeting on October 4
*Our KYSL dual meets will be entered as in the past:  We will be asking during the week before the meet if the kids will be participating; parents can also email me with this information as a back-up

Þ      Registration     Registration for SCAY is ongoing.  Please get in and register as soon as possible.

Þ      Contact            Should you have any questions, concerns, compliments(?!), please feel free to contact me: 231-0340 OR spower@ymcaofcentrecounty.org.


That’s it for now.  Let’s have a great 2009-2010 season!!!!

SP

Registration for the 2009-2010 Swim Team season has begun.  Here is information on 2009-2010 fees and payment options.

Good Monday Morning:

            There will be a great deal of information, so please read carefully.  I am leaving early tomorrow morning to visit my mom.  Should you have any questions about any of this information, I will be back in ‘the office’ on Tuesday, August 11.  I ask that you wait until then to call/email.

            I am very excited about the 2009-10 season.  Though we say good-bye to Gretchen Miller (going off to Elizabethtown College) and Heather Brady (resuming her swimming career at Penn State), I am happy to say that Zach Smith (D1) and Brendan Berthold (D3) will be returning to coach SCAY this fall.  I have already gotten a couple applications for our Cubs/Pride and D2 positions.

            The 2009-10 season will begin on Tuesday, September 8.  The JR/SR group will practice from 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.; the Stroke Clinic will be that Tuesday through Friday from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.  All groups will practice begin practice September 14 – the practice schedule is listed at the Practice Schedule link on the left.

            A note about a change in the JR/SR group practice schedule.  This season we will not be having dryland in the mornings.  Instead, we will be doing ½ hour of core/body weight strength after the afternoon swim practice.  Dryland has always been a big part of our training, and I am looking forward to this new approach.

Here are the practice groups for the 1009-10 season.  Keep in mind the following:

Þ    Practice groups are based on rosters for Fall/Winter, Spring, Summer

Þ    If a swimmer is not listed they were inadvertently left off or somehow didn’t register last year (I will be talking with a couple of you about this); don’t panic if your swimmer is left off – we will get them in the water

Þ    Group changes mainly go up and depend on room available in the next group(s) up, and can happen any time, especially the first two weeks or in the middle of November when the high school season begins

Þ    I try my best to keep the groups evenly distributed

Þ    We will be joining swimmers from our Stroke Clinic

Þ    I took input from our coaches, though I made the final decision

Cubs   Maya Foster, Finan Turnage-Barney

Pride   Chloe Bevilacqua, Catherine Caswell, Andrew Geng, William Huang, Nora Parks, Jodie Chellis, Lauren Alexander, Gerogie Thomas, Krupa Hedge, Grace Dangelo, Mason Harvill

D1       Roy Xing, Will Bakken, Claire Burnside, Kelsey Craighead, Daniel Cullen, Sarah Finton, Hanah Foster, Luke Genovese, Kristina Hughes, Joseph Leahey, Thomas Leahey, Matthew Morris, Adam Smith, Anders Sonsteby, Talia Stout, Emma Wilcock, Taler Givens, Mackensie Harvill, Kristi Hile, Kathryn Koberna, Maya Jefferies, Hannah Foster, Casey Restivo, Aiden Turnage-Barney, Ayush Upneja, Jesse Washell, Mike Challis, Christina Kim

D2       Avery Belser, Saran Dangelo, Josie Garrigan, Luke Hurley, Madison Lambert, Annie Liu, Tobias VanDyke, Emma Wright, Patrick Caswell, Jackie Feffer, Joey Feffer, Nick Feffer, Kate Skipper, Noah Smith, Janet Yang, Luke Hurley, Michaela Haprster, Wasi Katri, Rafay Ahmad, Avery Cymbor, Erin Bevilacqua, Ruth Dangelo, Fiona Vashaw, Esther Kleit, Victoria Maras, Kelsey Linzell

D3       Patrick Adair, Katie Arndt, Michaela Bojan, Noah Christie, Kate Cooper, Cora Davis, Lear Du, Seth Erdely, Hannah Finton, Juliet Garrigan, Madeline Gierchak, Johanna Kennedy, Joseph Liechty, Kyle Moerschbacher, Miranda Myford, Camden Nckell, Benn Schiffer, Gract Tothero, Grace VanDyke, Charnice Wren, Lewis Yeaple, Mikayla Barnett, Luke Charles, Frederick Cullen, Breanne Cummins, Hallie Dufour, Caitlyn Fosnacht, Matthew Fritsch, Jordan Hillsley, Elizabeth Holland, Jacob Huff, Julia Lucas, Alexander Milligan, RAra Taminga, Akhil Upneja, Nathan Woodman, Saraan Irzani

JR/SR Brian Adair, Ayla Ross, Kylyn Ross, Quinn Ross, Kiana Albert, Leandra Albert, Kirsten Hillsley, Alex Hillsley, Molly Pate, Courtney Quinn, Ted Smith, Rosie Sowers, Trevor Beahm, Sarah Bevilacqua, Chloe Deonna, Anthony Deonna, Mike Feffer, Danielle Feffer, Dan Fritsch, Laura Holleran, Phoebe Jordan, Sarah Koberna, Ian Schrock, Zach Smith, Zack Schiffer, Garret Wagner, Seamus Wagner, Viktor White, Micah Cattell, Jordan Garrigan, Kelly Miller, Lauren Moreschbacher, Hanna Parry, Laura Prince, Heather Schon, Rachel Sommer, Joe Woodman