Ridgway Meet scheduled for Saturday, January 21 is cancelled due to inclement weather.

All practices will be on our normal schedule except:

 -Friday December 23                           All Team from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

-Saturday December 24                      JR/SR ONLY from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

-Friday December 30                           All Team from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

-Saturday December 31                      JR/SR ONLY from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

The Halloween Meet scheduled for Sunday, October 30, 2011 is Cancelled!

October 6, 2011

Good Thursday Morning:

4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Dryland on this day will still be held at its regular time.

Short and sweet, that’s it for now, though I do want to give kudos to the coaches as I think they are doing great and getting their kids excited. I also want to thank the SCAY board for their efforts for the kids and their support for the coaching staff.

More soon…..

SP

September 26, 2011

Good Monday Morning:

I get many questions about USA Swimming. Keep in mind there is no 8/U age group. The youngest age group is 10/U. If you look at the meet information (maswim.org, meets/results, scroll down to the meet, pull up the information from the left column – the name of the meet is underlined), you can see how this meet is set-up, which isn't too different from other USA age group meets.

As always, should you have questions, please contact me.

More soon…..

SP

September 13, 2011     

Good Tuesday Morning: 

Our first full day of practices went very well.  We have some good swimmers, both returning and new. 

We have an excellent coaching staff: 

Cubs/Pride                     Ayla Ross

D1                                Jordan Bernhard

D2                                Tyler DeLorenzo

D3                                Zach Smith 

Watching everyone yesterday it was apparent that the kids were excited to be back and see their coaches, and the coaches were excited to see their kids.  I am very excited about the year we can have. 

This Friday, September 16, we will have an all team practice from 4:00 – 5:00.  The purpose of this practice is to help get all the kids on the team starting to know each other.  Parents are invited out on deck (in the bleachers*) to watch.  The main activity will be fun.For after the practice parents/swimmers are encouraged to bring treats for the swimmers. 

For Saturday’s D1,2,3 practice from 11:00 – Noon we will start working on relay starts. 

The high school swim team is having a car wash this Saturday at the Advance Auto Parts store on North Atherton.  Is it time to clean your car?  And support the high school team in the process? 

More soon….. SP 

*I ask that parents watch practices from the lobby area.  Should you have questions about this please feel free to contact me.  

September 3, 2011 

Good Saturday Morning: 

Well, we start Tuesday, and I am very excited. 

Here are a few dates/descriptions to help you as the season begins….. 

Tuesday (9/6) through Friday (9/9)               

-JR/SR practice, 3:40 – 5:00 p.m.           

-Stroke Clinic, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.Saturday (9/10)           

JR/SR brunch at Steve’s house, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.Sunday (9/11)           

Parent Meeting at the Y, 1:00 p.m.Monday (9/12)           

All groups practice according to the schedule below 

SCAY Aqualions 2011-12 Fall/Winter Practice ScheduleSeptember 12 – March 30 

JR/SR Dryland: -Times listed are changed                                   

 -Wednesday (9/7) and Friday (9/9) are from 6:15-7:15 out back of  Y

There will be a great deal of information coming your way over the next couple weeks.  Please make sure you understand it and if you have any questions, please contact me so I can walk you through it.   Here are a couple items you should know…..

-We will have an intersquad meet on October 22 (This will be our entry into the YMCA National Virtual Meet (in my day this would have been called a postal meet)

-We will be hosting a Halloween Invitational on October 30

-We will be putting more emphasis on USA Swimming this year with more meets during the Fall/Winter season than in the past I am now into my 13^th year of coaching SCAY. 

I don’t remember being as excited for the start of a new season as I am this year.  Let’s all work together to make this a memorable year for all of us, especially the swimmers. 

More soon….. SP 

August 26, 2011 

Good Friday Morning: 

Well, after driving 4600+ miles in less than a month (to/from Atlanta for Y Nationals and to/from Nova Scotia for vacation) I am really excited for the upcoming season.  I think we will have an opportunity to do some pretty special things this year, if, as Nort Thornton (considered one of the master coaches in the world, and for whom I was an assistant coach with the Cal Berkeley men’s team in 1983-84) said, “If I don’t get in the swimmers’ way.”

At Y Nationals, Kelly Miller represented SCAY in an exemplary manner and improved her times and placing in her two entered events.  She also swam two time trials and did well in those as well.

This week we are having dryland workouts from 9:00 – 10:00 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Next week, Monday will be at the same time.  Wednesday and Friday will be at the times listed on the practice schedule (6:15 – 7:15 a.m.).  The JR/SR group will begin practices on Tuesday, September 6, from 3:40 – 5:00 p.m.  Also on that day our 11^th Annual Stroke Clinic begins for the week, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.  JR/SR swimmers are invited to stay and help with our prospective new swimmers.

We will have a parent meeting at the Y on Sunday, September 11, starting at 1:00 p.m.  Though mainly geared for new members, this is a good meeting for all SCAY parents to attend as you will receive some good information and I think it good that the new parents get to meet our ‘veteran’ parents.Our first board meeting is this Sunday (8/28) here at our house.  Should you have anything you wish to have on the agenda, please contact me or our new Board President, Marsha Stuyvesant.Earlier this week a note went out concerning changes in PA Swimming, specifically pertaining to Districts and States.  We (coaches and other individuals involved with PA Swimming) met earlier in the summer and came up with a few ideas that we will continue discuss at our next meeting tomorrow.  Nothing has be definitively decided yet.  The goal is to implement these changes in the 2010-13 season.  Should you have any ideas/input, please get these to me and I will bring these to the meeting.  SCAY folks at the meeting will be MaryEllen Hurley, Dan “The Man” Linzell, and me.  I am excited about some of the changes so far discussed.  I will keep you posted with progress.

A final note, Meghan McGinty will not be coaching with us this year.  One of her goals was to get into the Peace Corps.  She was accepted and will be going to her assignment at the beginning of the year.  Meghan did a great job for SCAY and I certainly appreciated what she brought to us and will miss her very much.  I am starting my 13^th year with SCAY and have had to replace at least one coach each year, some years having to replace all assistant coaches.  I have an ad in the Daily Collegian(the vast majority of the assistant coaches in my time have come from PSU) and have received calls and have some good candidates so far.  I will keep you posted in this regard.Again, we have an exciting year ahead and I can’t wait to get started. 

As always, please feel free to contact me with concerns, questions, and, hey!, compliments. 

More soon….. SP   

March 30, 2011

Good Wednesday Morning:

A few tidbits I managed to leave out in my note yesterday:

Spring session dates are April 13 -- June 9.

Senior is a combination of the Junior and Senior groups.  Age group is a combination of D 1,2,3.  Cubs and Pride practice together.

Registration for spring begins April 4.  All registration takes place at the Y, and all fees must be paid in advance.

Spring dryland is available for registered SCAY swimmers 7th grade and older.

I will get our spring/summer meet schedule to you as soon as it is finalized within MA Swimming.  I will try to arrange a dual meet or two during spring -- other than these Y dual meets, all spring/summer meets are USA meets.  Our first meet will be on May 14 -- again, more info on this soon.

Zack Schiffer is also competing on the 400 free relay at Nationals.

I would like to talk spring swimming.  I get questions about swimmers' potential, moving up to the next group, making the high school team, etc.  Often when I mention being in the water more I get responses like, "My child will be playing soccer this spring", or, "He will be playing football this fall."  I don't know how to coach other sports; I do know swimming.  Swimmers need to swim to improve their times, especially as they get older.  Spring and summer swimming is essential for improvement, again, especially as swimmers get older.

Part of the culture I have observed in State College is that swimmers participate in fall/winter; many take spring off; and participate with their summer teams.  During the fall/winter seasons since I have been here (started June 12, 1999) we have averaged 120-130 swimmers; the past few spring sessions we have had 55-60; summer is around 20-30.

My hope is to increase our numbers throughout the year, get swimmers excited about going to Y Nationals spring AND summer, and increase our postion at Districts and States.  It is all tied together.

I have been involved with competitive swimming as a swimmer and coach for nearly 52 years -- yikes!  As a swimmer I was fortunate to be able to go from one end of the pool to the other faster than most.  I have also witnessed numerous great swimmers.  Not that we necessarily have the next Michael Phelps in the water, we do have an awful lot of talent on this team.  My hope as we go into the future, is to help these swimmers reach their potential.  Being in the water is the best way to help this happen.

Should you hve any questions please feel free to contact me -- you know how.

I will be in touch after Nationals.

SP

SCAY AQUALIONS 2011

SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE

APRIL 13 -- JUNE 9

*Beginning May 2, these practices will be at PSU outdoor Nat from 6:30 - 8:30

          I will send out the spring/summer meet schedule after Nationals.  If not before, I will see everybody at our banquet on April 15.

SP

Steve Power, Head Swim Team Coach
SCAY Aqualions
YMCA of Centre County - State College Branch
spower@ymcaofcentrecounty.or

March 17, 2011

Good Thursday Morning:

Short and to the weekend point.....

Friday (3/18)  States participants only practice from 4:00 -- 5:00 p.m.  This is the only practice being held on Friday.  There will be treats after.

Saturday (3/19)  13-14 and 15-18 States participants only practice from 9:00 -- 10:00 a.m.  This is the only practice being held on Saturday.

Monday (3/21)  ALL PRACTICES ARE CANCELLED.  We will resume our regular practice schedule Tuesday (3/22).

Tuesday (3/22)  Nationals photos at 5:30 p.m.  Swimmers are asked to wear their SCAY suits and the 2010-11 Property of shirts.

States Warm Up Schedule

Saturday  10/U  8:00 a.m.  11-12 1:30 p.m.

Sunday  13-14 7:00 a.m.  15-18 1:00 p.m.

All other information is on the website listed below.

This has been an interesting week.  There will be Districts and States wrap ups and Spring swimming information next week.

To all who are working this weekend to make States a good and fun meet for the swimmers, I thank you.

See you all this weekend.....

www.ymcastates-pa.org

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

SP

Steve Power, Head Swim Team Coach
SCAY Aqualions
YMCA of Centre County - State College Branch
spower@ymcaofcentrecounty.org

March 11, 2011

Good Friday Morning:

I have sent out our warm up times for Districts this weekend.  Swimmers should arrive 15 minutes early to check in with their coaches and secure a spot in the gym, which is adjacent to the pool.

Swimmers should wear SCAY gear while competing, though wearning a fastskin or other racing suit is acceptable.  Please make sure that their racing suit is a non-flashy colored suit -- most racing suits are single color.  In any event, SCAY swimmers who wear caps should wear SCAY caps when competing.

Saturday afternoon during the Senior session the Pump McGlaughlin Award for Spirit and Enthusiasm will be awarded.  We have nominated Phoebe Jordan for this prestigious award.  As I told Phoebe, it is an honor to be nominated and all nominees are deserving.

Please remember that there is a time change Saturday into Sunday -- I'm so excited as I actually get to get up at "2:00" instead of "3:00".  What a country!

All West District teams received an email from the Meet Director today.  Evidently there is some weather coming toward Indiana, PA., tonight into tomorrow night.  Best check the weather and adjust your travel time accordingly.

A reminder that we have a Districts qualifier practice only tonight from 4:00 -- 5:00.  I will have pizza for the kids after.  This is the only practice today.

We will be operating on our regular practice schedule begining on Monday.

States Photos on Monday at 5:30 -- a Nationals meeting immediately after.

Let's have a fun weekend, hopefully swimming fast in the process.  I lookd forward to seeing everyone this weekend.

GO SCAY!!!!!    

Steve Power, Head Swim Team Coach
SCAY Aqualions
YMCA of Centre County - State College Branch
spower@ymcaofcentrecounty.org

March 2, 2011

Good Wednesday Morning:

Practice Changes
Saturday, March 5  JR/SR 9:00 -- 10:00 a.m. (District Qualifiers only)
                           D1,2,3 10:00 -- 11:00 a.m. (District Qualifiers only)
Spring Break Week  {Monday through Thursday)
                              All District Qualifiers:  3:40 -- 5:30 p.m.
                              All Non-District Qualifiers:  5:30 -- 6:30 p.m.
                                    (Cubs and Pride 5:30 -- 6:00 p.m. each day)
Friday                      District Qualifiers ONLY:  4:00 -- 5:00 p.m.
                                      Food to follow
 
Here is the link to view our final District entries  
Individual entries cannot be changed; relay participants can be changed using only swimmers in the meet.  I will only change relays participants at Districts if a relay member does not show up; if and in so doing, a swimmer moving into a relay may have to scratch out of an event.  (More on this next week.)  I will send out the Districts psych sheets next week.  We have been informed they will not be posted on the Districts website.
 
More soon.....
 
SP

Steve Power, Head Swim Team Coach
SCAY Aqualions
YMCA of Centre County - State College Branch
spower@ymcaofcentrecounty.org

February 21, 2011

Good Monday Morning:

We will be holding practices tonight at their regularly scheduled times.  The high school swimmers are invited to join us -- we can snuggle up!

This is the link to preview our District entries.  If you have questions/concerns, make sure you contact me by Wednesday after practices.  I am sending in the entries Thursday morning.

Concerning our Last Chance Meet Saturday, all SCAY swimmers can participate.  The agreement we have with the District people is that we can add new times only immediately after the meet.  This would be a good chance to get some race practice in.  Remember, the youngest age group is 10/U and we will not swim relays.  Swimmers may enter a maximum of four events.

More soon.....

SP

Steve Power, Head Swim Team Coach
SCAY Aqualions
YMCA of Centre County - State College Branch
spower@ymcaofcentrecounty.org

February 20, 2011

A Very Beautiful and Sunlit Sunday Morning:

Later on this morning the coaches and I will meet to fashion our Districts line up.  Tomorrow I will send out our entries to you.  The main purpose of sending our entries to you is to make sure we have listed all swimmers who have qualified and that the listed entry times are correct, i.e., a double check.  As I mentioned in an earlier note, we want to have our strongest line up.

At our KYSL Champs meet (more on this tomorrow -- AND, the kids swam very well!) the most frequently asked question was about District entries in general and relays in particular.  I will try to explain about these so that everyone understands how it all works.

At Districts swimmers may participate in a total of three events, one of which MUST be a relay, so a swimmer can swim in two individual events and one relay or one individual event and two relays.

Relays can be put together in a number of ways:

-Four swimmers swimming together to earn the qualifying time;

-Adding four individual swims and/or lead-off relay splits to justify the time;

-Times from any meet (YMCA/High School/USA) can be used for a SCAY swimmer.

For relays the team (SCAY) ownes the time, which means if swimmers A,B,C,D have earned the time (using the guidlines above), we can enter swimmers E,F,G,H.  We simply must be able to prove we have acheived the entry time.  This is the same for Nationals, though at Nationals a swimmer must be at least 12 years old to participate in the meet.

For Districts the top 12 individuals and the top 9 relays qualify for States, held the following week at PSU and co-hosted by SCAY and Bellfeonte.  Though only once that I can remember, relay team personell can change between Districts and States.  I am not inclined to change relay personell between these meets, though the one time I did change one swimmer on one relay, there was a five second difference between and individual swim and the relay split.  That was the year that the 10/U swimmers led the way to our 5th place overall finish at States, the highest since I've been here.

I hope this clarifies things.  If not, please make sure you contact me with any questions you may have.  Have a fun Sunday.  We get back to work tomorrow.

SP

Steve Power, Head Swim Team Coach
SCAY Aqualions
YMCA of Centre County - State College Branch
spower@ymcaofcentrecounty.org

February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day.....The orchid and card scored big points in my house!

Dubois  Thanks to the parents who officiated and timed at Dubois.  You guys really stepped up and helped the meet run as well as it could.  Swimmers of the Meet are Carly Cmaeron and Emma Wilcock.  Great job, girls!

KYSL  We have KYSL Champs this Saturday.  Here are our warm up and meet start times:  8/U, 9-10  Warm ups from 7:00 -- 7:30 a.m.  Meet starts at 8:45

          11-12, 13-14, 15-18  Warm ups from 11:00 -- 11:30 a.m.  Meet starts at Noon

Keep in mind the 11-18 times are tenative based on when the early session ends.  All swimmers should be at the venue (Juniata Valley YMCA) 15 minutes prior to our scheduled warm up times to check in with their coaches and be ready to start warm ups on time.

Dryland  It's that time of the season.  Today was the last dryland workout until we begin our spring session.

All Team Practice  There will be an all team practice this Friday (2/18) from 4-5 p.m.  We will have an ice cream social after practice, at which the poster winners will be honored.

Let's all have a good week and a great and fun KYSL Champs.

GO SCAY!!!!!

SP

PS  Remember the Nationals Meeting tonight at 6:00 in the conference room.  This meeting is intended for swimmers who are interested in going to the meet.  Parents are, of course, invited.  To check out updates on the Y facility and ticket information, log onto ymcaswimminganddiving.org.

Steve Power, Head Swim Team Coach
SCAY Aqualions
YMCA of Centre County - State College Branch
spower@ymcaofcentrecounty.org

February 1 , 2011 Good Snowy/Icy Tuesday Morning: Practice Cancellations                       All swimming practices today and dryland tomorrow morning are cancelled.  Information on tomorrow’s swimming practices will come out tomorrow – IF swimming practices tomorrow are cancelled, a note will come out; if a note does not come out, we will have practices tomorrow. Ridgeway                                            Thanks to those of you who braved the elements to make the trip up to St. Mary’s for the meet Saturday.  And thanks to those who helped officiate the meet.  We swam pretty well with quite a few best times.  Eric Witt and Fiona Vashaw are Swimmers of the Meet. Hollidaysburg/Juniata Valley           We are hosting Hollidaysburg and Juniata Valley this Saturday.  Our warm ups will be from 8:00 – 8:20.  Swimmers should arrive by 7:45 to check in with their coaches and be ready to start warm ups on time.  There is no Meet Event this week.  Though we want to go with a strong line up, swimmers can enter events in which they are close to District times.  As always, and this is especially true of the younger swimmers, parents can email me with entry information. All Team Practice                               We will be having an all team practice this Friday (2/4) from 4:00 – 5:00.  This practice will be followed by sign making for our Saturday meet.  Treats will be provided for the kids. KYSL Champs                                      Swimmers can still sign up for KYSL Champs (February 19 at Juniata Valley).  If your swimmer wants to participate, email me by Thursday and we will get them in. See you all soon….. SP

January 25, 2011

Good Tuesday Morning:

Brookville     Thanks to all the parents who helped officiate, start, and time.  They needed help and you stepped up big time.  Swimmers of the Meet are Rachel Dangelo and William Hang.  They improved all their time, so congratulations Rachel adn William.

Now, this is where it gets tricky, so read carefully, and if you have any questions, contact me as soon as possible.....

Ridgeway     We began taking sign-ups for Redgeway yesterday.  The meet is this Sturday at St. Mary's High School.  I will get warm-up and meet start times to you as soon as I get them.  The meet event is backstroke.

KYSL Champs Today we will begin taking sign-ups for KYSL Champs, February 19, at Juniata Valley.  Coaches will be asking swimmers aboout their participation.

                       Swimmers may enter three total events in any combination of individual and relay events.  Coaches will determine relay participation.

                       Coaches will meet on Sunday, January 30, to establish our Champs line-up.  I would like all entries to me by Sunday, January 30, by 9:00 a.m.

Parents           To ensure swimmers' participation I am asking that you email me with 'yes' or 'no' for Champs, which ban be a back-up or in addition to what the swimmers tell their coaches.  And bing as there are two meets we are working with this wek, my request is that you follow the example listed here:

Steve Power     Ridgeway     yes     25 free, 25 fly, 25 br'st

                         KYSL             yes     500 free, 400 IM, 1650 free

Please list three events in order of preference.

This time of year is interesting and exciting.  Please be willing to contact me with questions and/or enter information for either or both mets.  We don't want anyone to miss either meet.  Champs is a team scored meet so we will strive to establish our strongest line-up.

SP 

Steve Power

SCAY Aqualions Head Coach

January 17, 2011

Good Monday Morning:

I want to thank everyone who helped at the meet and at our Late Night activities.  The kids swam well and had a good time Saturday night.

Swimmers of the Meet          Anders Sonsteby and Jesse Torbic are Swimmers of the Meet.  Great job, Anders and Jesse!

Meet Sign Ups                                    We will begin sign-ups for Brookville today.  The meet is at Brookville.  I will get you time information as soon as I get it.  This will be an interesting week of sign ups in that today is a holiday, which usually means fewer kids come to practices.  This is especially important for the Cubs/Pride sign-ups as they won't be at practices tomorrow.  So, all parents, especially Cubs/Pride parents, please feel free to email me with meet entry information (yes or no) to help facilitate the entry process.  The meet event this week is the sprint freestyle.

Also, the high school team does not have a meet this Saturday, so if a high school swimmer needs to pick up a meet and/or wants to come and have fun with their SCAY teammates, this would be a good meet.

A reminder that all groups except the Junior group have practice this afternoon from 4-5.  Regular practices will resume tomorrow.

Today is a good day and I hope we all take time to think about what a good man did to try to change our country, which includes judging people by heir character and his desire for non-violent protestation.  I know we still have many problems....I, too, have a dream.

YMCA of Centre County - State College Branch
spower@ymcaofcentrecounty.org

 
Steve Power, Head Swim Team Coach
SCAY Aqualions

January 10, 2011 (24/24 - one more to go!)

 

HOLLIDAYSBURG MEET                                 

Zach got in a fender bender on the way to pick up the coaches - he's OK; Steph Albert spun and slid backward 500 feet; and everybody arrived OK and the kids swam very well.  Swimmers of the Meet are Aaron Cheung and Marta Millar.  As always, there were many in consideration, and we must decide on one or two.  Congratulations Aaron and Marta - great swimming.

 

TY-VALLEY/CLEARFIELD                                 

This Saturday we host Ty-Valley and Clearfield.  Our warm-ups will be from 8:00 - 8:20.  Swimmers should arrive at 8:00 to check in with their coaches.  The meet event this week will be the IM.  The coaches will start taking sign ups today, and, as usual, parents can email me entry information - yes or no.

 

LATE NIGHT                                                   

Our annual Late Night is Saturday from 8:00 - 11:00 p.m.  There will be rock climbing, fun and games, and the world renowned coin dive - the pool will be open from 9:30 - 10:30, and the coin dive will start at 9:15.  Parents, please make sure you pick up your swimmers by 11:00.  Thanks!

 

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY PRACTICES       

            Junior/Senior              10:00 a.m. - Noon

            ALL other groups        4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

 

WEDNESDAY (1/12) DRYLAND                     

Dryland this Wednesday will be posted as I will not be there.  Swimmers are encouraged to come in and get the work done.         

 

VIRTUAL MEET RESULTS                               

 I just received the Virtual Meet certificates.  Here are the certificate winners.  The certs will be in folders tonight.

 

Ben Schiffer                                        50 Br'st           18th

Janet Yang                                          50 Br'st           15th

Josh Code                                           Fly                  15th

Lewis Yeaple                                       50 Br'st           19th

Luke Hurley                                        50 Fly              14th

                                                            100 IM             9th

                                                            50 Back           7th

Riley Bick                                            50 Br'st           17th

Sarah Koberna                                                100 Back         10th

Boys 11-12 200 Medley Relay                                                6th                   

            Riley Bick, Lewis Yeaple, Ben Schiffer, Seth Erdley

Girls 13-14 200 Medley Relay                                                18th

            Sarah Koberna, Kirsten Hillsley, Kiana Albert, Leandra Albert

Congratulations to all our swimmers!

More soon.....

Steve Power, Head Swim Team Coach
SCAY Aqualions
YMCA of Centre County - State College Branch
spower@ymcaofcentrecounty.org

January 6, 2011 (14/14*)

Good Thursday Afternoon:

WARM UP TIME CHANGE                 

There has been a warm up time change for Saturday's meet at Hollidaysburg.  Ridgeway will also be competing, so our warm up time is from 8:20-8:40.  Swimmers should arrive by 8:00 to check in with their coaches.

PARTICIPATING SWIMMERS             

Here is a list of swimmers I have signed up for the meet.  If your swimmer is not on the list simply email me to let me know to add them.  If a swimmer is on the list and should not be, also let me know.  I will be submitting our entries by noon tomorrow.

Madeline Geduldig, Rachel Dangelo, Ellen Held, Caitlyn Brannon, Aaron Li, Catherine Caswell, Kate Flynn, Sera Mazza, Kelsey Craighead, Gracie Dangelo, Thalia Stout, Emma Wilcock, Kaycee Cody, Matthew Friochetta, Jackson Pavlik, Aaron Cheung, William Huang, Elijah Johnson, Patrick Caswell, Daniel Cullin, Anders Sonsteby, Ruthie Dangelo, Sarah Dangelo, Jackie Feffer, Katie Koberna, Madison Lambert, Kelsey Linzell, Hannah Rater, Grace Tothero, Kate Cooper, Caitlyn Fosnacht, Sam Johnson, Joey Feffer, Nicky Feffer, Jordan Hillsley, Luke Hurley, Tobias VanDyke, Jacob Witt, Seth Erdley, Ben Schiffer,  Kiana Albert, Kirsten Hillsley, Marta Millar, Coolleen McDonough, Rosie Sowers, Fiona Vashaw, Fred Cullin, Lear Du, Matt Fritsch, Joe Liechty,

TaNeel Real Bird

 

TIMERS/OFFICIALS                            

We have been asked to provide 3-4 times throughout the meet; also, anyone there who can officiate will be appreciated.  Thanks in advance for stepping up on this.

 

See you Saturday.....

 

SP

 

*My one New Year's resolution each year is to get the new year date correct on whatever I write 25 times in a row.  Over ½ way there.  Writing the great American Novel, saving the world, and becoming a mesomorph went out the window a long time ago.....

 
YMCA of Centre County - State College Branch
spower@ymcaofcentrecounty.org

 
Steve Power, Head Swim Team Coach
SCAY Aqualions

November 29, 2010

Good Monday Morning:

Please read all items carefully.  Should you have any questions, please make sure you email me or call me (232-0340) as soon as you can.

Thanksgiving                         

 Before I start the business portion of this note, I hope everybody had a fun weekend.  Ours had an international flair:  Italian, Scandinavian, Indian, Japanese, and these two folks from Pine Grove Mills - perfect!

Practices Today                    

 All practices are at their regularly scheduled times today.  This includes the D3 group which, today, starts their Monday through Thursday practices from 4:10 - 5:40.

Practice Changes                  

Normally, I will give advanced notification to any practice changes.  So if you don't hear of a practice change, assume practices are at their normal times.

SCAY v Hollidaysburg                       

We host Hollidaysburg this Saturday (December 4).  We coaches will begin taking sign-ups today.  Parents can also email me - if you do, simply tell me name, group, yes/no.  The coaches will enter swimmers in events for this meet.  I want all sign-ups for this meet by the end of practices on Wednesday.  I will enter the kids in the meet on Thursday.  All SCAY swimmers will be entered in the meet, whether or not they sign-up.  What I cannot guarantee is that a swimmer not signed-up for the meet by Wednesday after practice will be entered in relays.  Also, the high school swimmers do not have a meet on Saturday, so this is a good chance to get a Y/KYSL meet under their belts.   All swimmers will be entered in four total events.  Please let me know if a swimmer will arrive late or needs to leave early.

Hollidaysburg Block Party   

The Hollidaysburg Y is hosting their annual Block Party meet on Saturday and Sunday, December 11-12.  The KYSL league felt this meet was a necessary meet to put on our schedule (non-KYSL Y teams have been invited).  This year the meet is a "Swim for the Cure" meet, raising money for the Susan G Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation.  Click here for the event information .   Also check the bulletin board.  Mixed relays will include at least one girl/boy.  The coaches relays?:  Good luck Kirsten, Meghan, Nick and Zach.  Swimmers may enter all events offered, though I would like a minimum of four individual events per session.  Event fees are covered by SCAY, so no need to worry about payment.  Entries, submitted on our Meet Entry Forms (located under our bulletin board, are due by the end of practices on Thursday.  I will submit these entries on Friday.

High School Swimmers        

Congratulations to the following swimmers for making the 2010-11 State College High School Swim team:  Leandra Albert, Jordan Garrigan, Phoebe Jordan, Sarah Koberna, Kelly Miller, Lauren Moerschbacher, Madeline Myford, Hanna Parry, Courtney Quinn, Trevor Beahm, Micah Cattell, Mike Feffer, Dan Fritsch, Alex Hillsley, Patrick Lawrence, Quinn Ross, Zack Schiffer, Ian Schrock, Garrett Wagner, Joe Woodman.  Great job, everyone, and best of luck.  Remember where home is.

More soon,

SP

November 30, 2010   

Good Tuesday Morning (We've got to stop meeting like this):

Hollidaysburg Dual Meet (12/4)      

Since this is a meet our high school swimmers can enter all JR/SR swimmers and coaches should wear our 2010-11 Property Of shirts.  The new coaches shirts will wait for another meet for the debut.

Block Party Meet (12/11-12)                       

Once you have completed a Meet Entry Form, place in the Meet Entries folder (front of upper left drawer).  If you have best times, list them where indicated; if not, don't worry about it as I will check what you have against what is in our system.  I had a question about what sessions kids can swim.

Swimmers 8 & under              8 & under events

Swimmers 10 & under            10 & under events (can swim 12, 14, 18 under events)

Swimmers 12 & under            12 & under events (can swim 14, 18 under events)

Swimmers 14 & under            14 & under events (can swim 18 under events)

Swimmers 18 & under            18 & under events

My recommendation is that an 8 year old doesn't swim an 18 under event.  Other than that, the more swimming, the better.  Again, should you have questions, please contact me.

I will take care of entering relays.  As I said yesterday, I would like swimmers to enter four individual events each session they swim.

Dryland                                              

Yesterday I listed the wrong starting time for dryland this week (6:11?!?!).  Unless otherwise posted, Monday, Wednesday, Friday dryland workouts will begin at 6:00 and end around 7:15 - depends on how many sets of leg cranks we do.

I WOULD LIKE ALL HOLLIDAYSBURG ENTRIES BY THE END OF PRACTICES TOMORROW.

I WOULD LIKE ALL BLOCK PARTY ENTRIES (ON MEET ENTRY FORMS) IN THE MEET ENTRIES FOLDER BY THE END OF PRACTICES THURSDAY.

Thanks,

SP

November 16, 2010

Great Tuesday Morning!

Before I forget, I have two jammer suits on my desk, sizes 26 and 30.  I know I got the 26 after our invitational.

Our kids swam well at the USA meet up at Penn State this weekend.  We had quite a few best times, which is always fun.  Kelsey Linzell is Swimmer of the Meet.

Beginning Monday, November 29, the D3 group will change practice times.  On Monday through Thursday they will practice from 4:10 - 5:40.  Their Friday times will remain the same.  This is something we try to do each year, when the high school season begins, so the kids can get their homework done and get into bed a little earlier.  This will remain in place through the end of the season.

Dryland this Friday is cancelled.  Dryland on Monday, November 22 and Wednesday, November 24, will be from 6:30 - 7:15 a.m.  We will resume regular dryland practices on Monday, November 29.

Saturday practices this week will be on their normal schedule:

            JR/SR                           9:00 - 11:00 am

            D1,2,3                          11:00 - Noon

Thanksgiving week practices will be:

Monday                       Regular times

Tuesday                       Regular times

Wednesday                 All Team - 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Thursday                     No practices (Y closed)

Friday                          No practices (Y closed)

Saturday                      JR/Sr 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. (D1,2,3 invited for the whole time)

                                    No 11:00 - Noon practice

Thanksgiving is my favorite Holiday of the year.  I hope you all have a fun, enjoyable and memorable Holiday.  I mean, how much better can it get? - great food and lotsa football!

And remember, our dual meets start on December 4^th.  And to make it better, it's Hollidaysburg!! 

SP

November 10, 2010

Good Wednesday Morning:

Today we have an All Team practice from 4:30 - 5:30.  This is the only practice we will have tonight.  After practice we will have a going away social fro Mike Warren.  Originally I posted this practice being from 5:00 - 6:00, then realized that on Wednesdays the Y has swim lessons starting at 5:40.  Being as we would only have three lanes at 5:40, well, it seemed d prudent to move it to the 4:30 - 5:30 time.

On occasion I get a note from non-swim team Y members.  The most recent was from a swimmer whose towel was taken during her swim, during swim team practice time.  She was not blaming swim team members, though asked if anyone did bring home a green bath towel.  This might be a good time to remind our swimmers to take their own towel into the locker room after practice.  And if you did find a green towel that came home unexpectedly, you can return it to my desk and I will get it to its proper home.  Thanks.

Remember, Saturday practices are cancelled.

More soon.

SP

November 8, 2010

Great Monday Morning!

I want to thank all SCAY parents who helped at the meet yesterday.  You did a great job in all aspects.  To get that meet done in the time you did was fantastic.  I have said many times that the kids swim better in a well run meet.  Our kids swam well, and I think how our parents ran the meet that contributed to the many best times we had.  Thanks.

The Swimmers of the Meet are Gracie Dangelo and Krupa Hedge.  Great job, girls.

We will be having an all team practice on Wednesday, November 10, from 4:30 - 5:30.  After practice we will have a tribute and farewell party for Mike Warren.  Parents are invited for the after practice to-do.

Practices on Saturday are cancelled.

Click here for the SCAY Invitational results.

I hope to see you Wednesday.

SP

October 26, 2010

Good Tuesday Morning:

All practices are cancelled on Thursday, October 28 (due to Halloween), and Saturday, October 30 (due to coaches needing to recertify credentials in order to be on deck).  For the JR/SR group, and anyone else interested, I will leave hour long practices on the white board at the pool for these two days.

Beginning Monday, November 1, we will begin taking sign ups for our Invitational, which is Sunday, November 7 - warm ups at Noon and the meet begins at 1:00.  Coaches will ask the swimmers yes or no, so, if you can let your swimmers know if they will or won't be in the meet.  You can also email me as a back up.  There will be some other teams visiting, so this should be a fun meet.  The plan is to be done by 5:00.

I will be holding a Nationals meeting on Wednesday, November 3, at 6:00 p.m., at the Y.  The main purpose for this meeting is to garner interest for those striving to go to Nationals.  For time standards and other related news you can log onto

                                                Ymcaswimminganddiving.org

More as it happens....

SP

October 14, 2020             

Good Thursday Morning:

Virtual Meet                      I received an email asking about the Virtual Meets coming up.  I checked the meet information and didn’t see an answer, so contacted one of the Meet Directors.  Swimmers can only participate in one Virtual meet.  So, I am dropping Brookeville from our schedule.  I apologize for the confusion.

Our Virtual Meet             Again, Warm-ups at 1:00 p.m., and the meet will begin at 1:30.  Swimmers should arrive at 12:45 to check-n with the coaches and be ready to start warm-up on time.

All Team Practice             Remember, we will be having an All Team practice tomorrow from 5:00-6:00 p.m.  Parents are invited to come into the pool area to watch the final relay (Hint:  if you have seen Aqualaps the past few years you know what we are doing) and enjoy in the fun.

The Sad News                   Yesterday Scott gave me a suggestion/concern (read complaint note), concerning swimmers’ behavior in the boy’s locker room, which occurred at 5:00 p.n., Tuesday.  I called him and talked with him last night.  Now, as I look at our practice schedule this would indicate that the D1 and D2 groups would have been in the locker room.  I asked him if there were older kids involved and he said no, and that the older kids were very well behaved (Whew!).  Now, this is sensitive, so bear with me…..the guy is gay and said he heard the word “faggot”, which, of course, upset him, and upsets me because this definitely not how I want our team to be represented.  I will be talking with these two groups tonight about this.  If you want to talk to me about this, I would be willing.  However, I would ask your help in making sure this type of behavior is not what represents SCAY.

See you Friday night and Sunday…..

October 12, 2010 (True to you today, Columbo)

Good Tuesday Morning:

Friday Practice                 

This Friday, October 15, we will have an all team practice from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.  This practice is for ALL SCAY groups.

Meet Sign-ups                 

We are continuing meet sign-ups for our Virtual Meet on Sunday, October 17.  The coaches will be asking the swimmers if they will be in the meet.  The swimmers are to give their coaches four individual events (there is one event for each of the four strokes and an individual medley in each age group) in order of preference.  As I am able to put swimmers in relays I will take them out of their least preferred events.  Parents can also email me this information as a back up. 

 There has been a slight change in the meet start times:

Warm-ups:         1:00 p.m.

Meet Start:         1:30 p.m.

There will be treats for the kids after the meet.

More soon..... 

SP

October 10, 2010                                                                                             

Good Sunday Morning:

                I hope you have gone out and looked at this morning's sky - it is gorgeous.  It is always fun to see the Milky Way - no, I didn't say EAT a Milky Way, SEE the Milky Way.  Anyway.....

Virtual Meet                      This meet will be on Sunday (October 17), at our Y.  Our warm ups will begin at 1:30 p.m., and the meet will begin at 2:00.  We will try to have meet completed by 5:00.  Treats for all the swimmers will be available after the meet.  The coaches will be taking sign ups starting tomorrow.  How this works is they will ask the swimmers - yes or no - if they will be in the meet.  If yes, they will ask what events the kids want to swim, which the kids/coaches should list in order of preference.  As we fill relays we will take away preferred events from the end of the list.  Parents can also email me this information.  My hope is to have sign ups completed by the end of practices Wednesday, though we will always allow swimmers to be in the meet, even if they sign up late or don't sign up and show up on Sunday.  Though with late sign ups, I cannot guarantee the swimmer will be on a relay.

NOTE                                     Please note, this is the same sign up procedure we will use for our dual meets later in the season.

Brookville Meet               The Brookville meet on October 23, will be in, uh, Brookville.  I forgot to change this information on the note I sent out before.  Though it is a long story, which I would gladly tell you about if you ask, the Williamsport Halloween Invitational is being hosted by the Williamsport USA team.  Being as they didn't get the meet sanctioned the times will not count/be able to be used, nor will it be a YMCA meet, which is why I decided to not put it on our schedule.

Saturday Practices           We will have our normal Saturday practice schedule on October 9.  Yesterday with the D groups I changed from IM turns to backstroke starts.  It's a long story, so if you want to know, ask.  This Saturday we will work on back/br'st turns.  I've decided that every Saturday we will work on butterfly and relay starts, as well as the specific we determine, e.g., back/br'st turns this week.

Communication               As happens every year some do not get my messages.  Notes are sent out by Jen Stephens, our IT guru.  Notes are also put on our website:  Aqualions.org.  I will include below how you can contact me.  Please feel free to do so at any time.  Things are going well.  I am extremely pleased with our coaching staff.  Give them kudos when you see them - hey, if you want to hear a kudos story, and it is a long one, ask.

Best Times                          The best times we use we have in our SCAY system, the vast majority being from our 2009-10 Fall/Winter season.  If kids have faster times achieved during summer season, send them with your sign up indication and we will use them. 

The process used for the Virtual and SCAY Invitational will be used for our dual meets.

More as it happens.....  

SP

September 7, 2010

Good Tuesday Morning:

I hope this finds everyone well, in good spirits, and ready for what is shaping up to be a fun and exciting year.

I tell the kids that we are dealt a hand of cards and how we play them is important and dictates how we progress.   The hand of cards I was dealt with hiring coaches this year  was an interesting one.  I received around ten applications and almost all had class conflicts.  Now that the dust has settled, I am excited to introduce you by name to our 2010-11 SCAY coaching staff:

CUBS/PRIDE                       Kirsten Guelly

D1                                     Nick DiNardo

D2                                     Meghan McGinty

D3                                     Mike Warren

Asst Substitute                   Zach Smith

This week the Junior/Senior group will swim from 3:40-5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9:00-11:00 a.m., Saturday.   Dryland is 6:00-7:15 a.m., Wednesday and Friday.  Monday, September 13 all groups will be practicing according to our normal schedule.

Also this week we host our annual Stroke Clinic from 5:00-6:00 p.m.  JR/SR swimmers are invited to stay and help out.

On Sunday, September 12 we will have a parent meeting at the Y at 2:00 p.m.  Though geared for our new parents, "veteran" parents are certainly invited to attend.  Jo Bevilacqua will be there to take orders for SCAY gear, and will have suits to try on for size.

As is the usual case I will be getting weekly notes out to you, usually on Tuesdays.  All communications that go out are also on our website:  Aqualions.org

I am always available to talk.  I do most of my non-on deck work at home and am usually there in the middle of the day.  My phone number is 231-0340.  You can also reach me via email at spower@ymcaofcentrecounty.org

Let's have a great season.  This could be a special year for SCAY.....

  SP
Steve Power, Head Swim Team Coach
SCAY Aqualions
YMCA of Centre County - State College Branch
spower@ymcaofcentrecounty.org
Thank your customer, tell them how valuable they are to you, but don't go overboard. Insincerity is easy to spot.
Sincerely,

Jennifer Stephens
YMCA of Centre County

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.

March 8, 2011

Good Tuesday Morning:

Practice Schedule  Practices the week of March 14-18 will be at their regular times with the exception of Friday, March 18, which will a States participants only practice from 4:00 -- 5:00 p.m.

After that week all practices will be at their regularly scheduled times through March 31, the last day of practices for everyone, except for.....Nationals participants will continue to practice at our 3:40 -- 5:40 time slot through April 2 (Saturday, the 2nd, will be from 9:00 -- 11:00 a.m.).

Spring Practices  Spring session will begin Wednesday, April 13.  Our practice schedule will be similar to last spring's, which you can check out on our website.  I will send out the specific schedule next week.  For Spring we combine Cubs and Pride into one group; we combine D1,2,3 into one group.  Coaches who will be on deck have yet to be determined, and I will let you know soon.

Registration for Spring will begin at the Y on Monday, April 4.

States Photos  States photos will take place on Monday, March 14, 5:45 at the Y.  Remember, individuals finishing in the top twelve (12) in their events and relays finishing in the top nine (9) move onto States.

Nationals Meeting  There will be a Nationals meeting on Monday immediately following States Photos.  It would be great if all qualified swimmers and at least one of their parents is there.

More very soon

SP


Steve Power, Head Swim Team Coach
SCAY Aqualions
YMCA of Centre County - State College Branch
spower@ymcaofcentrecounty.org