10.25.09 Denver, CO – ACES Swim Club

Well I just got back from Denver, CO and hanging out with the ACES Swim Club and Matt Grevers. It was a great time hanging out with Matt Grevers, who is passionate about technique and young swimmers reaching their potential, and the guy is hilarious! The kids and swimmers were so excited to race once of the fastest and tallest swimming Olympian in the world, Matt stands at 6’8”. Heck, I was excited to race him! Matt wowed the kids with his streamline and long powerful strokes. We had great help from super swim dad, Troy Eiber, who drove us to and from the airport. His kiddos, Lauren and Griffin were fun to spend time with. Thank you Coach Tom and Coach Eric! Special thanks to Coach Eric for getting my splits on my 100 Free for time. I went a 48.4, just under the school record of 49.2. So I was pretty pumped! Pretty good for an old guy with no warm-up!

There were a lot of parents that stuck around for the whole program and listen to the speeches. Thanks for supporting your kiddos!

Streamline award winners: Girls – Emily, Emily, Emily (all different) and Bailey. Boys – Vincent and Tristan.
Spirit / Smile Award: Grace, and Spencer.

Check out how much fun we had!

Oh and Matt and I saw snowfall for the first time this season! Huge snowflakes falling everywhere the whole time, so cool! Well next week, I will be in West Islip, NY, Columbia, MD and DeWitt, MI. I am looking forward to spending time with those clubs.

(Can you see the snow in the picture above?)

Keep warm! It’s a chilly 63° here is San Antonio, TX. (That’s for my northern friends)

10.17.09 Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA

Despite the delay into Pennsylvania Friday night, because of the first snow of the season, Christine Marshall and I made it to the quaint town of Wilkes-Barre, PA. When we woke up Saturday morning, the snow was gone and we were greeted by the gorgeous fall trees and sunny sky! The clinic was held at the historic downtown Wilkes-Barre YMCA Mericle Pool. It was an intimate group of swimmers, which allowed Christine and me to get to know and race all the kiddos. After we raced them, I challenged Christine to a 50 free, and can you believe it I tied her! (I think she was being easy on me.)

Streamline award winners: Katy, Shelby and Ashley (girls from Lane 1) and Ari and Aidan (boys).
Spirit / Smile award winners: Darren, Ari, Roluka and Ashley.
And special congratulations to Jennifer for diving off the blocks for the first time!
Way to go guys!

Thanks to Tammy Lalli for organizing the clinic, she did a great job! Check out the great pictures below from the clinic.

Next weekend, I will be in Denver, CO with my friend Matt Grevers and the ACES Swim Club Team. If you’re in that area, sign up now!

10.10.09 Oak Lawn, IL – Oak Lawn Swim Association

I was very excited to get back to Chicago, and work along side Kate Ziegler. This was our first clinic together this year, so it was great to catch up with her. The Oak Lawn Swim Team hosted the Mutual of Omaha BREAKout Swim Clinic at the Oak Lawn High School Pool this past Saturday. We arrived bright and early at 8:00 am and were greeted by the Oak Lawn High School Cheerleading squad. WOW! What an awesome way to be welcomed and to start the day! I really enjoyed hearing, Kate share with the group on the importance of school, family, and maintaining excellence in the pool, while also pursuing her dream, making the Olympics. Her dreams came true, when she was able to compete in the 2008 Olympics. AWESOME!

It was a great group of swimmers, from the High School girls team to club swimmers. Super swim mom Renee Maiberger and Coaches Kristin, Mary and Forrest and the rest of the staff and volunteers hosted a superb event.

The Streamline Award winners: Kristen, Yalax and Ian.
The Spirit / Smile Award winners: Mary Kate, Elizabeth and Brea.
Way to go guys!

Again HUGE thank you to coaches and volunteers at Oak Lawn for hosting a Mutual of Omaha BREAKout Swim Clinic and the wonderful hospitality! Check out some pics from this clinic below.

10.11.09 Huntersville, NC – Gaston Gators

Like usual, Kate and I barely made our flights. While she went back home to train in DC, I was on to my next clinic in Huntersville, NC outside beautiful Charlotte. My wonderful hosts The Brown Family and Leann Richards welcomed me at the airport, and took me to eat at a wonderful sushi restaurant in Gastonia.

The Gaston Gators hosted the clinic at the awesome NOMAD Aquatics & Fitness Center. It’s a 30,000 sq. foot facility, with two swimming pools! Loved it! For an 8:00 am clinic, the kids were very attentive and kept a great attitude the whole clinic. Haley McGregory joined me for this event. I really enjoyed hearing Haley share with the kids her struggles about missing three Olympic teams, she was very honest with her feelings, and not giving up on your dream. Haley is top in the world in the 100 backstroke. She loves the sport and is training for 2012 in London. AMAZING! She hasn’t stopped believing! So, watch for her in the coming Olympics. (Neat fact: Haley was born in London, and some family still lives there.) I challenged Haley to a 50 backstroke, and it took everything I had in me to tie her! She is AWESOME! (Thanks for amusing me, Haley!)

Streamline award winners: Jordan and Clay and Madison and Lindsay.
Spirit / Smile Award: Jamison and Allie.

Again, a HUGE thank you so Coach Greg, Leann for hosting an excellent event, and to the Gaston Gators for hosting a Mutual of Omaha BREAKout Swim Clinic!

Side note: I had the opportunity to catch up with some swimmers from old friends, The Toney Family. I really enjoyed seeing Jordan, Austin and Jacob. These young men are a true example of strong character (Luke 2:40).

I had a great weekend with these clubs. THANK YOU to everyone for coming out! I am looking forward to next weekend in Wilkes-Barre, PA and hanging out with the Wilkes-Barre YMCA Dolphins.

“Dreams come true. Never stop believing!”