Coaching Next Year

To all the Swimmers, Divers, and Parents,

With a heavy heart, I wanted to let you all know that I will not be coming back next year to coach. I have received a promotion at work which will require more of my time than in previous years, as well as more traveling. Christina and Becca V. won't be returning either, as both of them have a greater responsibility with work. They both give you their best wishes, as it was not an easy decision. With great joy, Becca M. will be back next year!

Everything about the past 5 years has been nothing short of amazing memories, wonderful team building, and great accomplishments from all. I will miss it all so incredibly much. 

I pray that the next coach will continue traditions and that be a perfect fit for the team! The three of us (Becca V., Christina, and I) will never be a strangers and will try to cheer on our "lady" eagles at as many home meets in upcoming years as possible. 

Remember... "Whatever you do, work at it with all of you heart as working for the Lord, not for human masters (Colossians 3:23)."

God Bless,

Coach Alyssa 

Banquet and returning team gear

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

Banquet:

A reminder our banquet is tomorrow in the garage at school and will start at 6:30pm. Remember to bring what you signed up for on sign up genius (desserts or drinks). 

Team gear:

You must return your parka and warm ups (in a plastic bag wth the number on the outside) tomorrow to receive your certificate for participation. School is not collecting these anymore! 

Schedule for the week and return of team gear

Schedule for the week:

*Monday: Practice 6-7:30pm

*Tuesday: Practice 6-7:30pm

*Wednesday: Practice 6-7:15pm

*Thursday: 

*Practice 2-3:15pm (girls excused from   school at 12:25pm)

*4:00pm- send off with parents, pack up vans and head out. I will send a note home with all the girls of our weekend schedule on Monday with details for or hotel as well as a time break time of events. 

*Friday: 

*Warm up at 10am at Eastern Michigan university & swimming prelims start at 12pm. Diving warm up starts between 3-3:30 and will run for an hour. Then diving prelims will be begin. 

*Team dinner @ 6:30 @ Tower Inn Cafe for all girls and families. 

*Saturday: Warm up at 10am and finals start at 12pm. We will drive all the girls back to Calvin College for them to get picked up on Saturday evening. 

***Team gear return***

If you are not going to state please return your warm ups (in a plastic bag numbered), parka, and any tech suits borrowed (in the bag it came in) at pool during the times listed below. They must be turned in by this Wednesday if you want to receive your cerficiate/letter at our end of season banquet. School is not collecting them anymore. 

*Monday: 6-7pm

*Tuesday: 6-7pm

*Wednesday: 6-7pm

Thank you! 

Warm ups, parkas, borrowed suits

Hey ladies,

Best of luck to Ashten today as she competes at regionals!!!

If you could bring your parka, warm ups (in a plastic bag with a # on the outside) as well as any borrowed fast suits to the pool during practice (if you are not going to state) in the next week that would be great.  Please bring them to the pool during the times listed below that works the best for you!

11/12: 6-7pm

11/13: 6-7pm

11/14: 8:30-9:30am

11/16: 6-7pm

11/17: 6-7pm

11/18: 6-7pm

Feel free to knock on the side door by the scoreboard to drop them off, thank you!

Second chance meet

The meet will be held at Northview High School on Tuesday November 10th. Everyone who I listed before should arrive to the pool at 3:45pm for a 4pm warm up and a 5pm start time. Your practice tomorrow will be from 6-7pm.

Lets go eagles!!!!

Schedule for the week

Schedule for the week:

• Monday:
• Practice 6-7pm for those doing to the second chance meet on Tuesday
• Practice 6-8pm
• Tuesday: 
• Practice 6-8pm
• Second chance meet- I will post on the blog as soon as I get the details. I have the following people going list below, please let me know any additions or change by 9pm tonight. 
• Hope- 100 breaststroke
• Maiya- 50 free
• SaraKate- 200 free
• Amanda- 50 free 
• Emily C.- 50 free
• Lexie- 200 free
• Lydia 50 free & 100 fly
• Wednesday: 
• Practice 6-8pm
• Thursday: 
• Practice 6-8pm
• Diving regionals at Hamilton! If you are not processing for state I encourage you to go cheer on Ashten.
• Friday: 
• Practice 6-7:30pm
• Saturday: 
• Practice 8:15-10:00am 

Information for tomorrow!

Grrrrrreat job today everyone! If you are swimming/diving tomorrow please be at Northview by 9:45. If you are not swimming/diving please by there at 11:30 on deck with your team shirt on. We will announce seniors for every team at 11:50 with your parkas on. Go Eagles!!! 

Update on no bus back to school on Friday

I spoke with the girls tonight and most didn't need a ride back on the bus to school after the swim prelims on Friday. There will not bus coming back to GRCH after the swim prelims, but we will still meet at 9:15 in the morning to go to the swim prelims. Those that do need a ride, we figured out others on the team whom they could carpool back with.

After conference party RSVP

Please update (through sign up genius) by tomorrow morning how many members form your family will be attending the after conference party so we can get a final count! Thank you!! 

After season banquet

The swim and dive banquet will be on November 30th from 6:30-8pm at the high school in the garage room. We will do desserts that evening, please bring a dessert to pass and there will also be drinks provided. All families are welcome to attend! 

Friday update - swimmers excused all day from school

Swimmers are now excused from the whole day of school on Friday. Please meet for the bus at 9:15 on the Shawnee side of school! 

Schedule for next week

Schedule for next week:

• Monday
• Morning conditioning 7:30-8:15am for state group 
• Practice: 
• 6-7:30pm for taper group
• 6-8pm for state group and divers
• Tuesday
• Practice:
• 6-7:30pm for taper group
• 6-8pm for state group and divers
• Wednesday
• Practice: 
• 6-7:15pm for taper group
• 6-7:30pm for state group (we will try to get in closer to 5:50) & Divers
• Pasta Party at 7:30 at the pool for the swimmers and divers 
• Thursday
• Practice:
• 6-7:15pm for taper group
• 6-7:30pm for state group and divers
• Friday
• Swimmers excused from school at 9:05am we will leave at 9:15am from the Shawnee side. There will be a bus back to school after the meet as well. 
• Swimming prelims warm up 10:00am
• Swimming prelims start at 12:00pm
• Divers excused from school at 2:00pm and please be at the pool by 2:30pm
• Diving prelims warm up 4:00pm
• Diving finals start at 5:30pm (Swimmers are recommended to stay and watch diving if they are not swimming in finals the next day).
• Saturday 
• Those participating in finals please arrive at the pool at 9:45am. Those who are not participating please be at the pool at 11:30am. 
• Warm up 10:00am
• Finals 12:00pm 
• After conference party at LaGrave Ave CRC from 5-7:30pm in the Vault. Please contact Jennifer Schroder at jennschroder@gmail.com if you have not gotten a sign up genius email for the after conference event. All families are welcome to the attend!

Conference Details: (Posted in an earlier post on the blog)

• Location- Northivew Highschool 
• Teams- EGR, FHC, FHNE, GRCH, JEN, MCO, NV

• Time Schedule: 
• Friday, November 6th
• Pool open for swimming warm-up at 10:00am
• Balcony will open at 10:00am for spectators
• Swimming Prelims 12:00pm
• There will be a 20 minute break after the 50 free 
• Diving warm-ups 4:00pm
• Diving competition 5:30pm
• Saturday, November 7th
• Pool open for warm-up at 10:00am
• Balcony will open at 10:00am for spectators 
• Seniors from each team will be recognized prior to Finals at 11:50am
• Finals being 12:00pm
• Tickets: $5.00 admissions and $2.00 for heat sheets.
• Results: Results will be available on Meet Mobile as well as being posted up by the stairs in the walk way.

Concessions, New 2 you and the pasta party

If there are any parents who have NOT fulfilled their concession duty,  there are many openings left at the stadium. Please go to Sign Up Genius to find a time to help. They have at least two events left. 

In addition we have room for one more parent at New 2You on Friday night this week. They really appreciate our help and we get a pretty big contribution to our team. This is the only fundraiser that we have for the team. This money helps provide things like conference treat bags, Senior Night items, team parties, and other things. Please consider helping

Also, Senior parents should have received an email from Sign Up Genius about the Conference pasta party on 11/4. This meal is traditionally put together and hosted by the Senior Parents. If you did not receive that email, please contact Jennifer Schroder. (jennschroder@gmail.com) There are still some openings for this meal. Thanks so much!

Senior Night meal after the meet

We will be having a bigger room to use after our senior night (10/29) for our after meet meal and celebration. It will be in room HC 280. This is the large classroom down the hallway by the racquetball courts!

Schedule for next week

Schedule for the week: 

• Monday- 
• Morning conditioning for the state group (Sally, Ally, Jenna, Emily S., Anna, MaryGrace) 7:30-8:15 NO CONDITIONING for everyone else
• Practice 6-8pm
• Taper Starts for those that have not individually qualified for the state meet yet!
• Tuesday- 
• Meet against Jenison starting at 5:00pm so those going to Fine Arts can get to that on time. It is Jenison's senior night and they will announce seniors at the end of the meet so their parents can make it coming from work. There will be a meal after!
• Meet for the bus on the shawnee side at 3:00pm. Girls going to the fine arts night are allowed to drive separately (try and carpool) but will need to follow the bus and let me know on Monday. 
• Wednesday- 
• Morning conditioning for the state group 6:30-7:15 am 
• Practice 6-8pm 
• Thursday-
• SENIOR NIGHT against East Kentwood
• Girls meet at 5:15 on the pool deck
• Senior parents gather at 6:15 on pool deck
• Start senior night 6:20
• Meet starts at 6:30
• Friday- 
• Practice 6-7:30pm
• Saturday- 
• Practice 8-10am (Calvin has a home meet)

Taper Time!!!!

Taper is not…

• ·      A time to just goof off and be lazy at practice and at home
• ·      A time to slack off on details and get out of practice early
• ·      It is not a magic pill you take and automatically go fast!

Taper is…

• ·      A time where we will do increasingly less physically demanding sets and practices to allow our muscles and bodies to recover and rest more
• ·      To focus on all the details and make sure that every aspect of our race is prepared for
• ·      To focus on eating healthy… give something up (pop, candy, chocolate, junk food)
• ·      To mentally stay focused on the big meet ahead and STAY positive

Feel good moments starting on Monday!

Taper can be a really fun part of your season, but it is also one of the most critical parts of your season. Everyone is different and will feel different things. Some may feel slow and sluggish during taper; others might feel hyper and overly energetic. There is not a right way to feel. The most important thing is to ALWAYS stay positive and communicate to the coaches how you are feeling! There is no strict diet or sleep pattern that you should try and keep during this time, just like the other part of the season… I encourage a well rounded/healthy diet with a normal sleep pattern. I also encourage taking some reflective time at home to focus on your goals and things that you want to accomplish by the end of the season. No matter what, always stay positive and have fun… that is what we have worked so hard for all year! 

State Meet Block of room

A friendly reminder to parents that are going to the state meet (or have girls that are close to making state cut at the conference meet) to remember to sign up for a hotel room in the block that is reserved. The block is reserved for the discounted price until October 29th! The link is here to make reservations - Book your group rate for Grand Rapids Christian Parents

Make up practices this week

A friendly reminder...  If you are going to be gone in the next three days you must make up the works outs, and need to text or email me so I can send them to you. I have only gotten one email thus far! 

Friday practice rescheduled

Parents and girls- 

Practice on Friday for swimming and diving has been moved from Ottawa Hills in the evening to Calvin College from 11:30-1:30. If any girls need a ride please let us know at the meet or practice and we can find you a ride! 

Schedule for the week

Schedule for the week:

• Monday:
• Morning conditioning 7:30-8:15am
• Practice 6-8pm
• Tuesday:
• Home meet verse Northview
• Girls be on deck at 5:15, meet starts at 6:30pm 
• Swim team sleep over after the meet at the Lexie Suwyns
• Wednesday:
• No morning conditioning 
• Practice 6-8pm
• Thursday:
• Practice 6-8pm
• Friday:
• Practice at OTTAWA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL 6-7:30pm 
• Saturday:
• NO PRACTICE 

***If you have already spoken to me about missing practice this week, please email me so I can email you the work-out's to make up. This part of the season is crucial to make sure all work-outs are made up as we start to move into Taper (which we will talk about in a week). ***

Conference Details

Conference Details: 

• Location- Northivew Highschool 
• Teams- EGR, FHC, FHNE, GRCH, JEN, MCO, NV

• Time Schedule: 
• Friday, November 6th
• Pool open for swimming warm-up at 10:00am
• Balcony will open at 10:00am for spectators
• Swimming Prelims 12:00pm
• There will be a 20 minute break after the 50 free 
• Diving warm-ups 4:00pm
• Diving competition 5:30pm
• Saturday, November 7th
• Pool open for warm-up at 10:00am
• Balcony will open at 10:00am for spectators 
• Seniors from each team will be recognized prior to Finals at 11:50am
• Finals being 12:00pm
• Tickets: $5.00 admissions and $2.00 for heat sheets.
• Results: Results will be available on Meet Mobile as well as being posted up by the stairs in the walk way.

***As we get closer to conference I will specify when/where to meet for each day.