Front Office Football Central - View Single Post - Swim Like A Champion (a real life journal)

Breeze · 11-22-2021, 11:19 AM

Point University Invitational - RESULTS

St. Thomas - 1242.5
Berry College - 633.5
SCAD - 479.5
Thomas University - 415
Point University - 208.5
South Georgia State - 154

This was an interesting and somewhat odd meet for Berry. Several swimmers competed in events that they haven't swum in up to this point, and the choices were at times, strange. Before the meet started is was pretty obvious that St. Thomas was going to win, too big a roster with too many high end swimmers for the rest of the field. Maybe the coach recognized that as well and decided to use this as an opportunity to watch swimmers compete in different events?

Coming into this meet, Berry was 3 swimmers down:

- Emilio Rico was sick
- Tyler Stephenson had a med school application interview
- Collin Dillard had a funeral to attend.

There were several really strong swims this week, despite the fact the team didn't taper at all. Here are some highlights:

- Alex Bartik - 52.88 in 100 Fly
- Billy Blood - 1:58.53 in 200 Back
- Noah Brand - 46.33 in 100 Free
- Riley Croker - 2:08.78 in 200 Back, and 2:11.41 in 200 IM (in backend scoring range for conference)
- Ryan McKinnon - 4:12.39 in 400 IM (currently fastest time in conference)
- Ryan McKinnon - 53.80 in 100 Back (2nd fastest on the team, ahead of the 2 guys that have been swimming back in relays)
- Sam Tate - 52.76 in Back (fastest on the team)
- Ethan Whiting 4:12.63 in 400 IM (currently second fastest in conference)
- Ross Valdez - EVERYTHING THIS GUY IS SWIMMING. Went 9:31.03 in 1000 Free to destroy the record he set just a few weeks ago!!!

Bear

Day 1 Prelims

200 Free Prelim - In his first swim of the meet, Bear managed a season's best time of 1:48.31, good enough for 7th overall and a spot in the A final that evening. Moreover, this swim was 2nd fastest on the team (behind Ross' 1:43.71) a head of Hunter, Paxton, Billy, and Harrison. A good sign for him holding on to a spot on the A 800 free relay.

800 Free - Bear was the anchor on the A relay. And as it turns out he was about 1.5 seconds behind the leader when he dove in. He busted it trying to make up the gap, but the other swimmer was just better (finished 2nd in the 200 Free). The initial effort to chase really took it's toll and Bear crashed coming home. His split was a poor 1:54, but it didn't matter because the team finished in 2nd well ahead of 3rd place.

Day 1 Finals

200 Free Relay - B team - The relay finished 5th overall, not bad for a B team. Bear split a 22.9, which is good for him, considering his personal best 50 is a 23.35, but I believe he was hoping for a bit faster, especially with the way he's been swimming.

200 Free Finals - In the finals, Bear was 1.42 seconds faster than he was in the prelims for a new season's best swim of 1:46.89, which is extremely strong considering it's the 4th fastest time he's ever recorded in this event, and the fastest he's ever gone without a taper. Moreover, it's less than 1 second off his personal best time.

Day 2 Prelims

100 Free Prelims - Another strong swim for Bear, posting a sesaon's best 49.86. It's also his second fastest 100 free swim on record, and only .57 seconds off a personal best time. Unfortunately, he finished 17th in the event so he didn't make it back to finals in this one.

1000 Free Finals - Didn't get to see this one because the feed was dropped, but Bear said the swim was ugly and he felt like absolute crap (though the shoulder wasn't the issue). However, he posted a season's best swim of 10:16.85, abyt a 20.5 second improvement over his previous season's best. He admitted that it feels good to know that swim didn't feel good, but that he was still going fast. At this point, Bear figured he was finished. The coach had reported that the team would skip the final 400 Freestyle event in order to get on the road and head back home a bit earlier, and with that in mind Bear didn't warm down following this swim...so:

Day 2 Finals

400 Free Relay - the coach changed his mind, and fielded an A relay and Bear was on it. They weren’t really built to challenge for the win, as Hunter Erb was the anchor leg, but Bear an co. still managed to finish 5th. Bear grinded out a 50.12, so not far off is 100 Free from the morning session, so a pretty good effort under the circumstances.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bear was extremely pleased with his results in this meet. In fact, he was so pleased that he asked if we could purchase a tech suit for him to have before the next meet. The December 2nd, SCAD Invite will be a taper meet and Bear thinks he can post some personal bests, which would be a huge confidence builder for him, as he's really struggled to get back to high level of swimming he was at prior to the shoulder/lat issues. Unfortunately, this taper meet will be a bit odd because the swimmers will be home for several days with family for Thanksgiving and will be forced to practice on their own. The coach provided a workout schedule for the kids to follow, and I'm guessing Bear will meet up with a couple of teammates in the area to workout together.

I'm extremely eager to see how things shake out in Savannah in a couple of weeks.

11-22-2021, 11:19 AM	#1407
Breeze Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Northern Suburbs of ATL	Point University Invitational - RESULTS St. Thomas - 1242.5 Berry College - 633.5 SCAD - 479.5 Thomas University - 415 Point University - 208.5 South Georgia State - 154 This was an interesting and somewhat odd meet for Berry. Several swimmers competed in events that they haven't swum in up to this point, and the choices were at times, strange. Before the meet started is was pretty obvious that St. Thomas was going to win, too big a roster with too many high end swimmers for the rest of the field. Maybe the coach recognized that as well and decided to use this as an opportunity to watch swimmers compete in different events? Coming into this meet, Berry was 3 swimmers down: - Emilio Rico was sick - Tyler Stephenson had a med school application interview - Collin Dillard had a funeral to attend. There were several really strong swims this week, despite the fact the team didn't taper at all. Here are some highlights: - Alex Bartik - 52.88 in 100 Fly - Billy Blood - 1:58.53 in 200 Back - Noah Brand - 46.33 in 100 Free - Riley Croker - 2:08.78 in 200 Back, and 2:11.41 in 200 IM (in backend scoring range for conference) - Ryan McKinnon - 4:12.39 in 400 IM (currently fastest time in conference) - Ryan McKinnon - 53.80 in 100 Back (2nd fastest on the team, ahead of the 2 guys that have been swimming back in relays) - Sam Tate - 52.76 in Back (fastest on the team) - Ethan Whiting 4:12.63 in 400 IM (currently second fastest in conference) - Ross Valdez - EVERYTHING THIS GUY IS SWIMMING. Went 9:31.03 in 1000 Free to destroy the record he set just a few weeks ago!!! Bear Day 1 Prelims *200 Free Prelim* - In his first swim of the meet, Bear managed a season's best time of 1:48.31, good enough for 7th overall and a spot in the A final that evening. Moreover, this swim was 2nd fastest on the team (behind Ross' 1:43.71) a head of Hunter, Paxton, Billy, and Harrison. A good sign for him holding on to a spot on the A 800 free relay. *800 Free* - Bear was the anchor on the A relay. And as it turns out he was about 1.5 seconds behind the leader when he dove in. He busted it trying to make up the gap, but the other swimmer was just better (finished 2nd in the 200 Free). The initial effort to chase really took it's toll and Bear crashed coming home. His split was a poor 1:54, but it didn't matter because the team finished in 2nd well ahead of 3rd place. Day 1 Finals *200 Free Relay - B team* - The relay finished 5th overall, not bad for a B team. Bear split a 22.9, which is good for him, considering his personal best 50 is a 23.35, but I believe he was hoping for a bit faster, especially with the way he's been swimming. *200 Free Finals* - In the finals, Bear was 1.42 seconds faster than he was in the prelims for a new season's best swim of 1:46.89, which is extremely strong considering it's the 4th fastest time he's ever recorded in this event, and the fastest he's ever gone without a taper. Moreover, it's less than 1 second off his personal best time. Day 2 Prelims *100 Free Prelims* - Another strong swim for Bear, posting a sesaon's best 49.86. It's also his second fastest 100 free swim on record, and only .57 seconds off a personal best time. Unfortunately, he finished 17th in the event so he didn't make it back to finals in this one. *1000 Free Finals* - Didn't get to see this one because the feed was dropped, but Bear said the swim was ugly and he felt like absolute crap (though the shoulder wasn't the issue). However, he posted a season's best swim of 10:16.85, abyt a 20.5 second improvement over his previous season's best. He admitted that it feels good to know that swim didn't feel good, but that he was still going fast. At this point, Bear figured he was finished. The coach had reported that the team would skip the final 400 Freestyle event in order to get on the road and head back home a bit earlier, and with that in mind Bear didn't warm down following this swim...so: Day 2 Finals *400 Free Relay* - the coach changed his mind, and fielded an A relay and Bear was on it. They weren’t really built to challenge for the win, as Hunter Erb was the anchor leg, but Bear an co. still managed to finish 5th. Bear grinded out a 50.12, so not far off is 100 Free from the morning session, so a pretty good effort under the circumstances. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bear was extremely pleased with his results in this meet. In fact, he was so pleased that he asked if we could purchase a tech suit for him to have before the next meet. The December 2nd, SCAD Invite will be a taper meet and Bear thinks he can post some personal bests, which would be a huge confidence builder for him, as he's really struggled to get back to high level of swimming he was at prior to the shoulder/lat issues. Unfortunately, this taper meet will be a bit odd because the swimmers will be home for several days with family for Thanksgiving and will be forced to practice on their own. The coach provided a workout schedule for the kids to follow, and I'm guessing Bear will meet up with a couple of teammates in the area to workout together. I'm extremely eager to see how things shake out in Savannah in a couple of weeks. Last edited by Breeze : 02-17-2022 at 07:34 AM.