Congratulations to the Giles Jets, who won the Association Meet on Saturday, July 31, hosted by the Tazewell Torpedoes. It was an excellent meet with many close races. The competition was probably the strongest we have had in years. But in the end, the Jets won the prize. The final score was:
Giles: 2315
Tazewell: 1805
Concord: 1161
Raleigh County: 1059
The swimmers won the victory - there is no doubt about that. However, without the fantastic support of the parents and families, the swimmers could not have done it. Special thanks, Parents and Families!!!!!
Also, special thanks are due to three people who invested themselves in the swimmers all season long.
Coach Kathy Pierson worked with the new swimmers from day 1, teaching them to swim and how to get stronger. A couple years ago, many of our swimmers were disqualified regularly, costing us points in meets and causing the swimmers much frustration. With Coach Kathy's help, those days are gone. We had very few swimmers disqualified this season and especially in the big meet!
Coach Scott Widrig provided incredible workout support on a regular basis, helping Jim have some much needed free time at home and providing valuable time to work on team administration and meet planning. Scott is an excellent coach and is good with the swimmers - and they thanked him by pushing him in the water after several meet victories!
Coach Brad Whitehead gave the swimmers good hard workouts regulary through the season, from conditioning swims to butterfly sprints to breath control workouts. The swimmers didn't like the workouts much, but they all told me repeatedly that they appreciated the hard work and the benefits it would bring. Coach Brad filled a vital role for the team!
I also wish to thank our officers for their hard work with the administration of the team, from rosters to dues to rules and meet sign ups to fundraising and shirt sales and much much more. They kept the engine running smooth.
Finally - all parents helped with meets, but a number of parents helped far and beyond by helping to set up the pool before practice and taking down the equipment after practice. Many nights Jim didn't have to do anything but focus on the swimmers, which was really great. Thanks to the parents.
The swim team picnic is Monday August 16th and we will celebrate together!
Way to Go, Jets!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Jets Complete an Undefeated Regular Season
The 2010 regular swim season is complete, and the Giles Jets are undefeated! Victories over Raleigh County Aquatics, Tazewell and Concord at home and away were the key. Now we turn our attention to the Association Meet on July 31 hosted by the Tazewell Torpedoes. With the addition of RCA and their fantastic swimmers coupled with Concord's always strong swimmers and Tazewell's large number of swimmers, the Jets will have their hands full on Saturday. On paper, its too close to call. In the water, we are looking to win!
Lets Go Jets!
Lets Go Jets!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Giles Jets to host the Raleigh County Aquatics
On Thursday, June 24th, the Giles Jets will host the Raleigh County Aquatics team for our first dual meet of the season. RCA is new to the Association this year, so lets give them a warm welcome in our first meet...and lets win decisively!
Swimmers must arrive at the pool at 4:30 to get checked in and set up. Our warm ups are at 5 pm - 5:15 pm, then the meet will start at 5:30. This is an A meet, so we should be done by around 9 or 9:30.
Swimmers are encouraged to bring warm clothes and several dry towels. The air will cool down fast and we'll need to be dry and warm. Swimmers are encouraged to eat good foods during the day, like good carbs (pasta, fruits), and avoid fatty foods and especially carbonated soft drinks. Fat and carbonation will make it much harder to swim at top efficiency.
The swimmer's events will be posted this week at practice so they can see what they are swimming. Swimmers will be scheduled to swim as many events as possible. Everyone is allowed 4 individual events and two relays - depending on skill level and experience. If a swimmer is scheduled in an event they are not comfortable with, we can always make a change.
Feel free to invite your family and friends. We like lots of cheering and excitement.
See you Thursday - and Let's Go Jets!
Swimmers must arrive at the pool at 4:30 to get checked in and set up. Our warm ups are at 5 pm - 5:15 pm, then the meet will start at 5:30. This is an A meet, so we should be done by around 9 or 9:30.
Swimmers are encouraged to bring warm clothes and several dry towels. The air will cool down fast and we'll need to be dry and warm. Swimmers are encouraged to eat good foods during the day, like good carbs (pasta, fruits), and avoid fatty foods and especially carbonated soft drinks. Fat and carbonation will make it much harder to swim at top efficiency.
The swimmer's events will be posted this week at practice so they can see what they are swimming. Swimmers will be scheduled to swim as many events as possible. Everyone is allowed 4 individual events and two relays - depending on skill level and experience. If a swimmer is scheduled in an event they are not comfortable with, we can always make a change.
Feel free to invite your family and friends. We like lots of cheering and excitement.
See you Thursday - and Let's Go Jets!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Mock Meet Tuesday June 15
On Tuesday June 15th we will hold our annual Mock Meet. Swimmers and parents are asked to arrive at the pool at 6:45. Swimmers will get a list of their events and parents will help set up the meet and get assignments and training for duties during the meets. We will set up the pool for the meet starting at 7 pm, then the meet will start. (Normal meets start at 5:30). This meet should only last a couple hours...depending on getting all the bugs worked out, etc.
Purpose: This is a "mini-meet" designed to give new swimmers and parents a taste of what a swim meet is like, and it gives the team a chance to test all the equipment needed for the upcoming meets.
Families: Probably most important, this meet gives parents a chance to try out the jobs they will be doing during the meets. Some examples include: clerk of course (organizing swimmers in each event), timer (stopwatch duty during each race to get the swimmer's time), starter (announces each event and starts each race), runner (picks up time cards from each lane after each race and other paperwork and delivers them to the scorer's table, also pick up and deliver other items around the pool as needed), scorer (records swimmer's times, places in each event, records points awarded, scores meet), working concessions (selling food items or swim related items), Children's keeper (help small kids know when to go to the clerk of course, help kids move from clerk to starting blocks, helps find kids that don't show up at the blocks at the right time, etc), and stroke and turn judge (judges the swimmers as they swim to ensure they follow the rules for each stroke and race).
If you are new, you will be taught everything you need to know about how to do the jobs you are interested in doing. Most jobs are easy, some require a bit of training, but all are important. Every family is expected to help out in some way during the home meets. Most duty shifts are for half a meet, so it is not really that hard to help out. Again, we will help all new parents (and returning parents) learn what to do and how and when to do it. You will have lots of help and guidance. Equally important - setting up for the meet and taking all the equipment down after the meet requires lots of help from parents. The coach will be very busy coordinating swimmers before the meet and finalizing meet results after the meet. The swim team officers and volunteer coordinators will help everyone know what needs to be done.
The meet coordinators will explain all this in more detail at the Mock Meet and there will be more discussions before the first home meet.
Swimmers: We will have 18 events, or races, at the Mock Meet. (Normal meets have 64 events, give or take.) Event 1 will be boys 6 and under 25 meter freestyle. Event 2 will be girls 6 and under 25 meter freestyle...up to event 12, which is girls 15-18 50 freestyle. The list of events for each swimmer will be posted on a bulletin board (see below). For the mock meet, every swimmer will swim one individual freestyle event, and each swimmer will be "racing" against other swimmers in his/her gender and age group. The last 6 events will be relay races, where groups of four swimmers will form relay teams that will race against each other. These teams will be made up of boys and girls together. Again, 6 and under teams will race against each other and so on up to the oldest swimmers. (In regular meets, most swimmers will swim 1 to 4 events and 1 or 2 relay races depending on age, skill level and swimmer preference).
I will post on a bulletin board the list of swimmers participating in the meet and in which events they are swimming. Swimmers will often write their event numbers on their arms so they won't forget. Then swimmers will listen for the announcement of each event. When they hear their event number called, they will be told to report to the clerk of the course. This will be in the corner nearest the pool steps (by the tennis courts). Once they arrive at the clerk, they will be given a small card with their name on it which will tell them the event number and what the race will be (which they will already know from the bulletin board posting). The card will also tell them what lane they will swim in for the race. If the event is a relay, the card will have the names of all swimmers on the relay team. The clerk will put the kids in order (based on what lane they are in) and the kids will sit in chairs until it is time to go to the blocks. The clerk will tell the kids when to go to the blocks and a Child keeper will lead the kids to the blocks and help them stay in order. Once at the blocks, the timers will get the swimmer's card, and the starter will announce the event number and what the race will be. At that point, the starter will tell the swimmers to get on the blocks (or beside the blocks for those kids that are not comfortable with the blocks yet), take your marks, and a buzzer will sound to start the race. At that point, the swimmer will swim the race. When the swimmer touches the wall, the timers will stop their watches and record the swimmer's time on the card. When all swimmers have finished the race, all the swimmers will be told to exit the pool, and the next event will begin. Swimmers will go to the waiting area to rest and the cards will be taken to the scorer's table for processing. Swimmers then listen out for their next event to be called.
Swimmers are expected to cheer for their team mates as they swim. This can be the most fun part of the meet. It is my hope that we can do some team cheering and yelling before the meet starts. Team spirit is a great morale builder and it helps calm the nerves before the meet. More information about the regular meets will be posted soon, including directions for away meets, events, jobs, etc. Please check back regularly.
LET'S GO, JETS!
Purpose: This is a "mini-meet" designed to give new swimmers and parents a taste of what a swim meet is like, and it gives the team a chance to test all the equipment needed for the upcoming meets.
Families: Probably most important, this meet gives parents a chance to try out the jobs they will be doing during the meets. Some examples include: clerk of course (organizing swimmers in each event), timer (stopwatch duty during each race to get the swimmer's time), starter (announces each event and starts each race), runner (picks up time cards from each lane after each race and other paperwork and delivers them to the scorer's table, also pick up and deliver other items around the pool as needed), scorer (records swimmer's times, places in each event, records points awarded, scores meet), working concessions (selling food items or swim related items), Children's keeper (help small kids know when to go to the clerk of course, help kids move from clerk to starting blocks, helps find kids that don't show up at the blocks at the right time, etc), and stroke and turn judge (judges the swimmers as they swim to ensure they follow the rules for each stroke and race).
If you are new, you will be taught everything you need to know about how to do the jobs you are interested in doing. Most jobs are easy, some require a bit of training, but all are important. Every family is expected to help out in some way during the home meets. Most duty shifts are for half a meet, so it is not really that hard to help out. Again, we will help all new parents (and returning parents) learn what to do and how and when to do it. You will have lots of help and guidance. Equally important - setting up for the meet and taking all the equipment down after the meet requires lots of help from parents. The coach will be very busy coordinating swimmers before the meet and finalizing meet results after the meet. The swim team officers and volunteer coordinators will help everyone know what needs to be done.
The meet coordinators will explain all this in more detail at the Mock Meet and there will be more discussions before the first home meet.
Swimmers: We will have 18 events, or races, at the Mock Meet. (Normal meets have 64 events, give or take.) Event 1 will be boys 6 and under 25 meter freestyle. Event 2 will be girls 6 and under 25 meter freestyle...up to event 12, which is girls 15-18 50 freestyle. The list of events for each swimmer will be posted on a bulletin board (see below). For the mock meet, every swimmer will swim one individual freestyle event, and each swimmer will be "racing" against other swimmers in his/her gender and age group. The last 6 events will be relay races, where groups of four swimmers will form relay teams that will race against each other. These teams will be made up of boys and girls together. Again, 6 and under teams will race against each other and so on up to the oldest swimmers. (In regular meets, most swimmers will swim 1 to 4 events and 1 or 2 relay races depending on age, skill level and swimmer preference).
I will post on a bulletin board the list of swimmers participating in the meet and in which events they are swimming. Swimmers will often write their event numbers on their arms so they won't forget. Then swimmers will listen for the announcement of each event. When they hear their event number called, they will be told to report to the clerk of the course. This will be in the corner nearest the pool steps (by the tennis courts). Once they arrive at the clerk, they will be given a small card with their name on it which will tell them the event number and what the race will be (which they will already know from the bulletin board posting). The card will also tell them what lane they will swim in for the race. If the event is a relay, the card will have the names of all swimmers on the relay team. The clerk will put the kids in order (based on what lane they are in) and the kids will sit in chairs until it is time to go to the blocks. The clerk will tell the kids when to go to the blocks and a Child keeper will lead the kids to the blocks and help them stay in order. Once at the blocks, the timers will get the swimmer's card, and the starter will announce the event number and what the race will be. At that point, the starter will tell the swimmers to get on the blocks (or beside the blocks for those kids that are not comfortable with the blocks yet), take your marks, and a buzzer will sound to start the race. At that point, the swimmer will swim the race. When the swimmer touches the wall, the timers will stop their watches and record the swimmer's time on the card. When all swimmers have finished the race, all the swimmers will be told to exit the pool, and the next event will begin. Swimmers will go to the waiting area to rest and the cards will be taken to the scorer's table for processing. Swimmers then listen out for their next event to be called.
Swimmers are expected to cheer for their team mates as they swim. This can be the most fun part of the meet. It is my hope that we can do some team cheering and yelling before the meet starts. Team spirit is a great morale builder and it helps calm the nerves before the meet. More information about the regular meets will be posted soon, including directions for away meets, events, jobs, etc. Please check back regularly.
LET'S GO, JETS!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Practice Canceled Friday May 28th
Giles county is surrounded by thunderstorms, and some are severe. It seems unlikely that we will be allowed to enter the pool anytime soon. Therefore, I am cancelling practice for today - FRIDAY. Ah, Summer!
Have a great Memorial Day weekend, and we will see you TUESDAY from 7-9 pm (new time). 7 pm for 9 and under and 8 pm for 10 and up.
Tell all your friends to come out and swim with us. Its fun!
Have a great Memorial Day weekend, and we will see you TUESDAY from 7-9 pm (new time). 7 pm for 9 and under and 8 pm for 10 and up.
Tell all your friends to come out and swim with us. Its fun!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Practice Canceled Thursday May 27th
Hello,
We are canceling practice due to thunderstorm activity.
Practice Friday 6-8 pm.
Remember next week (Tuesday) we switch to 7-9 pm practices and no Fridays.
Thanks!
We are canceling practice due to thunderstorm activity.
Practice Friday 6-8 pm.
Remember next week (Tuesday) we switch to 7-9 pm practices and no Fridays.
Thanks!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
The 2010 Swim Season is HERE!
Hello Jets!
Welcome to the 2010 Swim Season. I hope to see all our swimmers return for another season - and I especially hope to see a lot of new faces this year. Please tell everyone about the swim team so we can remain strong for years to come.
For the week of May 24th, we will practice on Tuesday through Friday from 6-8 pm. Please note that kids aged 9 and under will practice from 6-7 pm, and kids 10 and up will practice from 7-8 pm.
Starting Tuesday, June 1st (no practice Memorial Day), we will swtich to the 7-9 pm timeslots. Same deal... kids 9 and under will practice from 7-8 pm and kids 10 and up will practice from 8-9 pm.
Also starting Tuesday, June 1st, we will practice only on Monday - Thursday.
Our meets start on June 24th, with a home meet against Welch and Beckley. You can find the whole schedule on the right side of this blog. We will also hand out a calendar with meet and practice information during the first week.
Check back here often for news and updates.
Lets Go Jets!
Welcome to the 2010 Swim Season. I hope to see all our swimmers return for another season - and I especially hope to see a lot of new faces this year. Please tell everyone about the swim team so we can remain strong for years to come.
For the week of May 24th, we will practice on Tuesday through Friday from 6-8 pm. Please note that kids aged 9 and under will practice from 6-7 pm, and kids 10 and up will practice from 7-8 pm.
Starting Tuesday, June 1st (no practice Memorial Day), we will swtich to the 7-9 pm timeslots. Same deal... kids 9 and under will practice from 7-8 pm and kids 10 and up will practice from 8-9 pm.
Also starting Tuesday, June 1st, we will practice only on Monday - Thursday.
Our meets start on June 24th, with a home meet against Welch and Beckley. You can find the whole schedule on the right side of this blog. We will also hand out a calendar with meet and practice information during the first week.
Check back here often for news and updates.
Lets Go Jets!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
