Mustang Monthly - Internet Edition

September 2002

The Dallas Mustangs coaches and board members would like to extend a warm welcome to the many new swimmers and parents on our team. Also, welcome back to those swimmers returning from a well earned rest after a busy long course season.

This newsletter is the first of our new season and has a lot of information regarding upcoming events that affect swimmers as well as parents. So please, read on!

 

Team Communication

 

As most parents and swimmers already know, the Dallas Mustangs is one of the largest swim teams in our LSC. We are active in three locations which is wonderful! However, it does at times, make mass communication somewhat of a challenge. The following information is geared primarily towards new parents and swimmers but returning swimmers may find it helpful as well.

Most of our communication that is pertinent to team schedules, activities, fundraisers, policies etc. is done through separate emailing. The program that is used is a group email program. The messages however, are sent out as individual mailings. For instance, I may send out a reminder notice to the team, regarding tuition fees being due. Although it will be mailed to everyone on the team, what you will receive is a message with only your name listed as the recipient. No one else’s email address will be visible. This not only provides you with privacy but eliminates a header with 300 email addresses in it.

This being said, you can understand why keeping us informed of any changes in your email address is important. Most of the mailings are of concern to parents, so please make sure that the address you have listed with the team, is one that a parent has access to. Each family can certainly have more than one address listed, so please let me know if there are additional addresses to input with your swimmer.

One issue that I have found to be problematic in sending email communications, is that I encounter some people who have limitations on their inbox. What that results in, is the message not being delivered and then being returned to me. Please, if you know that your listed email account has space limitations, check your messages and empty your inbox as needed. You may otherwise be missing out on important team information.

The other main source of information for our team is our website www.dmswim.com . John Wherry has been gracious enough to be our webmaster for many years. He has done a wonderful job of posting pictures, archiving newsletters, writing about team accomplishments, posting links to other swimming organizations, as well as to our board members and coaches. Please take some time to visit our web page and explore the contents. You should, as well, familiarize yourself with our LSC’s website, www.ntswim.org . There is meet information, meet results, a calendar of events for NT swimming, and again links to every aspect of swimming that you could hope for.

The Dallas Mustangs also has a team telephone line, which has general information regarding tryouts and so forth. However, more importantly for our swimmers, it also is updated with pertinent scheduling information each week. The number is 972-530-SWAM (7926).

Occasionally you will receive handouts that have been sent home with your swimmer, which contain information about upcoming meets or team-sponsored social events.  We try to send home a minimum amount of paper information with swimmers simply because it tends to get lost on the way home. It is a good habit to occasionally walk in to the pool and check the bulletin board. Most of the information that is sent home is also posted on the team board.

If you need to add to or change your email address for team mailings, please contact me at vp@dmswim.com . Thanks!

Wendy Begg

Parent Orientation

 

There will be three different sessions of orientation for parents of new swimmers. Please try to attend if you are new to the team.

 

Highland Park Pool -    Monday, September 23rd at 6pm

Loos Natatorium -        Tuesday, September 24th at 6pm

CFB Natatorium -        Monday, September 30th at 4:30pm
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mustangs Need USA Swimming Officials

 

Our team is currently suffering from a severe shortage of USA Swimming Officials that are needed to work on-deck as Stroke & Turn Officials during our sponsored swim meets and at other LSC events throughout the year.  An Officials Clinic will be held on September 21st from 9:00 to Noon at the Grapevine GCISD Swim Center.  If you are interested in seeing your swimmers up-close, would like a better view of the meet and have better tasting hospitality, please think about attending this Clinic to learn more about being a qualified USA Swimming Official.  You may also call James Jester at 214-696-4040 to learn more about officiating.  

 

Welcome New Coaches!

 

The Dallas Mustangs welcomes two new coaches to our swimming staff!

Caitlin Anderson, the Silver group assistant coach at HP, is from Charlottesville, VA. She graduated in May  2002 from the University of Virginia, with a BS in Commerce, with a finance concentration. Caitlin was the Captain of UVA’s women’s swim team from 2001-2002, President of UVA’s Captains’ Council and UVA’s representative to the ACC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. She represented UVA at the 2001 NCAA Leadership Conference in Lake Buena Vista, FL.

Some of her swimming accomplishments are the following:

Competed in breaststroke and sprint freestyle events for UVA.

Holds Virginia state record in 100 yard breast.

US Open Finalist in 100 meter breast.

Senior National qualifier in 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke.

Returned to the pool to compete in ACC championships in February 2001, just 6 weeks after undergoing complicated chest surgery.

Her younger brother Luke is an All-American on the Virginia men’s swimming team.

Her previous coaching experience:

3-year coach in Jefferson Swim League.

Volunteer assistant coach at Charlottesville Youth Aquatic Club.

Worked extensively with kids at local clinics throughout college. 

 

Lia Oberstar is the coach of the Gold group at Loos. Lia is from Fort Wayne, Indiana. She graduated from SMU in 1999 with degrees in Anthropology, Latin         American Studies and Spanish. Have completed 3 years of her Master's degree at SMU in Anthropology, she is now seeking to become certified as a personal     trainer, with an emphasis on the biomechanics of human movement.

Lia’s career highlights are as follows:

5-time Indiana High School State Champion.

NCAA All-American 1995-1999.

1997 NCAA Champion 200 fly.

SMU record holder 200 back, 100 back, relays.

USA National Team Member 1996-1999.

Former American record holder 200 back, 400 medley relay.

  Lia’s coaching experience:    

3 years of teaching private lessons.

7 years of teaching group lessons.

2 1/2 years of coaching Master's swimming.

 

Team Pictures

 

Team pictures will be taken October 1st at 5:15 PM SHARP at Loos prior to the Intra Squad Meet.  Swimmers should be there at 5:00 PM to get set for the picture. Swimmers should wear their team suit/tshirt for both the team picture and individual pictures. 

Individual pictures will be taken at each of the pools during workouts the following week.  Swimmers should try to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of their workout time for their individual picture.  The dates for individual pictures are:

 

    CFB             October 7th

    HP               October 8th

    Loos            October 9th & 10th

 

Swimmers who can not be at their regular pool for individual pictures on the given date may have their picture taken and workout at one of the other pools on the appropriate date.  Order forms will be available at the pools and will be handed out to the swimmers.  If ordering both a team picture and an individual picture, please use one order form and turn it in with your payment on October 1st when the team picture is taken. 

 

Intrasquad Meet

 

We will be having an intrasquad meet on October 1, 2002 from 5:30-7:30pm at Loos, immediately following the team pictures. THERE WILL NOT BE WORKOUTS AT ANY OF THE OTHER POOLS ON THAT EVENING. Please plan on attending. Besides being a lot of fun, it is a great opportunity for those new to swimming, to get some experience with the fundamentals of a swim meet. What usually happens is the team is divided into groups (a mix of age groups) and they compete against each other in the various strokes. It is all done in fun with lots of cheering and encouragement from all the swimmers. The team with the most spirit wins! We’ll see you there!

 

Haunted Hat Meet

 

The first meet of the season for BB/B/C swimmers, is the Haunted Hat Invitational, which is hosted by our team. It is from Friday, October 25 through Sunday 27th  (Divisions A & C teams only). This is a large meet which includes swimmers from all age groups. Since we run both ends of the pool for the meet, it takes a lot of volunteers to make it work. We are asking that everyone on the team please try to volunteer. We need people in hospitality, clerk of course, and runners for awards and computers. Swimmers who are not competing in this meet are more than welcome to help out.

If this is your first time to attend a swim meet, please do not be shy about volunteering. We give on the job training and aside from a few jobs, most of the work does not involve more than just your enthusiasm and willingness to help where you can. The meet director is Victor Kimm and he can be reached at vkimm@worldnet.att.com or 972-385-2434. There will be sign-up sheets posted at the pools and there may be other parents currently involved with the team, asking for your help. Please try to find the time to help out.

Thanks!

 

Private Lessons

 

For any swimmers who are interested in getting a little extra attention on their strokes, now is a great time to set up private lessons with one of the coaches.  Please call one of the following coaches to check on availability, fees and other details.

Mook Rhodenbaugh     214-768-1641

Doug Moyse                214-887-6961

Beth Lockwood           972-406-1650

Lia Oberstar                 214-443-0535

 
Upcoming GCAT Meet Policy

 

The Dallas Mustangs will not be participating as a team in the October GCAT meet.  This is an extra meet that was added to this year's schedule and was not part of the original schedule offered by the North Texas Technical Committee, which is in charge of setting up swim meets for this area.  Therefore, any swimmers signing up for this meet need to understand that there will be no DM coach at that meet.  If you have any questions, please call head coach Mook Rhodenbaugh at 214-768-1641.

 

Social News

 

Mark your calendars now attend our annual team picnic on Sunday, October 6th at 4:00 pm.  Every swimmer and their family should plan to attend.  This is a great chance to meet other swimmers, chat with the coaches, and visit with new and old friends. New swimmers especially should plan on attending.  The location is the same as last year, Curtis Park in University Park.  Last year's picnic featured food service, a tug of war contest, and a great crowd! This year the format will be similar.  More details and a map have been sent home with your swimmer. Reservations are required. You can make your reservation by emailing Stuart Roth at seroth1@gte.net or simply submit the completed form at the pools.

We will need a few volunteers to help organize check in and some other easy details.  Please call Stuart Roth at 972-939-1451 if you can help.  See you there!

 

 

Supply Room Hours

 

The supply room at Loos will be open from 5:45-7:15pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The supply room at Highland Park Pool will be open from 4:30-6:15pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Items such as team suits, caps,  goggles and fins can be purchased from the supply rooms.

 

Meet Recap from Long Course Season 2002

 

12 & Under “A” Champs (July 12-14)

Seventeen Mustangs swam in this meet held at the Wilkerson-Grienes Pool in Ft. Worth.  All but three of the swimmers achieved at least one best time.  We finished in seventh place despite not swimming any relays so the kids could be fresh for their individual events.  Besides being the taper meet of the summer season for many of our “A” swimmers, this meet also serves as a qualifying meet for the Texas Age Group Championship Meet (TAGS).  Time trials are held following the events on two of the three days giving swimmers yet another opportunity to get a best time or make a TAGS cut.

 

To make TAGS you must make certain rigorous time standards for either an individual event or a relay event (with three other swimmers).  In recent years we have always “added” up our times to try and qualify relays for this competitive event.  This one of many reasons why it is so important to swim your best at the end of the season if you are at a BB or A level because you could help qualify a relay for this ultra competitive meet.  Several people did step up and helped qualify more relays for TAGS than we have had in a long time.  Those swimmers who scored are listed below in Italics.  Those that won an event are bolded.

 

Ellyn Baker (10), Spindrift Beck (11), Hannah Ferrin (11), Emma Gunning (12), Kelsey Hendricks (12), Stephanie Martin (12), Kristin Masters (12), Lauren Roth (12), Alexis Vigier (12), Keegan Watters (10)

 

Congratulations to the following swimmers who also swam well posting some outstanding times:

 

Haley Hatfield (12), Meredith Higgins (12), Tim Moore (11), Ashley Rape (12), Caitlin Thomas (12), Meaghan Watters (12), Alex Weber (11)

 

 

BB Championships (July 19-21)

Thirty-five of our Mustangs competed in the BB Champs held in Plano at the indoor Oak Point Aquatic Center.  We finished a strong second place in the team battle out of 19 North Texas Teams with just over six hundred points.  Each of the Mustangs who competed  swam at least one best time.  Many had all best times.  Congratulations to all our swimmers for a great finish to the season!  Special kudos to Tori Beckman, Kelsey Craggett, Zak Dominguez, Kent Irvin, Kyle Johnson, Lindsay Larson, Travis McDaniel, Daneila Morlan, Raissa Van Uum, Alex Vanderzant, Casey Watters, Catia Weickgenant, and Joyce Yee for achieving at least one “A” time at the meet.

 

Below is a list of those swimmers who competed in the meet.  Those that scored are in Italics.  Those that won at least one event are in Italics and Bolded.  Their ages are listed in parenthesis.

 

Emily Andrews (10), Blake Armstrong (11), Alethea Atkins (10), Tori Beckman (12), Rachel Briscoe (12), Derrick Brown (13), Kelsey Craggett (11), Clark Davis (13), Zak Dominguez (17), Stephanie Grote (10), Bolton Harris (11), Kent Irvin (12), Becky Jester (14), Kyle Johnson (15), Christie Kimm (12), Lindsay Larson (12), Amelia Lin (13), Nicholas Low (13), Travis McDaniel (14), Will McNamara (9), Tim Moore (11), Brenda Morlan (9), Daneila Morlan (13), Sarah Parker (14), Kyle Savage (12), Caitlin Thomas (12), Raissa Van Uum (15), Reina Van Uum (15), Alex Vanderzant (16), Liam Veazey (9), Casey Watters (8), Catia Weickgenant (11), Jeffrey Wherry (14), Joe Wunderlick (17), Joyce Yee (11)

 

Way to go Mustangs!

 

B/C Summer Championships (July 27-28)

The B/C Champs this summer were held at the SWAT pool in Duncanville.  Despite an administrative snafu with the entries (none of our entries made the psyche sheet) our Mustangs stepped up big time and won the B/C Championships!  Of our thirty-one entries, only three swimmers did not record at least one best time.  Special congratulations to Will McNamara and Katie Ische for achieving at least one “BB” time standard.

 

Those that participated in the meet are listed below.  Swimmers who won an event are in bold type.  Those that are in Italics scored in at least one event.  Congratulations Champs!

 

Michael Bortnyck (11), Brian Collins (12), Katie Curtis (12), Sameer Deshpande (11), Lydia Gerard (9), Paul Gerard (11), Sarah Gerard (12), Brad Gommesen (7), Ashton Gregory (12), Lauren Gregory (7), Logan Gregory (8), Bolton Harris (11), Shelbi Hendricks (8), Lauren Hill (12), Katie Ische (12), Ryan Jones (7), Christie Kimm (12), Nick Kirk (7), Elisa Lin (10), Will McNamara (9), Meghan O’Keefe (8), Megan Reardon (11), Lesley Rowland (8), Brianna Sharp (8), Christian Sharp (11), Jason Sizemore (8), Jake Watters (7), Sasha West (8), Burke Wiggins (12), Nick Wiggins (8), Blake Woods (11)

 

The Mustangs finished another highly successful season as our swimmers competed like champions on every level.  Our team accomplishments included:  winning the team championship at the B/C Championships, bringing home team banners at the USA Swimming Sectionals/Texas Senior Circuit Championships (fourth place) and the Texas Age Group Championships (eighth place), and battling it out with some of the world’s best swimmers at the National Championships.  Those swimmers who scored valuable points at all of the championship meets are listed in boldface below, along with those swimmers who participated:

 

United States National Championships – Ft Lauderdale, FL

Codie Hansen, Candace Blackman, Jennifer Blackman, Dallas Marshall, Courtney Patterson and Tiffany Bohan

 

USA Swimming Sectionals/Texas Senior Circuit Championships – Austin

Martina Moravcova, Candace Blackman, Dallas Marshall, Jennifer Blackman, Debbie Forinashm, Courtney Patterson, Julia Polmeroy, Tiffany Bohan, Codie Hansen, Kaileen Gersper, Jono Newton, Jacob Anderson, Jonathan Hemphill, Griffin Marshall, Josh Kittrell, Allan Antillon, Bart Fassino, Andrew Hansen, Eric Gusa, Jacob Rodriguez, Marcus Pineyro, and Fabian Toth.

 

Texas Age Group Championships (TAGS) - Austin

Keegan Watters, Kelsey Hendricks, Spin Beck, Lauren Roth, Stephanie Martin, Alexis Vigier, Hannah Ferrin, Caroline Barnett, Meredith Grubb, Meredith Monroe, Molly Bollen, Em Gunning, Maddie Steiner, Alex Jennings, Rachel Bordan, Megan Daniel, Julia Tucker-Huth, Kenley Woods, Kate Gunning, Caroline Jennings, Jennifer Penley, Brooke Louisell, Erika Saito, Nicole Keller, Kaileen Gersper, Maggie Marshall, Kathleen Gallagher, Beth Geis, Amy Geis, Herbie Behm, Caleb Veazey, Blake Armstrong, Kyle Savage, Tim Moore, Jonathan Borden, John Bannan, Travis McDaniel, Davis Puelz, Clint Hallum, Andrew Hansen, Eric Gusa, Fabian Toth, Byron Carlisle, Griffin Marshall, and Kenneth Wherry.

 

13 and Over TAGS Q

Caroline Barnett, Meredith Grubb, Molly Bolen, Maddie Steiner, Megan Daniel, Diana Larson, Alex Jennings, Bri Barfield, Annalisa McCormick, Meredith Monroe, Jennifer Penley, Caroline Jennings, Beth Geis, Amy Geis, Erika Saito, Erin Morrison, Audrey Rogers, Madison Murphy, Beverly Yee, Brooke Louisell, Reagan Marshall, Nicole Keller, Julia Tucker-Huth, Kathleen Gallagher, Kate Gunning, Jessica Shaw, Travis McDaneil, John Bannon, Clint Hallum, Byron Carlisle, Nick Bredehoft, Matt Saunders, Bryan Jester, and Daniel Peckover.

 

Riviera Invitational

 

For those of you who went to TAGS in this past July, you now what it is like to swim in a really fast pool in a very well known facility, with very well known swimmers’ names and their records painted on the wall.  Well, now is your chance to swim in an even faster pool in an even more famous facility, see even more famous names painted on the wall, and the good news is you don’t have to have TAGS times to go!!

 

The Riviera Invitational will be held at the IUPUI Natatorium in Friday, November 1 through Sunday, November 3.  This is the pool where the last five Olympic Trials have been held.  This is a timed finals Open meet with no time standards.  In other words, no matter what your swimming level, you are welcome to swim at this meet.  It has a maximum daily event limit of five, but what makes this meet unique is that swimmers are allowed to swim in the Open division as well as within their normal age groups.  So if you have an event for which you have a goal time, you can swim that event twice!  This is a great meet for those swimmers aging up, who want one last swim at their best events before they are out of the age group for good!

 

Spin Beck represented the Dallas Mustangs at this meet in November 2001, and will be going back again.  Doug Moyse, Head Age-Group Coach, will also be going.  For expense estimating purposes, here is some preliminary information.  Roundtrip airfare (fourteen day advance, non-refundable) is currently $228. If more than 10 people travel together, we could get the fare down even more.  The hotel (University Doubletree) is $89 per night.  It is a block and a half from the pool, so a rental car is really unnecessary.  It would be so much fun to get some Mustangs together for this trip.  If you are interested, please contact Nancy Beck at 214-538-9695 immediately and she will provide you with details regarding the hotel and airfare prices she has found.  Please email Doug at scmoyse@flash.net for information about the meet (he also went last year and can tell you what it was like), or go to www.indianaswim.com/Entries/Winter02-03/RIV0211.pdf for the Meet Information online.  The deadline for getting your entry to Doug will be Friday, Oct. 4.