Mustang Monthly - Internet Edition

May 2008

Meet Recaps

 

Frisco B/C Meet (April 11 – 13)

 

This early season meet was held at the LISD Aquatic Center in the Colony.  We had 29 Mustang Swimmers at the meet and we placed a respectable 4th in the team race.  Coaches Jeff Veazey and Karen Miller were pumped up by the great efforts especially given that all but one of our swimmers who swam at the meet achieved at least one best time.  Many had all best times! 

 

Below is a list of the swimmers who scored points for the team in the meet.  Those swimmers whose names are in italics won at least one event.  Great efforts, great meet Mustangs!

 

Mason Arhelger (10), Tate Arhelger (12), Jack Arnold (10), Parker Penn (8), Carolina Campbell (9), Shirley Cheng (12), Stephen Cheng (9), Olivia Gruber (9), Kaylan Hardin (11), Angie Huang (12), Brian Jiang (7), Tara Lalvani (9), Sarah Lewis (10), Cameron Malakoff (11), Madison Monzingo (11), Ellie Pfeiffer (9), Christy Purnadi (12), Hannah Salinas (10), Milan Savani (12), Shauna Seidel (10), Praharsha Tangirala (11), Madeline Tovar (9), Maria Tovar (8), Elizabeth Wessman (8)

 

COPS BB Meet (April 18 – 20)

 

The first local long course meet of the season is always a shock for those swimmers who haven’t had much long course training given they are swimming more than twice the distance just to complete one length of the pool.  This meet was held indoors at Oak Point Natatorium in Plano and we finished 5th out of 16 teams competing in this early season BB meet with 37 of our swimmers participating in the meet.  Many of our swimmers had recently moved up from the B/C meets that are held in yards throughout the year so this was their first experience with a long course meet ever!

 

Coaches Kameron Kennedy and Beth Lockwood did their best to give them sound advice and to root them on to greatness despite any trepidation our swimmers might have had with the longer pool length.  Below is a list of those Mustangs who hit pay dirt and scored points in the meet.  Great job Mustangs!

 

Parker Capron (10), Patrick Crowling (14), Karim DeVol (13), Clare Donaldson (10), Sara Granger (14), Stephanie Grote (16), Jon Hoffman (14), Jacob Hum (8), Sarah Jones (13), Molly Kamuyu (16), Pauli Kerr (9), Morgan Koranda (12), Simone Lalvani (15), Pablo Lara (14), Mika Malouf (10), Addison McElya (12), Natalie Morris (10), Jeffrey Nichols (14), Sydney Patterson (13), Laura Rathjen (12), Annelyse Tullier (11), Ellie Ward (12), Jaclyn Zhou (12)

 

 

Mansfield/Mars A Meet (April 25 – 27)

 

This meet was held at the bright, relatively new Mansfield Aquatic Center.  Last season this meet had some really bad weather and we unfortunately had one of the days cancelled.  This year the weather was no issue at all and many of our ‘A’ swimmers jumped into a long course pool for the first time since last August.  We finished 5th out of 16 teams and swam well individually and collectively.  Coaches Lia Oberstar-Brown and Doug Moyse were pleased with the efforts and great attitudes of the kids in and out of the pool. 

 

Those that scored in the meet are listed below.  Fantastic job Mustangs………you are always the best even when you don’t finish first!

 

Rebecca Brandt (9), Coral Davenport (16), Megan Ernst (15), Caroline Florence (10), Erin Florence (10), Alex Fontenot (14), Eric Futscher (13), Tiffany Futscher (10), Des Godfrey (15), Tanner Harris (14), Haley Hatfield (18), Kaity Hillgartner (18), Alvin Jiang (10), Malin Kenny (15), Avery Kesterson (10), Alex McElya (10), Alyssa McElya (14), Logan McGill (12), Conor Mullen (12), Lauren Murski (12), Courtney Nichols (12), Adam Rathjen (10), Natalie Rathjen (12), Liam Veazey (14), Claire Walters (12), Jake Watters (12), William Wessman (10)

Social News

Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, July 22nd, when we will be having our annual Dallas Mustang fire-up party.  All swimmers who participate in a championship meet will be recognized. (Sectionals, TAGS, ‘A’ champs, ‘BB champs, ‘B/C champs…)

Hotel Information for Summer Meets

 

The Dallas Mustangs have blocks of rooms reserved for swimmers qualifying for Summer LC Sectionals and LC TAGS in July at the following hotels:

 

Embassy Suites Austin Central (located only 5-10 minutes from the Lee & Joe Jamail Swimming Center on the UT-Austin campus.).  Rooms are all doubles and will cost $139 per night.  Amenities include:

  • Free full cooked-to-order hot breakfast for all guests.
  • Rate also includes a nightly Manager's Reception with beer, wine, mixed drinks (for those 21 years of age or older with valid identification), soft drinks and snacks.
  • Our all-suite hotel features Double-bedded and King-bedded suites. The bedroom is separate from a living area that includes a sofa-sleeper and mini-bar

Rooms can be booked two ways:

  • By calling the hotel direct.  Contact: Kris Paulson (512) 519-0461 
  • By clicking or copying (and pasting to your browser) the following links:

 

Sectionals: http://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/groups/personalized/AUSCLES-DMS-20080716/index.jhtml

TAGS: http://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/groups/personalized/AUSCLES-DMT-20080723/index.jhtml

If anyone has issues or questions please email: travel@dmswim

 

Team Trip

 

Please remember that all forms for the Dallas Mustangs annual team trip are due no later than Wednesday, May 14th.  Forms can be printed from our website or can be obtained from your swimmer’s coach.  This is an unclassified meet so swimmers of all abilities are welcome.  This is a great opportunity for the kids to spend time together and get to know their teammates better.

 

Supply Room

 

Show your team spirit and stop by the Loos supply room to pick up a Dallas Mustang yard sign and car decal.  The supply room is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 – 7:00pm.

 

Practice Groups Closed

 

Due to the overcrowding of the Gold group, both the Gold and Silver II groups have been closed until further notice.  The closure of the Gold group, however, does not apply to any current Mustang swimmer who will turn 13 and has their three 13-14 BB times.  Any questions should be directed to head coach, Mook Rhodenbaugh.

 

Computer Help

 

We are looking for parents to learn how to operate the computers to help with our Mustang hosted meets.  We will provide all necessary training.  If interested, please contact our president, Eric Futscher at pres@dmswim.com.

 

In addition, we are in need of a few basic laptops.  The current computers are unreliable and in dire need of replacement. If anybody would be interested in donating a laptop or funds to help purchase a laptop please contact Eric at the above email.

 

Summer Schedule

 

Please note that the following schedule takes effect Monday, June 2nd:

 

Nationals: 7:00 – 9:00am @ SMU Monday-Friday;

                   3:30 – 6:15pm @ Loos Monday-Thursday;

                   10:00 – noon @ SMU Sunday

 

All Gold: 7:00 – 9:00am @ SMU Monday-Friday;

                 4:00 – 6:00pm @ Loos Monday-Thursday;

                 10:00 – noon @ SMU Sunday

 

Loos Silver: 6:00 – 7:30pm @ Loos Monday – Thursday;

                     9:00 – 11:00am @ SMU Monday and Friday only;

                     10:00 – noon @ SMU Sunday

 

HP Silver: 4:00 – 5:30pm @ HP Monday – Thursday;

                   9:00 – 11:00am @ SMU Monday and Friday only;

                   10:00 – noon @ SMU Sunday

 

Loos Bronze: 6:15 – 7:15pm @ Loos Monday – Thursday

 

HP Bronze: 5:30 – 6:30 @ HP Monday - Thursday

 

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

 

 Dallas Amateur Swimming Association (DASA) Swim Meets

 

Each year, the Dallas Mustangs host the DASA Divisional Championship and All-Star swim meets.  These meets bring together, in a championship format, approximately 1,800 recreational summer swimmers for the final meets of their summer season.  The Dallas Mustangs host these meets as a fundraiser for our team in that the DASA League pays us to host these meets.  This year the dates for the meets are as follows:

 

Monday, July 14 (divisionals)  

Tuesday, July 15 (divisionals)

Monday, July 21 (All-Stars)

 

As you are all aware, it takes many volunteers to host and successfully run a swim meet of this size.  In addition to our parent volunteers, we also allow many of our swimmers to volunteer at these meets in areas such as ready bench, runners, awards, etc.  In addition to supporting the team fundraiser, this activity allows our swimmers to gain an important appreciation for the volunteer efforts that go into each and every swim meet that they attend.  

 

The success of these meets is also an important recruiting tool for the Dallas Mustangs as we have the opportunity to meet some of the best recreational swimmers in the Dallas area.  Many of these swimmers may also be considering joining a year round swim program, and through these swim meets the Dallas Mustangs are their first USA Swimming contact.

Additionally, the Mustangs Bucks volunteer awards program provides for double Mustang Bucks when volunteering at the DASA Fundraiser Swim Meet.  Therefore, a volunteer may earn $20.00 in Mustang Bucks for volunteering 5 – 10 hours, and $50.00 for volunteering greater than 10 hours.  (There is still a maximum Mustang Buck limit of two (2) credits per family for the event.)

           

We would like to encourage everyone, parents and swimmers, to volunteer in some way to help with the DASA Championship Swim Meets.  Remember – NO Experience is Necessary, We provide on the Job Training.   More information will follow as we approach the date. 

 

 

Scheduling Updates

 

Please remember to check your email frequently or the team line at 972.530.SWAM (7926), for last minute changes to our schedule.  If you are not receiving team e-mails, please contact Donna Watters at vp@dmswim.com     

 

Summer Break

The Mustangs will take their annual summer break this year from August 11– August 29th, returning Tuesday, September 2nd at regularly scheduled practice times.  

 

Rowdy Clinic a Success

Approximately 75 Mustang swimmers attended the Rowdy Gaines swim clinic held at SMU last month.  Rowdy, a 3 time Olympic Gold Medalist and Chief Fundraising Officer for USA Swimming, tours the country conducting swim clinics and giving motivational speeches. He is also part of the NBC broadcasting team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The participants this year were treated to a video of Rowdy’s first gold medal win at the 1984 Olympic games and then were able to hold one of his gold medals.  Rowdy also went in the pool with the swimmers and helped them with their technique.  At the conclusion he stayed to sign autographs and pose for pictures.  It was quite an experience for those who were able to attend!

 

Painless Fundraiser

 

The Dallas Mustangs is registered with Tom Thumb in its Good Neighbor Program. Please remember to attach our Good Neighbor Number to your Reward Card and Tom Thumb will donate a percentage of the member’s total grocery purchases back to the Dallas Mustangs every time your Reward Card is used! Painless and potentially profitable for our team!

 

OUR TOM THUMB NUMBER IS 7648

 

 Tuition Policy

The Dallas Mustangs is a competitive year round age-group swimming program.  As such we strive to provide consistent quality coaching and workout facilities.  To achieve this goal we establish pool rental contracts and salary commitments with our coaching staff for a full 12-month period.  The Dallas Mustangs Swim Team is not, and was not designed to be a swim program where swimmers drop in one month and out the next.  Flexibility has always been important to us.  We try to work with each family on the team and we will continue to do so. 

 

Tuition may be paid annually or monthly.  Monthly Tuition must be paid via electronic bank draft or credit card only.  NO checks will be accepted at any pools or through the mail.  NO EXCEPTIONS.  Annual tuition may be paid by check submitted with your registration form.

 

·        Tuition is due from September through July.

·        Leave of Absence (LOA) is available only for injury and medical reasons.

·        There will be a $10.00 per month discount for the second and subsequent swimmers in the same family.  The fourth swimmer is free.

·        If dues are paid annually, there will be a $110.00 discount for the second swimmer and a $220.00 discount for the third swimmer. If there are more than 3 swimmers; the three highest tuition rates will be billed and the 4th and subsequent swimmers are free.

·        A swimmer transferring from another team must be in good standing with their old team.

·        Tuition is due the first of every month. There will be a $5.00 per family late fee after the 10th of the month for non-zero balance accounts.

·        There are no tuition refunds, tuition paid for the month or the year commits you for that period.

·        Written communication to the DM Treasurer is required to change or stop automatic billing.

·        The swimmer(s) may be barred from swimming if there is an aged account balance is excess of 60 days.

 

Any questions regarding billing should be addressed to the team treasurer via e-mail

 

Meet Entry Policy:

 

Meet entry fees will be paid by credit card only.  Your credit card will be charged monthly.  There will be a $1.00 surcharge per meet per swimmer added to the fee.  Meet entry fees will be charged separate from tuition charges.  All swimmers must maintain a current and up to date meet entry account.   Swimmers who do not provide valid credit card information for meet entry fees will not be allowed to enter swim meets.