Mustang Monthly- Internet Edition

July 2008

 

MEET RECAPS

 

TRS B/C Invitational (May 2 – 4)

Twenty-Eight of our twelve and under Mustangs competed in the meet held at the Grapevine/Colleyville ISD pool.  It was ably hosted by the Texas Riversharks (TRS) which was formerly known as GCAT.  We finished third out of seven teams.  Our kids did such a good job swimming well at the meet that ALL twenty-eight of our swimmers  scored points for the team in either the B or C division!!!  Congratulations to all for this awesome accomplishment.  Everybody who scored is listed below.  Those who won at least one event are listed in italics.

 

Davis Benn (11), Parker Benn (8), Bianca Bowring (10), Abigail Cartwright (11), Jason Cheng (9), Kristie Cheng (7), Shirley Cheng (12), Stephen Cheng (12), Sara Duke (10), Caroline Forbes (8), Emilee Gant (9), Olivia Gruber (9), Kaylin Hardin (11), Madison Hutts (9), Sarah Lewis (10), Cameron Malakoff (11), Ishan Mistry (7), Hannah Reifsnyder (11), Charlotte Rolfe (11), Milan Savani (12), Jena Seidemann (11), Praharsha Tangirala (11), Alex Tcheng (9), Dylan Tcheng (11), Madeline Tovar (10), Maria Tovar (8), James Welsh (10), Elizabeth Wessman (8), Rebecca Wessman (8), Megan Yancey (11)

 

LAC BB Spring Meet (May 9 - 11)

This long course meet was held at the Keller ISD Pool. We finished a strong 3rd out of 17 teams in the team points race while winning many heats and events with great, inspiring swims.  Thirty four of our swimmers competed in the meet.  Those that scored are listed below.  Great job Mustangs!

Luke Blaylock (13), Andrew Carbery (17), Elizabeth Crowling (13), Patrick Crowling (17), Nolan Daniels (11), Patrick Daniels (9), Karim De Vol (13), Clare Donaldson (10), Sara Granger (14), Jon Hoffman (14), Jacob Hum (8), Sarah Jones (13), Pauli Kerr (9), Morgan Koranda (12), Mika Malouf (10), Addison McElya (12), Boni McVey (10), Meggy McVey (14), Kenzie Murphy (11), Jeffrey Nichols (14), Sydney Patterson (13), Laura Rathjen (12), Clare Sakovich (15), Annelyse Tullier (11), Jaclyn Zhou (12)

 

Texas Senior Circuit #3 (May 16 - 18)

The Texas Senior Circuit was the brainchild of Eddie Reese, George McMillian,  and several other key swim coaches in Texas in the mid-80’s which would create a series of meets each year which would primarily be for elite senior swimmers.  Eighteen of our Mustangs joined several of our SMU brothers and sisters to swim at the Texas A & M pool in what has to be the most controversial swimming meet in Texas in some time.  In the prelims on Saturday a Masters Swimmer apparently had broken a Masters World Record in his age group in the 100 breastroke so per USMS rules they were required to measure the pool to verify the record.  One of the other participants in the meet happened to have a laser tape measuring tool and to the surprise of everyone the pool was determined to be .03 meters short! 

 

After two more sessions had been held (one final and one preliminary), the meet organizers finally found someone from the university to check out the veracity of this initial measurement and it indeed was found to be short by a scant .03 meters again!  This sent a shockwave throughout the USA Swimming and even international swimming community since USA Swimming ruled immediately after the meet that the majority of the times from the meet will not count due to the pool being short of a full 50 meters.

 

A few international swimmers even had made their Olympic A or B cut to make their respective countries Olympic team and these swims now didn’t count.  Our own Caleb Veazey won the 400 free final in an incredible trials qualifying time of 3:59.28L that was put in limbo for several days until a special committee of USA Swimming Officials ruled that those swimmers who made Olympic trials cut would be allowed to compete in Omaha and be entered at exactly the time standard which they had broken at the A & M pool.  Unfortunately, those people who already had cuts were not allowed to use those times to potentially improve their seedings at trials.  Spin Beck had dropped a whopping 3 seconds off an already world-class 200 breast time and would have had a top 16 seed at trials instead of a seeding in the low 30’s. 

 

Misinformation was all over the internet about the meet.  At one point due to a timing error at the same meet they had posted a time in the preliminary results of the 50 meter breast for Spin that was significantly under the existing world record!  Was it a timing issue or the pool being short?  People on the internet were “blogging” the issues to death.  The good people at A & M admitted there were an issue with some of the event timing and were very apologetic about the pool measurement as well.  They speculated that over the course of the weekend the pool became shorter due to the “over-tightening” of the lane lines which pulled their mega-dollar bulkhead out of position. 

 

Regardless of who was responsible for the pool (actually the A & M Reek Dept) they definitely came away from the whole situation with a bit of egg on their faces.  At least our Mustangs came away with the confidence that if they did it once they could do it again!  Great job to all our for Mustangs weathering this stressful storm in an Olympic year!

 

FAST Speedo A Invitational (May 16 – 18)

This meet was held on the same weekend as the A & M meet at the Southlake Carroll ISD pool  Since this is a relatively short season due to the Olympics everyone has to go fast about 2 months earlier than they are used to.  We swam great as a team getting third out of seventeen teams despite a large group of our kids participating in the A & M meet.  Those Mustangs that scored points in the meet are listed below.  Go Mustangs Go!!!

 

Christopher Alike (14), Allison Arnold (15), Megan Arnold (18), Jack Beckwitt (17), Claire Brandt(13), Caroline Florence (10), Erin Florence (13), Melanie Futscher (18), Tiffany Futscher (10), Des Godfrey (15), Bolton Harris (17), Tanner Harris (14), Katy Hillgartner (13), Jacey Hodan (14), Alvin Jiang (9), Avery Kesterson (10), Caitlin Klemme (12), Fernando Lara (16), Alex McElya (10), Alyssa McElya (14), Logan McGill (12), Sam Murphy (14), Lauren Murski (12), Jordan Newman (16), Courtney Nichols (12), Lia Oberstar-Brown (31), Adam Rathjen (10), Natalie Rathjen (12), Flavia Rigatoni (26), Delaney Rolfe (16), Matt Roney (16), Taylor Temple (14), Liam Veazey (14), Claire Walters (12), Jake Watters (13), Keegan Watters (16)

 

COPS B/C Div 2 Invitational (May 31 – June 1)

We took 26 Mustangs up I-75 to Oak Point Pool in Plano and finished 5th out of 8 teams in the meet.  Several swimmers made BB times and moved up groups in this meet!  Almost every one of our swimmers got at least one best time.  Those who scored points are listed below.  Mustangs are fast and cool!

 

Jack Arnold (10), Davis Benn (11), Parker Benn (8), Lauren Breeding (12), Clare Donaldson (11), Emilee Gant (9), Christianna Haas (11), Madison Hutts (9), Tara Lalvani (10), Sofia Lara (7), Sarah Lewis (10), Cameron Malakoff (11), Hannah Reifsnyder (11), Emma Riley (11), Charlotte Rolfe (11), Milan Savani (12), Alex Segal (8), Jena Seidemann (11), Madeline Tovar (10), Maria Tovar (8), James Welch (10), Megan Yancey (11)

 

DM 2008 Olympic Trials Qualifiers

The USA is the most powerful swimming nation in the world. But, only a maximum of 26 men and 26 women will be picked for our country's Olympic Swim Team.  As a result, the USA swimming trials are one of the most exciting and intense competitions that the world has to offer.

 

The following Dallas Mustang swimmers qualified for the United States Olympic Swimming Trials, which are being held in Omaha, Nebraska June 29th - July 6th.

 

 

Allison Arnold - 400 Free

 

Jenny Basel - 200 IM

 

Spindrift Beck - 100 & 200 Breast, 200 & 400 IM

 

Jonathon Berrittini - 100 Back

 

Candace Blackman - 50, 100 & 200 free

 

Jennifer Blackman - 100, 200 & 400 Free

 

Nate Clark - 200 Free, 200 Fly, 400 IM

 

Brett Denham - 100 Fly

 

Meredith Monroe - 100 & 200 Back

 

Max Murphy - 100 & 200 Back

 

Matt Thompson - 100 & 200 Back, 200 & 400 IM

 

Caleb Veazey - 400 Free

 

 

SOCIAL NEWS

 

The annual championship fire up party will be Tuesday, July 22, at Loos from 5:30 – 6:30. All practices for all groups that day are at Loos as follows:

 

Nationals and Gold: 4:00 – 5:30

Silver, Bronze, Blue and Red: 6:30 – 7:30

 

NO PRACTICES AT ANY OTHER POOL

 

Each swimmer should bring $3 for pizza and a dessert to share.

 

Questions?  Contact Barb Beckwitt at social@dmswim.com.

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 are 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.   Of course, it takes many volunteers to host and successfully run a swim meet of this size.  We understand that it is a busy time of year for everyone and we have asked recently for help with meets, but the DASA meets are the Mustangs’ biggest fundraising event each year and are vitally important to the financial success of our team.

 

The success of this meet depends on parents and swimmers alike, to volunteer in some way for the DASA Championship Swim Meets!

Monday, July 14th

Division C Divisional Championship -    Warm-up:  8:00 AM       Meet:   9:00 AM – Noon

Division B Divisional Championship -    Warm-up: 12:30 PM       Meet:   1:30 PM – 5:00 PM

 

Tuesday, July 15th

Division D & E Div Championship -       Warm-up:   8:00 AM       Meet:    9:00 AM –Noon

Division A Divisional Championship -    Warm-up: 12:30 PM       Meet:   1:30 PM – 5:00 PM

 

Monday, July 21st

All-Star Meet -                                                 Warm-up: 2:00 PM          Meet:   4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

 

Note:  All meet finish times are approximate and are based on last years’ entries.

 

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.  You can volunteer by contacting one of the volunteer coordinators below to commit your time to help.  Swimmers should sign up to volunteer at this meet with Coach Doug. 

 

Areas where we need volunteers for all sessions include:

Announcer/Marshals -   contact Jan Miller @ 972.772.4116

Ready Bench – contact Kristi Florence @ 214.823.5105

Head Timers/Runners - contact Dee Koranda @ 972.393.5354

 Hospitality - contact Allison Hoffman @ 972.407.9410

Timing System - contact David Saliba @ 972.248.2081

Awards - contact Barb Beckwitt @ 214.750.7325

We also need help with:

Meet Setup July 9 @5pm – Contact David Saliba @ 972.248.2081

Meet Breakdown July 21 at the conclusion of the meet

 

In addition to volunteering, we also ask that each family bring beverages to help with hospitality and for our many volunteers.   The following beverage donations should be brought to practice at either Loos or SMU July 7, 8, or 9th:

Nationals Swimmers:   1 case of water

Gold Swimmers:   Gatorade singles

Silver Swimmers:  1 case of water

Bronze Swimmers:  1 case of name brand soda

 

If you have any questions please give us a call.  Thank you in advance for your help in making the 2008 DASA Championship Swim Meets a huge success for the Dallas Mustangs!

 

Jan Miller & Dee Koranda

Meet Directors

 

Summer Break

 

The Mustangs will take their annual summer break this year beginning Friday, August 8th and resuming Tuesday, September 2nd at regularly scheduled practice times.  

 

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

 

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     

 

Tuition policy reminder

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 is 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, Shannon via e-mail at treas@dmswim.com

 

 

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.