Dear Families:
I hope you have all enjoyed the summer break, especially as it nears the end. We have conducted our tryouts this morning, and had a huge response for spots on the team. As a result, Kate, Kei and I have done some creative thinking and come up with a plan to accomodate as many swimmers as possible.
We have started a “new” group of athletes, and for simplicity sake will label it AG4. This group will encompass largely middle school, newer athletes, and will swim a little later in the evening.
Also, there has been a small change in our practice times. The new schedule is:
AG1: TuTh, 5-6:00pm AG2: MWF, 5-6:00pm AG3: M thru F, 7:30-8:30pm AG4: M thru F, 7:30-8:30ishpm Sr. Preps: M thru F, 5-6:30pm Seniors: M thru F, 6:00-6:30 (2 lanes), 6:30-7:30 (6 lanes)
We have tried to make it satisfactory for as many as possible, and hope you all understand some of our constraints. Feel free to contact me with further questions.
On another subject, the search for a new senior coach is ongoing, and we have contacted four (4) candidates. The candidates have good, solid backgrounds, and are from CO., MN., MA., and OR. Coach Kate has agreed to coach the seniors until a new coach is finalized, hopefully by the end of Sept. (if not sooner).
Thanks, and look forward to seeing all the smiling faces in the pool.
Al Stephenson
The bend swim meet is this weekend. The address is Juniper swim center 800 NE 6th st Bend, OR 97701 Fridays warm ups are at 4:00 with finals at 5:00 Sat and Sun warm ups for all swimmers are at 8:00 with finals at 9:15
12 and under are outside and 13 and over are inside. Have a great meet. There is road construction on Highway 22, they are saying to expect 20 minute delays.
Dear Families:
As we look at the end of the season, I wish all a great break in August. Here is the latest of club developments.
1) There will be a new Bearcat come February ‘09 to the coaching staff!! Coach Kate is pregnant and expecting in February, and as we all know - this is Mark and her first child. As a result, she has decided to step down as Senior Head coach, and step back to AG1 & 2. This was a hard decision for her, but completely understandable in regards to the health and well being of the baby and her. All the odd hours and time away at meets could have tremendous consequences vs. the reduced workload of stepping back. She felt that if she could not be with her seniors 100%, then they deserved someone who could. The search has begun, and I will ask for patience from all concerned - and that they understand her approach and give her their support and understanding as well.
2) The last practice of the summer season is this Thursday, Aug. 7th. We will then take a three (3) week break, and commence the fall/winter season on Tues., Sept. 2nd.
3) I hope to have everyone’s billing statement in their folders tomorrow, Tuesday. Fees for the Sr. Sectionals were: surcharge $15, Individual events $11, and relays $4. For OSI 11 & over chps.: surcharge = $4, each swim = $5. Bend Inv. fees were: surcharge = $5, and each event = $3.
4) We hope to notify all members who will change their groups by the end of the month. There will also be new practice times, but very similar to last fall/winter’s schedule. As soon as this is verified, we will pass this info on to all families.
5) We will have tryouts on Sat., Aug.30th, at 9:00am, here at Willamette’s pool. If you know of anyone interested, please have them call me @ 503-370-6601. We will also have this date/time info printed in the paper, and on the website as well.
6) Our congratulations to our representatives on the Oregon All-Star Zone team. They are: Kyle Wicks, Emma Dow, and Mackenzie Rumrill. They will swim this weekend at Mt. Hood CC, against other all-star teams from California, New Mexico, Washington, Hawaii, Alaska, Idaho and I’m sure a couple other states. Best of luck to them!!
7) Also receiving congratulations are the two swimmers at Junior Nationals in Minneapolis this week with Coach Kate. They are Crystal Kibby, and Tori Simenec. This has been a busy summer for all the seniors, and especially Coach Kate and Tori. Best of luck girls!!!
8) Lastly, we wish to say goodbye to our Brazilian friend and exchange student, Izabelle Rodriguez. She will return to her homeland later this week after spending the last year with us and her host family, the Seyfried’s. She wants to return to the USA for her college (maybe here at Willamette), so we hope we cross paths again in the future. Goodbye, Iza, and best of luck!!!
Thanks to everyone for their support this season. And give Coach Kate your support and good wishes in the months of pregnancy to come!!
Al Stephenson