Team News

1: McKenzie

I want to take a minute this morning to fill you in on the process of planning for travel competition with the Boulder Aquateens. Plans are well under way, and the swimmers are working hard to prepare. A trip to a competition, whether in Chicago, LA or Ohio, takes a huge amount of planning and work from a large number of volunteers.

The travel planning committee (Natasha, Asnat, Judy, Frances – THANK YOU!) has been working hard to get all of the details and logistics of travel in place. Each team should already have received notice about the dates and times of travel – if not, please ask!

The job of a chaperone to travel with and support the coaches and swimmers during the meet is a tough one, too. Caring for all of the traveling swimmers and coaches is a huge responsibility – often under circumstances beyond our control (like rain, or flight delays, or hotel breakfasts consisting of donuts, to name a few!) Their work won’t start until closer to the meet – when the detailed schedule of events is available, and of course, the travel itself. The volunteer
chaperones for the March travel are:

North Zone Championship (Team Rio): Judy Bohn (Lianne’s mom)
Orange Blossom Invitational (Team Panda, Team Dragon): Sharon Kincl (Grace’s mom), Debbie Pentz (Saylor’s mom), Kate DallaBetta (Isabella’s mom)

The coaches who travel with our swimmers do an incredible job – from keeping the swimmers focused, to representing our team as part of the larger synchronized swimming community.

North Zone Championship (Team Rio): Elizabeth Miller, Jenny Gerson
Orange Blossom Invitational (Team Panda, Team Dragon): Elizabeth Miller, Elizabeht Farago, Jenny Gerson

Please be sure to ask if you have questions about this process. Our Swimmers Handbook and Travel Policy goes into more detail than I can in one post!

The time has arrived for our swimmers to start showing the fruits of their many months of practice – or, more accurately, the strength, flexibility, artistry and teamwork that they’ve gained from regular training. Since returning from winter break, swimmers have gone through a “build cycle” with a series of hard workouts, and now a taper week so that swimmers will be well-rested for competition. The “half-routine” meet this Sunday in Loveland for all 13-up age group swimmers includes figures competition and a “test run” of the routines for judge comments (generally, a swim-through of half of each of the routines). The coaches are feeling well-prepared for the meet and would love to see the younger swimmers present to watch and cheer on their teammates. For those coming just to watch routines, it is estimated that these will begin around 1:00 pm, starting with trios, then duets, solos and teams.

Intermediate and novice swimmers are almost done learning their routines for the Feb. 4th competition. Rumor has it that they are very excited about getting their hair knoxed!

Since 1970 when this team was first formed, the Boulder Aquateens have been striving together to promote the values of good sportsmanship, physical and mental health, and a sense of community. These values are very much in evidence today. The goal of the team is to support the growth of its athletes through participation in team training and competition. Thanks to our wonderful coaching staff for helping each athlete to learn and practice swim techniques and routines, deepen a sense of commitment to their teammates, and develop and exhibit personal responsibility in an atmosphere of dedication and fun.

“T.E.A.M. = Together Everyone Achieves More!”

5: Mia
16: Saylor
18: Kira
20: Alex
21: Grace
27: Lianne