WSY Swimming and why we have so much fun AND SWIM FAST

I am not really sure where to start for this blog as it has been quite a while since I have written. Our WSY National team (21 strong) will be departing in the morning, and I am taking a break from packing (as everyone knows I overpack anyway). It seems like just yesterday we were finishing up with Short Course Nationals in Florida, and saying goodbye to all of our Graduating Seniors. The last 10 weeks seemed to fly by us. We had more swimmers on the team this Summer than we have had in the last 5 years. Coach Derrick mentioned to me today "Coach Mike....do you know our 8 and Under boys have won Mid Caps in their relay the last two years??" I know Coach Derrick, Alyson, and Gillian are very proud of that fact. As I sit here thinking about the week that is ahead of us, I know this will be the last meet for Leah and Harry, but I also know that WSY is very healthy with younger swimmers.

By now, I am sure it is not a secret that I was looking at an opportunity to move away from WSY. I was very appreciative of all of the support I received from not only swimmers here within our team, but others in the area. After a long process I really came to the conclusion that I have everything I want right here in Central Pennsylvania and more specifically at the West Shore YMCA. The last 10 weeks really confirmed that for me. There is nothing more pleasing to me that to see our future WSY National team at Mid Caps today doing best times, having fun, and representing a team that they take pride in.

I know many of you will be enjoying a break from swimming over the next 5 weeks, while 21 swimmers from your WSY National Team will be representing you at the 2008 Long Course Nationals at the University of Maryland. Many of these swimmers were in our program at 9-10 years old, and they have stuck with their goals and dreams and continue to have fun and swim well. Every time I see an athlete swimming fast, I see a smile on their face. I encourage each of you to watch the Olympics in two weeks. Watch the swimmers on the medal stand.....sure they work hard, and sure they make many sacrifices in their lives, but they also have fun training hard. They have fun learning new skills. This is the challenge to each of you.....Can you swim fast, achieve goals, learn new skills and have fun at the same time.

As we do at every National meet, we come together as a team to swim well. As I say every time, the reason we swim fast is the "Power of Team". I will talk about this at our first team meeting in Maryland. All individual differences must be put aside at this time, and we will come together as a team.

Thanks for following, and one of my goals this week is to be certain to enter two Blog entries per day. Good or bad, I want to be sure to let everyone know how we are doing. As always, feel free to send us emails as they are always to read at our Team Meetings. We leave at 11am in the morning (Sunday), so I will be sure to add another entry in Sunday evening

-----Mike