QCD - Holiday Invite . . . giving the gift of speed

Since Santa Claus doens't bring best times  . . .  we go get them!

Amazing weekend by all swimmers at the QCD Holiday Invite.  All swimmers either got a PBT or made Finals. 
This meet was a prelims / finals meet.  Which means there's an initial swim in the preliminary round (prelims).  The top 
peformers will make it to the final round (finals).  At this meet they took the top 16 performers.   

Sometimes you can make finals and not get a best time.  The true measure of making finals is being competitive.  Digging in 
when it already hurts and your body wants to stop.  We had some great swims and broke through some of those, 'comfort' barriers.   Now, we just bring that back to practice as we continue to set goals for the upcoming championships in February / March. 

A key reminder for improvements:
There are several metrics that coaches are able to identify at the meet.  Coaches will carry those notes back and help 
tailor practices to cover the things we see.   There are 4 key areas to improve in athletics:
1 - Attitude (set an attitude of will try, not cannot)
2 - Technique (continue to work with coaches to make changes)
3 - Strength (dryland is key.  water is heavy and we're trying to move more of it than the person beside us)
4 - Endurance (attendance to practice is the best way to do all of those and get more time repeating good behaviors)

The most common metric is time.  This is the one that most people measure 'success' in our sport.  Which is a good measure; because we can all see it and understand - one time is faster than another.   We will highlight times in these posts, because it is objective and we all understand it.   Time is a metric, not the only metric.  

Stats:
*45 Splashes
*11 Athletes attended
*34 PBT
*25 Finals appearances
*1 DQ (still learning even at this stage)

Championship levels explained
*SunKissed Jr / Sr Championship.  This is a local Championship swim meet hosted in Charlotte.  This meet invites several teams from around the country to compete in a Jr / Sr format.  The Junior format is for swimmers aged 10 - 13.  The Senior format is for swimmers aged 14 & Over.   This meet requires a specific time standard to attend. 

*Champs (Age Group / Senior).  NCS (North Carolina Swimming) - is our local governing body (LSC) for USA Swimming. 
Has its own championship.  This championship is divided into 2 age groups. 
*Age Group Champs = ages 14 & under
*Senior Champs = all ages (typically 15 & over). 

Each of these championships require a specific time standard to participate in each event.   Age Group Champs, you must have the specific time standard and be in the age group (10 &under / 11-12 or 13-14).   Senior Champs, you just need the time standard.  Usually geared around the 15 - 16 year olds.   

*Sectionals (Age Group & Senior).  Sectionals is a regional level championship meet.  NCS is part of 15 LSCs.  These Local Swim Committees range in distance from Kentucky to Florida and then west to Texas.  

*New SunKissed times achieved:
Rylan = 50 Free / 100 Back / 200 Back
Molly = 50 Free / 100 Free / 200 Free / 500 Free
Ella = 50 Free / 100 Free / 200 Free
Davis = 100 Brst / 200 Brst / 100 Fly / 200 IM

*New NCS Senior Champs times achieved:
Molly K = 50 Free / 100 Free
Ella R = 50 Free
Rylan J = 50 Free

*New NSC Age Group Champs times achieved:
Rylan - 100 Back
Ella R - 50 Free

*New Age Group Sectionals:
Ella R - 50 Free


New USA Motivational Times:

AAA Times
Ella R - 50 Free

AA Times
Rylan J = 50 Free
Molly K = 50 Free / 100 Free / 200 Free / 500 Free
Ella R = 100 Free / 200 Free

A Times
Rylan J = 100 Back / 200 Back

BB Times
Molly K = 100 Back
Adam B = 50 Free
Davis W = 100 Brst / 200 Brst / 100 Fly / 200 IM