2024 End of Summer Letter to Swim Team

Eric Scheingoltz

Dear Spartan Swim Team Families,

As we draw the curtain on another fantastic summer season, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you. This season has been filled with incredible memories, remarkable achievements, and an unwavering sense of community, all of which would not have been possible without your support, dedication, and enthusiasm.

With the end of Senior Champs, this past weekend, we also marked the end of the summer Long Course Meter season, and the end of the 2023-2024 year of swimming. What an absolutely historic summer we had! I am so proud of everyone on this team; we did such an amazing job.

Here are some quick highlights:

  • This summer, we broke 16 LCM Club Records. Five different swimmers set at least one new record.
    • Shiloh Gibson – 6 & Under: 50 Free, 100 Free, 50 Back, 50 Breast
    • Zevi Puro – 8 & Under: 100 Free, 50 Back, 50 Breast
    • Laila Dunlap - 9-10: 50 Free
    • Skylar Gibson – 9-10: 400 Free
    • Anule Puro – 11-12: 200 Free, 50 Fly, 400 IM
    • Hannah Webb – 17 & Over: 50 Free, 200 Free, 400 Free, 100 Fly
  • We had multiple BB Championships Champions in different age groups, genders, and events.
    • Laila Dunlap – 7-10: 400 Free, 100 Breast
    • Anule Puro – 11-12: 200 Free, 50 Breast
    • Breanna Puro – 7-10: 50 Breast
    • Julius Reus – 17 & Over: 100 Back, 100 Fly
  • Donte Portchetto – Qualified and swam in the Campeoato Nacional for Argentina.  This meet was for the fastest 15 year olds in the country.  Where he finished in the Top 10 in 2 events (200 IM/100 Fr) & 4th in the 50 Free
  • Augusto Caceres – Competed in the USA Triathlon Jr. Nationals in Des Moines, Iowa and finished 5th over all!
  • During the end of the season, we swam so FAST!
    • MCDA vs. Ransom Dual Meet: 62 swims, 41 New Lifetime Bests – 66%.
    • BB Championships: 36 Swims, 26 New Lifetime Bests – 72%
    • Age Group Championships: 23 Swims, 17 New Lifetime Bests – 74%       
    • Campeoato Nacional for Argentina: 6 Swims, 6 New Lifetime Bests – 100%.
    • Sr. Championships: 10 Swims, 5 New Lifetime Bests – 50%
      • 1 Speedo Sectional Qualification Time 
  • And to top it all off, we had our first Olympic Trials qualifier!

 Even though the long course meter season seems so short, we had a lot of events to choose from this summer. For the first time ever, we participated in the Sunshine State Games up in Gainesville, Florida. We supported the FIU Golden Panthers at their home meet, swam at the SoFlo Open Invite and we went to Ransom Everglades for our first ever Club Dual Meet. Practice attendance in the mornings was great, and we continued our social events like the ice cream social and the End-of-Season Potluck Dinner.  It was just a very fun summer!

Not only were our results undeniably good, but we also grew as a team this year. During this 2023-24 campaign, we added 42 new swimmers to our Spartan swimming family.

First and foremost, I want to thank our swimmers. Your hard work, determination, and team spirit have been truly inspiring. Watching you grow, improve, and achieve your personal bests has been one of the greatest joys of this season. Whether you were diving in for your first race or setting new records, your efforts have made this summer unforgettable.

To our parents, thank you for your unwavering support. From early morning practices to weekend meets, your dedication to ensuring your swimmers have the best experience possible has not gone unnoticed. Your encouragement and positive energy have helped create a nurturing and motivating environment for our team.

A special thank you goes to our incredible coaching staff. Thank you Logan, Demetri & Zoe!  Your expertise, passion, and commitment to our swimmers have been instrumental in their development and success. Your ability to inspire and challenge them has made a significant impact, and we are so grateful for your hard work and dedication.

Lastly, I want to acknowledge the entire swim team community for fostering an environment of camaraderie and sportsmanship. The friendships formed, the lessons learned, and the fun shared have made this season truly special.

As we look back on this summer, let's celebrate our achievements and cherish the memories we've made. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together and excited for what the future holds for our swim team.

As we wrap up this season, I encourage everyone to take the next two weeks to rest and recharge. We will be starting up again in August with the MCDS Varsity and Middle School Teams as well as our club team practice. Varsity, Middle School, Senior Group, and Gold Group will start practice on August 12th at 4:30 PM. The following week, we will break into our typical Fall schedule:

  • Spartan Prep, Bronze, and Silver at 3:00 PM
  • Varsity and Middle School at 4:30 PM
  • Senior Group and Gold Group at 6:00 PM
  • Spartan Prep, Bronze, and Silver at 6:30 PM.

Registration for the 2024-25 season will open on August 5th. We are so excited for the future of this team, and I am so thankful that you and your family are along for the journey!

Thank you once again for an amazing season. I wish you all a restful and enjoyable end of summer, and I look forward to seeing you next season!

I look forward to seeing you pool side,

Coach Eric
 

GO SPARTANS!