Getting Mentally Tough -- January 26, 2011   By Wayne Goldsmith GOLD COAST, Australia, January 26. In the old classic rock-and-roll song, George Thorogood is telling the world he is "bad to the bone" – that he is tough, rough, mean and nasty and you had better not get in his way. On the day I was born, the nurses all gathered 'round   And they gazed in wide wonder, at the joy they had found The head nurse spoke up, and she said leave this one alone She could tell right away,...

                Although the weather wasn’t as warm as one might expect for south Florida, GTSA braved the cold and compiled a solid weekend.  GTSA finished 6th in the Gulf Coast Swim Team Winter Open amassing 167 points on the weekend.  Individually Reagan Flynn contributed 51 points while winning 3 events and the 8&under girls high point award.  Even with the less than optimal weather the team achieved 54% best times on the weekend including 100% best times from Sydney Whitfield.  The swimming was great, but the most fun was had...

GTSA 2011 LONG COURSE MEET SCHEDULE       DATE MEET HOST/LOCATION MEET TYPE 4/29-5/1   SST LC Launch Meet   SST/Savannah, GA   Open/TF   5/20-21 Friday/Saturday @ The Races SPA/St. Pete, FL Open/TF 6/10-12 Escape the Heat Open CAT/ Clearwater, FL Open/PF 7/1-3 SPA LC Meet SPA/St. Pete, FL   Open/TF 7/14-17 FL LC Age Group State Championships YCF/Orlando, FL Qualifying Times/PF 7/21-24 FL LC Senior Championships IRSC/ Ft. Pierce, FL Qualifying Times/PF 8/2-6 USA-Swimming Senior Nationals Palo Alto, CA Qualifying Times/PF 8/8-13 USA-Swimming Junior Nationals Palo Alto,...

                   This past weekend GTSA competed at the Clearwater Aquatic Team’s Jingle Bell Invitational.  Swimmers got into the holiday spirit by giving the coaches just what they wanted for Christmas, fast swims!!  The team as a whole had 74% best times, which included 100% best times from Isabella Cogdill, Veronica Francis, Madyson Melendez, Anna Perfit, Hillary Perfit, Oriana Rosso, Emma Stephan, Morgan Tankersley, Emily Tanner, and Belle Whitfield. It was also exciting to see some GTSA swimmers in their first meet action including Kendall Cheesman, Arden Friar, Ava Friar,...

    GTSA was well represented in the Tampa Tribune's All-Hillsborough County Swim Team led by Emma Donahue (Plant HS, So.) being named to the first team for her performance in the 100 Breaststroke.  Tyler Heath (Bayshore Christian School, 8th) and Margret Shumake (Holy Names, Fr.) were name Honorable mention for their performances in the 500 Freestyle and 100 Breaststroke, respectively.  Jeremy Parker (Plant HS, Jr.) and Giakomo Rosso (Plant HS, Jr.) were named to the Second team as a part of the Plant High School's 200 and 400 Freestyle Relays. ...

  GTSA Holiday Practice Schedule -Practice will remain at its regular times through 12/19 -Monday 12/20 will begin our holiday practice schedule.   Week of 12/20-12/25 Advanced Group: M-Th.:   8:00am-10:00am M-W:  5:00-7:00pm F-S: No Practice   Intermediate Group: M-Th.:   8:00am-9:00am M-W:  5:00-6:30pm F-S: No Practice   Beginner Group: M-W:  5:00-6:00pm Th.-S: No Practice   Week of 12/27-1/1 Advanced Group: T-F:   8:00am-10:00am M-Th.:  5:00-7:00pm S: No Practice   Intermediate Group: T-F:   8:00am-9:00am M-Th.:  5:00-6:30pm S: No Practice   Beginner Group: M-Th.:  5:00-6:00pm F-S: No Practice   -Practice will go back to...

  Thanksgiving Week Practice Schedule: (11/21-27/10)   Monday- Wednesday:      Regular Practice   Thursday:            NO PRACTICE (Happy Thanksgiving)   Friday & Saturday:            Advanced/Intermediate- 9:00-11:00am                                     Beginner- NO PRACTICE

                 GTSA Sophmore Emma Donahue finished 11th in the 100 Breastroke at the 3A 2010 FHSAA State Finals in Orlando, FL.  She finished in a time of 1:08.11.  Emma also split a 30.41 in the 50 Breastroke on Plant High School's 6th place Medley Relay.  Giakamo Rosso and Jeremy Parker also made it back to finals in the 200 and 400 Freestyle Relays finishing 14th in both events.  Congrats GTSA swimmers!

  GTSA would like to congrtulate the 5 swimmers who will be representing their high schools at the FHSAA State FInals this weekend. Emma Donahue (Plant HS) Jeremy Parker (Plant HS) Giakamo Rosso (Plant HS) Margret Shumake (Academy of Holy Names) Tyler Heath (Bayshore Christian)

                  GTSA rode a team effort to its second high place of the short course season.  Amassing 210 points on their way to a 5th place finish.  The points came from all different areas with 7 different GTSA swimmers finishing in the top 5 in their respective age groups high point races.  That was capped by Gabriella Donahue and Matthew Dieffenthaller winning their age groups.  The team had over 50% best times for the 2nd meet in a row.  The coaching staff thought it was a great meet full of...