LAC C/B/BB Meet Summary 2/4-5/23

From Coach Chen:

Elite Group sent younger age groupers to the LAC Meet.  Most reached their season-best times or improved from the last meet, especially in the mid-distance events.  At shorter distance events, swimmers' racing details were not executed very well.  They still need to bring the problems to daily practice and master those details.

Highlights:    Sophie Gallagher - 50 Free - 26.22 (FW Cut), & 200 Back - 2:22.14 (FW Cut)

On the observation of the younger age groups(Silver, Gold & Platinum), CDST age group swimmers had tremendous improvement on the DQ’s.  Only one DQ was received on Sunday, and just a few on Saturday.  Let's keep up the hard work and good techniques in practice.

From Coach Ian:

Hello Parents and Swimmers, the Livermore Aquacowboys C/B/BB Meet was a great practice for higher standard meets, where a better understanding of race strategy is vital to success.  Whatever that may be in our training that needs high intensity practice, where true competition and expectations are tested.  This allows you to adjust strategy or adapt your mentality to become confident in new or higher standard races, while pushing limits. 

    The unrecognized and often forgotten challenges that are more imperative for team success, is continued focus on our negative habits that allow for drag, lack of air, or disqualifications that are avoidable.  We did have a few DQ’s that were from simple mistakes, but great learning lessons for future practices.  However, there were some that are directly correlated to practice ethics, ignoring expectations, and issues with coachability.  Swimming is 90% mental, and 10% physical, so how you train will reflect how you race.  Physical strength only will get you so far, but technique, consistent execution of ability, and confidence will enhance chances for opportunity.

    I had a great time watching your performance & witnessing your ability to strive for self improvement that will inevitably help your future.  Please remember that you will not always have great races, but the fact you performed at your best with a full heart is important. Remember to always smile after a race, whether you win or lose, because it will make you feel better.  I was so proud, when I saw our young athletes shaking hands with competitors after races despite their positions. Thank you for contributing to our positive team culture and representing CDST with pride. 

Congratulations to all the Summer Age Group Championship qualifiers.  Remember if you did not achieve your time, we have another opportunity. Wish all our All Star athletes the best of luck in representing Zone Two and CDST.  Please get well rested, stay hydrated, and remember that practice is for creating positive racing habits even although it is hard.

“If you want to be the best, you have to do things that others aren’t willing to do.” -Michael Phelps

From Coach Anna:

CDST Swimmers swam some great events at the LAC Swim Meet earlier this Month, and each group showed some significant improvements in race preparation and strategy.  Congrats to Swimmers in the Senior Group who’ve been working hard, and performed well at the last Meet before High School Swim Season. Gold Group Swimmers had more participants at the Meet, and Coaches observed some great personal records in individual events.  The fact that there were a lot less DQ’s from younger Age Group Swimmers was a highlight for the whole Team.  When swimmers focus on the details (dives, turns, pace, breath control, etc.) of their events, they can show improvements more easily.  Swimmers, please continue to check-in with your Coaches before events, because the last minute tips and reminders Coaches give, can be the difference in mental and physical focus during your races.  Overall, keep focused on your body line, posture and balance during swim practice, so technique is second-nature when you race.  Let’s keep up the hard work at all levels.  Go CDST!!

From Coach Felice:

Hello CDST, & Congratulations to those who qualified for the upcoming Summer Age Group Championship. For those who have yet to make any qualification cuts, there is still one meet left to get those times.  At the LAC C/B/BB Meet earlier this Month, it was exciting for me to watch the performances of both experienced and new meet participants. Not only did I see some improvement in times, but also the weeks of technique and drill work carried into each individual race.

What I'd like to see in the future is the continuing of progress and improvement.  I'd also like to see swimmers take the feedback, comments, and advice from their coaches they receive during practice and apply it to their races during swim meets. This is also why it is important to come see us, your coaches, before and after your race to know and understand what you did well, what you should continue to do, and what you need to work on. 

With that said, keep up the work. Continue to represent CDST in a positive light.