Dear MCAT/SVA Swimmers and Families, Exciting News! We are beginning our SwimAmerica lessons program at Alvarez High School Pool. Lessons start this Thursday, February 1st. We need your help to get the word out! These are learn-to-swim lessons intended for children ages 5-11. There will also be a Pre-Team group for children ages 6-18 who have more experience in the water and are ready for a team-style practice. Please tell your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, church groups, etc. Through this program we can grow our team, expand our presence within...

Coach Christine Pires has been promoted to the position of Head Age Group Program Manager for MCAT/SVA. She will be administering the Swim America Lesson Program and Pre-Competitive Team at Alvarez High School as well as supervising USA Swimming Age Group swimming and coaching staff at Hartnell for the Swim America, Mini Wave, Novice and Age Group levels. We are excited to have her expertise and a American Swim Coaches Association Level II Coach. This decision was overwhelmingly approved by the SVA Board on 1/22/07. Congratulations and Thank You Coach...

Lesson 5 - Know the Scoop on Cereals. For swimmers, cereal is great just about any time of the day. Competitive athletes are encouraged to choose nutrient dense cereals, which contain more of the right kinds of nutrients (carbohydrate, protein, vitamins, minerals) per serving than their ?candy cereal? counterparts. More bang for the buck, so to speak. Generally speaking, the best cereals are high-carbohydrate (>25 grams/serving), moderate-protein (5-10 grams/serving), low-fat (<5 grams/serving), and moderate-fiber (2-4 grams/serving). Most cereals on the market today, including ?candy cereal,? are fortified with vitamins and...

MCAT/SVA swimmers Grant Hashimoto and Spenser Thompson were selected to represent Pacific Swimming at the Olympic Training Center Distance Camp in Colorado this January. Making the selection qualifying times is a huge accomplishment and a great honor. We are very proud of these young men and wish them the very best learning experience at this camp. Sincerley, Coach Dia

It is important that students and parents understand the rules of the NCAA. If you plan on swimming in college, please review this article. Please take the time to look at the NCAA websites, including the clearing house site. Important Information About Division I and Division II Initial-Eligibility Changes The Division I and Division II initial-eligibility requirements have changed. WHAT IS THE NEW RULE? The new requirements increase the number of required core courses from 13 to 14. The additional course may come from any of the following areas: English,...

Coach Johanna Brown was recognized for coaching the Pacific Swimming All Star Team (11-12 boys) in 2006 and the Pacific Swimming Western Zone Team (9-10 boys) in 2006. She coached the 9-10 boys to a Pacifc and National All Star relay record in the 200 free relay, breaking the record set by MCAT swimmer Adam Fahmy's team in 2005 which was coached by Dia Rianda. Coach Dia Rianda was recognized for coaching the Pacific Swimming 17-18 girls and boys team at Western Zones in 2006. Dia coached the 17-18 girls...

Z1South Meet Info and Team T-Shirt Day Jan 8, 2007 Wednesday, January 10,2007 is Team T-Shirt Day. Please wear your MCAT T-Shirt or Sweatshirt to school this Wednesday as part of our Z1South Championships Spirit Day. Show your support of your MCAT swim team at school and around the community, by wearing the logo proudly. All athletes wearing their shirt to school and showing up to practice with it on this Wednesday will receive a reward. Coach Dia Please read the letter below: Dear All Z1S Champ Meet attendees, Attached...

Wednesday, January 10,2007 is Team T-Shirt Day. Please wear your MCAT T-Shirt or Sweatshirt to school this Wednesday as part of our Z1South Championships Spirit Day. Show your support of your MCAT swim team at school and around the community, by wearing the logo proudly. All athletes wearing their shirt to school and showing up to practice with it on this Wednesday will receive a reward. Coach Dia Please read the letter below: Dear All Z1S Champ Meet attendees, Attached is the Team Job Assignments and Job Descriptions for the...

Hartnell pool willl be closed for MCATSVA swimmers this friday January 5,2007, as we coaches are at a certification training. See you all on Monday. Dia C Rianda Head Coach MCAT/SVA

MCATSVA Parent Meeting Agenda January 3, 2006 Parent Meetings Parent meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month, unless otherwise notified. The next meeting will be February 7, 2007 at 7:30 pm for the Senior Group and 6:35 for all other groups. Upcoming Swim Meets Meet @ Santa Clara Jan. 13, 14 *This is a very large meet so please plan to arrive at the meet by 7:00 to 7:30 a.m. or earlier to find a place for your things and to check-in. Parking is an issue and...