Monday, May 31, 2010

Big Congrats to our Swimmers

Here is a sampling of where our some of our athletes sit in the province and/or country... We are doing a great job everyone!

Mitchell Krafczek (14)
800FR 12th in Ontario
400FR 19th in Ontario
100BK 12th in Ontario
200BK 16th in Ontario

Kyle Haas (14)
100BK 3rd in Ontario (3rd in Canada)
200BK 3rd in Ontario (4th in Canada)
50BK 1st in Ontario (1st in Canada)
100FR 3rd in Ontario(12th in Canada)
50FR 2nd in Ontario (5th in Canada)

Matt Fox (12)
50FR 13th in Ontario
100FR 6th in Ontario (10th in Canada)
200FR 6th in Ontario (19th in Canada)
400FR 12th in Ontario
100BK 6th in Ontario (12th in Canada)
200BK 12th in Ontario

Tessa Cieplucha (11)
200BK 6th in Ontario (15th in Canada)
200IM 14th in Ontario
400IM 15th in Ontario
200BR 13th in Ontario

Bjoern Ole SChrader (12)
200FLY 17th in Ontario
400IM 18th in Ontario
100FLY 20th in Ontario


Emma Fender (11)
100BR 9th in Ontario
200BR 16th in Ontario

Michael Jans (11)
200BK 24th in Ontario

Karl Massey
50BK 18th in Ontario
100BK 13th in Ontario
200BK 11th in Ontario

I am very happy with the direction that we are going in and the view we have from here. Please congratulate these athletes if and when you see them around.

Mike Thompson
Head Coach
HHBF

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Last day of a busy weekend

I spent my day in Guelph today at the GMAC LC meet. We had some very good results from almost everyone involved. I'd say almost %90pb rate today (not an actual stat, just my impression).
Meet was very well run (although long) and it is always worth the exchange of ideas with other coaches. I also may have found another long course meet to conclude the season of those not going to Provincials or Age Group Champs.

I was especially impressed by the passion and excitment about racing shown by many of the 12 and unders. 1 year ago we had only 2 provincial qualifiers in that age group (and about the same central region qualifiers). Now the provincial qualifier/central region qualifier (for 12 and under) seems to be the fastest growing category in our club. It really makes me happy to see the club's progress and the continuos growth of these athletes under Chris. Chris has been a very soild asset to our team and its development.

The seniors also did very well considering that they are all coming off of 3 weeks of very hard work and that some of them are sharing a cold/flu bug.

I began reading this book last week and STRONGLY suggest that every parent on the club and every athlete (that can understand the content) pick up a copy. It is called Mindset: The New Psychology of Success By Carol S. Dweck. The author basically says that there are 2 types of people: "Dweck proposes that everyone has either a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. A fixed mindset is one in which you view your talents and abilities as... well, fixed. In other words, you are who you are, your intelligence and talents are fixed, and your fate is to go through life avoiding challenge and failure. A growth mindset, on the other hand, is one in which you see yourself as fluid, a work in progress. Your fate is one of growth and opportunity. Which mindset do you possess? Dweck provides a checklist to assess yourself and shows how a particular mindset can affect all areas of your life, from business to sports and love. The good news, says Dweck, is that mindsets are not set: at any time, you can learn to use a growth mindset to achieve success and happiness." ~ That is from the book summary, I didn't write that...

The book is quite well written and often find myself questioning which mindset I belong to and have been trying to apply it to various club situations. Very helpful, this book has influenced my sports phylosophy greatly. Anyone interested in checking it out can look it up can check out this free version on Google books... http://books.google.com/books?id=Pff9Xzpsj4oC&printsec=frontcover&dq=mindset&ei=W_QCTPnJPKqGyAT-kMWCDQ&cd=1#v=onepage&q&f=false . You cannot bookmark this version so I suggest that you pick it up or download the audiobook from Itunes. No, I am not getting paid for this endorsement.

Mike Thompson
Head Coach
HHBF

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Finals day 2 @ Senior Provincials

I got it wrong this morning, Kyle actually had out touched Adam Seik by .20, but it was Adam Seik that out touched Kyle by .23 in the 200BK B final. Race was much better tonight than this morning and we focused much more on the start and 10m turn speed. Both Kyle and Karl achieved quite a bit this weekend. I am excited to see what they can do when they are rested.

I hear that Guelph went VERY well today. Special congrats to Veronica Fong for obtaining her provincial prereqs, Emma Fender for breaking the HHBF club record in 100BR and Tessa Cieplucha for breaking the club record in 200BK. I know that we had a number of other great 200IMs (especially in the girls 12 and over session) and some really good 100FLY. I am very excited to see everyone tomorrow and more than anything else, some excellent racing.

Mike Thompson
Head Coach
HHBF

Staying for Finals again tonight

VERY good morning again at Senior Provincials here in London, ON.

Kyle Haas's 50FR was a little slower than planned but 200BK was right on what we needed to make the B final. Very good front end speed and control, tonight the plan is to work on the back half of the race and better nail the start.

Karl Massey's 50FR was outstanding with a best time of almost a second and followed by a best time and GREAT morning swim in 200BK. Karl just missed the B final but ended up as an alternate after scratches. He will not swim tonight due to a family committment.

Matchup for tonight will be Kyle Haas of HHBF vs. Adam Seik of HAC. Both are 14 and their best times equaled in the short course season. Adam's best time was made in December. He was sick at provincials, where Kyle finished 4th with an equal time to his. Adam inched out Kyle in the prelims this morning. We'll see what happens this evening.

I hear we have had some really strong performances in Guelph this weekend. I cannot wait to see everyone tomorrow.

Mike Thompson
Head Coach
HHBF

Friday, May 28, 2010

Kyle Haas Bronze in 50BK at 2010 Senior Provincials

Hi Everyone. I am typing on a horrible keyboard so pardon my type-os.

First day of Senior Provincials and so far so good. 4 races yielded 2 finals (each Kyle Haas and Karl Massey made finals for 50BK). Neither swimmer is well rested (coming off of 3 weeks of VERY hard work) and both swimming very well.

Kyle Haas best time and 20th place in 200FR. 3rd place, Bronze medal in 50BK. This is truely outstanding since Kyle is a 14 year old and the meet is geared towards 15 and overs. Kyle was beat by 18 year old Adam Best and 26 year old Ryan Atkinson. Not bad at all for a 14 year old boy (there are only 2 other 14 year olds at the meet.. ave age here is 17 or 18).

Kyle Massey also had a solid day making the B final in 50BK and finishing 13th overall. His 200Im earlier in the day was solid, but still in training mode, I am very confident that it will get where we need it in a matter of weeks.

This is a pretty fun meet. Well run, moves quickly and we're doing well to boot. Looks like I will be here tomorrow night for finals as well while both Kyle and Karl have 50FR and 200BK. I will see some of you on Sunday in Guelph. Thanks for reading!

Mike Thompson
Head Coach
HHBF
coachmike@cogeco.ca