Practice Changes For The New Year

WE'RE MOVING!

Yes, we're moving to a new pool for the new year. The new Katy Aquatics group I coach ("Senior Gold", one level below our National group) is going to be based at Seven Lakes HS ("SLHS").

Practice times will be the same: Mon-Tu-Th-Fr 615-745pm. As always, please plan to arrive by 600pm for stretching and chatting.

We do not have pool access Mon-Tue for the private schools the first week, so Thursday Jan 7 will be our first practice.

Here is a link to a map showing how to get to SLHS from PJ23. The purple line stops right in front of the pool entrance doors.

See you Thursday!

Sea Lion Migration???

We're missing a few of you Sea Lions...

Wednesday is our last practice before Christmas, so it will be our traditional "Twelve Days of Christmas" practice, concluded with a rousing fun-fest at the annual "Candy Cane Relays".

Sure hope you are there. Or you'll be square. And slower.

(Pool opens at CRHS at 1145am.)

UPDATED - Practice Schedule Changes

Effective IMMEDIATELY, we will hold regular practice M-T-Th-F, and your -off- day will be Wednesday.

Practice over Christmas break:

M-T-W, Dec 21-22-23, 12:00-1:30, CRHS - NEW/CHANGE

NO PRACTICE Dec 24-25-26-27

M-T-W, Dec 28-29-30, 12:00-1:30, CRHS - NEW/CHANGE

NO PRACTICE Dec 31/Jan 1-2-3

Mon-Tue practice on Jan 4-5 may be the same schedule. More later.

We may be sharing the pool with FWA.

Please mark days and times on your calendars.

"LOST" Locker Spirit Signs

Some of your locker signs fell off and were returned to my faculty mailbox (which I check every other century) instead of to you. I will bring them to the pool for you.

Sean
Philip
Zach
Braden
Gabi

Psych sheet for Saturday meet and details

Meet starts 9:30, PJ23 warmup is 8:30-9:00.

Bus will leave PJ23 at 7:30. If any parent would find it easier to drive their child directly to the Spring Branch pool instead of driving to PJ23, that is permissible, just email me your intention to do so. Only requirement is that you have them at the pool by 8:00AM.

Estimated finish time is about 12:30PM. Parents may drive their children home; again, email me your intent to do so. SWIMMERS MAY NOT DRIVE THEMSELVES.

Any questions, email me.

Now, the psych sheet is too large to post here, so here is a link.

Map and directions HERE

NO PRACTICE FRIDAY!

A reminder that I will be at the Gulf Championships with the Katy Aquatics 13-14 group on Friday, so we will not have practice.

Details on travel and times for Saturday's meet at the RENOVATED Spring Branch Natatorium will be posted tonight.

Spring Branch Meet Entries

We are going to shoot for stronger results in relays (more team points), so some people will be swimming 3 relays and only 1 individual event.

(click on FULLSCREEN and then use the ZOOM IN button)

PJ23 Entries Spring Branch 2009

Meet Results!!!

You can see your relay splits, too!

Nice job overall, we just have to do a better job about PAYING ATTENTION, and I know we can race better. Saturday you'll have a chance to do that. I'll post your meet entries in the next post (visually above this one).

Thanks to all the parents who showed up, one of our best crowds ever!

(click on FULLSCREEN and then use the ZOOM IN button)


Sjs Secbapt Awty Pj23meetresults 16

Transportation Resolved

Thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Duhon and Mrs. Hodges, the Sea Lions will be ready to be transported from PJ23 at 430-ish today. The Sea Lion Express (bus) can hold up to 14, so whatever the Duhon and Hodges cars don't transport, the "Express" will.

Please be at PJ23 athletic lobby area, DRESSED IN YOUR WARMUPS and ready to go, at 415PM.. We will NOT "load up" until Coach A says... "Load up."

Also, we will have HEAT SHEETS! I am bringing 15 copies with me, they are FREE, compliments of PJ23.

Any questions, email me. If you use the thingie to the right, include your name, please.

GO LIONS!

Snow Throws Us Off A Bit!

All of you who are IN the play (as opposed to just ATTENDING) know that you have a performance Monday that will prevent you from making Monday practice.

I know that, I get that, and it is considered an excused absence.

BUT...

I still need you to let me know what your event requests are. Click HERE to see a blank meet lineup worksheet, and email me the events AND their priority for you (1, 2, 3, etc.). Do NOT include relays.

I also need to know from EVERYONE if you are able to go to the meet Tuesday. Makes event entries more than a bit challenging if I don't know who can go.

Bottom line: if you are NOT in the play, you should be at practice if you want to swim in the meet.

Questions? Email me (INCLUDE YOUR NAME!)

See you at the pool!

(Meet travel and other details later today, but one bus and a couple of volunteer parents to drive the rest.)

Meet Canceled!

Meet canceled, enjoy your weekend, stay warm, see you Monday*!

*Monday practice required to swim in Tuesday's travel meet!

Still Waiting to Hear From Katy ISD

No word yet. I'm not hopeful at this point, with weather forecasts of icy roads in the morning.

If I do not hear from them by 6:00PM, WE WILL CANCEL.

Please check back here after 6PM.

(The snow at school was fun, check out the video below)

Weather Update

As of 1245pm Friday, no decision has been made about canceling/holding the Katy swim meet yet. But if I had to guess...

If you did not text me from your phone to my cell phone yet (so I can keep you posted on things), please email me with the thingie to your right (with your name and cell phone #) and I will add you to my text group list. This is for parents as well as swimmers.

Another Reminder

To swim in Saturday's awesome Katy Invitational, you must make 2 of the 3 offered practices this week, unless you have a required school activity, not an -optional- school activity.

If you missed Monday, you need to be at both Wednesday and Thursday practice, as there is no Friday practice this week due to my required attendance at a USA Swimming championship meet.

Dress warmly, it is going to be colder tonight, and much colder tomorrow night. Stay warm (especially your head) and you will stay healthier!

Anyone who wants to join me for pancakes Saturday, we will meet at SNAPPY'S in Katy at 6:45AM so we can be at pool when it opens at 7:30. (Snappy's has REALLY good pancakes and KILLER bacon!)

Reminder about Saturday's meet at Katy

Because entries are due today, and we still have to see how many of you make required practice attendance this week, please be aware that being entered today is not an assurance you will swim Saturday. Entered swimmers not making practice attendance requirements will be scratched.

One bonus: Since I have to attend a USA Swimming club meet Friday, the required practice attendance is reduced to 2 out of 3 (Mon-Wed-Thu practices this week), instead of 3 out of 4.

Hope that will help some of you, I'd really like to see as many of us there as we can!

Upcoming Meets

THIS WEEK:

Saturday, Dec 5 at Katy Invitational at Katy HS. Self-drive, be there at 7:30AM.

If you can't go, I need to know today before making entries. I will have an event sign-up sheet at practice today so you can indicate which events you -want- to swim, then I will make the entries (they are due tomorrow) and submit them. If you are not at practice today, please email me the events you would like to swim. Entry info and events can be found HERE.

All swimmers must make a minimum of three practices (PJ23 or club) this week to be eligible for the meet. Less than three and you will NOT swim the meet.


NEXT WEEK: (details later this week)

Tuesday, Dec 8 - St. John's, Awty, and Second Baptist at Lamar HS pool.

Saturday, Dec 11 - Spring Branch Invitational at Spring Branch pool (site of HAPPI Meet and City Champs)

Meet Results and Comments

First the bad news: there are no meet results. Yet. The computer data files are totally wacked and need to be rebuilt, not a quick task. We are hoping to have something by first of next week.

Good news: Several things, where to begin?

1. The meet suits arrived, fit well (aw, stop whining), and looked great.

2. The chow was GREAT! Not just fruit, granola, and water, but GREAT fruit, string cheese, and the best chicken salad sandwiches I've eaten in 5 1/2 months! Thanks to the parents for ALL of that!

3. The t-shirts are terrific, big thanks to Mr. D, he says the caps will be here shortly.

4. The parents (and Mr. Falco) who enthusiastically pitched in to help transport our pride of sea lions to Alief when the buses were not available just blew me away. You guys were awesome! No complaining, just "What can I do to help?" Outstanding PJ23 SPIRIT!

5. And the BIG ONE: The way the swimmers performed was inspiring. Coming back in the second half of races and racing the finish like WARRIORS, finishing a 100 fly IN GOOD FORM and not complaining or winging (Aussie term, pr. "winj-jing"), being so FAR behind in the 400 relay and blasting a great last leg to not just catch up, not just overtake, but BURY the SJS team.

The team spirit is excellent. We cheer better and have more fun cheering DURING the meet, especially from the "peanut gallery" (parents in stands, nice and LOUD for -ALL- swimmers!).

LOVE that PJ23 spirit!!!

Thanks for a great meet, great support, and great expectations!

CoachA

Meet Season Kicks Off Wednesday!

Wed, Nov 18
PJ23 vs St. John's and Alief Taylor at Alief Natatorium
Leave PJ23 at 4:14pm; warmup 5:01pm; start 6:02pm

Travel permission and info was emailed earlier today. If you did not receive it, please email me with the email link to the right of this post, please include your name in your email so I can respond.

I will be at swim practice and a class this afternoon and evening so may not be able to reply to your email until after 1030pm tonight.

Practice Schedule Nov 16-20

Monday - Regular @ CRHS 615-745

Tuesday - Regular, NO PRACTICE

Wednesday - meet, see below (more details Tuesday)

Thur/Fri - Coach at IL State Meet in Chicago, NO PRACTICE

Meet Schedule Through State

Wed, Nov 18
PJ23 vs St. John's and Alief Taylor at Alief Natatorium
Leave PJ23 at 4:14pm; warmup 5:01pm; start 6:02pm

Sat, Dec 5
PJ23 at Katy ISD Invitational at Katy HS pool (parents drive you)
Meet at KHS 7:30am; warmup 8:00am; start 10:00am

Tue, Dec 8
PJ23 vs St. John's and Awty International at Lamar HS (River Oaks)
Leave PJ23 4:00pm,; warmup 5:00pm; start 6:00pm

Sat, Dec 12
PJ23 at Spring Branch Invitational, Spring Branch Natatorium
Starts at 9:30AM; travel and warmup details TBD

January 16 and January 30 (Saturdays) are the expected dates for the HAPPI Meet (Houston Area Parochial and Private Invitational) and the Houston City Champs. Both have been held the past several years at the Spring Branch Natatorium, which has recently had a major facelift and rehab. As soon as these dates/locations are confirmed, I'll let you know.

Sat, Jan 23 is the South Region Meet in San Antonio

Fri/Sat Feb 5/6 is the TAPPS State Meet at Conroe

Specific details and maps will be emailed to each family before each meet.

TAPPS News for Region and STATE!

Click HERE

Questions? Email me with that little email thingie to the right.

Schedule Changes and News for This Week Nov 9-13

M-TH-FR practice only

Mon & Fri: Regular 6:15-7:45 at CRHS

Tue: Regular "NO PRACTICE" day

Wed: No practice due to PJ23 Open House (See you there!)

Thur: Practice at Morton Ranch HS due to HS meet conflicts.

Other News

Suits have been ordered, will be here for next week's FIRST MEET, versus St. John's School and Alief Taylor at the Alief natatorium (details later this week).

Schedule Changes This Week Nov 2-6

Practice M-W-F only.

Tues: Team Dinner at MM's house, 6:30

Thurs: HS meet conflict, no practice

Practice Changes This Week

Thursday, Oct 29: Practice at Morton Ranch HS, 6:00-7:30 (HS meet conflict)

Friday, Oct 30: NO PRACTICE. (Katy Aquatics Meet at Seven Lakes HS. All PJ23-ers are invited to attend and watch, meet starts at 6:00PM, shorter than a HS meet!)

Yes, Practice Today!

OK, fine, no school, but we DO have practice (as I think I mentioned last week).

CRHS, regular time.

Schedule Changes This Week

M-W-F: Regular at CRHS

Thur: MRHS at regular times (due to meet at CRHS)

Be prepared for this on WEDNESDAY!

This short video will explain CLEARLY what our -basic- core exercises will consist of, working primarily with PLANKS and AB-WORK.

Don't overdo it, but try all of these! See you at the pool. SOON!

UPDATED: "What if I can't get my physical by today?" - and other useful information

We start keeping attendance MONDAY Sept 28.
___A swimmer will need to maintain a minimum of 3 days practice per full calendar week to qualify for VARSITY, as well as meet some performance criteria (published soon). There are excused absences allowed due to (1) legitimate illness, (2) other in-season sports competition, and (3) confirmed attendance and participation in a USA Swimming club program. "Homework", "I need to study", and "I need to go meet my (relative) at the airport" type things -may- be allowed, if they are allowed in other varsity sports at PJ23 (hint: not likely).

What group am I in?
___We begin by looking at abilities and strokes, streamlining, turns, dives, and so on. Then we will do some test sets (first test set was 6 x 50fr @ :10secs rest for best average). For now, everyone is in the same group. We will call it . . . SWIM TEAM.

What about suits?
___We are in favor of suits (little joke). Any competitive-type swimwear is allowed in practice, but the full-body "technical" suits, which you may remember from the Olympics are now banned for competition swimming (male and female). Boys will wear briefs (commonly called "Speedos", regardless of manufacturer) or jammers in practices and meets, no "boogie board" shorts or anything baggy. Girls will wear any competitive type suit they have. Girls -will- wear caps, and caps are recommended for males whose hair is long enough to get in their eyes.

___We will order PJ23 team suits (school will pay for them) next week for all swimmers who have physicals and other forms turned in, and who have been attending practice.

Practice times?
___We aim to be in the water 6:15-7:45PM. Our policy is that "early is on time, on-time is late". Please plan to arrive at the CRHS pool by 6:00PM. You may arrive earlier, but will stay off the pool deck until 6:00PM, and only use the designated bleachers just inside the pool deck entrance to the right. Students may change clothes in the rest rooms in the foyer entrance. We are not permitted to use the varsity dressing rooms.


Remember, if you have ANY questions, email me with the little button in the column to the right of this post.

PARENTS are allowed at practice, but MUST sit in the bleachers -past- the bulkhead on the right side of the pool deck (insurance requirement of USA Swimming, with whom we share the pool, and just a darn good idea, anyway!). If I see a stopwatch, you will be exiled to the Starbuck's across the street!

Practice starts Monday Sept 28

Practice will begin MONDAY, September 28. CRHS, 6:15-7:45PM, M-W-Th-Fr

FORMS are available from Mrs. Hoth in the front office.

You MUST have a physical (in forms packet) before you can practice.

I will be at school during the lunch period Monday for anyone who has questions. I'll try to get a classroom to meet in (hopefully Coach Llorens' room).

There -will- be attendance requirements to swim in meets, for varsity designation, and for qualifying to swim at Region.

Email me with the button on the right if you have questions before then!

Welcome, welcome, WELCOME!

OK, folks, here it is, our very own PJ23-ONLY blog! Hope you will check it daily and get an RSS feed to your phones so you can be notified as soon as there is an update.

NEWS:

Practice will begin MONDAY, September 28. CRHS, 6:15-7:45, M-W-Th-Fr

FORMS are available from Mrs. Hoth in the front office.

You MUST have a physical (in forms packet) before you can practice.


More later, just wanted to get this up NOW!