Update from the President

Okay., before any of you armchair chronologists tell me its July, I'll point out that there are multiple flaws in the Gregorian calendar that have been well documented by scholars over the years.  So let's call this the  Tamuz,  Rajab, or Tzec update.  Alas, now I can continue with a clear conscience :)

I can't say enough about the  outstanding efforts by hundreds of volunteers as the  Marlins Swim Team  hosted our first meets at the Dougherty Valley Aquatic Center in June.  The reviews were universally positive:

I'll admit the Mayor was extremely gracious and impressed by our volunteers, but the cookies clearly made his day!

I'd like to thank the following people for their dedication to the team, and to making our home meets a huge success.  Apologies in advance for those I miss (and I'm sure there are at least a few):

• Chris Angerame for making the operation sing, from the computer and scoreboard setup to the music mix to running the scoreboard, Chris made it all work!
• Meet Director/Referee  Daniel Dowling, MC  Bryan Grauss and starter  EJ Tavella for keeping our meets on schedule and ensuring a quality experience for all swimmers.  Bryan's experience with VSA was invaluable for us figuring out how to do everything.  The synchronicity between these three by the end of the Aquacats meet was a thing of beauty!
• The computer team of  Peter Yewell, Joe Cesana, and  Chris Angerame for taking on the huge task of running the meet, the scoreboard, and compiling the results.
• Hospitality leaders  Terri Hsiao and  Celia Lee, who pulled together an exceptionally successful snack shack (I had many compliments on it -- the food and setup was great).
• Susan Olin for organizing the volunteer corp required to make it all happen.   Marni Nuzum as the head timer at a new facility, with a new timing system -- not an easy job.   Katie Lee for doing anything needed in rallying the parent troops.
• Cristene Burr for the  spirit banners around the pool that gave it a "home meet" feel.   Monica Laurlund for kicking off the season with our fantastic kick-off party, and  Wendy Echsner for keeping everyone in the loop and prepared via our team communications.
• Catherine Yewell for incentives -- the ribbons look great, and time applying labels and getting them to the swimmers is much appreciated.
• Tammy Lee for making our VIP gift basket -- without question the highlight of the Mayor's visit!
• Coach Catherine and the entire coaching staff, as well as  Rebecca Sol for their support and patience as we worked through the process.

Back to our swimmers, we've seen amazing progress in the pool this year.  If you haven't already, check out the improvement report that shows how much time each swimmer has dropped from Time Trials through the Diablo CC meet.  While we always value recreation over competition, it's nice to note our scores have been extremely competitive in our dual meets to date.  I've been impressed by the great attitude and spirit exhibited by our coaches and our swimmers alike.

Please feel free to attend our next board meeting  Thursday July 9th.  If you have ideas, thoughts, inspirations, musings, or just a sunny disposition, contact me anytime via email (jonathan.fritz@gmail.com) or my mobile phone (925-270-9781).  See you poolside...

Jonathan

Coach's Corner

Not enough can be said about how great our kids have been this week of HOT, HOT meets, meets, meets.  We have had some great swims, tons of dropped times, another County time and several first places. Blackhawk relays was brutal! but our kids swam their hearts out and our parents were right there with them!

Thanks to the kids for giving their all and then some, and thanks to the parents for being  so helpful and  so supportive. Go Marlins!!! 

Coach Catherine

New Meet SIgn-In Procedures

While many of us enjoy kickin' it old school with a 3-ring binder, smart people everywhere are turning to this thing called the  Internet for all sorts of tasks.  Like registering kids for swim meets.  Amazing, this Internet thing.  Anyway, if you haven't done so, please go to THIS LINK to register your kids for the remaining dual meets of the season.  Please fill it out  once per swimmer.  If you are having trouble, or have any questions, shoot an email (another really cool invention, so we're told) to marlinsswimming@gmail.com

Social!

Remember, the Marlins Swim Team is about more than swimming.  But "The Marlins Swim and Social Consortium" wouldn't fit on car magnets.  You get the idea, though, social events are the backbone of our little community.  Info on our great social calendar is as follows: 

--July 6th--Mom's night out.

--July 23rd--Shadow Cliffs from 2 to 5:30--see  the Shadow Cliffs website  for more info (you must be 42" to ride the slides)

--Club Sport pool party (TBA)

--Dad's Happy Hour/Keg Stand (Time and Place to be determined.  Send your testosterone-laden ideas to Jonathan)

--July 31st--VSA League Pre Party Potluck Pasta Feed from 4:30 to 6:30 at  Creekside Park  in  San Ramon .

--Aug. 2nd--Swim Team Banquet at Club Sport from 5 to 7pm.  More info to follow

Want to help the social committee?  Contact Monica (laurlund@hotmail.com).

Hospitality: THANK YOU

The hospitality committee would like to thank the Marlins parent volunteers for making our Marlins Snack Shack a huge success in its first year of operation.  Great job, everyone!

Locker Rooms...again   

Quick reminder, all swimmers need to use to the boys, girls, or family changing areas.  Men's and Women's locker rooms are off limits for children 13 and younger.  Thanks for abiding by this policy.