Final thank you

I believe I speak on behalf of the board and the coaches of the Gator summer swim team when I say THANK YOU!

Thank you for  a wonderful summer
Thank you for your support to a sport your kid(s) love
Thank you for the laughs throughout the season
Thank you for your patience as we tried new processes
Thank you for the early mornings
Thank you for spending 6 days a week with us
Thank you swimmers for your dedication to work hard
Thank you volunteers
Thank you to the new families and swimmers who took a risk to try swimming with the Gators
Thank you for showing up ready to work hard
Thank you for always (or most of the time) sharing a smile
Thank you to the buddy family swimmers that helped support each other in and out of the water
Thank you to a successful summer swim season

And thank you for advance for helping provide us feedback on the season and any suggestions for improvement for next season.  We would appreciate you completing the following survey to help us know how to continue to make a successful swim team.
Please complete the following Gator Swim Team survey

Please continue to check the Blog as we set dates for the Fall swim clinic session.  You can subscribe to the blog (see the top left to enter your email) and also like Green Mountain Swim Team on Facebook to keep informed on Gator news.

CANCEL: Olympic night

I guess we weren't meant to watch Michael Phelps from the pool.  I can't complain too much about Mother Nature because she had cooperated throughout the season.  I can't compete with the weather and the pre-season Bronco game.  You will all have to tune in to the Olympics from the comfort of your couch to see the United States take home another Gold medal.

Go for the Gold!  Go Broncos!

Plans for Olympic swimming night

Sorry to be getting this information out so late.  We hope you can make it tonight.

We will plan on watching the Olympic swimming events tonight starting at 7pm at the pool.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  Members get in free and non-members are $5.00 for admission.  Please arrive whenever works best for you.  The pool will be open for swimming until 8pm at which time the guards will close the pool.  We will continue to watch the Olympics until 10:30pm so you are welcome to stay.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Schedule August 8th-August 13th

We are slowly starting to switch our gears from summer swim team to the the upcoming school year.  We wish all the Gators a great 2016-17 school year.

But summer isn't over yet!
If you were not able to attend the banquet and/or swam at State all the ribbons, medals and certificates are in the swimmer folders.  The swimmer folders will be in the Guard Shack at the pool.  Please stop by this week to collect anything that is still in your folder.

Thursday, August 11th we will be watching the Olympics swimming events live from the pool.  It is amazing to see the talented swimmer compete for their country.  The details are still being worked out but the Olympic swimming will be start at 7pm.  Please bring your family and friends to enjoy dinner, swimming and watching swimming at the pool.  More details will be posted but pencil this in on your calendar.  All are welcome as members get in free and guests will pay $5.00 admission.

Thanks for all your team support and we look forward to seeing you one more time.

Starting 
at  7PM MT

Starting 
at  7PM MT

Schedule for week of August 3rd-August 6th

Even though swim team is over we would like to remind you of two upcoming events this week.

On Wednesday, August 3rd we are having a movie night at Green Mountain Swim Club. The movie playing will be SURF'S UP. This event is for swim team swimmers only. 

Please plan on arriving to the pool around 8:15pm as the movie will begin at 8:30pm.  

The swim team will provide some snacks and water but feel free to bring something of your own to snack on. 

Come in your pajamas and bring your blanket and pillow (or something to sit on).  Parents you can drop your swimmer off and return at 10pm to pick them up.

There will be NO swimming on this night.  Parental guidance will be provided.  

On Saturday, August 6th from 10am-8pm the Swim Club will be hosting their swim/dive-a-thon fundraiser.  Please help the pool raise money for facility improvements/repairs.

Each participating swimmer will have 60 minutes to complete as many laps and/or dives as possible.  Each participate will need to bring along a person to count their laps/dives. 
Please help the swim club that we swam at everyday!
Here is a link to sign-up for the time that you want to attend
Here is the Swim/Dive-a-thon pledge form.  Please start collecting pledges and turn after completing your laps/dives.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this fundraiser.  You are also welcome to make a donation to the pool.

Hope to see all the swimmers on Wednesday night to celebrate a wonderful summer swim season.

Gators place 2nd in State

What an amazing way to end the summer swim season!  The Green Mountain Gators placed 2nd in the Colorado Summer Swim Club State meet.  It was amazing to see the energy and determination all the swimmer brought to this meet.  The Gators showed up ready to swim and that is what they did.  Way to go Gators and we are excited for next summer already!

Movie Night at the pool: Wednesday, August 3rd

We would like to end the swim season with a fun (non-swimming) event.  We would like to invite all Gators to a movie night at the pool.  This event is for swimmers only.

Please plan on arriving to the pool around 8:15pm as the movie will begin at 8:30pm.  

We will be showing Surfs Up.

The swim team will provide some snacks and water but feel free to bring something of your own to snack on. 

Come in your pajamas and bring your blanket and pillow (or something to sit on).  Parents you can drop your swimmer off and return to pick them up.  

There will be NO swimming on this night.  Parental guidance will be provided.  

Hope to see you there 

Swimmers of the week

Swimmers of the Week: 

Female: Lexie Lamping! 

Lexie had an outstanding league meet, dropping mad time in every race she had. It wasn't just the time drops, but the way in which she approached each race that really impressed the coaches. Her enthusiasm and confidence in herself combined with her continued effort in practices throughout the year led to major time drops and place improvements. Lexie gave 100% effort this weekend, and was a big part of why the team did so well. 

Great Job Lexie! 

Male: Isaac Perez-Williams 

Isaac had a lights-out meet this weekend. He was clearly in the zone for all of his races, and went after each race with a desire to win. His competitive spirit and focus was fun to be around, and had noticeable effects on his races. No matter the circumstance, relay or individual, ahead or behind, he gave it his all to get to the wall first. 

Great weekend Isaac, well done! 

No night practice

We just wanted to let you know there will be no evening (12& under) or night practice (upper division) this week.  Thank you to all the 12&under swimmers who participated in our first evening practice session and to the upper division and parents who attended the night practice.

We plan on seeing all swimmers and families at the banquet on Wednesday night.

Al Hofstra is the recipient of the FSA Betty Woods award

The Green Mountain Gators would like to recognize Al Hofstra as he received the Betty Woods award this weekend at the 57th FSA League meet.  

The Betty Woods award was created by the Foothills Swim Association in 2010 after Betty passed away.  Betty was a valuable asset to the swim league and they want to carry on her tradition by recognizing people within the League that posses the same qualities and passion for the sport.

The objectives of Foothills Swimming Association are:

1. To promote and encourage competitive aquatics.
2. To promote good sportsmanship in competitive aquatics.
3. To provide an opportunity for summer club swimmers to compete.

This award is created in honor of Betty’s 50+ year contribution to the Foothills Swimming Association.  The award is intended to recognize a person for their contribution to the FSA.  

Nominee: Al Hofstra               Home Team if applicable: Green Mountain Gators

Describe the nominee’s contribution to the Foothills Swimming Association:

I would like to nominate the Betty Woods award to one of the hardest-working contributors to the FSA, Al Hofstra. Al has been working for Green Mountain Swim Club ( a part of the FSA ) for over 10 years. Through his work, he has helped swimmers realize their full potential and has encouraged them to swim. He worked not only as an official during meets, but a swim team board president and has done volunteer work to help maintain the GMSC pool.

Al Hofstra has been a part of the swimming community since he was a child. His parents, Warren and Mary Hofstra, helped found the Terrace Club in the 1960’s, where he swam from age 7 to 17. He earned league titles at ages 8 and 12. When he was 13 the Terrace Club joined FSA. Al also swam on the varsity team for Lincoln High School where he earned an all-city title for the 50 and 100 free. He was also the captain of the swim team at Colorado College, when he joined the Green Mountain Gators as a coach. For two years, Al coached GMST's eight and under age division. In one of the years that he coached, GMSC won League in the eight and under age division. In 2005, his daughter Tess swam as a gator and Al began his volunteer service. He officiated, timed, and maintained the pool. In 2010 he was elected the position of Swim Team board president and head official at Green Mountain, which he held for five years. Even after passing the baton this year, he continues to support both the pool and the FSA team with his work and his wisdom.

A big thank you to Brooke Tompkins who wrote this submission and helped share Al's love for swimming with all of us.

 

End of season banquet: Wednesday, July 27th

Wednesday night we will be celebrating our 2016 Gator swim season.  It is hard to imagine that the summer only began with our first Intrasquad meet 63 days ago.  We would love to see all the swimmers and their support team on this night.  

Wednesday night, July 27th at 5:30 will be our Gator banquet.  The swim team board will be providing pizza and will have water and lemonade available.  We are will having a pot luck style dinner.  If your last name begins with A-L we are asking you to bring a side dish to share and if your last name is M-Z please bring a dessert to share.  Please remember to bring serving utensils with your food item and please take all items with you when you leave.  

During this evening, we will be celebrating all the Gator swimmers.  Please remember to check your swimmer folder before you leave for the evening and collect everything that is in there.  

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Look forward to celebrating the end of an amazing season!

July 25th-July 31st schedule

Great swimming this weekend by the Gators at League.  Practice this week will only be for swimmers that have State qualifying times.  If you are not participating in the State swim meet we will see you Wednesday, July 27th for the end of season banquet (see post about the banquet for more information).

If you are swimming any individual events at the State Meet this weekend you need to make sure you talk with Coach Porter on Monday at practice.  Please refer to the list of qualified swimmers to see eligibility.

As mentioned above practice this week is for kids who are swimming at State.  If you did not qualify for an individual event you may be contacted to see if you can swim in a relay.  Swimmers will be contacted Monday if needed for relay events.

Monday, July 18th:  swimmers must select events they want to swim in at League at the beginning of their age group practice

Monday-Friday (July 25th-July 31st):  practice for State swimmers
7:00-8:00am:  13&up
8:00-9:00am:  12 and unders
NOTE:  No night practice will be held

Tuesday, July 26th from 5-9pm:  Swim/Dive-a-thon fundraiserThe GMSC will be hosting a Swim/Dive-a-thon fundraiser. Swimmers will have 60 minutes to complete as many laps/dives as possible. Please help the pool raise money for facility improvements/repairs.
Please use this pledge form to start collecting donations
Please sign-up here for the time/date you can participate

Wednesday, July 27th:  End of season banquet
End of season banquet dinner and awards; begins at 5:30pm at Green Mountain Swim Club
See post about banquet for more information

Friday, July 22nd:  Upper division 400's (Events 1-6)
Warm-ups begin at 2:00pm; Meet starts at 3:00pm
Swimmers must provide their own lap counter

Saturday, July 30th:  Lower division (12&under) State Meet (Events 7-60)
Warm-ups TBD; Meet starts at 8:50am

Sunday, July 31st:  Upper division 13&up State Meet (Events 61-110)
Warm-ups TBD: Meet starts at 9:00am

Please continue to watch to blog for updates on an upcoming swim team movie night and also an Olympic watch party at the pool.

State Week Practice Times

For those with state qual times, the practice times are as follows: 

13 and up: 7:00 - 8:00

12 and under: 8:00 - 9:00

See you in the morning, 

Coach Porter

League Update

The first two days of League went incredibly well. We as coaches are so proud of all that the swimmers have accomplished so far this weekend. We had two relays break FSA records today; the 13-14 boys medley with Andrew Penn, Quinn Meinert, Alex Granquist and Ben Hofstra as well as the 15-18 girl medley, with Kaylyn Schull, Sydni Sich, Ianna Debrunner, and Amanda Ballard! On top of that, we had countless best times and great swims from all age groups. One Applewood Knolls coach pulled me aside to tell me "Green Mountain is swimming with a lot of heart today", a true reflection of the effort the team has put forth.

Tomorrow lets keep up the great work. Lets make sure we continue with the positive and encouraging thoughts, the continuous support of one another, and the effort that has put us in the position we are. I urge the swimmers to not worry about points, rather focus on the races and making sure that they are swimming as well as they can!

Warmups will be at 7:00 again tomorrow, so I ask that everyone swimming is behind the blocks and ready to go by 6:55. Get some good sleep tonight, I will see you in the morning.

Coach Porter

Practice Time

Tomorrow's practice will start at 7, not 6:30. Enjoy the extra 30 minutes of sleep! 400 swimmers do not need to come until 9:15.

See you in the morning,
Porter

Swim/Dive-a-thon fundraiser

Please consider participating in the Green Mountain Swim Club Swim/Dive-a-thon fundraiser.  On Tuesday, July 26th from 5-9pm and/or Saturday, August 6th from 10am-8pm the GMSC will be hosting a Swim/Dive-a-thon fundraiser.  This is for pool member and swim team members.  Each participating swimmer will have 60 minutes to complete as many laps and/or dives as possible.  Each participate will need to bring along a person to count their laps/dives.  The money collected from this fundraiser will be used to help pay for facility improvements/repairs.

Please help the swim club that we swam at everyday!
Here is a link to sign-up for the time that you want to attend
Here is the Swim/Dive-a-thon pledge form.  Please start collecting pledges and turn after completing your laps/dives.

I have also heard there will be some fun stuff going on at the pool during these events and some special treats.

League Meet: July 22nd-July 24th

Congrats to all the swimmers that will swim at the League meet this weekend!  It will be a fun long weekend.  Please note the location and warm-up/meet start times.  Parents please sign-up to help volunteer during this meet and it will allow you front row viewing of the meet.

Please read the following regarding parking at the meet (at Splash on Saturday and Sunday):

• Parking will be available in the main parking lot on first come basis
• Additional parking will be located in the lots to the west of the pool at the Jefferson County Health and Human Services Parking Building
• ABSOLUTELY NO PARKING is allowed at the Golf Course, dirt lot, or bus lot!!!!
• Those who choose to walk down the dirt paths from the upper lots do so at their own risk

Good luck Gators!  Swim fast!

Swimming at State?

Please review the list of qualified swimmer, as we need to know if you are able to swim at State (this list includes swimmers who qualified as of 7/18/16).  We are aware that swimmers still have the League meet to qualify for State and to qualify in additional events.  Please review this list and if your name is on here we need you to send an email to gmstgators@aol.com or talk to Coach Porter to let us know you will be able to attend.  You will not need to select the events you are swimming until Monday at practice.  As of right now we are looking for a "yes or no" you can be at the meet.

Please let us know if you have any questions regarding this meet.
This list will be updated after the league meet on Sunday is completed.

Practice

Radar doesn't have this storm clearing anytime soon so no practice tonight.

See you in the morning.

- Coach Porter

Swimmer of the Week

Congratulations to all swimmers who have qualified for league and state! Its been a great season so far and the coaches are excited to see what happens at League and State.

Male Swimmer of the Week:

Sonny Donati!

Sonny had a good week of practice and topped it off by getting his state time in the backstroke at the last chance meet. He is extremely close to getting the state cut in the 25 free, which is one the most difficult times to make. Sonny has routinely displayed a great attitude coupled with a strong work ethic in practice which has led to noticeable improvements in his swimming. It will be fun to see what happens with Sonny come this weekend!

Female Swimmer of the Week:

Brooke Tompkins!

Throughout Gator Week, Brooke displayed an excellent determination to fight through every set, making sure she gave full effort every day. Brooke made sure to provide encouragement to the swimmers around her and led by example. Her continuing team spirit is prevalent both in practice and the meets, always cheering others on and staying positive at all times. We as coaches enjoy seeing swimmers not only working hard to improve, but working hard to help others improve as well, just as Brooke has done all year. Great job Brooke!

See you guys tomorrow,

Coach Porter