Coach Tim Reflects on the Season

With the all-team practice held on Friday, March 20th, 2009, we wrapped a great season. Our GMA swimmers have worked hard this year and it was fun to see them all have so much fun together. At the practice our swimmers continued working on their goals, worked with each other and just had fun in the water. I was quite impressed with the dedication of the older swimmers at the all-team practice. They taught our younger athletes about their experiences and they shared their knowledge of the sport with the team. In the water, our older athletes provided a safe and fun environment for the team to celebrate the end of a successful short course season. I think their efforts in the pool reflect several GMA core values - to be the best program, not just for technique and training but also for committment and for personal development. GMA swimmers show incredible teamwork. They work together to make each swimmer achieve their personal best with the strong support of their teammates.

Even though the short course season is over, it was very apparent the swimmers are excited to celebrate their accomplishments at the Banquet on Sunday March 22nd. The athletes in my Regional improved tremendously in their stroke technique. They can now roll their hips efficiently in freestyle and backstroke, they can breathe every 3 strokes in freestyle and they can press forward from the chest and core body for their short axis strokes.

During the team meetings this last week, many of the Age Group, Regional and State swimmers were excited about continuing their swimming either through long course with GMA, summer swim team with the Knights or with one of the many other summer swim teams. We talked about the importance of staying active and healthy and of keeping their goals in mind throughout the summer.

I am very proud of the individual and team accomplishments of my group and the team as a whole. The hard work put into the season is very apparent and each swimmer should be proud of their achievements, big and small. It is sad to see the short course season come to an end and it is very exciting to see the long course season, spring clinics and summer swimming on the horizon!

- Tim Bard