Lap-a-thon and Halloween Party a huge success

CAMEL raised tons of fun and over $1,300 in cash at our annual Lap-a-thon and Halloween party. A huge thank you goes to Beth Buckridge for organizing the party. Another CAMEL thank you to her support staff, Robin Pelletier and Mary Moriarty, and thanks also to all the parents for donating food and to Maureen Ward for the extra goodie bags. The Lap-a-thon would not have been as succesfully and smoothly run without the assistance of Pauline Zimmer, Susan Button, Heather Koshoffer, Dianna McNeish, Jessica White, and Midge Thomas. We are grateful to Mary Moriarty for securing our grand prize. Maureen Ward photographed the event. Her photos can be found by clicking on “CAMEL Pictures” in the links list on the middle right of any page on the website.

Our highest pledge gather was Jessica Charron with over $300 raised. There will be a special award for Jessica at our annual banquet. Grace Moriarty and Asia White also raised significant pledges for CAMEL. Sammy Kokomoor accomplished the most lengths for the 8/U group; Asia White for the 9/10s; Jessica Charron for the 11/12’s; Rhianna Blake for the senior girls and Tyler Tremblay for the senior guys. Brian Hughes completed the most lengths with a new team record of 332 lengths. Brian will also be recognized at CAMEL’s annual award banquet. Two CAMEL Masters participated; Don Nelson, who achieved his goal of 60 lengths, and Deb Miller, who achieved her goal of 40 lengths. The names of all participants were put in a hat for the grandprize raffle. For each additional $50 raised in pledges, the swimmer got to put their name in the hat an extra time. The winner of the grand prize, a Group Trip to Monster Golf, was Asia White. Food and fun abounded at the Halloween party and Hanna Pelletier, who came as a genie, was selected for best costume. Lap-a-thon results can be accessed on the “Goals” page.

Reminder - Practice schedule and new groupings effective tonight, October 30

CAMEL has experienced a wonderful surge of growth, especially in our 8/U developmental swimmers and in our HS athletes. We have added Coach Molly and Coach Mike to our staff and we now have a Master’s program. Also, the college’s team has grown so large they have asked us to start 1/2 hour later on Fridays. To accomodate for these developments, the CAMEL staff and Board of Directors have approved new practice group definitions and a slightly adjusted schedule.

The revised schedule assigns swimmers in more evenly distributed groups taking into account both age and ability. This new schedule also matches the days the younger swimmers practice with the days our developmental specialists are availbable to coach. The minor adjustments to practice times creates a much smoother transition from group to group by adding 20 minutes to each practice and adding 1 practice per week with each successive promotion. The new schedule uses the six animals in the camel family to name the groups avoiding the confusion of recycling old names with new groupings.

Though the staff and the board highly recommend all CAMEL families switch to the new practice times/days, if there is any family that absolutely can not change their schedule, we will honor the old schedule for them until March 25. If you have any questions, please contact Coach Ann.

The schedule may be accessed on the “Documents” page.

AJSC Distance Meet - CAMEL has 100% Personal Lifetime Best result times!

Hanna Pelletier was recognized as CAMEL’s Swimmer of the Meet. In addition to a stellar swim improving over 30 seconds, Hanna arrived early and well prepared to swim phsically and mentally. Hanna shared a positive attitude throughout the meet and willingly offered to stay after she completed her competition to lapcount for one of the HS boys. Congratualtions to Hanna on being named Swimmer of the Meet for exemplifying what it means to be a team player and a CAMEL. Other notable meet accomplishements included:

1. 100% new lifetime personal best times achieved - every swim a best time!
2. Tyler Tremblay set a new CAMEL All-time Team Record in the 15/18 boys 1,000 Yard Freestyle.
3. Brian Hughes set a new CAMEL All-time Team record in the 13/14 boys 1,000 Yard Freestyle.
4. Seth Adams swam a lifetime personal best in the lead-off 200 split of his 500.
5. Asia White was recognized for achieving the “Outstanding Swim of the Meet”, dropping 42 seconds and taking first place in a closely contested 500.

Warm-up for Saturday’s 500 events moved to 10:00AM

The warm-up for the 1,000Y Freestyle events is UNCHANGED. Only the warm-up for the 500 has been moved. That warm-up is now 10:00AM. Swimmers are reminded that as for all distance meets in CT, they are required to bring an adult with them to time. For distance meets, swimmers are expected to stay until the end of the session to be available to lap-count for each other. Coaches arrange who is counting for whom after the heat sheets are posted at the conclusion of the warm-up.

Important information for upcoming meets such as the CAMEL entry, updates and changes, timing assignments and psych sheets (when available) is available on the “Meets” page. Please check the page often before a meet, especially the day before.

Lap-a-thon goodie exchange

CAMEL’s lap-a-thon is scheduled for this Sunday, October 29, from 3:00 - 5:00 PM. Swimmers and volunteers should arrive early so we can begin promptly at 3:00 PM. Swimmers wishing to participate in the goodie bag exchange should bring a $3 - $5 Halloween themed goodie bag. Parents and friends are encouraged to volunteer to lpp count and/or to donate or distribute orange slices and water to the participants during the Lap-a-thon. The annual Halloween party is scheduled for 5:00 - 6:00 PM at the conclusion of the Lap-a-thon. Anyone willing to volunteer for the Lap-a-thon should contact Coach Ann and anyone willing to help with the Halloween party should contact Beth Buckridge.

CAMEL brings home 7 trophies, 96% lifetime best swims and 2 new team records from the CDOG IMX Meet

Two new team records were set and CAMEL achieved 96% lifetime personal best swims (80 out of 83 Swims) at CAMEL’s first meet of the year. Asia White set a new 9/10 Girl’s 200 Yard Freestyle record of 2:29.37 and Brian Hughes set a new Boy’s 13/14 200 Butterfly record of 2:28.02. With both Asia and Brian just aged up to new age groups, we can expect those records to fall even farther in upcoming meets. Swimmer of the Meet was awarded to Emma Buckridge for sportsmanship, acheivement and improvement. Emma’s dedication in practice shined through at the meet with all five of her swims showing remarkable improvement. Emma’s dedication to her team was also apparant as she cheered on her teammates during each swim. Congratulations Emma on being CAMEL’s first Swimmer of the Meet for the season. Meghan Brown’s 400IM was the outstanding swim of the meet. Meghan dropped over 28 seconds and is excited to compete in the event again. Seth Adams and Tyler Tremblay were recognized for outstanding improvement.

Trophies were awaraded to Seth Adams, Brian Hughes, Jay Lockaby, Phil McLaughlin, Grace Moriarty, Tyler Tremblay, and Asia White. CAMEL’s two newest (and youngest) swimmers, Kara and Ana Kirkpatrick, competed with the team for the first time. Their results and results for all CAMEL competitors are posted. The full USA meet result is also posted. Both can be accessed on the “Meets” page.

Photos were taken by Mary Moriarty and are posted under the “CAMEL Pictures” link on the middle right column of the home page. Please send photos of any CAMEL activities to Coach Ann.

Practice test sets and practice meet results are on Goal Page

Results are posted for those swimmers that participated in the practice IMX. Many practice test sets and practice meet results are posted at the bottom of the “Goals” page.

CAMMY back from another adventure

Cammy has just finished his first adventure of the year. Cammy brought Sarah G along with him to Scotland. To see pictures of Cammy and Sarah on their adventure, click on the “CAMEL pictures” link on the lower right and then go to Cammy’s Album.

Cammy is already off on his next adventure with Lindsay W. There have been reports that Cammy may have also stopped by Cheshire to convince Cdevil to join him for some fun again.

Schedule changes to be implemented beginning October 30

CAMEL has experienced a wonderful surge of growth, especially in our 8/U developmental swimmers and in our HS athletes. We have added Coach Molly and Coach Mike to our staff and we now have a Master’s program. Also, the college’s team has grown so large they have asked us to start 1/2 hour later on Fridays. To accomodate for these developments, the CAMEL staff and Board of Directors have approved new practice group definitions and a slightly adjusted schedule.

The revised schedule assigns swimmers in more evenly distributed groups taking into account both age and ability. This new schedule also matches the days the younger swimmers practice with the days our developmental specialists are availbable to coach. The minor adjustments to practice times creates a much smoother transition from group to group by adding 20 minutes to each practice and adding 1 practice per week with each successive promotion. The new schedule uses the six animals in the camel family to name the groups avoiding the confusion of recycling old names with new groupings.

Though the staff and the board highly recommend all CAMEL families switch to the new practice times/days, if there is any family that absolutely can not change their schedule, we will honor the old schedule for them until March 25. If you have any questions, please contact Coach Ann.

The schedule may be accessed on the “Documents” page.

Entry for CAT Invitational Dec 16 & 17

The final entry for the CAT Invitational meet on Dec 15 - 17 has been posted on the “Meets” page. No changes will be accepted, but, please contact Coach Ann if there are errors or omissions.

Information from CAMEL Board of Directors, Safety Letter & Mandatory Parent Meeting

The CAMEL Board of Directors urge all familes to read their letter about swimmer safety at Connecticut College. Because every family is required to attend a meeting about CAMEL’s upcoming Frostbite Frenzy Meet, the board has scheduled two evenings, Wenesday, October 25 and Thursday, October 27, to enable each family to choose which evening is most compatable with their schedule. The meetings are both scheduled for 6:30 - 7:30PM. Any family that can not send a representative to one of the evenings should contact Susan Button.

Chaperone/Drivers sought for Senior Trip Saturday, December 2 & Sunday December 3

Chaperone/Drivers will get 100% of their travel expenses reimbursed and will get 100% of their food and their hotel paid for (sharing 2 or 3 team chaperone/coaches to a room). If you are willing to be a driver and/or a chaperone for our Senior Team Travel Meet Saturday, December 2 & Sunday December 3, please contact Coach Ann ASAP. 860-649-5734 or 860-306-7910 or hughes4@cox.net. Preference will be given to chaperones also willing to drive (preferably a minivan).

Olympic Coach Phil Moriarty visits CAMEL

Coach Phil Moriarty, past Olympic Coach (and lifemember of CAMEL), coached Yale University for years. When he was there he coached Coach Molly’s father! Coach Phil surprised the CAMEL athletes and staff with a visit Thursday.

Changes to Saturday, October 14 & Sunday, October 15 practices

Due to a water polo tournament, Saturday practice has been moved up to 7:15 - 9:15AM and Sunday practice has been moved back to 4:30 - 6:30PM.

Welcome Karly McNeish

CAMEL welcomes our newest 8/U, Karly McNeish and her family. Karley learned about CAMEL as a guest of Grace Moriarty at CAMEL’s recent “Bring-a-Friend Day”.