JUNE JUBILEE - - - June 14 & 15 at Wesleyan

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CAMEL Swimmers Excel at 7th, 8th and 9th Meets of the Season

This past weekend, CAMEL participated in three meets; CDOG’s 10 and under Quadrathon, the WAC June Invitational and CDOG’s June Distance Meet.  Half of CAMEL’s swims were new lifetime personal best times, including nine Age Group State Championship qualifying times, six Senior Championship qualifying times and a new team record time of 1:10.99 in the 100 Backstroke swum by Erica Vitale.  (CAMEL All-time records and 08 Season records reside on the “Goals” page). 

At the Junior Quadrathon, Aubrey Forman and Elson Guo both took home trophies for placing overall and Troy Muller was recognized for Outstanding Improvement.  (CAMEL results and Full USA results for the CDOG 10/U Quadrathon reside on the “Meets” page).  At the WAC meet, Seth Adams, Brian Hughes, Adelaide Taylor and Erica Vitale all qualified for Senior Championships.  Lillian James was recognized for Outstanding Imporvement.  (CAMEL results and Full USA results for the WAC June Invitational reside on the “Meets” page).  The final meet of the weekend was CDOG’s June Distance Meet.  Brian Hughes qualified for Senior Champinships and took 2nd place in the 1500 with a personal best time in not only the 1500 itself but his splits in the 400 and the 800 as well.  (CAMEL results and Full USA results for the CDOG June Distance Meet reside on the “Meets” page).   

CAMEL’s Long Course 08 Meet Schedule offers a wide variety of meet opportunities for swimmers of all ages and abilities.  Ranging from 9 & under meets to Masters Meets, from the Sprint Quadrathon to the Open Water Madison Mile, from developmental meets to the US Open, CAMEL’s schedule of 28 meets is the fullest and broadest in the area.   This weekend, CAMEL swimmers will compete at the HMST Trials Finals Meet in Middletown.

Warm-up Times Changed for HMST Meet June 6, 7 & 8 at Wesleyan

If you need to scratch, please contact Coach Ann ASAP  860-306-7910

CAMEL Offers Full Practice Schedule Throughout the Holiday Weekend

As a part of our recent goal meetings, the CAMEL coaching staff has been educating the swimmers about the strong connection between practice and success in the sport of swimming.    Most of the swimmers’ “process goals” for the season include consistent attendance at the top of their list.   CAMEL offers as many practice opportunities as possible to enable the athletes to meet those goals while still being able to participate in “life outside the pool”.   Thus, CAMEL is offering the regular practice schedule, fully staffed, throughout the entire holiday weekend:

• Friday 6:00PM - 8:30PM
• Saturday 8:00AM - 10:00AM
• Sunday 6:00PM - 8:30PM
• Monday 6:00PM - 8:30PM

CAMMY CONTEST for swimmers and parents, too!

The CAMEL coaches have been discussing proper nutrition, hydration and rest with the swimmers.  Here is another Cammy Contest.  It is a  reaction test.   Play as many times as you want.    Print out your results and the fastest average reaction time (swimmer or parent) will get a prize on Tuesday, June 3.   Try it now and then try it again after a week of focusing on proper nutrition, hydration and rest.

CAMELS Participate in Fourth of 28 Meets Offered This Season

CAMEL hosted Nutmeg and Valley Shore for an All Age Quadrathon Wednesday evening.  The meet opened with both of CAMEL’s 7 and unders, Aubrey Forman and Chase Jablon (pictured left), achieving personal best times and placing first and fourth in the 50 Backstroke.  Katie Bennett, Aimee Filipetti, Brock Kraemer, and Troy Moeller were recognized for outstanding improvement.   Mike Traystman and Dakota Williams each achieved 100% best times.   Overall, 58% of the CAMEL swims were new lifetime personal best times.  The meet closed on a high note for CAMEL as the senior coed relay of Seth Adams, Adelaide Taylor, Tina Hughes and Tyler Tremblay placed first in the 200 Medley.   CAMEL results, full results and scores are posted on the “Meets” page.  Photos from the meet are accessible via the “CAMEL Pictures” link in the right sidebar.   CAMEL seniors will be participating in the CDOG Distance Meet Friday and the WRAT AA Meet on Saturday and Sunday.  CAMEL’s juniors are looking forward to both the WAC Invitational and the CDOG 10 & Under Quadrathon the following weekend.

CAMELS of All Ages Strongly Encouraged to Participate in Quadrathon Wednesday, May 14

Please e-mail Coach Ann ASAP to be added to the Odd-Age Quadrathon Tri-Meet which is being hosted by CAMEL right at Connecticut College on Wednesday evening, May 14.  Warm-up for the Quadrathon is 4:15 PM and the meet will start at 5:00 PM.  (If 4:15 is too early, there will be continuous warm-up in the diving well and you may still participate in the latter portion of the meet).   Each swimmer may swim all four events.  Though the meet was originally for younger swimmers, it has been opened to swimmers of all ages.    The meet is a tri-meet with VSYM and NTMG.  Swimmers entered in the meet to date include: Maddie Bennett, Sheyanne Biltcliffe, Elson Guo, Brian Hughes, Chase Jablon, Paige Jablon, Lillian James, Brock Kramer, Troy Moeller, Jacob Stevens, Sam Stevens and Tom Whittico.  All swimmers are encouraged to participate; please e-mail Coach Ann ASAP (and no later than noon Monday, May 12) to be entered.   This meet is one of 27 meet opportunities offered for CAMEL swimmers this season.  CAMEL prides itself on offering the broadest range of competitive swim meet opportunities available in South Eastern Connecticut.  Meeting the needs of the full spectrum of swimmers, from youth to Masters, from novice to National elite whether a swimmer is looking for small or large meets, local or distant meets, intense or laid back, there are meet opportunitites to suit the competitive swimming goals of the full spectrum of swimmers.

Please click on the “Updates” tab above to find out What’s New at CAMEL each time you visit the website. Recent updates include:

• A change has been made to the BEAR Invitational at Yale (May 10-11): The Saturday PM warm-up has been moved EARLIER to 1:30, with a 2:45 start. There were no changes to the Saturday AM session.
• CAMEL Sectional Qualifiers to Date has been updated.  There are now 9 individual events and 3 relays.  The document resides on the “Meets” page.
• CAMEL Results have been posted for the ZEUS/SHKS meet.  Results reside on the “Meets” page.

CAMEL Welcomes New Members - Registration Ongoing

CAMEL’s Spring/Summer 08 Long Course Roster, now at 63, continues to grow as we welcome:  Patricia Jablon, Alexandra Vitale, Jennifer Bednarek, Erica Vitale, Mike Traytsman, Kristen Vitale, Alivia Berg, Joyce Swenson, Paige Jablon, Brock Kraemer,  Kelly Cheng, Troy Mueller, Kelly Yang, Vivienne Gao, Aubrey Forman, Sabrian Savage, Chase Jablon, Kamal Kalkhoran, and Frances Saspa.  CAMEL offers a broad range of competitive swimming experiences for athletes of all ages and abilities.  In addition to our multi-level USA competitive swim team, CAMEL offers  pre-team lessons, private instruction, stroke clinics, a preseason camp for college and highschool athletes, a competitive Masters group and an Aquatic Fitness Masters Group.  CAMEL focuses on creating an environment that molds individuals into champions, in both competition and in life, by focusing on the growth of the whole swimmer and empowering each athlete with self-discipline and self-esteem.  The club admits athletes with disabilities and admits members without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ethnic origin or ability to pay.   CAMEL supports USA Swimming’s and Connecticut Swimming’s Outreach Programs and embraces the philosophy that no one should be denied membership due to financial hardship; full scholarships are available (contact CAMEL Treasurer, Dianna McNeish, for infomation).  CAMEL is a non-profit corporation and is a group member of both Connecticut Swimming and USA Swimming.  Our primary practice facility is Lott Natatorium at Connecticut College in New London, CT.  Please contact Coach Ann for further information.

Registration open for Lifeguard Training and other Red Cross Safety Classes

CAMEL is still accepting registration for 10 Spring Red Cross classes: 

• Lifeguard Training  - *** begins Monday April 21 ***
  • Initial certification:   members  $79      nonmembers $179
  • Recertification:   members $9     nonmembers $29
• CPR for the Professional Rescuer 
  • Initial certification:   members  $19      nonmembers $59
  • Recertification:   members $9     nonmembers $29  
• Adult CPR 
  • Initial certification:   members  $19      nonmembers $59
  • Recertification:   members $9     nonmembers $29
• First Aid 
  • Initial certification:   members  $19      nonmembers $59
  • Recertification:   members $9     nonmembers $29
• Safety Training for Swim  Coaches
  • Initial certification:   members  $19      nonmembers $59
  • Recertification:   members $9     nonmembers $29
• Swim Coaches Combined Challenge  (Adult CPR, First Aid and Safety Triaining for Swim Coaches) is being offered 5:00 - 7:30PM, Sunday, April 27.   $19 for members     $69 for nonmebers

For more information or to register, e-mail Coach Ann. 

What’s New at CAMEL?

Please check on the “Updates” page to find out what’s new each time you visit the CAMEL website.  Recent postings include:

4/9/08

• Swimmers 11 and older should schedule their first coach/swimmer meeting within the next few days.  The first season meeting is primarily for goal setting.
• All swimmers should purchase a team suit on line.   The team suit is Speedo Axcel Team Splice  for girls and the matching Speedo Axcel Splice Jammer for guys.   Please remember to order the suit in Black with a Royal Blue splice.  Those who wear caps can purchase a team cap from Coach Ann.
• Llama & Guanaco practice groups should have their mesh equipment bags with them at every practice.    Mandatory equipment includes fins, paddles, kickboard, and pullbouy.  Suggested equipment includes parachute, snorkel, ankle lock and  a tennis ball.

4/8/08

• Final entries for many of the longcourse meets have been posted on the ”Meets” page.  Please review for accuracy and notify Coach Ann of any errors by noon Thursday.  For meets not hosted by CAMEL: Except for administrative errors, escrows will be billed based on these entries.    For CAMEL hosted meets:  Changes, additions and scratches will be accepted and escrows will not be billed until 5 days before the meet.  

New Summer Only Options Offered at CAMEL

To accomodate hectic spring schedules and high school athletes who participate in spring sports, in addition to CAMEL’s full long course programming that begins April 7, CAMEL is now offering a late start “Summer Only” option for all our long course programs.  CAMEL’s Pre-team Lessons, USA Long Course Age Group Swim Team, USA Senior Swim Team and our Masters program all have options to begin the week of June 9.   CAMEL’s Long Course 08 Calendar and the “Summer Only” Tuition Chart are available on the “Documents” page.

CAMEL Long Course Season to begin April 7

CAMEL’s 2008 Long Course Program is set to begin Monday, April 7.  Registration for the USA team, Pre-team, and Masters is ongoing:

• In person registration is being held Mondays through Thursdays, 6:00 - 6:30PM at Lott Natatorium through March 26.
• Mail in registrations are being accepted through Thursday, April 3. 
• In person registration will be held at Connecticut College in the Lott Natatorium Spectator Balcony from 6:00 - 8:00PM on Monday, April 7.
• Late registrations will be handled 6:00- 6:15PM Mondays through Thursdays at Connecticut College throughout the season, appointments are preferred but not required.

To register for the USA team or for the Pre-team:

1. Submit a CAMEL Registration Form 
   •  Returning swimmers may send an e-mail to Coach Ann that includes any updated e-mail or phone contacts and a statement that no medical information has changed or if there have been changes, the changes noted.
2. Submit a 2008 USA Registration Form
   •  Returning swimmers do not need to submit this form
3. Submit a 2008 CAMEL Meet Commitment Form
4. Include a check that will cover:
   • 2008 Long Course Tuition
   • $55 USA Membership Dues  (All CAMELS that participated in the fall/winter session are already 2008 USA members)
   • An escrow deposit that will bring the swimmer’s escrow account to an amount sufficient to cover $20 for each box checked on the meet commitment form (any left over funds at the end of the season will be returned to the swimmer’s family).

To register for CAMEL Masters:

• Submit a CAMEL Masters Registration Form
• Submit Tuition
• Register for US Masters Swimming (via the Connecticut USA Master’s website on line or by mail)

To register for Water Polo, Springboar Diving, Lifeguading Certification Class or any other Red Cross Aquatic Certifications, contact Coach Ann .

Annual CAMEL Banquet at Port ‘N’ Starboard 3PM, Sunday, March 30

The Annual CAMEL Banquet will be held at Ocean Beach’s Port ’N’ Starboard Banquet Hall at 3:00PM on Sunday, March 30.   Tickets are $20 per person (checks made payable to CAMEL Swim Club).  Please send payment and RSVP to Selina James ,  Dianna McNeish, or Coach Ann.   Reservations are due by noon, Monday, March 24.  The Port ‘N’ Starboard is located at 98 Neptune Avenue, New London, CT 06320.  Pictures for inclusion in the annual photo show should be sent to Brian Hughes or Coach Ann by Wednesday evening March 26.

RSVP Confirmation List:

44 Adults, 20 Children (a child is defined as age 12 and younger as of 3/23/08):

CAMELS to compete in CT Senior Championship

CAMEL’s Senior Championship Entry has been updated to include times from the high school ECC Championship, Regional Championship, Age Groups, Sectionals and high school Class Trials.  At this time all individual qualifiers have been entered on all days and the fastest four girls have been entered in CAMEL’s “A” relays all four evenings and the fastest four boys have been entered for both of the Sunday relays.   Alternates have been entered as “relay only” swimmers and will therefor be allowed to attend any session with the team.  All 13/O’s should check this entry for accuracy.  Changes and corrections are due by Monday, 3/10 at 3:30PM.