(Posted September 10, 2000)

The Mustangs took a strong team to Junior Championships this summer, in Gainesville, Florida. Courtney Patterson, Debbie Forinash, Jennifer Blackman, Candace Blackman, Tiffany Bohon, Jeff Girard, Eric Gusa, Brian Stephens, and Andrew Hansen represented our team. Our women turned in strong performances and finished 25th overall. They were led by Candace Blackman, who during her last event (50 free), qualified for Olympic Trials in a meet record-breaking effort, and by Courtney Patterson, who battled through shoulder tendonitis to score valuable points in the backstroke. The 400-medley relay team of Courtney Patterson, Tiffany Bohon, Candace Blackman, and Jennifer Blackman also scored.

The most important and most intense meet on American soil is the United States Olympic Trials, and it only happens once every four years. About 1400 of America’s best swimmers gathered in Indianapolis this summer and put on an incredible show in front of a sold out house. Two of our Mustangs made it to the top sixteen: Katie McClelland (100 & 200 breast), and Tim Carlson (200 IM). Just to have 17 swimmers at the trials is a feat in itself, but to have a couple of them make it to the semi-finals is something that every Mustang can be extremely proud of. Competing at the Olympic Trials is one of the ultimate goals that every young swimmer should have. It takes an amazing amount of hard work and commitment, but we have many swimmers who have the talent to take that step in four years. The only question is, are you willing to do what is necessary to get there?

The Mustangs took a big squad to Austin for the Texas Age Group Swimming Championships and came up 16 points short of another top ten TAGS banner. The Mustangs had plenty to cheer about including the following performances: Candace Blackman, meet record and national top sixteen performance in the 400 free; Debbie Forinash, high point winner for 15-18 girls and multiple event winner; Lauren Roth, national top 16 reportable time in the 100 free; Eric Gusa, Juniors qualifying time and winning the 100 fly; and Jennifer Blackman, Juniors qualifying time in the 100 free. The following is a list of those Mustangs who scored points for the team.

Debbie Forinash – 1st 800 fr, 1st 400 free, 5th 100 breast, 3rd 50 free, 1st 100 free, 7th 200 IM

Sarah Wells – 7th 800 fr, 8th 400 free, 3rd 400 IM, 4th 1500 free

Jennifer Blackman – 3rd 200 back, 6th 100 fly, 1st 100 back, 5th 200 free, 2nd 100 free

Clare Williams – 7th 200 back, 8th 100 back

Candace Blackman – 1st 400 free, 2nd 100 fly,

Lauren Roth – 7th 50 back, 5th 100 fly, 8th 50 free, 4th 100 free,

Meredith Grubb – 4th 50 free, 8th 100 free

Kenneth Wherry – 6th 800 free

Jeff Girard – 3rd 200 breast, 4th 200 IM

Eric Gusa – 1st 100 fly

10 & Under Girls Relays:

8th 200 medley (Lauren Roth, Kristen Masters, Ashley Rape, Kelsey Henricks)

8th 200 free (Lauren Roth, Ashley Rape, Spin Beck, Kelsey Hendricks)

13-14 Girls Relays:

4th 400 medley (Jennifer Blackman, Jessica Shaw, Candace Blackman, Caroline Jennings),

6th 400 free (Jennifer Blackman, Nicole Keller, Jennifer Penley, Caroline Jennings)

4th 200 medley (Jennifer Blackman, Jessica Shaw, Candace Blackman, Jennifer Penley)

15-18 Girls Relays:

5th 200 free (Debbie Forinash, Sarah Wells, Laura McGarrah, Clare Williams)

6th 400 free (Debbie Forinash, Sarah Wells, Laura McGarrah, Clare Williams)

8th 200 medley (Clare Williams, Debbie Forinash, Sarah Wells, Laura McGarrah)

15-18 Boys Relays:

8th 800 free (Andrew Hansen, Eric Gusa, Jeff Girard, Brian Stephens)

4th 200 free (Andrew Hansen, Eric Gusa, Jeff Girard, Warren Renick)

4th 400 free (Eric Gusa, Andrew Hansen, Jeff Girard, Warren Renick)

7th 200 medley (Andrew Hansen, Jeff Girard, Eric Gusa, Warren Renick)

We are fortunate to have two new coaches that have joined our team! Alex Black will be the coach for Bronze I & II @ Loos and Adrienne Turner will be the Silver group assistant at HP. Alex is a graduate of SMU, majoring in Art. He was a four-time letterman and national qualifier, competing primarily in the breaststroke events. Alex is from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he was a state champion and record holder. Adrienne spent her college days at Kansas, where she was a scholarship athlete and national qualifier. She won the Indiana State Championships and excelled in the 200 fly. Adrienne is currently using her degree of Advertising and Broadcast Management with the Richards group, located here in Dallas.

Please note that this is the last newsletter that will be mailed out. From this point on, there are two choices: 1) you can receive it via email or 2) you can pick the newsletter up at the pool. If you choose to receive the newsletter by email I must have a current working email address that is checked frequently. Many times I send messages out only to have them returned to me because the recipient’s inbox is full. If you wish to verify, change or send a new email address to me, please email me at wsb45@home.com. The newsletter is posted on our website so checking that frequently is also helpful. That URL is http://www.dmswim.com. If you have any other questions regarding this issue please don’t hesitate to call me at 972-307-3128. Thank you very much!

Wendy Begg, Newsletter Editor.

New member orientation meetings are going to be held as follows: September 18th at Highland Park at 6 p.m.; September 19th at Loos at 6 p.m.; and September 21st at CFB at 4:30 p.m. All new members and other parents who either missed last year’s meetings, joined the team later in the season or who have questions about the team are welcome to attend. Hope to see you there!

Our next event will be our annual picnic for swimmers and their families. The picnic will be held on Sunday, October 1st, at 4:00 p.m. Details are forthcoming, but please place this date on your calendar now. This is a great chance for parents and swimmers to socialize without being asked to volunteer as timers. And, it’s our first opportunity to welcome new swimmers and their families. See you there!

The Mustangs were supposed to have a trip to a Ranger game in early August. I wish I could say that the game got rained out and that's why we didn't go, but the truth is that I just couldn't get it organized around TAGS and so we'll have to try again for next year. Sorry about that!

Please note that Coach Doug Moyse has new phone number:

(214) 559-4219.

Please note that a more complete schedule of meets and other events will be included in the next newsletter. The following dates are important for those swimmers working out at Highland Park.

Because of the construction in front of the Highland Park Pool, we will be entering the front of the high school to access the pool. We will have to adjust the following workouts so that we don’t interfere with after school activities. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE DRIED OFF AND DRESSED WHEN IN THE HALLWAYS OF THE SCHOOL.

Friday, Sept. 8:

Bronze 6-6:40 (we need to be out of the building by 7:00)

Wednesday, Sept 13:

Friday, Sept. 22:

Bronze 6-6:40

Wednesday, Sept, 27:

Bronze 6-6:40

Remember that if any of these times are inconvenient, you can always practice at Loos. Hopefully the construction will be finished by October. If any other conflicts arise, we will let you know as soon as possible. It is also helpful to check our swim line frequently for any updates. That number is 972-889-SWIM.