Mustang Monthly- Internet Edition

January 2006

 

To do lessons or not to do lessons….that is the question.

 

Every parent wants the best for his or her child.  The Dallas Mustangs offers a tremendous program for children of all ages and abilities.  Many different skills and lessons are taught to the swimmers as they move through the program.  Stroke technique is one of the important aspects to the sport and is worked on regularly in all groups by the coaches. 

 

So the question is, do some swimmers need more stroke instruction in the form of private lessons?  Let’s answer that question with another question that more people can relate to.  Do some students need tutoring?   The answer to both questions is yes.  Lessons can be beneficial because they are one-on-one instead of a group situation.  But by no means are lessons necessary for most, nor are lessons the ticket to success.  Just look at all of the success on the team by swimmers who have not taken lessons.

 

If the swimmer feels like they need help with their strokes, the first thing that he or she should do is ask their coach to look at them during workouts.  If the swimmer doesn’t feel comfortable asking the coach, then the parent should ask.  This may or may not be enough to make the changes necessary to ease the swimmers concerns about his or her strokes.  If it’s not, then maybe lessons are the way to go, but that is a question that needs to be made on an individual basis. 

 

Mook Rhodenbaugh

Head Coach

 

Meet Recaps

 

COR “A” Winter Classic Invitational

 

The Mustangs showed their power and depth at the COR Classic, held on the weekend of December 2-4, 2005. More than 70 Mustang ‘A’ swimmers helped their team place 2nd out of 39 competing teams with over 2400 points at this annual early December competition. The COR Winter Classic is held every year at the familiar confines of Loos Natatorium in Addison. Elite swim clubs from states such as Arkansas, Louisiana, Georgia, and New Mexico come to “swim with the best” at this prelims-finals meet. Many of our Mustangs swam best times, achieved new TAGS or Sectionals times, and/or qualified to swim in finals at night in at least one event.

 

Congratulations to the following Mustang swimmers who scored over 100 points individually!!!

Eric Futscher (10), 141 points

Andrew Tran (14), 132.5 points           

Jake Watters (10), 119 points

Harrison Tran, (10), 114 points

Scott Weeks, (14), 103.5 points.

Hannah Ferrin, (14), 108 points

Kendall Williams, (12), 104 points

 

Special congratulations goes to Andrew Tran who set new meet records in the Boys 13-14 200 IM with a time of 1:58.77 and the Boys 13-14 200 fly with a time of 1:56.44.

 

In addition, congratulations to Jake Watters, Luke Blaylock, Harrison Tran and Eric Futscher for setting a new meet record in the Boys 10 and under 200 Freestyle Relay with a Top 16 time of 1:56.19.

 

Listed below are other DM swimmers who scored points for the team:

 

Emma Gruber, Courtney Nichols,  Des Godfrey, Keegan Watters, Jordan Newman, Cassidy Beckwitt, Leah Jones,  Lauren Roth, Maddie Steiner, Erin Smith, Grace Kittle, Catia Weickgenant, Stephanie Futscher, Melanie Futscher, Meaghan Watters, Alicia Stevens, Katherine Jones, Brenna Farren, Bailey Thompson, Katie Ische, Pia Lara, Kelsey Craggett, Amanda Benson, Stephanie Martin, Kristin Masters, Luke Blaylock, Greg Hoffman, Jack Beckwitt, Paul Gerard,  Nick Kalivas, John Kalivas, Max Murphy, Lamar Weeks, and Caleb Veazey.

 

 

NTN COPS BB Winter Solstice

 

At the 2005 NT COPS BB Winter Solstice, held at Oak Point Recreation Center from December 9-11, 2005, the Mustangs finished a strong 6th place out of 21 teams despite having only 28 swimmers compete. Almost all of our swimmers had at least one best time, with many having several or all best times. Congratulations to all the DM swimmers who represented our team! Kudos to the Mustangs who achieved a new “A” time: Laura Gray, 10, in the 10 and under girls 200 IM, and Will McNamara, 12, in the 11-12 boys 50 bk (33.69). Listed below are all Mustangs who participated; bolded names signify winning an event:

 

Caitlin Klemme, Sarah Jones, Natalie Rathjen, Alyssa Rusch, Meaghan Viveros, Morgan Koranda, Laura Rathjen, Lauren Murski, Celia Holmes, Laura Gray, Ann Weeks, Meggie Lynn, Tanner Harris, Kendell Ahnel, Chelbi Smith, Stephanie Grote, Elisa Banowsky, Katie Radford, Miller Pyke, Philip Osborn, Will McNamara, Pablo Lara, Jeffrey Nichols, Clay Taylor, Christopher Black, Andrew Harvey, David Escamilla, and Josh Chevallier.

 

 

KST “A” Scramble Meet

 

Sixty-three Mustangs “mixed it up” at the 1st Keller “A” Scramble Meet held on the weekend of January 13-15, 2006. During this unique meet, the 12-and-unders swam events not typically offered—we had several 9 and 10 year olds swimming the 200 br, 200 Bk, and 400 IM! Also, the 13-and-overs had the fun opportunity to swim events they hadn’t competed in for years! On Sunday morning, almost every 13-and-over Mustang swam the popular favorite: the 100 IM. DM came out with a 2nd place overall finish, compiling almost 550 points without swimming any relays! Congratulations to those Mustangs who competed in the meet and scored points for the team. Bolded names signify a 1st place finish.

 

Elizabeth Crowling, Emma Gruber, Courtney Nichols, Laura Gray, Natalie Rathjen, Audrey Gruber, Kendall Williams, Blake Osborn, Julia Cuaderes, Miyo Malouf, Megan Ernst, Anna Beth Gruber, Hannah Ferrin, Des Godfrey, Leah Jones, Keegan Watters, Cassidy Beckwitt, Jordan Newman, Ellyn Baker, Molly Bollen, Maddie Steiner, Catia Weickgenant, Stephanie Futscher, Erin Smith, Bolton Harris, Alicia Stevens, Alex Weber, Bri Barfield, Katherine Jones, Allison Whitehead, Christie Kimm, Meaghan Watters, Mel Futscher, Trayce Wommack, Jessica Temple, Pia Lara, Spin Beck, Katie Ische, Bailey Thompson, Jake Watters, Harrison Tran, Eric Futscher, Luke Blaylock, Jon Hoffman, Andrew Tran, Scott Weeks, Fernando Lara, Jack Beckwitt, Greg Hoffman, Steven Nichols, Burke Wiggins, Nick Kalivas, John Kalivas, Max Murphy, Lamar Weeks, Clint Hallum, Nicholas Saliba, and Kenneth Clark-Fernandez.

 

BB/B/C Short Course Invitational

 

The BB/B/C Division 1 Short Course Invitational was held on the weekend of January 20-22, 2006 at the CISD Aquatic Center in Southlake, Texas.  The Mustangs were well represented with more than fifty DM swimmers competing in the meet. Mustangs finished 2nd place out of the 10 teams, compiling almost 1500 points!  Awards were given for the top 8 swimmers in the BB division, B division and C division and almost every Mustang swimmers scored points for the team! Congratulations to all participants (ages listed in parenthesis)

 

Elisa Banowsky (13), Regan Beck (10), Sarah Blue (15), Maggie Boreham (10), Caroline Boyd (9), Eliza Cope (9), Anna Crowling (7), Kendall Ernst (10), Caroline Florence (8), Erin Florence (11), Tiffany Futscher (8), Caitlin Garcia (11), Sara Granger (12), Tanner Harris (11), Gabi Jackson (9), Mikeaela Johnson (7), Sarah Jones (11), Caitlin Klemme (10), Morgan Koranda (10), Pia Lara (16), Meggie Lynn (11), Mika Malouf (8), Lauren Murski (10), Sydney Patterson (11), Miller Pyke (15), Laura Rathjen (10), Natalie Rathjen (10), Alyssa Rusch (11), Callie Scheffler (11), Sara Scheffler (7), Leia Unger (12), Meaghan Viveros (10), Catherine Ward (12), Ellie Ward (10), Ann Weeks (11), Annalyse Zotos (8), Parker Capron (8), Patrick Crowling (12), Caelan Freeman (8), Andrew Harvey (16), Pablo Lara (12), Conner Mullen (9), Jeffrey Nichols (12), Connor O’Hare (11), Philip Osborn (10), Timothy Simenc (9), Clay Taylor (14), Alex Tcheng (6), Dylan Tcheng (8), and Max Zotos (9).

 
Social News

 

Please mark your calendars now for the championship fire-up party to be held at Loos on Monday, February 27th from 6:30-7:30.  This is always a fun time for the kids to be acknowledged for competing in Sectionals, TAGS, A champs, BB champs or B/C champs.  All groups will practice at Loos from 5:30-6:30. THERE WILL NOT BE PRACTICES AT ANY OTHER POOL THAT EVENING.  More details will follow at a later date.

 

 

Dallas Mustang Senior Receives Davey O’Brien Scholarship

Scholarship Awarded to the Top Student from Tarrant or Dallas County

 

Dallas, TX; January 20, 2006 - Kate Doherty, a senior at Bishop Lynch High School, was awarded the Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship Award worth $20,000. This prestigious scholarship is awarded to a high school senior on the basis of scholarship, leadership, character, community service, and varsity sport participation.

 

Each high school in Tarrant and Dallas County was allowed to enter one student that met the scholarship criteria.  Over 80 high schools entered their top students to receive the scholarship, six were chosen as finalists, and Kate was ultimately announced the winner of the award.

 

Over 700 will be on hand when Kate is honored in conjunction with the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award at the award dinner on February 20, 2006.  A press conference will precede the event. The Davey O’Brien Foundation chose Vincent Young, the quarterback for the University of Texas who led the team to the Rose Bowl Championship, as the recipient of the National Quarterback Award.

 

If you know Kate, it is easy to see why this senior was chosen from among the top students in the Metroplex.  Kate is valedictorian of her class of 2006.  She is also the captain of the Bishop Lynch Varsity Swim Team, competing in the 100 Breaststroke and the Freestyle sprints.  She is a member of the National Honor Society, president of the Bishop Lynch Ambassadors, and a member of the Dallas Mustangs Swim Team outside of school.  Throughout high school Kate has successfully competed in a variety of events including: the Winston Science Fair, AMC Math competitions, TAPPS Academic Team competitions, and the TAPPS Art competition. 

 

Awards received include:  Bishop Lynch Presidential Scholarship, 1st place TAPPS Art Competition in crafts, AP Physics Star Student award, Executive Women’s International Scholarship winner, National Merit Commended Scholar, Furman College Scholarship, 3rd place in the Science Fair, 4th place in Persuasive speaking at TAPPS Academic meet, and the NEDT Superior Achievement award.  That’s just to name a few.  It doesn’t stop there, though.  Kate has done many hours of community service with Hearts and Hammers, North Texas Special Olympics, Aquatic Special Olympics, the Stew Pot soup kitchen, the SPCA shelter, and Refugee Tutoring.  In the midst of it all, Kate has worked at Brook Hollow Golf Club as a lifeguard since her sophomore year.

 

In addition to her never-ending list of achievements and awards, Kate is a kind-hearted friend to all and was voted by her peers “Most Likely to Make you Laugh.” Teachers, counselors, and friends rave about her leadership and her drive to become all that she can be.  Kate constantly puts others before herself.  She is truly an outstanding individual and is very deserving of this scholarship.  “I am so grateful for this scholarship. It brings me one step closer to my dream, which is to attend Duke University next fall,” said Kate. 

 

She swims in the Gold Group at Highland Park High School and has been on the team for several years.  Coach Doug speaks highly of Kate as well.  “She comes to work every day at practice yet she has fun doing so at the same time.”   He also adds, “She actually thrives on very little or no rest during hard swim sets.”  We are proud of you Kate!  Way to go Mustangs!!!

 

Attention Mustang Parents

(ESPECIALLY PARENTS OF BRONZE SWIMMERS)

 

The Dallas Mustangs will host the "B/C" short course championship meet at Loos pool on February 17, 18, and 19, 2006.  We expect this to be a very busy meet.   Your help in volunteering for this meet is critical because many of our "A" and "BB" level swimmers and parents will not be attending this meet due to their attendance at the "A" and "BB" championship meets being held at other locations the same weekend.  It is especially important, therefore, that the parents and family members of Bronze team swimmers help us out and volunteer.  We are committed to hosting a meet that deserves as much quality and service as the higher level meets.  Indeed, our swimmers stand a better chance of achieving a higher level if they attend and swim well at quality, well run swim meets.

 We are asking that you volunteer and help us with the meet.  Instead of sitting in the stands and relying on others to run the meet, why don't you come out of the stands and help out?  You will find that volunteering is rewarding and infectious.  Others that witness you volunteering will want to join the crowd.  When your children see you volunteering, it motivates them; they perceive you as an active participant in their sport as opposed to being just a spectator.  Volunteering is also financially rewarding.  Volunteers may earn valuable Mustang Bucks good for credit towards your swimmer’s quarterly dues.  Many of you may be new to the Mustangs or new to year around swimming.  Experience is not a qualification to be a volunteer.  The volunteer positions require no previous experience, and we will train you to do the job.  We encourage family members (i.e. older brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles) to volunteer as well.  Mustang Bucks may be awarded for up to two family members.  If your older child needs community service points to satisfy a school requirement, volunteering at the swim meet is a perfect way to earn those points.

Volunteers are needed to assist with hospitality, clerk of course, heat sheet sales, timing equipment set up and tear down, awards processing, data processing and administration, and safety marshals.  Please contact me and volunteer.  You'll be glad you did.

Jim Cuaderes
Mustangs Meet Director
(214) 340-1938 (home)
(214) 880-8113 (work)
(214) 912-8598 (cell)
JCuaderes @ Littler.com (work e-mail)
quadlawyer@sbcglobal.net (home e-mail)            

Supply Room News

 

The supply room at Loos will be open every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00-7:30pm and at Highland Park on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30-7:00pm. We keep basic equipment in stock such as goggles, fins, pull buoys, team caps, suits, t-shirts, etc.

                              

Directory News

All swimmers should have received the 2005-2006 Mustang directory either directly or in their folder.  If your swimmer has not received one, please contact Donna Watters at watters7@sbcglobal.net.

 

Reminder for Time Trial Policy

 

Our policy is that time trials will only be used to help qualify a relay, not to earn a spot on an already qualified relay for the championship meets. Swimmers must post times in their individual events in order to earn a spot on an existing relay for the championship meets. 

 

 DM Tuition Policy Reminder

The Dallas Mustangs is a competitive year round age-group swimming program.  As such we strive to provide consistent quality coaching and workout facilities.  To achieve this goal we establish pool rental contracts and salary commitments with our coaching staff for a full 12-month period. Tuition amounts are established based on the 12-month budget and divided into monthly or quarterly amounts to provide reasonable payment options for our Dallas Mustang families.  The Dallas Mustangs Swim Team is not, and was not designed to be a swim program where swimmers drop in one month and out the next.  Flexibility has always been important to us.  We try to work with each family on the team and we will continue to do so. 

 

Tuition may be paid quarterly: September, December, March, and June, or monthly.  Tuition paid monthly includes a $5.00 per month processing fee.  (If tuition for the quarter is not paid by the due date, monthly payment has automatically been selected.)

 

·         Tuition is due from September through August.  (If you swim in July, you are responsible for August tuition.)

·         Tuition is due on the 1st of each month/quarter.

·         Leave of Absence (LOA) is available only for injury and medical reasons.

·         There will be a $10.00 per month tuition discount for the second and subsequent swimmers in the same family.  The fourth swimmer is free, but all swimmers must pay the annual registration fee.

·         A swimmer transferring from another team must be in good standing with their old team.

·         Statements are only mailed quarterly. If you have chosen to pay monthly, it is your responsibility to remember to mail or drop off tuition by the first of each month that we do not send statements.

·         There will be a $5.00 per family late fee after the 10th of the month for non-zero balance accounts.

·         The swimmer(s) may be barred from swimming if there is an aged account balance is excess of 60 days.

·         Please indicate in the memo portion of all checks what the payment is for (i.e. Dues – swimmer’s name, meet account, supplies, etc.).

·         If there is a problem with your billing, please contact the treasurer.

·         Should circumstances prevent full payment of your tuition, please contact the president.  Scholarships and alternate payment plans will be addressed on a case by case basis.  (Please Note: Lack of communication is not an option!)

·         Should you choose to leave the team – it is your responsibility to contact the treasurer or registration chairman.  (Informing the coach does not fulfill this responsibility!)

·         If you choose to leave the team for the summer, you must go through the tryout process in the fall. You may not return to workouts until you have attended the tryout, completed paperwork and paid your fees.  You are not automatically guaranteed a spot on the team. If your group is full, your name will be placed on the waiting list.  Any tuition/fee balances that were not paid when you left the team must be paid prior to re-joining the team. 

·         If you choose to leave the team at any point during the year, you MAY NOT represent the Dallas Mustangs at any swim meet or event that occurs after the date you have left the team. Should you choose to participate in a swim meet after you have left the team, you must register for the meet and swim as unattached (Team = UN).  

·         Tuition may be sent with the swimmer to the pool, or mailed to the Treasurer:

DM Treasurer – Shannon Rusch

603 Hood Dr.

Coppell, Texas 75019

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