Good evening everyone,

That was a tough meet yesterday; both the boys and girls lost. It's been three years since the Bethlehem girls last beat us and at least seven since their boys last beat us. I say "at least seven" because we haven't saved the scores beyond that period. However, they are a much improved team and definitely came in pumped up. We swam well, but they swam better across more age groups. Plus, we pushed them to their best performance so far this year. I originally had a long paragraph going over the stats and analysis of how that was true, but decided to spare everyone. :)  Besides, who wants to read about another team?? LOL. Which brings me to the real measure of a team. Many swimming organizations are just clubs with no sense of being a team at all, even some "teams" struggle with that too. On occasion you will see others mostly leave, not cheer, and not shake hands. So while we’re proudly still 95+ strong, they’re down to only a few. It’s at those moments when we know who the real best team is, no matter the score. Yesterday was one of those moments. The vast majority of their swimmers did not even stay to cheer on their own teammates, let alone shake hands with us. So..., yes, Bethlehem swam very well, but I'm proud of us still being there until the end, supporting each other, cheering for each other, cleaning up our area, thanking timers and officials, for being the real best team.

Nazareth/Easton @ Bethlehem

• Boys: 1-4, NEYS loss
• Girls: 2-3, NEYS loss 

Full results, season top times, District and CHMC reports are attached.

Team Spirit: For consistent and enthusiastic cheering.

• Matti Johnson, Ciana Waldman, Ben Schroeck, Oliver Palmer-Gaugler

Sportsmanship: For demonstrating honor, fairness, and appreciation towards competitors. This could be from shaking hands after a race, to conversations overhead by coaches between competitors, to any other observed actions that may fall into this category.

• Ceci Tarriff, Seneca Reidy, Zac Finn, Vaughn Weiller

Excellence:

• Carina Naab: She is only eight, but Carina is a focused and dependable swimmer who gets the job done. No matter what we ask her to swim, she is first in line, first to the block, keeps a steady and determined look on her face, steps up on the correct whistle, and dives in to race. Best of all though, she swims with her heart! Keep up the good work, Carina.  

• Katharine Amundsen: In the 50 Free, Katharine got into a streamlined position in the air off of her start before hitting the water. Then she completed an excellent turn, quick, smooth, snappy, hit her streamline, and drove home for the 1st place and a new best time. By the way, she also got a best time in the 200 Free, dropping eight seconds, and achieved two district qualifying times; three if we count the relay. 

• Galvarino Pinto: In the medley relay we were behind, but then Galvarino had an excellently timed relay start, an awesome breakout (streamline with fast fly kicks and powerfully fast first two strokes) and he closed water rapidly (we do not "close ground", we "close water"..., we're swimmers  :)  ). As he raced into the wall for the turn, both swimmers flipped at the same time... silence..., 1 second, 2 seconds, 3 sec... Galvarino emerged with the lead! He then raced home for the win! 

• Marcus & Morgan Oest: For being in such good holiday spirits at the meet. Smiles and excellent looking Santa hats worn all meet long to boot. :) 

Team Records - NT Buster & NEYS @ BYST dual meet

• Maggie Rizzardi - 1000 & 1650 Free, Girls 15-21
• Jelena Watts - 400 IM, Girls 13/14
• Sondra Weeks - 100 IM, Girls 15-21

NEW Historical Top Ten Times (each swimmer can only achieve once per event, per season) - NT Buster & NEYS @ BYST dual meet  

• Ava Uliana - 1000 & 1650 Free, 100 Fly
• Mia Uliana - 200 Back
• Lena Watts - 200 Back
• Kaine Vargo - 1000 & 1650 Free
• Paige Nungester - 400 IM
• Katharine Amundsen - 200 Free
• Isis Watts - 200 Free, 100 Fly
• Maggie Rizzardi - 100 & 200 Back
• Wylie Maier - 200 Breast

2nd Nationals cut time achieved this season: Nick Berger - 50 Free

See you on deck,

Coach Drake