Dec 8th Practice Cancelled

So that we may honor the memory of our friend, Tom Orlando, practice on Monday Dec 8th has been cancelled.

We will resume practice on Monday Dec 13th.

Viewing services:

Dalton Funeral Home
2786 Hempstead tpke
Levittown,NY

Sunday and Monday 2-5pm and 7-9pm

Funeral service:

Tuesday 11am

St Ignatius Loyola
129 Broadway
Hicksville,NY

Burial at Holy Rood Cemetery Westbury

In Memoriam - Tom Orlando

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our friend and neighbor, Tom Orlando. Tom was a dedicated coach in our community for basketball, football, soccer, lacrosse and baseball, and he was a caring neighbor and friend.

Tom was a dedicated servant of the community, one of our Bravest, working as a member of the Fire Department of New York.

Most importantly, he was a devoted husband and father.

Our prayers go out to Nancy, Megan and Thomas.

A Fireman's Prayer

When I am called to duty, God,
Whenever flames may rage;
Give me strength to save some life,

Whatever be its age.

Help me embrace a little child

Before it is too late

Or save an older person

From the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert

And hear the weakest shout,

And quickly and efficiently

To put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling

And to give the best in me

To guard my every neighbor

And protect his property.

And if, according to my fate,

I am to lose my life,

Please bless with your protecting hand,

My children and my wife.

Update 11/11/08

Hello

Another good practice Monday night. We are getting a better idea of the skill level of each swimmer, and I am anxious to see their improvement at our in house meet on Nov 24th.

A few updates:

Registrations
We will be accepting registrations up to next week. After that time, I will be closing out the roster (exceptions may be made, especially at the older age levels, where we still need additional swimmers). So, if you are included in this distribution and have not yet registered, please do so by Monday 11/17. If you do not plan on returning, please let me know as well.

Practices
Please be sure your swimmer checks in each week. I am making a slight change, and will keep the check in sheet with me. This way I see first hand who is at practice, which will help me to place a face with a name. It will also give me the opportunity to make lane assignment changes as necessary.

10U, 8U and 6U should be swimming at the 7pm session and 12U, 14U and 18U at the 8pm session. If you plan to swim at a session other than the assigned one on a regular basis, please let me know so I can make the appropriate lane assignments. If you swim earlier or later on occasion due to conflicts, that is fine. No need to contact me. We'll make the changes on the fly.

Swim Suits
Monday Nov 17th is the final day to order swim suits. To be eligible to compete in league meets and Championships, you must have a team suit or comparable colors. Otherwise the swimmer is at risk of being disqualified from the meet (this is an official's decision and is being enforced by CYONS this year).

For the younger swimmers, sizes do include 22 and 24. I have a size 24 (Female) that I will bring down on Monday. I am still looking for the smaller boy's sizes.

I should also have the swim caps in by next week, and have a supply of goggles for anyone who may need them. The order form is available on the website at www.holyfamilycyo.org.

If you placed your order last week, please check in with me to ensure I have the order correct.

Swim suits are not exchangeable, returnable or refundable.

Jewelry
Jewelry may not be worn during practice nor at meets. This is a league and pool rule. There are still a number of swimmers wearing jewelry (this includes earrings, medals, bracelets of any kind etc.). Please, remove all jewelry before your swimmer comes out onto the pool deck.

Turkey Challenge
Our first in-house meet will be Monday November 24th. Please be on time. This event will be run as a meet, and if you are late, your swimmer risks missing his/her event.

10U and 8U must swim at the 7pm session. We will make a decision on the 6U (and some 8U) next week. Most likely, we'll let them do one length with the kick boards with help, if needed, by our older swimmers.

12U, 14U and 18U must swim at the 8pm session.

If you cannot make the event, please let me know ahead of time.

Each swimmer will be assigned to either a blue or gold team. Gold will sit on the near side (by the fans) and blue on the far side. I will send out the schedule of events and the respective "teams" prior to the meet. I will try to keep siblings on the same side of the pool.

When the swimmers check in, I will remind them as to which team they are on.

The purpose of the in house meet is to get our less experienced swimmers used to competition, and for our parents and fans to see what a swim meet is all about. Please emphasize with your swimmer that there is no pressure to win, and that all swimmers will be awarded a ribbon based on their place of finish. I will do my best to line-up similar skilled swimmers with each other. This will also give us an idea of how much thy have improved during the first month. You will be surprised just how much they have improved.

The first 6 weeks of the season are always a bit hectic, as we get acclimated with newer swimmers, accept late registrations and order swim suits. As swimmers get used to what they should be accomplishing each week, practices will run much smoother and will seem to move along quickly.

Last - if you are reading this on the website, and are not receiving my e-mails, please check in with me again on Monday.

I hope you all have enjoyed your first month of the 2008-09 season. I anticipate it will be fun (as was last year) and very successful.

See you all on Monday

Coach Carroll (Kevin)

UPdate 11/09/08

Hello All

I will have sample suits with me on Monday. If you plan to be sized, please get there early. I will be there at 6:30.

I have...

Male - size 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 & 36; I believe 22, 24, 38 & 40 are also available

Female - size 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 & 38; I believe 22, 24 & 40 are also available.

The order form is available on the Swimming Home Page. Please print and bring with you.

We will size Monday 11/10 and 11/17, when orders will be due. This will give us sufficient time to have the suits in time for our first league meet, sometime in January.

I hope to have goggles with me ($15) as well. They are due in on Monday.

Also, we will have our first in-house meet, the Turkey Challenge, on 11/24. ALL swimmers should plan to be on the pool deck by 6:50, ready to start by 7:00pm. Although we typically ask that all swimmers remain until the end of the meet, we will let the younger swimmers leave after their final races.

All swimmers will be invited to swim freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke, and ribbons will be earned for all places 1-6.

Enjoy the rainy weekend, and I'll see you all on Monday night.

Coach Carroll (Kevin)

Update 10/31/08

A few updates...

Swim Suits: I expect to have sample swim suits on 11/10. I highly recommend that you try the suit on before ordering, as they are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. In general, they should be tight fitting, as they actually expand when they get wet. I have attached the order form and it will be available on the website. Team Suits are required for Championship Competition, and depending on the official, may be required for league meets. I have been informed by CYONS that they are strictly enforcing team "uniform" requirements in all sports. The level of enforcement will rest with the meet official.
We have ordered the same suits as last year, so if it still fits, no need to order a new one.
If you have an old team suit from prior years that still fits, that is fine also.

Swim Caps: I expect to have swim caps for sale by mid-November. Swim caps are $8.00. While not required, they are recommended, as the only caps, by rule, that can be worn are team caps or caps with no markings (including the name brand logo) visible.

Goggles: I expect to have goggles available for sale at the 11/10 practice. Goggles are the 'x-sight lite', which fits both youth and adult because of the smaller lens. Goggles are $15.00 each. Goggles are not required but I do recommend them. Not only to diminish the eye irritation from the chlorine, but also to prevent the swimmers who swim with eyes closed from crashing into the walls, ropes and other swimmers.

Jewelry: Jewelry of any kind is not permitted to be worn during league and championship competition. This is a CYONS rule, and includes ALL items that are worn - earrings, friendship bracelets, rope chains, etc. They should also not be worn during practice. The only exception is a medical alert bracelet, and these must be taped down.

Good luck on Monday and I will see you all on the 10th.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Kevin

First Practice 10/20/08

We had over 100 swimmers at our first practice, added 15 new swimmers and now have over 120 swimmers registered.

Although a bit hectic in the beginning (as first practices traditionally are), I was very encouraged by the improved skill of our returning swimmers and of the talent of our new teammates.

It looks as thought the permit time will NOT revert back, so...

• 8U & 10U will start at 7pm and swim through 8pm
• 12U, 14U & 18U will start at 8pm and swim through 9:15pm

I spoke with Goldman Bros. and should have samples soon, so we can order the team suits and caps.

My thanks to all of the parents who helped out with the timing of the swimmers, as well as though who helped out with the younger swimmers.

I look forward to seeing you all on Monday.

Coach Carroll (Kevin)

PS - if you did not get an e-mail from me, please contact me at coachcarroll@verizon.net and I'll check the distribution group.

Swimming Eagles Season Set to Start

The 2008-2009 season starts on Monday Oct 20th, and we are very excited. We have over 100 swimmers already registered, with another 25 or so anticipated to join.

Those who have joined us for the first time, I truly believe you and your swimmer will enjoy our team. While we strive for victory in the meets, our primary objective is for the swimmers to learn, improve technique and most of all, enjoy themselves.

IMPORTANT TIME CHANGE

Please note that we have a slight change in our permit.

• The 8U and 10U sessions will now run from 7:00pm - 8:00pm. This actually helps, as there was a team in the water ahead of us until 6:30, so the chance of us starting timely each week would be slim.
• The 12U, 14U and 18U session will now run from 8:00pm - 9:00pm.
• I am hoping to extend the permit by the 1/2 hour that we lost, so we can have 15 minutes leeway for each session.

Monday's first practice will consist of limited time in the water. After a brief chat/introduction by myself, we will time and evaluate the swimmers so as to place them in the appropriate practice lanes for future practices.

I look forward to seeing you all.

Coach Carroll (Kevin)

Swimming Eagles Set for 2008-09 Season

Welcome Back Swimming Eagles!

Hopefully you have all enjoyed your summer and are ready for our 2008-09 season. We have already added over 20 new swimmers and with the vast majority of the team returning, we should have well over 120 swimmers.

Our first practice will be Monday, October 20th at Bethpage High School. There is now a link on the website for directions to the pool. Keep in mind that the pool entrance is off of Cherry St., behind the school.

I will have confirmed prices and order forms for the team swim suits and swim caps, as well as goggles soon. If you have a suit from last year (or previous years) you are fine. If you are new to the team or are planning to buy a new suit, team suits are required.

Hopefully you all had an opportunity to watch the swimming portion of the Olympics. They were not only historic, but provided incredible detail on technique, as well as some of the most memorable moments in sports history. What is being billed as the top moment from the Olympics...

Jason Lezak, swimming the anchor, turned in the fastest relay split of all time, 46.06, to give the American men's 4x100m relay team the gold medal over the French in the most exciting, harrowing, unbelievable relay race ever -- immediately and indisputably one of the greatest sports moment ever. Phelps -- amid teammates Garrett Weber-Gale and Cullen Jones -- let loose with a scream of sheer exultation.

Think back to February and March. How many times did our very own swimmers come back from a certain loss, only to turn in incredible times and earn victory in the closing tenths of a second. Then, look up to see their teammates screaming with pride and joy. Nothing better, nothing louder!

I look forward to seeing you all on the pool deck on the 20th - 8U & 10U at 6:30; 18U, 14U and 12U at 7:30.

Coach Carroll

The Championships - April 4, 2008

What a terrific championship meet last night at the Aquatic Center. Our thanks to CYO for putting together such a wonderful event.

Congratulations go out to St Rose, who was crowned the league champion with a perfect 8-0 record, and to St William, who won the Championship meet.

In case you were not familiar with the format, each individual event was comprised of two heats of seven swimmers. The top six swimmers in the combined heats were declared the respective winners - meaning they "placed" in the event.

I could not have been any prouder of our swimmers, whose talents and skills gave us a very respectable and hard earned 6th place finish out of the 7 teams. I had predicted that we would place in as many as 15 events, but I was not correct. We placed in 24 of the 46 events, earning 61 ribbons and medals!!!!

Our boys placed in all 8 of the relays and the girls placed in 4 of the 8. We were most successful in the backstroke, where we earned 6 medals in 5 of the 10 events and placed in 2 others (that's 7 out of 10 events), including a Gold/Silver finish in the 10U Boys event! And we had a least one swimmer from every age group, both boys and girls, place in an event.

Many of our swimmers swam their fastest times of the season and several of our 12 and 14 year olds swam in an older division, all for the good of the team.

My thanks to the coaches who worked so hard manning the lanes, timing the events, coordinating our medals and ribbons, taking pictures and getting our swimmers ready for their events. And my thanks to our Captains - Zach Hoehing, Yasmeen Gharnit, Brendan McGee, Kelly Carroll, Kyle Carroll and Brianna Donlon, who helped keep their teammates motivated, led them in cheering for each other and most importantly, congratulating each swimmer after their events. Your efforts did not go unnoticed!

Congratulations to the following, who placed in their respective events...

• Cassandra Gharnit: 10U Girls 25 yd Freestyle - Silver Medal
• Kyle Carroll: 10U Boys 25 yd Freestyle - 6th Place
• Gabriella Vidad: 8U Girls 25 yd Backstroke - 6th Place
• Eamonn McNicholas: 8U Boys 25 yd Backstroke - Gold Medal
• Nicolette Chase: 10U Girls 25 yd Backstroke - Bronze Medal
• Kyle Carroll: 10U Boys 25 yd Backstroke - Gold Medal
• Andrew Purcell: 10U Boys 25 yd Backstroke - Silver Medal
• Ashley McKenzie: 18U Girls 50 yd Freestyle - Gold Medal
• Zach Hoehing: 18U Boys 50 yd Freestyle - 4th Place
• Kelly Meenan: 12U Girls 50 yd Backstroke - 5th Place
• Mike Ziedalski: 14U Boys 50 yd Backstroke - Bronze Medal
• Zach Hoehing: 18U Boys 50 yd Backstroke - Bronze Medal
• Elizabeth Melnyczuk: 14U Girls 50 yd Breaststroke - 5th Place
• Yasmeen Gharnit: 18U Girls 50 yd Breaststroke - 5th Place
• Doug Chase: 8U Boys 100 yd Medley Relay (Backstroke) - 5th Place
• Steven Girasi: 8U Boys 100 yd Medley Relay (Breaststroke) - 5th Place
• Eamonn McNicholas: 8U Boys 100 yd Medley Relay (Butterfly) - 5th Place
• Andrew Catinella: 8U Boys 100 yd Medley Relay (Freestyle) - 5th Place
• Nicolette Chase: 10U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay (Backstroke) - Bronze Medal
• Cassandra Gharnit: 10U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay (Breaststroke) - Bronze Medal
• Caitlin Benedetto: 10U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay (Butterfly) - Bronze Medal
• Libbie Sudweeks: 10U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay (Freestyle) - Bronze Medal
• Andrew Purcell: 10U Boys 100 yd Medley Relay (Backstroke) - 6th Place
• Anthony Inciarrano: 10U Boys 100 yd Medley Relay (Breaststroke) - 6th Place
• Joe Palermo: 10U Boys 100 yd Medley Relay (Butterfly) - 6th Place
• Jack McGovern: 10U Boys 100 yd Medley Relay (Freestyle) - 6th Place
• Brendan McGee: 12U Boys 100 yd Medley Relay (Backstroke) - 6th Place
• Michael Themistocleous: 12U Boys 100 yd Medley Relay (Breaststroke) - 6th Place
• Connor Hoehing: 12U Boys 100 yd Medley Relay(Butterfly) - 6th Place
• David Vidad: 12U Boys 100 yd Medley Relay(Freestyle) - 6th Place
• Sara Gharnit: 18U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay (Backstroke) - 5th Place
• Elizabeth Melnyczuk: 18U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay (Breaststroke) - 5th Place
• Yasmeen Gharnit: 18U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay (Butterfly) - 5th Place
• Ashley McKenzie: 18U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay (Freestyle) - 5th Place
• John Barnett: 18U Boys 200 yd Medley Relay (Backstroke) - 6th Place
• Bryan Purcell: 18U Boys 200 yd Medley Relay (Breaststroke) - 6th Place
• Joe Olivetto: 18U Boys 200 yd Medley Relay (Butterfly) - 6th Place
• Sean Breiman: 18U Boys 200 yd Medley Relay (Freestyle) - 6th Place
• Andrew Catinella: 8U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay - 5th Place
• Steven Girasi: 8U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay - 5th Place
• Doug Chase: 8U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay - 5th Place
• Eamonn McNicholas: 8u Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay - 5th Place
• Libbie Sudweeks: 10U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay - Bronze Medal
• Jessica Giuliani: 10U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay - Bronze Medal
• Brianna Donlon: 10U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay - Bronze Medal
• Cassandra Gharnit: 10U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay - Bronze Medal
• Jack McGovern: 10U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay - 5th Place
• Andrew Purcell: 10U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay - 5th Place
• Joe Palermo: 10U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay - 5th Place
• Kyle Carroll: 10U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay - 5th Place
• David Vidad: 12U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay - 4th Place
• Chris Moore: 12U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay - 4th Place
• Connor Hoehing: 12U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay - 4th Place
• Brendan McGee: 12U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay - 4th Place
• Sara Gharnit: 18U Girls 200 yd Freestyle Relay - Bronze Medal
• Elizabeth Melnyczuk: 18U Girls 200 yd Freestyle Relay - Bronze Medal
• Yasmeen Gharnit: 18U Girls 200 yd Freestyle Relay - Bronze Medal
• Ashley McKenzie: 18U Girls 200 yd Freestyle Relay - Bronze Medal
• Mike Ziedalski: 18U Boys 200 yd Freestyle Relay - 4th Place
• Bryan Purcell: 18U Boys 200 yd Freestyle Relay - 4th Place
• Eric Arians: 18U Boys 200 yd Freestyle Relay - 4th Place
• Zach Hoehing: 18U Boys 200 yd Freestyle Relay - 4th Place

Many of our swimmers won multiple medals and ribbons, and several placed in all of the events in which they swam. I would like to acknowledge the following 3 swimmers...

• Nicolette Chase: Nicolette medaled in both events in which she swam, taking the Bronze Medal in both the Individual Backstroke (after a perfect 5-0 regular season) and the Bronze Medal in the Medley Relay - Backstroke


• Cassandra Gharnit: Cassandra medaled in all three events in which she swam, taking a Silver Medal in the Individual Freestyle, and Bronze Medals in both the Medley Relay - Breaststroke and as the anchor in the Freestyle Relay


• Kyle Carroll: Kyle took the Gold Medal in the Individual Backstroke, capping off a perfect 9-0 season. Kyle also had a perfect 9-0 season in 2006 for Holy Family as an 8U in the backstroke.

As I stood on the pool deck watching our final two relays, listening to our swimmers chanting and cheering on their teammates, I thought I could not have been prouder as a coach, parent and representative of Holy Family. Until they announced the most distinguished and honored trophy of the year - the Bishop Ryan Sportsmanship Award. It was with great pride that I accepted the award, with our Captains, on behalf of Holy Family, and I share it with all of you as parents, family friends and swimmers for your dedication, enthusiasm and sportsmanship. We truly represented the ideals of CYO, and I thank you with all sincerity.

I hope to see you all Monday night for team pictures (please be at the pool by 6:15), medal and ribbon presentation and a free swim.

Coach Carroll (Kevin)

March 29th Meet vs. St. Kilian

Another terrific meet by the Swimming Eagles, despite losing to a stronger than expected St Kilian team (231-151). Our swimmers earned a total of 106 ribbons, including 9 firsts in the individual events and 7 in the Relays.

Congratulations to all our swimmers who performed so well during this meet, and congratulations to the following who earned a First Place Ribbon...

• Cassandra Gharnit: 10U Girls 25 yd Freestyle
• Doug Chase: 8U Boys 25 yd Backstroke
• Kyle Carroll: 10U Boys 25 yd Backstroke (Kyle finished the regular season with a perfect 8-0 record).
• Steven Girasi: 8U Boys 25 yd Breaststroke
• Anthony Inciarrano: 10U Boys 25 yd Breaststroke
• Eric Arians: 18U Boys 50 yd Freestyle
• Brendan McGee: 12U Boys 50 yd Backstroke
• Zach Hoehing: 18U Boys 50 yd Backstroke
• Yasmeen Gharnit: 18U Girls 50 yd Breaststroke
• Brianna Donlon: 10U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay
• Cassandra Gharnit: 10U 100 yd Medley Relay
• Caitlin Benedetto: 10U 100 yd Medley Relay
• Jessica Giuliani: 10U 100 yd Medley Relay
• Kelly Meenan: 12U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay
• Brenna Morrisey: 12U 100 yd Medley Relay
• MaryKate McGovern: 12U 100 yd Medley Relay
• Stephanie Epilone: 12U 100 yd Medley Relay
• Connor Hoehing: 12U 100 yd Medley Relay
• Michael Themistocleous: 12U 100 yd Medley Relay
• David Vidad: 12U 100 yd Medley Relay
• Brendan McGee: 12U 100 yd Medley Relay
• Zach Hoehing: 18U Boys 200 yd Medley Relay
• Bryan Purcell: 18U Boys 200 yd Medley Relay
• Mike Ziedalski: 18U 200 yd Medley Relay
• Eric Arians: 18U 200 yd Medley Relay
• Brianna Donlon: 10U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Jessica Giuliani: 10U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Libbie Sudweeks: 10U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Cassandra Gharnit: 10U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay (Cassandra's third First Place of the meet)
• Jack McGovern: 10U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Andrew Purcell: 10U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Joe Palermo: 10U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Realy
• Kyle Carroll: 10U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Brendan McGee: 12U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay (Brendan's 3rd First Place of the meet)
• Chris Moore: 12U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Connor Hoehing: 12U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• David Vidad: 12U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay

That concludes the regular season. We will have our final in house meet on Monday March 31st - the St Pat's Lads vs the Lasses.

The Championships are on Friday April 4th at the Aquatic Center. All those who have been selected should be on the pool deck no later than 6:00pm.

Final Practice and Open Swim will be on April 7th. We will hand out all remaining ribbons, medals from the Championships and then offer an Open Swim to all the swimmers.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Coach Carroll (Kevin)

March 16th Meet vs St Rose

Th Eagles put in another good showing in a loss to a very strong St Rose team (284-98). St Rose finished the season 8-0, a very impressive feat and we offer them our congratulations. If you blinked, you probably missed a few races, as the official sped through the events at a ridiculously fast pace. Our attempt to add an additional relay event did not work out as planned, so I apologize to any who missed out on participating in the extra event.

Also, best wishes for a quick recovery to all who are suffering from the flu. You will notice we were missing many swimmers who either called in last minute due to illness or showed and treid to swim, but were just not up to par at the meet. We definitely missed having you on the deck cheering and in the water competing.

Despite the loss, we continue to have terrific individual success, winning a total of 78 ribbons, so I offer my congratulations to all, not just those who earned a ribbon, but those who competed and turned in some great races.

Congratulations to the following who earned a first place ribbon...

• Kyle Carroll: Boys 10U 25 yd Freestyle
• Doug Chase: Boys 8U 25 yd Backstroke
• Kyle Carroll: Boys 10U 25 yd Backstroke (Kyle is now 7-0 in this event)
• Kiley Ferreri: Girls 12U 50 yd Freestyle
• Zach Hoehing: Boys 18U 50 yd Freestyle
• Kelly Meenan: Girls 12U 50 yd Backstroke
• Elizabeth Melnyczuk: Girls 14U 50 yd Breaststroke
• Yasmeen Gharnit: Girls 18U 50 yd Breaststroke
• Brianna Donlon: Girls 10U 100 yd Medley Relay
• Cassandra Gharnit: 10U 100 yd Medley Relay
• Caitlin Benedetto: 10U 100 yd Medley Relay
• Jessica Giuliani: 10U 100 yd Medley Relay

We have practice this Monday night March 17th.

No meets or practice next weekend (March 22, 23 and 24).

Next meet, March 29th 3pm at Bethpage High School vs St Kilian's.

In House meet Monday March 31st - Girls vs Boys!

Championship - Friday April 4th, 6pm at the Aquatic Center.

Wishing you all a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Coach Carroll

March 8th Meet vs Maria Regina

The Swimming Eagles put in a good effort in a loss to Maria Regina (235-146). Due to some last minute scratches, many of our swimmers had to swim up against older and more experienced swimmers, and they did a terrific job. Once again, the difference in the meet came down to depth and the relays, where there is a 5 point swing between 1st and 2nd place.

We took first place in 11 of 30 individual events and placed in 25 of them. We also took first in 6 of the 16 relays, including two very exciting finishes.

In the 10U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay, Kyle Carroll anchored a come from behind dead heat, meaning first place was awarded to both teams.

In the 18U Girls 200 yd Freestyle Relay, Ashley McKenzie anchored a thrilling come from behind victory. For those of you who left early, you missed one of the most thrilling, and loudest, events this year.

Although both Kyle and Ashley received the most recognition for the wins, if Andrew Purcell, Jack McGovern and Joe Palermo for the boys and Yasmeen Gharnit, Kelly Carroll and Kiley Ferrari for the girls, don't swim up to their abilities and do their best, the races are not won. So congratulations to all 8 swimmers on two outstanding and thrilling victories.

Additional congratulations to the following who earned first place ribbons...

• Cassandra Gharnit: 10u Girls 25 yd Freestyle (in an incredible time of 15.75)
• Kyle Carroll: 10U Boys 25 yd Freestyle
• Eamonn McNicholas: 8U Boys 25 yd backstroke
• Nicolette Chase: 10U Girls 25 yd Backstroke (Nicolette is now 5-0 in this event)
• Kyle Carroll: 10U Boys 25 yd Backstroke (Kyle is now 6-0 in this event)
• Ashley McKenzie: 18U Girls 50 yd Freestyle
• Zach Hoehing: 18U Boys 50 yd Freestyle
• Ashley McKenzie: 18U Girls 50 yd Backstroke
• Zach Hoehing: 18U Boys 50 yd Backstroke
• Michael Themistocleous: 12U Boys 50 yd Breaststroke
• Yasmeen Gharnit: 18U Girls 50 yd Breaststroke
• Nicolette Chase: 10U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay
• Cassandra Gharnit: 10U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay
• Caitlin Benedetto: 10U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay
• Brianna Donlon: 10U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay
• David Vidad: 12U Boys 100 yd Medley Relay
• Zach Ferreri: 12U Boys 100 yd Medley Relay
• Brendan McGee: 12U Boys 100 yd Medley Relay
• Connor Hoehing: 12U Boys 100 yd Medley Relay
• Libbie Sudweeks: 10U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• MaryKate McGee: 10U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Jessica Giuliani: 10U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Cassandra Gharnit: 10U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay (Cassandra's 3rd 1st Place Ribbon)
• Andrew Purcell: 10U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Jack McGovern:10U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Joe Palermo: 10U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Kyle Carroll: 10U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay (Kyle's 3rd 1st Place Ribbon)
• David Vidad: 12U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Chris Moore: 12U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Connor Hoehing: 12U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Brendan McGee: 12U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Yasmeen Gharnit: 18U Girls 200 yd Freestylke Relay
• Kelly Carroll: 18U Girls 200 yd Freestyle Relay
• Kiley Ferreri: 18U Girls 200 yd Freestyle Relay
• Ashley McKenzie: 18U Girls 200 yd Freestyle Relay (Ashley's 3rd 1st Place Ribbon).

Final Congratulations to all of our swimmers, who took home a total of 95 ribbons.

Next Practice is Monday March 10th.

Next Meet is Sunday March 16th.

Championships are Friday April 4th - I am hoping all will attend.

See you Monday night

Coach Carroll

March 2nd Meet vs St. Agnes

Despite what appears to be a lopsided loss (269-112), we had another good showing by the Swimming Eagles against a very strong and experienced St. Agnes team.

Congratulations to the following who earned a First Place ribbon...

Cassandra Gharnit: 10U Girls 25 yd Freestyle
Eamonn McNicholas: 8U Boys 25yd Backstroke
Nicolette Chase: 10U Girls 25 yd Backstroke (Nicolette has now won all 4 of the backstroke events in which she was entered
Kyle Carroll: 10U Boys 25yd Backstroke (Kyle is now 5-0 in this event)
Stephanie Epilone: 12U Girls 50 yd Freestyle
Kelly Meenan: 12U Girls 50yd Backstroke
Zach Hoehing: 18U Boys 50 yd Backstroke
Elizabeth Melnyczuk: 14U Girls 50 yd Breaststroke
Kassie LoDico: 12U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay
MaryKate McGovern: 12U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay
Kelly Meenan: 12U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay
Stephanie Epilone: 12U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay

Also, in the 10U Boys 25 yd Freestyle, despite identical times, first place was awarded to the St. Agnes team and Kyle Carroll took 2nd on a judges decision.

Congratulations to all of our swimmers, who put in a terrific effort and came home with 94 ribbons!

Next up is Maria Regina

See you on the pool deck!

Coach Carroll

February 17th - Update

Happy President's Day Weekend!

Practice: There is no practice Monday Feb 18th - Bethpage is closed for winter break. Next practice will be Feb 25th, and we will hold our 3rd in house meet, the Presidential Plunge.

League Meet: Our next league meet is Sunday, March 2nd vs St Agnes at the Aquatic Center. Warm-ups start at 4:00pm, so please meet in the stands starting at 3:30, but no later than 4pm so that we may take attendance and finalize the schedule of events. Anyone showing after 4pm, without prior notice, may lose a spot in one of their races.

Championship: The League Championships have been moved to Friday April 4th at the Aquatic Center. Warm-ups begin at 6pm. I ask that all swimmers attend the meet, even if you will not be swimming. I plan to post the list of swimmers who will be participating the week of March 24th.

See you all next Monday (2/25).

Coach Carroll

February 2 Meet vs St Agnes

Another very good showing against a very strong St Agnes swim team. Despite losing (233-148), the meet literally came down to seconds in each event. Although we only won 2 of the 16 relays events, we did finish a close 2nd in 12 of them. To give you an idea, had we won 9 of them instead of a close 2nd, we would have won the meet.

We continue to dominate the individual races. In the 30 individual events, our high finish in each event was...

• First in 13 events (including 7 of the first 8 events)
• Second in 13 events
• Third in 3 events
• Fourth in 1 event

Congratulations to our swimmers who earned 21 first place ribbons...

• Maggie Lavelle: 8U Girls 25 yd Freestyle
• Cassandra Gharnit: 10U Girls 25 yd freestyle
• Kyle Carroll: 10u Boys 25 yd Freestyle
• Gabriella Vidad: 8U Girls 25 yd Backstroke (Gabriella is now 4-4 this year in this event)
• Eamonn McNicholas: 8U Boys 25 yd Backstroke
• Nicolette Chase: 10U Girls 25 yd Backstroke
• Kyle Carroll: 10U Boys 25 yd Backstroke (Kyle is now 4-4 this year in this event)
• Mike Ziedalski: 14U BNoys 50 yd Freestyle
• Zach Hoehing: 18U Boys 50 yd Freestyle
• Kelly Meenan: 12U Girls 25 yd Backstroke
• Kiley Ferreri: 14U Girls 50 yd Backstroke
• Zach Hoehing: 18U Boys 50 yd Backstroke
• Michael Themistocleous: 12U Boys Breaststroke
• Nicolette Chase: 10U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay
• Cassandra Gharnit: 10U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay
• Libbie Sudweeks: 10U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay
• Brianna Donlon: 10U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay
• Mike Ziedalski: 18U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Bryan Purcell: 18U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Eric Arians: 18U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Zach Hoehing: 18U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay (that's 3 first place finishes this meet)

I am very proud of how our swimmers continue to improve. What is not always reflected in the final results is how much our swimmers who finish 4th, 5th or 6th have improved their times since we began back in October. They too should be commended!

The enthusiasm and cheering coming from both the swimmers and the fans is tremendous - keep it up!

Next Practice
Monday Feb 4th. I hope to have both of our volunteer HS student coaches down to work with our younger swimmers.

Next In House Meet
Monday February 25. This is an imprtnat in house meet, as I will be using the times for each event to guage how each of our swimmers has improved. 10U will start at 6:30. 18U will start at approximatly 7:45.

Next Meet
Sunday March 2, 4pm vs St. Agnes at the Aquatic Center. Please be at the Aquatic center by 3:45. We will meet in the stands to sign in.

The Feb 9th meet has been postponed until March 29.

Communication
The communication from each of you as parents has been outstanding and is greatly appreciated. The last 3 meets, every swimmer who was expected to swim was in attendance. Not only does this make it easier for the coaches to prepare for the events, but it helps promote team unity.

Meets
During the meets, all swimmers must remain on the benches and may not leave without prior notifaction to myself. If they require the use of the restrooms, they must get the permission of one of the coaches. This is for saftey reasons as well as allowing us to know where the swimmers are in case we need to make a last minute change to our line-up. Please do not presume your swimmer is done for the day once their final scheduled event has been swum. We may have to make a last minute change.

Also during this time, they should be paying attenion to and cheering on their teammates. So please, no toys, games, cards etc. I-Pods and books are fine.

Final Notes

I have been asked by Bethpage Pool Maintenace to enforce a few rules

• Please make sure that all swimmers are dry and dressed before entering the stands.
• Food & Drink: By rule, there should be no food and drink in the pool area. If you do bring any in, please be sure to dispose of it. There are garbage pails at either end of the pool.
• Swimmer Safety: We had two unfortunate incidents this past week, whereby two of our swimmers were injured. I will be speaking with them as a group on Monday, but I ask you to also emphasize with them that they cannot roughhouse on the pool deck. It can be very dangerous.

Looking forward to the second half of the season.

Coach Carroll (Kevin)

January 19 Meet vs. St. Bernard

If you give every race your best shot,

you will come out on top no matter what the score.

Another terrific meet by the Swimming Eagles. Despite losing another close contest to St. Bernard's (210-165), this was truly one of the more exciting meets of which I have been a part!

In addition to winning a season high 139 ribbons, many of the races came down to the final touch. We have been practicing our starts and finishes each Monday, and it its starting to pay off.

Congratulations to the following swimmers who earned 35 First Place Ribbons

• Cassandra Gharnit: 10U Girls 25 yd Freestyle
• Kyle Carroll: 10U Boys 25 yd Freestyle
• Gabriella Vidad: 8U Girls 25 yd Backstroke (Gabby is now 3 for 3 in this event)
• Eamonn McNicholas: 8U Boys 25 yd Backstroke
• Nicolette Chase: 10U Girls 25 yd Backstroke
• Kyle Carroll: 10U Boys 25 yd Backstroke (Kyle is now 3 for 3 in this event)
• Kiley Ferreri: 14U Girls 50 yd Freestyle
• Yasmeen Gharnit: 18U Girls 50 yd Freestyle
• Kelly Meenan: 12U Girls 50 yd Backstroke
• Yasmeen Gharnit: 18U Girls 50 yd Breaststroke
• Gabriella Vidad: 8U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay
• Nora Montera: 8U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay
• Maggie Lavelle: 8U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay
• Brenna Morrisey: 8U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Michael Epilone: 8U Boys 100 yd Medley Relay
• Steven Girasi: 8U Boys 100 yd Medley Relay
• Eamonn McNicholas: 8U Boys 100 yd Medley Relay
• Andrew Catinella: 8U Boys 100 yd Medley Relay
• Brianna Donlon: 10U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay
• Cassandra Gharnit: 10U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay
• Libbie Sudweeks: 10U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay
• Nicolette Chase: 10U Girls 100 yd Medley Relay
• Gabriella Vidad: 8U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay (her 3rd 1st place of the meet)
• Jennifer Smith: 8U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Brenna Morrisey: 8U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Maggie Lavelle: 8U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Andrew Catinella: 8U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay (his 3rd 1st place of the meet)
• Doug Chase: 8U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Michale Epilone: 8U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Eamonn McNicholas: 8U Boys 100 yd Freestyle Relay (his 3rd 1st place of the meet)
• Libbie Sudweeks: 10U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Veronica Morrish:10U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Jessica Giuliani: 10U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Cassandra Gharnit: 10U Girls 100 yd Freestyle Relay (her 3rd 1st place of the meet)

I was very proud of all of our swimmers; they swam hard in the water and gave it everything they had, and cheered just as hard from the sidelines. We truly showed team spirit and looked great in our team suits and caps.

Practice
Our next practice is Monday Jan 28. I will have the rest of the swim suits, t-shirts for anyone who has not yet gotten one, window clings for those who did not pick them up and my "lost and found" box

League Meets
Our next meet is schedule for Sat Feb 2, 3:30 start at Bethpage HS vs. St Agnes. Please be on the pool deck by 3:00pm. If you cannot make the meet, please let me know asap.

Our meet scheduled for Feb 9 has been postponed to Sat March 29, 3:30 at Bethpage HS

In House Meets
We will plan two more in-house meets (giving us a total of 12 meets), one in February (tentatively schedule for Feb 25th) and one in March (tentatively scheduled for March 24)

Championship Meet
The "B" Division Championships are schedule for Wednesday April 2nd at the Aquatic Center. Although only about half of the team will be able to participate, please mark your calendar and plan to attend so all of our swimmers get to experience the meet and cheer on their teammates.

Selection for the championships will be based on performance at the meets and attendance at practice. Final selections and alternates will be announced after the March in-house meet.

See you all on the 28th

Coach Carroll (Kevin)

January 13 Meet vs. St Bernard

The Swimming Eagles may have lost the meet to St Bernard's (205-165), but don't let the final score fool you. This was a very close meet. Had we taken first place in 4 relays rather than 2nd and 3rd place in 1 individual rather than 4th, we would have won - and we were missing over 30 of our teammates! We have come a long way since October and all of the swimmers' hard working, as well as that of our Coaches', is truly paying off.

This week our swimmers earned 114 ribbons, and we offer our congratulations to the following swimmers who combined to earn 38 First Place Ribbons!

• Kyle Carroll - 10U Boys: 25 yd freestyle
• Gabriella Vidad - 8U Girls: 25 yd backstroke (her 2nd in two meets)
• Eamonn McNicholas - 8U Boys: 25 yd backstroke
• Nicolette Chase - 10U Girls: 25 yd backstroke
• Kyle Carroll - 10U Boys: 25 yd backstroke (his 2nd in two meets)
• Nora Montera - 8U Girls: 25 yd breaststroke
• Anthony Inciarrano - 10U Boys: 25 yd breaststroke
• Kiley Ferreri - 14U Girls: 50 yd Freestyle
• Kelly Meenan - 14U Girls: 50 yd backstroke
• Sean Brieman - 14U Boys: 50 yd backstroke
• Maggie Panico - 8U Girls: 100 yd Medley Relay
• Gabriella Vidad - 8U Girls: 100 yd Medley Relay
• Bridget Morrisey - 8U Girls: 100 yd Medley Relay
• Jennifer Smith - 8U Girls: 100 yd Medley Relay
• Steven Girasi - 8U Boys: 100 yd Medley Relay
• Andrew Catinella - 8U Boys: 100 yd Medley Relay
• Eamonn McNicholas - 8U Boys: 100 yd Medley Relays
• Doug Chase - 8U Boys: 100 yd Medley Relay
• Brianna Donlon - 10U Girls: 100 yd Medley Relay
• Cassandra Gharnit - 10U Girls: 100 yd Medley Relay
• Caitlin Benedetto - 10U Girls: 100 yd Medley Relay
• Jessica Giuliani - 10U Girls: 100 yd Medley Relay
• Erik Arians - 18U Boys: 200 yd Medley Relay
• Michael Ziedalski - 18U Boys: 200 yd Medley Relay
• Nicholas Coppola - 18U Boys: 200 yd Medley Relay
• Sean Brieman - 18U Boys: 200 yd Medley Relay
• Bridget Morrisey - 8U Girls: 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Nora Montera - 8U Girls: 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Maggie Panico - 8U Girls: 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Gabriella Vidad - 8U Girls: 100 yd Freestyle Relay - her 3rd First Place of the Meet!
• MaryKate McGee - 10U Girls: 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Ashley Stock - 10U Girls: 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Jessica Giuliani - 10U Girls: 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Cassandra Gharnit - 10U Girls: 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Brendan McGee - 12U Boys: 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Chris Moore - 12U Boys: 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• Connor Hoehing - 12U Boys: 100 yd Freestyle Relay
• David Vidad - 12U Boys: 100 yd Freestyle Relay

My thanks to all of our coaches, once again, for helping to make the meet run smooth, working the scorer's table and for getting our swimmers to their lanes on time. Your time and patience are greatly appreciated.

Thanks to our Team Captains for helping out at the meet, leading us in our team cheer and most importantly for working with the younger swimmers at practice. You are all making a difference!

Final thanks to our teammate Caitlin Roberti, who cheered us on from the stands with her own homemade banner! You really made your teammates feel special!

Looking forward to our "Home Opener" on Saturday, January 19, 3:30 at Bethpage High School (on the pool deck for arm-ups by 3:00pm.

Coach Carroll (Kevin)

January 6 Meet vs St William

Despite losing the meet (285-94), the Swimming Eagles garnered a number of individual successes.

I was especially proud of our 8Under Swimmers

• Bridget Morrisey
• Gabriela Vidad
• Maggie Lavelle
• Maggie Panico
• Olivia McNicolas
• Ben Clingen
• Doug Chase
• Eamonn McNicolas
• Jack McGee
• Liam Schmith
• Michael Epilone
• Steven Themistocleous.

The Aquatic Center can be very intimidating, with all of the fans, the deep water and very large pool area, but our 8 & unders showed no fear and swam terrific races. I hope they are all as proud of themselves as I am of each one of them.

We had 75 swimmers participate and earned close to 70 ribbons. Special mention to the following swimmers who earned a First Place Ribbon in their 2008 debuts.

• Maggie Lavelle - 8U 25 yd Freestyle
• Gabriella Vidad - 8U 25 yd Backstroke
• Kyle Carroll - 10U 25 yd Backstroke
• Alessandra Moore - 18U 50 yd Freestyle
• Kiley Ferreri - 18U 200 yd Freestyle Relay
• Brittney Hoehing - 18U 200 yd Freestyle Relay
• Sarah Gharnit - 18U 200 yd Freestyle Relay
• Yasmeen Gharnit - 18U 200 yd Freestyle Relay.

I would also like to thank our coaches who helped out timing the races, working the lanes, making changes to the events and working the scorer's table. The meet would not have been as successful without all of your hard work and diligence.

Thanks also to our two photographers - Ginny Carroll (Kyle and Kelly's mom) and Joanna Vidad (Gabby and David's mom). Photo's should be available on the website soon.

Last, I would like to thank all of the parents for your commitment to the team and for cheering on our swimmers at the meet. I know it meant the world to them.

Our next meet is Sunday, 10:30 at the Aquatic Center vs St Bernard. Please be on the pool deck by 10:00am, and if you cannot attend the meet, please let me know as soon as possible, even if it is last minute.

Stay Well

Coach Carroll (Kevin)