Race Club Article

"So...do we structure our team to find and groom this one kid, or do we give the rest of the team...I'm not sure what I would call it, but a better, more relevant experience given their athletic talent and prospects?" I disagree. Isn't the goal of the coach to help each and every one of his swimmers achieve their full potential, whatever that may be? How is that irrelevant? A coach once told me, "Don't limit yourself." Are you proposing that we train the less talented kids...less? "...many of the kids and the parents are in swimming 'cause they have bought the Olympic dream as a motivation. Given our once in four years coverage, it is what we have to offer to justify why they should spend all that time, money, blood, sweat and tears." Again I disagree. I knew I wouldn't make an Olympic team, but I was thrilled to make my college team as a walk on. To me, that was a pretty big "reward." The great thing about swimming is that it teaches self-motivation and goal setting. "...because swim meets are so darn predictable." What is so "predictable" about swimming a great race and a personal best? Friday night my 14 year old daughter dropped six seconds in the 200 IM, losing by just a second to a girl who at one time could lap her in the same event.

"So...do we structure our team to find and groom this one kid, or do we give the rest of the team...I'm not sure what I would call it, but a better, more relevant experience given their athletic talent and prospects?" I disagree. Isn't the goal of the coach to help each and every one of his swimmers achieve their full potential, whatever that may be? How is that irrelevant? A coach once told me, "Don't limit yourself." Are you proposing that we train the less talented kids...less? "...many of the kids and the parents are in swimming 'cause they have bought the Olympic dream as a motivation. Given our once in four years coverage, it is what we have to offer to justify why they should spend all that time, money, blood, sweat and tears." Again I disagree. I knew I wouldn't make an Olympic team, but I was thrilled to make my college team as a walk on. To me, that was a pretty big "reward." The great thing about swimming is that it teaches self-motivation and goal setting. "...because swim meets are so darn predictable." What is so "predictable" about swimming a great race and a personal best? Friday night my 14 year old daughter dropped six seconds in the 200 IM, losing by just a second to a girl who at one time could lap her in the same event.