SUNDAY, JUNE 24

 

So... I left you as we were getting ready to go to Mulligan's Restaurant on Saturday night. This is the traditional meal that everyone

dresses up for. It was a nice place on the water, and just down the street. We took a group photo in front of the hotel first.

 

Check out these sharp lookers-

Here's another one of our NHS seniors-

Some photos at the restaurant-

 

Looking up at the swimmers at the hotel. We were on the 5-7th floor. Most of us on the 6th.

 

Today was our last meet day at the Sarasota YMCA Sharks Invitational. Here is a preview of the pool pics.

 More time drops, best times, good swims. This was a good week for Noblesville swimming.

 

 

Rich received a palm tree from the team and a card.

 

To end the evening, we had several entries in the karaoke contest at the hotel lounge on the beach. This was side splitting and the pictures

can't tell the whole story. Too much...

 

Waiting around in the lounge

 

First up for "our team" was Nathan with a solo...

 

The girls were up next with a sweet little number...

 

The crowd goes crazy

 

Rich was up next and sang "Under the Boardwalk". He recruited some great back-up vocalists.

 

This was the show stealer. Austin sang. Get the full story from anyone on the trip. :)

 

Everyone went nuts!

 

Last from our group were CJ and Jon... and Carlton joined in

\

 

Another crowd pleaser!

 

We are packing our bags now and are going to load up at 7:00am. We have to get the vans back and everyone in place for our

11:00am flight. A few are on other flights or driving.

 

This has been the experience of a lifetime. Everyone will bring home something beneficial from this trip. The swimmers have

improved their strokes and dropped time. More importantly they have set goals, learned a lot about their team mates, and have

a vision for the future.

 

We are also going to be happy to be back with family and sleep in our own beds.

 

I am signing off from FLORIDA! Thanks for tuning in.

 

-Bret

We just arrived back at the hotel (about 5:15pm) from Sarasota. Another day swimming with the sharks. We left about 9:30am and arrived

just before the morning session was complete. Warmed up and away we went on our second meet day.

 

It was another scorcher down here. At least the water was cool.

 

We had one lane in the 50M pool.     Saving a little lizard from the pool deck.

 

Rich and I went shopping together last night. It's a guy thing.

 

We came all the way to Florida and guess who was the deck-ref and starter for the meet? Carlton and Rick.

We are good to the core.

 

Relaxing and playing some cards as we wait for our events.

 

The Reels flew down to join us. Sam and Gabe swam age group events along with Alex and Jordan. Cassidy helped Rich with times.

 

Some shots from the start end today:

 

This guy swam a .58 100 free yesterday! Nice job Nathan.

 

We are getting cleaned up to go out to our last meal together at Mulligan's (Sunday will be open time for meals). We will leave for the meet

and swim the second session again tomorrow AM. I will post one more entry Sunday evening. We have had some great times together

this week.

-Bret

FRIDAY, JUNE 22

 

Hey everyone! I left you right before the team meeting and our special event Thursday afternoon. The secret is out, it was the Amazing Race!

First of all, tons of planning went into this event. A big thanks to Kristen Wolfred and Brenda Cropper for making this happen for the swimmers.

 

Summary of the Amazing Race: We had three teams; about 8 swimmers per team + a driver and navigator (parents). We could not help them

only, offer suggestions. The parents knew nothing of where we were going or anything about the contest.

 

Each of the three vans received an envelope with the first clue. We started from the hotel. The first clue was to find a artillery battery. It was in

Desoto Park approx. 10 miles to the south.

 

The swimmers had to figure out each clue, find the spot on the map and direct us (the van driver and navigator) to it. After arriving at location, they had to

run and find the spot. If they were correct, a parent was there to give them the next clue.

 

Swimmers meet and get instructions on the Race from Rich.

 

When we found this flag at each of the locations, we got the clue to the next one.

 

                   Running back to the van          Nora calling to get local information to solve a clue, Kayla is helping.          Jackie is an ace on N-S-E-W.  

 

Stopping at the local paper to get info to solve a clue. They gave our team a print out of pictures and directions to the "Dough Boy Statue". It worked.

 

  

 

These guys were going so fast their feet came off the pedals.

 

The third location to find was at the St Petersburg Pier. The teams then had to take a "surrey ride" or perform a scavenger hunt.

The next and final location was nearby and we all knew it, it was at our training site.

 

The last clue was to "find the pitstop" which took a little hunting. It was in the palm arboretum near to pool and was our team banner.

It turned out to be a very close race between the teams.

 

We found a brick in the walk with our newspaper log writer's name in it. It was missing an "a" but close enough! A big thank you to

Mackenzie for writing the Noblesville Times log every night, it was very good, and gave lot's of publicity to the team.

 

Here we are posing on the last day of practice-

On to the pool-

 

After settling down after the Amazing Race, we had our final practice at the North Shore Aquatic Complex. Rich challenged

Ben and Paige to break a time in the 100M free to get the whole team out of practice just a little early. They took the challenge,

the entire team lined up and yelled for them. They each did it.

 

Friday Morning and evening:

Meet day! We started out with a breakfast at a Waffle House down the street at 7:45am. This was nice as we all got

to sleep in compared to earlier in the week. We drove the three vans south to Sarasota, it took a little over an hour.

 

 

Arriving at the Sarasota Shark YMCA pool and starting warm-up. We competed in the afternoon session.

Beautiful facility. I was able to talk to their age group coach and some parents-officials. They host 5 big (Enchanted Forest size) meets

each year, another championship meet and a couple more tri athlete meets. They have around 300 swimmers in their club. Very friendly

organization, made us feel welcome. There is a water park next to the pool area.

 

At least two of the coaches at the meet knew Rich. This guy swam with Rich at Riviera.

 

As the first NOB swimmer in the meet, Alex Wolfred set the pace by making his state cut in the 200 IM.

We had numerous great swims and victories and a good number of best times. These guys have been through the

ringer this week and still swam their hearts out.

I will post all the competitive pics on the site as usual after we get home, above are just three.

 

A site we saw a few times this week, sitting and waiting for the draw bridge on one of the islands to lower for us.

 

We went to Turtles Restaurant about 6 miles from the pool for dinner and then headed back to the hotel at St. Pete.

Back at the hotel we had a little free time before lights out. The swimmers tried to get into the Karaoke contest

at the hotel restaurant on the beach - but it was all booked up. We are going to try and make it on Sunday.

 

 

Another day at the meet on Saturday coming up...

 

-Bret

 

Hope this log is not too confusing - I jump back to the last half of the prior day to start.

 

Wednesday  evening: After the team meeting at 1:00, the swimmers had free time and enjoyed the beach, pool, some took

a ride on jet skis, and some got a well deserved nap. The parents worked on food and our upcoming meet agenda.

 

We will depart for Sarasota Friday morning at 7:45am and swim the afternoon session only on FRI-SAT-SUN. We will be coming back

to our hotel each evening. The second session should end around 4:00pm, so we won't be super stressed on time getting there and

back each day. Everyone is starting to "feel the week", so one session per day is perfect.

 

Parents meeting with Scott, Brenda, Jill, Pam, Jennifer, Madelyn, Carlton, Rick,

and Brian who is in the pool (the only smart one).

 

We loaded up the vans and headed to the pool in the evening. We just have to point them East and they about drive themselves.

We had the SC 25Y pool configuration this evening. Lots of kick and pull and stroke work tonight.

 

Madelyn mentioned in our parents meeting that a hotel working said the staff had compliments for the way our swimmers conduct

themselves. No problems. It's really fun to be with these kids.

Rich had them do some speed and turnover work at the end of practice - with starts.

 

We arrived back, stowed our gear, and headed to Cabana's (walking distance) for some chow. Then back to the ranch for lights out

at around 10:30pm.

 

Cool cloud formation as we left the pool Wednesday night

THURSDAY AM:

We headed out at 6:30am and dropped the kids off a mile up the road from the pool. As you can see, this is a nice part of the area

with $$ homes and facilities. Might as well run there!

Stretching before the run

 

Dry land before hitting the water

Back in the 25M pool. It started to rain so we moved all their stuff to keep it dry.

Of course that made the rain stop and the sun came out.

 

We are chillin right now until the team meeting at 1:00pm. At 2:30, we start our big secret adventure. We will be in three teams

and in three vans, that's all I can say. More to come!

 

-Bret

It looked stormy as we arrived at the pool Tuesday evening, but we lucked out. I know they wanted to do some

more ocean swimming/relays, but tonight was pool time.  I forgot to mention- As we were walking to the beach for

the Monday evening ocean swim, dolphins were slowly cruising just off the beach in the shallow water.

Was quite a sight for the team to see together. I was too busy watching the kids watch the dolphins and didn't get a shot of it!

 

Rich had them swim about 8,000m total yesterday (Tuesday) + dry land.

  Getting ready for kick & pulls Tuesday evening.

    

We have been sharing the pool with a local team. They are getting used to us. They don't have the team sprit between

sets like we do. Why not?

We came back to the hotel around 9:00pm and had some delicious subs with all the fixins. Thanks to Brenda Cropper for leading

the charge to put it together. We ate them on a large open air deck overlooking the hotel pool.

Wednesday morning

Back in the LC pool, we swam 5,100M this morning. The sun comes up just as we arrive for the morning dip and you

can feel the temperature rise.

  Earthquake.

We put the lane markers in for 25Y after we are done with our workout.

 

We were talked into Dunkin Donuts this morning on the ride back to the hotel. Dozens of donuts disappeared in seconds.

 

The swimmers will have free time this afternoon after the 1:00pm team meeting (no formal group activity). I think some of the

boys are going bowling. I will tell you what the girls are doing after they decide... just kidding. Rich, Kristen, and Brenda have been

working on a very special activity for Thursday afternoon, one so secret not even the parents know what it is. More on that

on Thursday evening.

 

Stay tuned, more to come...

 

-Bret

TUESDAY, JUNE 19

 

Hello! We are having a blast down here!

First, more from last night (Monday). I left off right before we went to evening practice. We left for the pool at 5:45pm. After we arrived it started

to thunder. Of course all of the lifeguards on our team knew what was next. We waited and waited for the pool officials to "release the pool",

but it never happened. The kids decided to sing to the van radios, climb the local palm trees and generally bond like never before!

Waiting for the thunder to stop. No clouds overhead and a cool rainbow appeared.

   

I think Audrey got the highest in the tree, but don't tell her brother. We headed back to the hotel and Rich had

more in mind. It could not have worked out better.

 

They ran their dry land on the beach and then had relay races in the ocean. A couple of the guys (Nathan and Austin)

took turns being the wall/buoy in the water that marked the turn around for the swimmers. They each did 50 crunches

on the beach as their teammates yelled, and then a mini-IM out and back. They voted it one of their favorite workouts.

 

 

After everyone cleaned up, we went to an Italian restaurant across the street for spaghetti and meatballs. I think they were hungry.

TUESDAY MORNING

I think the sun tapped them Monday. You could hear a pin drop in the vans on the way to practice.

We made it to the pool and Rich sent them on a FOUR mile run (up and back) on the beach.

The first runners come in. Like the palms? This is an amazing place to train.

 

They followed up with dry land and were hurting after that long run. These kids are tuff.

 

We had the short course pool this morning. They had a great workout as usual.

 

 

 

 

Rick Grant arranged breakfast for us at a neat place across the street (Ricky-Ts) and they were ready for us when we arrived.

Plates of steaming pancakes and bacon appeared and were well received.

 

Moe, Larry and Curly

 

Rich had a team meeting at 1:00pm. We were busy putting together the team activity to happen at 2:30; I think the parents enjoyed

this one as much as the swimmers... and here it is:

 

WATER BALLOONS & SHAVING CREAM

We quietly handed the seniors the shaving cream cans before we started (sneak attack). They knew what to We made up about

500 water balloons for the fight.

                                           Can you find your swimmer??

 

OFF to the ocean to get cleaned off....

 

 

 

   Back again all clean and smiling...

We leave for our second practice soon, so another update tom.

 

-Bret

Great first day!

We made it to the pool and everyone was in the water at 7:00am sharp. It sprinkled a bit, then the sun came out. Everyone worked hard.

Rich is having a good time; he has their complete attention down here.

  

It's a nice 50M pool, looks like they have some bigger meets there. When swimming to the east, you see palm trees and the ocean, just

like at Forest Park. Maybe a little different.

 

Coming back to the hotel we had a draw bridge out (needed repaired) so we took an detour (someone in my van said an adventure and

they were correct).

 

Rich conducted a team building meeting in the hotel conference room in the early afternoon. It was a "get to know you" activity.

 

The swimmers then headed to the beach for a sandcastle building contest. Ok, no buckets, little shovels, etc, so this was

going to be hard. They figured it out-

 

       

  A very realistic sea turtle...           a happy octopus...                     a jeweled mermaid...                 a 3D starfish....

 

 A giant and very cool seahorse....          Jennifer Moon and Madelyn Clark were the judges and will announce the winner this evening.

 

More fun in the sea and sun-

 

 

Everyone is having a good time, no serious sunburns (yet). We head back to the pool at 5:45pm for our second session. The parents

are working on a food schedule for the remainder of the week. More coming on Tuesday, our swimmer's log starts in the Times on Tuesday,

and there is preview coverage of our trip in today's (Monday's) paper.

 

-Bret

SUNDAY, JUNE 17

 

We made it to FLORIDA!

 

The flight was fine, a tad early, but every arrived on time. A few swimmers had the first time jitters being on an airplane, their buddies helped them out. I didn't see anyone sleeping, except the parents. Austin, Kaila, and Jackie received certificates and pilots wings from NorthWest Airlines for their first flights.

We picked up three 15 person passenger vans and another cargo van. Nice drive to Treasure Island (where our hotel is) from the airport.

         

 

Looks like we will have pretty easy week as far as getting people to and from our designations. We arrived at the Bilmar Beach Resort (727-360-5531 main office) at 10650 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete. GREAT PLACE! Giant beach, nice rooms. The area is clean, well lit and looks very safe

.    

We made a stop at a Sam's club and picked up about 20 cases of water and Gatorade/snacks. Should tide this group over for a day or so!

     Yes, the guys are in a HOT TUB...

The swimmers hit the beach and the pool. It is HOT down here. We got some lunch at Sloppy Joes (next door to the hotel).

Everyone is settling in (9:45pm) & getting ready for sleep before our first big day of practice (we leave for the pool at 6:30am).

We will train at the North Shore Aquatic Complex at 901 North Shore Drive, St. Pete (727-893-7735). Looks like it's about 15 minutes away. Watch for our daily "swimmer log" in the Noblesville Times, written by Mackenzie Imbro.

Feel free to share this page with family and friends. I will update this log each day, probably at night, feel free to call my cell (number at the top) if you have any questions or need to get in contact with anyone. We will keep close guard on these special young men and women this week, so rest at ease. As you know, these kids are the best... and always make a great impression wherever we go. They did that again today.

-Bret