Many Shaker Sharks who swim at the Middle School have seen the GoSwim (www.goswim.tv) video on Breaststroke Turns and Pullouts starring Dave Denniston.  Dave Denniston was the 1999 NCAA Champion for Auburn University in the 200 Breaststroke as well as a member of the 2003 World Championship Team.  What many Shaker Sharks do not know is that Dave is currently paralyzed from the waist down.

On Sunday, February 6, 2005, Dave was in his home state of Wyoming, spending time with his friend Andy Miller.  They were having a great time in the mountains, sledding down some snow-covered slopes, until Dave slid into a tree and damaged his spine.  The accident has left Dave, for the time being, without the use of his legs. — www.davedenniston.com

Dave is still accomplishing amazing things in and for the sport of Swimming.  On April 10, 2008, Dave qualified for the United States Paralympic Team.  Here is a video of his qualifying breaststroke swim.  (You can hear his Dad cheering in the background!)

Dave has also established a foundation called Send It Forward!. This idea of Sending It Forward emerged from one of Dave’s first Breaststroke DVDs. The idea was that, in breaststroke, effective swimmers always keep their energy moving forward. This idea has evolved over time into a lifelong commitment to positive energy.

Send Your Energy Forward. Move in a positive direction, no matter how subtly, toward accomplishing your goals each day.

If you are interested in contributing to Dave’s worthy cause or learning more, please visit his website.  http://www.davedenniston.com/

John Leonard, the Executive Director of the American Swimming Coaches Association, has written an interesting opinion piece called “Let’s Keep the Tech Suits With The Senior Swimmers”.  The article summarizes some of the dangers of “high tech” swimsuits for younger swimmers from a coaching and parenting perspective.  John’s opinions are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Shaker Swimming coaching staff; however, his article may be insightful for those Shaker Swimming families facing similar situations.

Are you interested in volunteering at swimmeets?  If so, Lake Erie Swimming (LESI) is always looking for officials.  Check out their brochure, “Don’t Just Sit There…. & Vegetate, Get in the Swim…. & Officiate!”, for more information! You can also visit Lake Erie Swimming’s Officials page, www.lakeerieswimming.com/officials.htm, for more information.

Yesterday afternoon at the Springvale Ballroom in North Olmsted, Lake Erie Swimming hosted its annual Awards Program.  Many Shaker Sharks were honored for their participation in the Zones, Quads, and Sectional meets.  Fernan Echeverria was recognized for 10 years of volunteer work in the LSC (Local Swimming Committees).  

Also, the Coach’s Merit Award was announced.  The Coach’s Merit award is awarded to one swimmer from each team.  Each athlete is chosen by their team’s coaches.  The award recognizes athletes that best represent the values of their team both in and out of the water.  Tad Resch is this year’s Shaker Shark Coach’s Merit Award winner. Congratulations Tad!

In a separate note, those of you who frequently visit www.usaswimming.org might have seen this new website featured in their news section. This website, http://www.mutualofomaha.com/usaswim/ is fantastic. It has biographies of top swimmers, videos of racing, cool swimming wallpapers for your computer, and more. Check it out if you like!

The long course meet schedule will be availalble soon.  Information for the first three meets is available.  Please get your entries in on time.

• The LESD meet is May 4 at Hawken Upper School.  Click here LESD SC Meet Information
• The YSU Sr. Circuit & Age group meet is May 23 - 25.  The morning session has qualifying times.  Swimmers must be faster than the times listed.  The afternoon session are open for all ages.  This is a long course meet.  YSU Sr. Circuit & Age Group LC Meet.
• The Canton City School meet is June 7 - 8.  There are no qualifying times for this meet.  CCS LC Meet Information.

Tryouts for new swimmers will be Tuesday, March 25 at 7:20 p.m. at the Shaker Middle School pool.  If you are unable to attend on Tuesday, March 25, we will have tryouts every Tuesday at 7:20 p.m. at the Shaker Middle School. 

Please note:  There will not be tryouts on Tuesday, April 1 due to the Shaker Schools spring break.  All Shark practices will be held at the Woodbury Pool during spring break.

Spring Break Practice Schedule: (All practices are at the Woodbury Pool)

• Saturday, March 29 - Masters 7:00 - 8:15 a.m.; NO SHARK PRACTICES
• Monday, March 31 - NO MASTERS PRACTICE; 5:20 - 6:00 p.m. Youth Sharks; 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Select Youth and Sr. Group
• Tuesday, April 1 - Masters 5:45 - 7:15 a.m.; 5:20 - 6:00 p.m. - Youth Sharks;     6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Select Youth and Sr. Group
• Wednesday, April 2 - Masters 5:45 - 7:15 a.m.; 5:20 - 6:00 p.m. - Youth Sharks; 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Select Youth and Sr. Group
• Thursday, April 3 - Masters 5:45 - 7:15 a.m.; 5:20 - 6:00 p.m. - Youth Sharks; 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Select Youth and Sr. Group
• Friday, April 4 - NO PRACTICES
• Saturday, April 5 - NO PRACTICES

Monday, April 7 - Regular practice schedule will resume

Tryouts for new swimmers will be Tuesday, March 18 at 7:20 p.m. at the Shaker Middle School pool.  If you are unable to attend on Tuesday, March 18, we will have tryouts every Tuesday at 7:20 p.m. at the Shaker Middle School. 

Please note:  There will not be tryouts on Tuesday, April 1 due to the Shaker Schools spring break.  All Shark practices will be held at the Woodbury Pool during spring break.

Spring Break Practice Schedule: (All practices are at the Woodbury Pool)

• Friday, March 21 - NO PRACTICES
• Saturday, March 22 - NO PRACTICES
• Saturday, March 29 - Masters 7:00 - 8:15 a.m.; NO SHARK PRACTICES
• Monday, March 31 - NO MASTERS PRACTICE; 5:20 - 6:00 p.m. Youth Sharks; 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Select Youth and Sr. Group
• Tuesday, April 1 - Masters 5:45 - 7:15 a.m.; 5:20 - 6:00 p.m. - Youth Sharks;     6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Select Youth and Sr. Group
• Wednesday, April 2 - Masters 5:45 - 7:15 a.m.; 5:20 - 6:00 p.m. - Youth Sharks; 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Select Youth and Sr. Group
• Thursday, April 3 - Masters 5:45 - 7:15 a.m.; 5:20 - 6:00 p.m. - Youth Sharks; 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Select Youth and Sr. Group
• Friday, April 4 - NO PRACTICES
• Saturday, April 5 - NO PRACTICES

Monday, April 7 - Regular practice schedule will resume

The Shaker Sharks Bowling Party will be Sunday, January 27 at Southgate Lanes in Maple Heights.  Swimmers who are 8 year old and younger will bowl from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; 9 and 10 year olds will bowl from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.; 11 and overs will bowl from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.  We only have room for 40 swimmers per hour so sign-ups will be on a first come first serve basis.  Swimmers must sign up in advance and attend the session you signed up for.  We cannot accept walk-ins.  The cost of this event will be $5.00 per swimmer which will include bowling, shoe rental, pizza and pop.  Click Bowling Party Information for the sign up sheet.

The Shark Holiday Practice Schedule will begin Friday, December 21.  All practices will be at the Woodbury Pool.  Click Shark Holiday Practice Schedule for the practice schedule.

The IMX Challenge is a program sponsored by USA Swimming.  Swimmers who participate in this program can track their progress within the Shaker Sharks, within Lake Erie Swimming and nationally.  All you need to do is attend meets and legally compete in the events required for your age.  Click here IMX Challenge Flyer for more details.

Entry forms for the following meets are available on-line and at practice.  Please get them in before the deadline.

• New Years Stretch - swim your own age                           Due Dec. 7
• Jim Scullion/Age Group Show Down                                  Due Dec. 7
• 10 & Under Meet at Kent Roosevelt                                  Due Dec. 19
• 11 & Over Meet at Canton                                                   Due Dec. 19

If you are interested in joining the Shaker Sharks, we are having tryouts on Tuesday, December 11 & Thursday, December 13 at 7:20 p.m. at the Middle School.  Please have your swimmer ready to swim.  Parents can pick up an informational packet from the coaches at tryouts.

Thanksgiving Break Practice Schedule (all practices will be held at The Woodbury Pool)

Wednesday, November 21

• 5:45 - 7:15 a.m.             Masters 
• 8:00 - 10:30 a.m.          Lanes 1- 5 Sr/HS Group
• 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.           All Sr/HS Group
• 5:20 - 6:00 p.m.            All Sharks/Developing Sharks
• 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.            Select youth/Shaker Middle School

Friday, November 23

• 8:00 - 10:30 a.m.          Lanes 1 - 5 Sr/HS Group
• 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.            All Sr/HS Group 
• 5:20 - 6:00 p.m.            All Sharks/Developing Sharks
• 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.            Select youth/Shaker Middle School

Saturday, November 24

• 7:00 - 8:15 a.m.               Masters 
• 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.            All Sr/HS Group
• 11:20 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.  All Sharks/Developing Sharks
• 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.            Select youth/Shaker Middle School
• 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.             Lanes 1 - 5 Sr/HS Group

If you are interested in joining the Shaker Sharks, we are having tryouts on Tuesday, November 13 & Thursday, November 15 at 7:20 p.m. at the Middle School.  Please have your swimmer ready to swim.  Parents can pick up an informational packet from the coaches at tryouts.

The bronze meet at Brunswick on Sunday, December 9 has been changed to Saturday, December 8 at Euclid High School.  Click Bronze Meet at Euclid for the meet information.  Entries are due November 7.

Shaker Shark Invitational Volunteer and Entry Forms are available.  Please turn in your entry form and volunteer sheet by Wednesday, November 7.