Caroline Haines (RIP Tide)
Caroline exemplifies much of what Blue Wave is all about: A driving passion to become a better swimmer and person, dedicated to improving herself and her technique, and being a positive role model to everyone around her. This season has been a stellar one for this star! We got to sit down and talk with this young lady and ask her some questions. Her favorite meet this year has been PVS SC Junior Champs, where she went all best times allowing her to achieve GOLD Level in CLUB TSUNAMI. The experience was loads of fun due mainly to her teammates. In preparation for meets she always has pasta the night before, probably with a side of her favorite food: blueberry applesauce (yum!). As she says, the hardest part of swimming is the schedule and the grueling training, but the rewards are well worth it! "Everyone is so friendly and nice. The coaches are great. I get to have close friends and do what I love at the same time." Her big goal for this year is to make Sectionals. She plans on achieving this by staying focused during training, and to keep herself on track with this plan by setting little goals along the way. Something you may not know about our Caroline is that one day she wants to tour Europe! And, if she wins the lottery, she will buy a horse to go on tour with her. In her spare time she scrapbooks, reads, and listens to music. "I am proud of doing well in school," she says with a smile. Caroline is a great example of someone who works hard to achieve their goals, and dedicates themselves to being the best they can be!
Tatum Wall (TYPHOON 2)
In the short time since the calendar turned to 2013, Tatum has been on a mission to be one of the greatest Typhoons the teams has ever seen! During the Swim-a-thon she was one of the two Typhoons to make it to 5000 meters, and during 18 & Under Champs she is happy to say she earned all her B times! Her goal is to soon be moved up into the Green Crest squad, and continue being awesome in her favorite event, the IM! When asked about the best way to prepare for a meet, she recommends getting a good night's sleep and eating a good breakfast. "Staying focused and paying attention at all times" is the hardest part of swimming she says, and that's the gospel truth coming from someone who rocked the waters this month. When not swimming, Tatum is eating her favorite foods of chicken and pasta, playing volleyball, going horseback riding, and doing well in school. Little known fact: Her middle name is Elise! And finally, when asked what she would do if she won the lottery, she said "Smile and jump and down." Well Tatum Elise, that is exactly what I would do too! You go girl!
Nick Kost (RIP Tide)
'Big Red' is a blast and a half of talent and awesomeness. He has proven himself a great leader, and even though his biggest problems with swimming is the constant hunger pains and want of more sleep, he wouldn't trade it for the world. His favorite meet this year was the travel meet, where he says he enjoyed focusing on swimming without parents around. His favorite events are the 400 IM, the 200 IM, and the 100 free, because he likes variety and the 100 free is not too short, not too long, but juuuust right. To prep for big meets like Champs, Nick recommends food and sleep in healthy and abundant quantities. When asked about Blue Waves, Nick says he really enjoys the team unity, and he is glad to have coaches know what they're doing. His goal for the summer is to beat the 400 IM long course record. "How?" I asked, "Easy, I train with the record holder." To that I say best of luck Nick! When not swimming, Nick is sleeping, watching TV, and eating his favorite food, bacon cheeseburgers with onion straws. Yum! And finally, when asked what he would do if he won the lottery, he says he will use half to buy a lot of stocks, then buy a better imagination. As he is graduating from high school very soon, and going to Penn-State Erie, the Behrend College, I would have thought he would put the money toward schooling. Even so, we wish him the best of luck with his choice, and we are all proud to have Nick as a Swimmer-Of-The-Month!
Meredith Scarboro (GREEN Crest)
This talented starfish has worked hard this month, improving her technique, showing up to practice, and listening with a smile! When we asked this clever young lady what her favorite parts of Blue Waves has been, she told us "I liked the November Open meet, because I knew I had times to beat." Part of swimming is setting goals for yourself and working to achieve those goals. Meredith has definitely worked hard to achieve her goals! "I like the 100 freestyle because it's not too hard or too easy," so she says. "So what should I do to prepare for a meet?" I ask. "Get a good night's sleep." Excellent answer. Meredith likes Blue Waves because the coaches push her to work hard so she can achieve her goal of making JO's. The most challenging part of swimming? "You can't stop when you're tired," Meredith answers. How very true! When the going gets tough, the tough get going! So Meredith, what else besides swimming do you love? "I like to sing, and my favorite food is pizza." A little known fact about Meredith: she gets cold easily! So better watch out when Coach Gabe is looking for someone to dump his cold water on! If Meredith won the lottery, what would she do? "Go shopping!" I would probably do the same thing! Congratulations Meredith on working so hard this season! Keep up the good work!
