April 2015 Swimmer of the Month

 

Matthew Char (GREEN Breakers)

Matthew Char has been a great example of dedication and mental toughness. He has pushed himself beyond what others might say a six year old is capable of. He stays focused in practice, and works hard to apply the technique he’s being taught. He works very hard, and has made all his strokes much more consistent. Maybe it’s his competitive drive to keep up with his brother, Andrew. Matthew has been a great example for technique, and focus, so it was great to get some insight into what makes a young swimmer so great. So Matthew, what was your favorite meet this past year? “My favorite event was the Swim-a-Thon, because I could swim however many laps I could.” A future distance swimmer in the making. I heard you swam well over 100 laps! Congrats! What are your favorite events to swim? “I love butterfly, but I haven’t swam it in a meet yet, so I would say backstroke. It makes me feel fast.” Backstroke makes me feel fast too. You get to see the ceiling go by really quick! Now, word on the pool deck is that you are quite the competitor. How do you prepare for a swim meet? “I always eat a lot so I don’t get hungry, and my mom always makes me honey water to put in my water bottle.” That is a trick I will have to try! You know honey is a great immune system booster. A couple more years of honey water, and you might never be sick again! What do you feel is the most challenging part about being a swimmer? “Being legal in all four strokes. It takes a long time to do.” That is true. When you are first learning the strokes, it can seem like it takes a long time to get them all down. There are a lot of rules, but you know what, if you keep working hard, and follow the rules of the stroke, you will have it all down in no time! Breaststroke may take a lot more time because there are so many rules, but never fear! Your coaches are there to help you out! What are some things you like about being on Blue Wave? “Parties!! I like to attend all the events with my teammates.” Now who doesn’t love a good Blue Wave party? Tell you what, swimmers know how to have fun. You know, ‘Matthew Char: Party Animal,’ has a fun ring to it. So tell me Mr. Party Animal, what are some goals you have for this year, and how do you plan to achieve them? “I want to beat some 6 and under records, and I will work hard to achieve it.” Good plan! The best things in life are worth working for. Tell us Mr. Party Animal, what is something your teammates might not know about you? Do you moonlight as a superhero named Party Animal who fights crime with extreme style? “I started swimming and jumped off the diving board at 18 months of age. I have always been very daring.” Well, if that doesn’t sound like future superhero to me, I don’t know what does. ‘The Daring Party Animal.’ So what is your favorite food? “Bacon, and I also love candy.” Two of the greatest things ever invented besides donuts. Good choices. What kind of movies do you like? “Rush Hour, because I like the fighting scenes and it’s so funny.” You are certainly doing your research on crime fighting. I know who to call when trouble comes around. What activities, besides your crime fighting training, do you do when not swimming? “Playing outside, playing basketball, riding my bike, and playing football with my brothers.” Sounds like an active lifestyle man! Keep it up! Now tell us, without revealing your secret identity of course, what accomplishments are you most proud of besides swimming? Ever been awarded the key to a city? “I am a good reader, and I finished spelling all 200 words for my word club in 3 months. I am also a good Tae Kwon Do fighter. I am brave, and kick really hard. I practice with my older brother Benjamin and I learned a lot from him.” You are seriously giving me more and more reasons to believe that you are training to become a superhero. You have me thoroughly convinced. Congrats man! All that Tae Kwon Do will help with swimming too. Now, if you really were a superhero (not saying you are not one right now), what would your ideal super-power be? “Invisibility. So no one can see me!” I can see the headlines: ‘Daring Ninja Warrior, Party Animal, saves the day again!’ You’ve got some great stuff ahead of you man! Keep up the great work, and we look forward to seeing all you accomplish in the pool! #SOTMMatthew

 

Morgan Urick (TIDAL WAVE)

Morgan has been a dedicated Blue Wave for a few years now, and is known for her resilience and great passion for swimming. She has done her best to make every practice she can, even with a broken bone. She has done very well embodying the qualities that Blue Wave stands for, such as dedication, and mental toughness. So Morgan, let’s talk about swimming. You’ve had a great career with us, competing and training, and we’re excited to have you on board with us! What are some things you like about being on Blue Wave? “I love the small team atmosphere, the coaches, and my teammates, who are all great friends who cheer each other on.” I am glad you bring that kind of attitude with you! What has been your favorite meet this season? “I don’t really have a favorite meet, but I enjoy hanging out with the team and swimming new and different events.” That is so exciting! You know, that is the kind of attitude which really makes a swimmer successful. Knowing that it isn’t about the meet, it’s about the swimming, and enjoying the races themselves. Good mindset to have! What events do you enjoy swimming the most? “My favorite events to swim are the 50 and 100 free because I love sprints and freestyle, and I also love leaving everything I have in the water after a great sprint.” Again, excellent mindset! Never leave a race thinking that you could have done better. Don’t hold back, enjoy pushing yourself! Now, all this mental toughness I am sure takes practice, and good preparation. What do you do to get ready for a meet? “I make sure to eat a great dinner, go to bed early, get a good night sleep, wake up, and eat a great breakfast, play some pump up music, and text all my friends so we pump each other up!” That is such a great idea!! Way to go supporting your teammates. Next meet, I will have to text you so I can get some of that pump-up excitement!! What do you believe is the most challenging part of being a swimmer? “Pushing your hardest, even when you’re exhausted and don’t think you can do it. It’s also really hard to stay positive after a really bad practice or race.” That is true. I have often had to work hard to bounce back from one of those. But you know, it is how we come back from those tough spots that make us who we are. It helps prepare us for the next race, and it brings about better mental toughness. It’s like working a muscle: When you put stress on the muscle, it can get tired and weak, but by feeding it with positivity, that muscle will bounce back even stronger than last time. What are some goals you have for this year? “I would really like to make a championship meet and work on my breaststroke. I will achieve this by going to practice consistently and continually pushing myself to do the best I can.” Fantastic! No better way to go about it. And don’t forget to talk to your coaches! Now tell us, what is something your teammates might not know about you? “I have lived in Germany, Australia, and New Mexico.” Wow! Very exciting. Morgan, the world-traveler. You could write a book about your swimming adventures one day. What is some of your favorite food? “I like a lot of different types of foods, but I love tacos and pizza.” What kind of music and TV do you enjoy? “I like country and pop music, and I love The Big Bang Theory and Greys Anatomy.” When you are not swimming, what do you do? “I love to hang out with my friends, eat, and sleep.” That sounds like the life of the swimmer right there. If you could have any super-power, what would it be? “If I could have a super-power, it would have to be having super speed and being able to breathe under water. That might help with my swimming a little.” That would definitely help out a lot. And finally, what accomplishments are you most proud of? “I have pretty good grades, and I’m also a captain of a Relay for Life team I formed with my friends.” That is an excellent cause! I love Relay for Life and all it stands for. Well Morgan, again we are so happy and proud to have someone like you on Blue Wave. Keep representing your team well, keep positive, and thank you! Congrats on being a Blue Wave Swimmer of the Month! #SOTMMorgan

March 2015 Swimmer of the Month

Tyler Rounds (TYPHOONS 1)

Tyler Rounds has been chasing his goals hard and fast, every practice. Like the Flash, he swooshes by, nothing but a blonde blur in a jammer. Even on days where he is not practicing, one can see him in the pool, working on his kick. Between practices, we were able to catch up with Tyler and ask him a few questions. So Tyler, what has been your favorite meet this year, and why? “The mini-meets, because I got all my best times.” Mini meets are exciting! They are some of the most fun meets of the year. What strokes do you like to swim? “Backstroke and breaststroke.” Nice! Those two can be really hard on the legs. Why do you like them? “I think they’re nice and easy.” Well, then as your coach, I may have to get you to kick a little harder during practice, haha. Now Tyler, we know you are a competitor. A racer. How do you get in the zone before you race? “Dancing on the blocks.” That is fantastic. Chicken dance? Hokey Pokey? Gangnam Style? Or just crazy? I’m picturing just crazy. It has been said that swimming is a very challenging sport. It takes a lot of time and effort to improve. What would you say is the most challenging part about swimming? “You have to keep trying.” Spoken like a truly mentally tough person. When the going gets tough, the tough put their heads down and keep going! What do you like about being on Blue Wave? Is it the water? The teammates? The coaches? Getting to dive off the blocks? “Everything.” Wow, even the tough practices? That is great to hear! What are some goals you have for this year? “Work hard, and do the right thing.” Those are some of the best goals I have heard! Coach Mike would be proud! Often times swimmers get stuck just working hard. But that can get boring. The true challenge in swimming is working hard while doing the right things, like technique, kicking, streamlines, all that good stuff. I am glad you are staying focused! Enough about swimming though, we hear a lot about that every day. What are some things your teammates might not know about you? “I love the CAPS!! I play hockey.” That is awesome! I’m guessing you like hockey? “Hockey is my favorite. My brother Ryan is a Blue Wave too.” Yes, we remember your brother from earlier this year. So Tyler, what kind of healthy and delicious snacks do you love to eat? “Chocolate!” You must be one of those people who thinks chocolate is a veggie. If only it were true… Well, what kind of entertainment do you enjoy? “Dog with a Blog.” That sounds adorable! I would read that blog. Besides swimming, what do you like to do? “Play hockey, and baseball.” So an all around sports man! Nice dude. What accomplishments are you proud of outside swimming? “I’m a really good goalie, and a good pitcher.” Congratulations Tyler! So you don’t mind fast moving objects. Brave man! Last question, if you could have any super-power, what would it be and why? “To fly. It’s easier to get around.” Didn’t I just say something about flying objects? I take back what I said earlier about being like the Flash. You’re definitely a Superman kind of guy. Congratulations Tyler on being our Blue Wave Swimmer of the Month! #SOTMTyler

 

Andrew Char (TYPHOONS 2)

Well, the Typhoons have been just a whirl-wind of fun and improvement! The group has seen a lot of success this year, and we are so proud of everyone! Andrew Char has been helping to lead the ‘CHAR’ge with a lot of the success. Andrew has gone above and beyond the call of duty, focusing on his strokes, and being a team leader for his lane, and his age group. At the banquet this year, Andrew was honored with two individual team records, and he was one of the top fundraisers for the Swim-A-Thon! We are proud to have him as a member of the team. Let’s ask Andrew some questions! Now Andrew, with the long course season coming up fast, and you setting the course for fame and glory, can you reflect back for us and tell us what was your favorite meet this past season? “The SNOW LC Meet.” And why is that? “Because I got to swim the whole length of the pool! It’s cool. I like the challenge.” Bring it on man! Way to go! What are your favorite events to swim and why? “25 breast of course, because it’s the hardest event of all. I love breaststroke because I think it’s the most difficult stroke of all. It makes me feel good to challenge it, and be good at it!” Part of me thinks that the 1650 free is the hardest event, but you are definitely on the money with breaststroke being the most challenging stroke. It is very technical, and requires precision timing. I’m glad you are up for the challenge! How do you prepare for competition? Any secret sauces you put on your breakfast? “I stuff my face and drink lots of water. I bring a water bottle of homemade honey-water. Mom says it boosts my energy between events.” That is fantastic! I will have to try that honey water at the next meet. And I really love the idea of stuffing my face. About keeping hydrated, you know most of our bodies are made up of water. So we always need to be replenishing our cells with plenty of H2O! Besides breaststroke, what do you think is the most challenging part of being a swimmer? “Getting up early and the cold pool water.” I could not agree more. But I tell you what, it makes the rest of the day feel great knowing you have accomplished great things in the morning! What are some things you like about being a part of Blue Wave? “Great teammates and wonderful coaches. I made a lot of good friends on the team, and I’ve known all the coaches for years. I get to joke with them.” I’m very glad to hear that! I know that all of us hear at Blue Wave appreciate you too man. Do you have any goals you want to achieve in swimming? If so, how will you achieve them? “I want to own all the breaststroke records. I will work hard at practices and focus on my strokes.” That sounds like a great goal, and a great plan! We will be cheering all the way! Let’s talk more about you. What is something your teammates may not know about you? “I was born 10 pounds! Doctors told my mom that I will average out in a couple months, but I didn’t until much later. Coach Gabe taught me how to swim at swim lessons. He once told my mother I had huge ankles. That might be why for the longest time my lower body always sank.” I bet that means you will be very tall man. Keep working hard, and you will be a very VERY strong guy! Speaking of growing up strong, what is your favorite food to eat? “Bacon and burgers!” Yum! Who doesn’t love bacon? What kind of TV do you like to watch? “FOB (Fresh off the Boat), because it’s funny! I speak Chinese and it’s funny to hear it in shows.” Well that sounds funny! I don’t know Chinese, so when I watch it I might have to have you there to translate some of the jokes. What activities do you do outside swimming? “Playing with friends, watch TV, and play video games.” What accomplishments have you achieved outside swimming? Don’t be afraid to brag a bit here! “I made FUTURA, the Loudoun County gifted and talented program. Swimming made me focus and determined to succeed. No one in my class even knows what hard work is! I was the youngest player on my tackle football team, the Hornet, with AYFL. Our team had an undefeated season. And I played the entire Championship game as a running back and a linebacker with Aaron (Lee).” That is an impressive list of accomplishments man! Congratulations! I am happy to hear that what you learn here at the pool translates so well to what you do in life outside swim team. Last question, if you could have any super power, what would it be? “Speed!! I’d be fast in everything!” The Andrew, faster than a speeding bullet! Well man, congratulations on being our Blue Wave Swimmer of the Month! Keep up the great work! #SOTMAndrew

February 2015 Swimmer of the Month

 

Nikhil Godse (TYPHOONS 1)

Nikhil is a hard working swimmer, who will remind you of Emmet from the Lego Movie. He’s always smiling, listens to direction well, and is quite the engineer of swimming. You might say he is awesome! He has been working very hard to improve his technique, and pushing himself to become better each practice. His positive attitude has been inspiring to the coaches, and he has been extremely dedicated to bettering his technique. We were happy to have Nikhil answer some questions for us, so we as a team could get to know him better. So Nikhil, what has been your favorite meet this season? “The Mini-Champs, because one can earn ribbons and trophies if one performs well.” Something tells me, that one Nikhil swam very well at the meet! What are your favorite events? “Breaststroke and backstroke.” And how do you prepare your strokes for competition? Do you jump in the pool and hope for the best? “I just practice, practice, and practice till I get it right.” Well, that is the best way to do it. Swimmers take a lot of time to perfect their technique. What would you say is the most challenging part about being a swimmer? Besides smelling like chlorine all the time. “You have to practice everyday, even if you’re exhausted at times, to be an excellent swimmer. You have to control eating junky delicious food items to maintain fitness.” Now that is a hard one. Walking past the cookie aisle to the fresh produce section is always a struggle for me. Keep staying mentally strong man! What are some things you like about being on Blue Wave? “There are awesome coaches that help me and guide me in becoming a good swimmer. I just love my team and feel very happy to be a part of it.” Blue Wave is awesome! You know, it’s also cool to be part of a team. A big part of being a swimmer is having a goal in mind. What are some of your goals for this year? “My goal is to learn all the strokes, and be good at them. My other important goal is to swim the 25 yard freestyle in 14 seconds by the end of the season.” Good goals Nikhil! Keep working hard in practice, and you will be there in no time. Now tell us, what is something that your teammates might not know about you? “My passion is to build Legos and puzzles. I have built many 800-1200 pieces Lego structures and have put together a 1000 piece puzzle.” That is, in a word, AWESOME! You sound like a master builder! So, some more about yourself. What is your favorite food? Tacos? “I love to eat pasta and lots of ice cream, it’s my favorite!” Yum yum! What is your favorite movie? “The Pink Panther.” Favorite song? “Burn, by Ellie Goulding.” What do you like to watch, besides swimming? “I like watching soccer, football, and cricket.” I didn’t know they televised cricket! You will have to tell us more about that later. What activities do you like to do outside swimming? “I like soccer practice, watch TV, or build Legos and ride by bike.” You build Legos while riding your bike?? “No, they’re separate.” Well, I have found a new hobby for you! What accomplishments are you most proud of? “I’m going to be a black belt in Tae Kwon Do in June. I was chosen to be part of U8 Academy Soccer program. I have many soccer and Tae Kwon Do trophies. I got an ‘A’ in all subjects in the 3rd quarter in my school. And, I came in 4th in the triathlon organized by Ashburn Village Pavilion last year.” Congratulations! Okay, last question: If you could have any superpower, what would it be? “If I had a superpower, I would like to run like a cheetah so that I can complete a 5K in 3 minutes.” Wow, that is fast! Well keep honing those cheetah skills, and you are certain to improve! Congratulations Nikhil on being Blue Wave Swimmer of the Month!! Keep up the awesome work! #SOTMNikhil 

 

Juliana Vidal (GREEN Crest 2)

Walk in to any given practice, and Juliana will probably tell you that she is feeling happy. As if the smile on her face didn’t give it away in the first place. Her positive attitude is part of what has set her apart, and helped her improve the most. When a hard set comes around, she doesn’t let it get her down! She has told us time and time again, that she loves swimming, and it makes her super-happy. With this positive attitude, she has been unafraid to push herself physically, and mentally beyond what a lot of kids believe is their ‘limit.’ You can’t put a limit on a good attitude. And Juliana has proved that. Her hard work has helped her become one of the fastest kickers on the team. To help us get to know Juliana, Jules as she is called by the squad, we got to ask her a few questions. So Jules, what has been your favorite meet this year? “The Richmond meet, because we rode in a very nice bus and stayed in a hotel. Also, I swam my first 200 backstroke there.” So I guess you like backstroke? “I like the 200 backstroke, and the 100 IM, because the IM has all the strokes in a simple 100, and the 200 backstroke is just a lot of fun to swim.” I couldn’t agree more! So to prepare for a meet, what do you do? “I make sure to have rested, and have everything I need for the meet. Also, I stretch and eat a good, healthy breakfast.” Great plan! I can picture you giving yourself pep-talks too! Now, many consider swimming to be a very hard sport. It is known that you absolutely love swimming, so what do you find is the most challenging part of the sport? “Talking to my friends who don’t swim about swimming because they don’t understand.” That is very true. Many people don’t get why we swimmers get in a pool almost every day, and work super-hard. But I am sure you can think of a lot of good reasons! Why do you like being a part of Blue Wave? “I like the challenging practices, the awesome coaches, and the fun activities we do as a team.” Those are good reasons. Now I know you’ve been working really hard, and focusing really well on improving all your strokes, as well as pushing yourself physically. What are some goals you have that you want to accomplish? “My goal is to go to JO’s in backstroke. I will achieve this goal by working hard in backstroke and trying not to miss a practice. Also, I will work on pushing off the wall harder.” That is an excellent, and specific goal! Goals are a big part of why swimmers come to the pool so often. We want to accomplish something that seems bigger than us. But we know, that with the right kind of focused hard work, we can become the person that accomplishes those goals. What is something your teammates might not know about you? “That I have been to Peru.” Peru? Cool! Did you eat guinea pig? Never mind, don’t answer that. What is your favorite food? “Mangos and popcorn!” Together? well that sounds like an interesting combination. Oh separate? Well that makes more sense! What kind of movies do you like? “Action packed movies, or anything involving swimming.” Well, besides thinking about it, and doing it, what do you do outside swimming? “I do horseback riding, Odyssey of the Mind, and I go outside with friends.” That sounds cool! Is there anything you have accomplished that you are proud of? It’s cool to brag a bit here. “I helped the Loudoun County Homeless Shelter, I’m going to states for Odyssey of the Mind, and I med a lot of Redskins players after biking 10 miles when I was 9.” Well those are cool! I’m sure you could probably swim 10 miles now, haha. Last question, if you could have any superpower, what would it be? “I would have the power to control water! I would want this power because I would use it in the pool to go faster. Dumping water on people’s heads when they want it would be fun too!” Well, I am very glad you would ask them first before dumping on them, haha. I am sure a lot of swimmers want that power too! Well Jules, thank you for chatting with us! and Congratulations on being a Blue Wave Swimmer of the Month! #SOTMJuliana 

January 2015 Swimmer of the Month

 

Aaron Lee (GREEN Crest 1)

Aaron “Tonka” Lee is a moving fortress of will, good humor, and hard work. He has shown great dedication to the team by setting the example for going above and beyond the call of duty. At the distance meet, he counted for someone in nearly every single heat all weekend, and in practice has been consistently pushing himself to go further underwater, and faster on top of the water. He is a legend among older swimmers, and amidst the gawking youth of the team. Aaron is a great teammate, and it is so cool to see someone so dedicated to helping others, and bringing his teammates up. We were able to interview Aaron outside his busy schedule of being awesome, and got a few serious questions answered. So Aaron, what has been your favorite meet this season? “My favorite meet this season was Turkey Claus, because I got my first 50 breast JO cut, and an A time standard.” Fantastic! So I’m guessing you like breaststroke. Any other events you like? “I enjoy the team relays because we can really cheer loud, and get the team involved in competition.” So true! Relays are amazing! How do you prepare to compete? “I make sure that I have enough rest, and eat a healthy meal the night before a swim meet.” Good thinking. So besides staying away from all those tasty, processed foods, what is the most challenging part of being a swimmer? “It takes so much time that I miss hanging out with my school and neighborhood friends because of the practices and meets.” That is a tough one, being able to balance sports and social life. It gets better man! Don’t worry! What are some things you like about Blue Wave? “I really enjoy hanging out with the older swimmers – they are so much fun.” They are fun! and slightly crazy, haha. Do you have any goals for this season? “My goal for this summer is to qualify for the Eastern Zone Long Course meet for breaststroke.” Great goal! Keep practicing! Now, we all know you are a driven person, and have been working hard in Blue Wave practices. What is something that your teammates may not know about? “One of my favorite things to do at home is to cook and bake with my mother. She is a wonderful cook, and I like helping her cut and mix ingredients. We bake cookies and meals together.” That is fantastic! Family is important, and it is great that it is your priority. Are there any foods that are your favorites? “My mom’s homemade chili and chicken wings are the two best things I consider my favorite comfort foods.” Yum, you will have to convince your mom to bring some to the next team gathering! What music do you listen to? “I love listening to pop and country music, especially if I know the words and can sing along.” Little known fact, swimmers can be great singers because of their lung capacity and breathing skills. You will have to help us organize a Blue Wave concert someday! Are there any activities outside swimming that you like to do? “I play all year competitive travel baseball for the Potomac Riverdog’s 9U team. This takes a lot of my time in the fall, winter, spring, and summer when I’m not swimming.” Well, if you are as good a teammate for the Riverdogs as you are for Blue Wave, they are extremely lucky to have you too! What accomplishments are you most proud of, outside swimming that is? “My tackle football team Hornets went undefeated during the 2014 fall season, and won the AYFL ‘Iron Man.’ I played the whole game on both offensive and defensive line during the full season. My coaches and teammates call me ‘Tonka’ because I run over any opposing player that is in front of me.” Well Tonka, that is fantastic!! Put in the work, and it pays off! Bet that took a lot of guts, courage, and endurance! Good thing you have all those in spades! Last question before we let you get on your way: if you could have any super-power, what would it be? “I would be to have super power speed. The ability to move and get places very fast. this ability will make sure I will never be late, and it’s also not a bad thing to have as an athlete.” Very true. Well Aaron, keep up the great work! Thank you for all you do for the team, and congratulations on being a Blue Wave Swimmer of the Month! #SOTMAaron #SOTMTonka

Molly Layne (TYPHOONS 2)

 Molly Layne is one smile-errific swimmer. She always has a smile on her face, and is great at being a positive influence for her teammates. Her focus during dryland and swim practice has really shined. She has demonstrated butterfly and breaststroke to her teammates, and has been going above and beyond when it comes to encouraging others around her. Molly is not just another smiling face however. Let’s get to know her a bit! Miss Molly Layne, what are your favorite events to swim? “50 breast, because breaststroke is my best stroke, and the 100 IM because I get to do every stroke!” Who doesn’t love the 100 IM? What has been your favorite meet this year? “Mini-Champs meet, because I got to meet other girls that weren’t in my group.” So, you would call yourself a social-breaststroke, rather than a social-butterfly? We’re glad to hear you enjoy meeting new people on the team! You may one day be our social events coordinator. What, in your opinion, is the most challenging part about being a swimmer? “It’s hard work sometimes, and getting DQ’d isn’t fun.” That’s true, but how else do we learn how to swim fast? DQ’s are there to help us learn how to swim the stroke the fastest, and it makes all the races fair. How do you prepare for a swim meet? “Stretch, eat a healthy breakfast, and make sure I have everything I need in my bag.” Good for you! Be prepared! What do you like about being on Blue Wave? “The coaches are nice, my teammates, and swimming is fun!” Yes it is. And it only gets more fun the more you do it! At Blue Wave, we like to keep our goals in mind when we swim, and when we go to meets. What are some goals you have for this year? “I will be working on perfecting my strokes, and I will achieve this by listening to my coaches, and practicing the tips they give me.” Sounds like a good plan! So besides swimming, what is something your teammates might not know about you? “My grandma (Nini) is a swim coach.” I said BESIDES swimming, haha. But that is cool! What is your favorite food? “Ice cream!!” I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! What kind of entertainment do you like? “Kidz Bob CD’s, WGTS 91.9 radio, Dolphin Tale 2 (the movie), and Bella and the Bulldogs TV show.” Being a swimmer, Dolphin Tale 2 does not surprise us, haha. What do you do when you are not swimming? “Play with friends or family, and go to the beach.” Well, after all this cold, we could certainly use some beach time! What accomplishments are you most proud of outside swimming? “I finished two triathlons for Childhood Cancer.” That is amazing! What a fantastic cause! I’m glad that’s important to you! Last question, if you had a super-power, what would it be? “When someone gets sick or hurt, I would like the power to heal them, so that no one would get sick or have cancer and die.” That sounds like a great super-power! While that power may not be available yet, I know you will do all you can to help others who are in that situation. Keep swimming fast and working hard Molly! Congratulations on being Swimmer of the Month! #SOTMMolly

Lauren Long (GREEN Crest 2)

Lauren Long is a race car of a swimmer. Not only has she been picking up the speed, but you might also say she’s very ‘driven!’ While she may look scared at first of swimming a set, she will be the one to put her heart and soul into the set, and give it her best every time. Lauren has shown great improvement in her technique, and with the effort she has put into practice, it is paying off! Successful swimmers are those that do not back down when challenged to become better, and stronger. Lauren is not someone who backs down from a challenge. She believes the most challenging part about being a swimmer is working as hard as she can to get faster. Not only is this a very physical challenge, but it’s also a mental challenge. Swimming is a sport that is not easy, but it gives big pay-offs to those who put in the work. Lauren’s favorite events are the IM’s and the 500 free. She enjoys those events because she gets to swim all the strokes in the IM, and the 500 is an event which she enjoys challenging herself to go faster in each time she swims it. Her favorite meet this year was the PVS January Open, where she swam her first 500 freestyle. She had so much fun, you might say that this little fish was ‘hooked’ on the 500! When asked how she prepares for competition, Lauren responded “I try to eat a healthy dinner the night before and make sure that my swim bag has everything I need in it.” Great job Lauren! Each swimmer prepares for competition in a different way. But the point is that they prepare! They don’t go into a meet without making sure that they have done what they need to do to swim faster, and become better. What are some things you like about being part of Blue Wave? “The coaches are awesome and have good examples that help us swim faster. Also, my teammates help with encouraging me to do better and try harder.” Good to hear! Each swimmer on the team plays an important role: To bring their own unique personality, and help create a place where everyone can succeed! What are some goals you have for this year? “One of my goals for this year is to reach the IMX Extreme point goal. I will do this by trying hard and improving my times as best I can.” That’s a great goal! IMX is there to help swimmers become better, all-around athletes. Keep chasing your goals! Now, besides swimming, what is something your teammates may not know about you? “I want to be an architect one day!” Now that is cool! So when Blue Wave becomes world-famous for it’s super swimmers, you can help design us a brand new pool! What are some of your favorite foods? “Mexican food! Especially tacos!” Muy bueno! Muy delicioso! What kind of music do you like to listen to? “Country and pop music.” I bet you get pumped up to swim listening to Taylor Swift! What activities do you do outside swimming? “I enjoy playing softball, and participating in girl scout activities like kayaking, rock climbing, camping, archery, white-water rafting, and of course selling girl scout cookies at booths. I also enjoy reading.” Well that sounds cool and adventurous! Not to mention, dare I say, challenging! Are there any accomplishments you are particularly proud of? “I am a Girl Scout Cadette. I worked on a project last year to make dresses for girls in other countries, and due to my efforts I received a bronze award.” That is amazing! Great job! Part of being a well-rounded person is giving back to others, and I am glad to hear you are doing that! Last question, then you can get back to swimming and doing all that fun stuff. If you could have a super-power, what would it be? “I would want super-speed, because if I were in a race, I would be able to finish really fast!” Well, keep working hard, and you might just get a bit of that super-speed! Congratulations Lauren on being a Blue Wave Swimmer of the Month! #SOTMLauren

December 2014 Swimmer of the Month

 

Jasmine Boggs (GREEN Crest 1)

 Jasmine Boggs has done a tremendous job in the pool, and anyone who watches her swim can tell she’s very focused. She has been improving her strokes, and been a great team player. The coaches are very happy to see her improving so well, and being a great leader among her teammates. Before all the fame and glory got to her head, we were able to have her answer a few questions for us. Jasmine’s favorite meet this year has been the Reindeer Mini-Meet because it was near Christmas, and it’s a meet where you can receive a cap if you win your heat. Jasmine has a cap she’s very proud of. To prepare for meets like Reindeer, Jasmine is sure to make the most of the practices leading up to the meet, making sure all her strokes are great, and she is prepared to race. This is a great strategy, and that’s how you do it! Practice what you race. So Jasmine, what are your favorite events to swim? “The 100 free, the 200 free, and the 50 butterfly, because they’re challenging.” Glad to hear you are up for the challenge! Embrace it! What do you thing is the most challenging part about being a swimmer? Besides the events of course. “You really have to push through all the pain.” This is true. That kind of work-out pain is temporary though, and it makes you stronger! What do you like most about being a part of Blue Wave? “All of my teammates are always supportive, no matter how I perform.” That is wonderful to hear! It doesn’t matter how your race goes, to have teammates that support you is one of the best parts of swimming! What is something your teammates may not know about you? “I have two guinea pigs.” (Coach Stephen, upon learning this, becomes very excited, because he has a guinea pig too. Coach Stephen must take a few deep breathes, and then continue) That is so cool! Guinea pigs are by far one of the coolest pets to have. So if you could be any animal, what would it be? (I bet I can guess!) “I want to be a guinea pig, because I could relax all day and eat.” That sounds like the life right there. What is that favorite food, that you would eat all the time? “Ice cream sundaes.” Yummy! Well Jasmine, if you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you do? “I would save the money for college.” Very smart to plan ahead. What activities do you like to do outside of swimming? “soccer, and extreme backgammoning.” Say what? We know the game backgammon, but sometime you will have to explain to us what EXTREME backgammon is. That sounds intense. What accomplishments are you most proud of outside of swimming? “Making the 10 and under red/A team when I was 8 for soccer.” That is impressive! Great job! Well, we all know you are a very hard worker. Are there any goals you are working to accomplish this year? “My goal is to break some more records before I turn 9, by practicing hard.” Sounds exciting! We will all be looking forward to hearing about your success. Be sure and keep up the good work Jasmine! Congratulations on being Swimmer of the Month!!! #SOTMJasmine 

Michael Coppola (BLUE Crest)

 Michael Coppola is like the MC Hammer of Blue Waves. He lays down awesome beats, and hammers out big sets like a champ. He does not back down from a challenge, and has been pushing himself further and faster each practice. He swims with his goals in mind, knowing that it will take hard work and dedication to achieve them. Some of his goals for the year is to make JO’s in the 50 backstroke and 50 freestyle. He plans on achieving this by coming to practice as much as possible (check), work on his technique (check), and be bitten by a radioactive spider (possible check? Will have to research that). His favorite meet this year has been the January Distance Meet, when he swam the 1000 free, and totally crushed it. He totally just HULK SMASHED that 1000. Some of his favorite events to swim are now the 500 and 1000 free, because he gets plenty of time to think about his swim. As to being a swimmer, he says the most challenging part about the swimmer lifestyle is waking up super-early for swim meets. Good thing he plans ahead for that! One of the reasons Michael likes being on Blue Wave is the challenges, as well as the fun. That’s right, you heard him. Challenges, AND fun! Swimmers are a unique brand of person that thrives when challenged, and they have fun in the process! Besides swimming, Michael enjoys playing with his friends, eating lots of pasta, and leaping tall buildings in a single bound. If he wins the lottery, he will be donating most of the money to charity, and it is rumored that he will be spending the rest on creating a super-hero lair underneath his house. One accomplishment he is particularly proud of, besides swimming the English Channel last week (just kidding! That’s a future accomplishment we’re sure, haha) is getting straight A’s in science and history! Now that’s impressive. An interesting fact about Michael, he has lived in four different states, including Virginia. We suspect that he has had to move around to keep his super-hero identity a secret, but he has not confirmed that yet. And finally, if Michael were an animal, he would be a shark, not only because they are cool, but they also swim. In conclusion, he fights for peace, justice, works hard for his goals, and will one day save the world as a masked crusader (Coach Stephen suggests the name ‘Tiger-Shark.’). Congratulations Michael on being Swimmer of the Month! #SOTMMichael #SOTMTigerShark

Monet Shum (GREEN Crest 2)

Monet Shum is new to the team this year, but has been making a big impact! She puts in great effort in the pool, often showing off her super-human focus when it comes to technique work. Her focus and work ethic have made her a great example to her lane-mates, as well as her support and encouragement toward them. So since our little water lily, Monet, is new to the team, we should definitely get to know her a little better. So Monet, what has been your favorite swim meet this year? “I don’t really have a favorite swim meet, because I like them all!” Did we mention Monet is a competitor? She thirsts for competition! What are your favorite events to swim? “I like the 200 IM, 100 fly, 50 back, 100 breast, 200 free, and 100 back because I like mid-distance events and backstroke events the most. I like mid-distance because they allow me to focus on technique.” That is a lot of events! As a very good all-around swimmer, I like that you focus on the distance of the race, not so much the stroke itself as how to do your best in an event. That’s a different way of looking at it! So how do you prepare for swim meets? “I pack my bags the night before, and make sure I have everything.” It is important to be prepared! Don’t forget your goggles and suit! What do you believe is the most challenging part about being a swimmer? “Being committed to your team, and showing dedication, such as going to practice every day.” Swimming is a sport that takes a lot of time and effort. To be successful in anything, it takes dedication. What are some things you like about being on Blue Wave? “I like that the coaches are all friendly, and they correct my strokes.” Aw, thank you! Being a coachable athlete is something Coach Mike has been talking about. Thank you for listening! So, now that you’re on the track with dedication and coachability, what are some goals you have set for this season? “One of my goals is to get an A time in backstroke. I think I can achieve this goal by focusing more on the small parts of my backstroke.” Lots of details in swimming. What are some details about you that the team may not know about? “I have 20 first cousins altogether.” Woah! That’s a big family! I bet holidays are fun! What are some of your favorite foods? “Ramen noodles with roast pork belly and scallions in soy sauce broth. Also, I like sashimi.” Well, thank you for making me hungry. That sounds delicious! If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? “I would tell my parents ‘I WON THE LOTTERY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!’” Haha, I bet they would be very excited! So besides swimming, what activities do you like to do? “I like to read, make stuff, and draw.” Sounds very peaceful. It is good to find some peacefulness outside of the intense world of swimming. Are there any accomplishments you are proud of? “Getting 1st prize for most Accelerated Reading points in the class.” That is amazing! Congratulations! Your dream house must have a big library in it. And finally, if you were an animal, what would you be and why? “I would be a white-tailed deer because they run fast, and can outrun most of their predators. Also, they have a method of warning other dear by flashing their big tail, so most of them probably get to safety.” Sounds like deer are good team-players. No wonder you like them! Well thank you Monet for taking the time to answer a few questions! We’re excited for how well you are doing, and look forward to seeing you accomplish great things this season! Congratulations on being Swimmer of the Month! #SOTMMonet

Trace Wall (BLUE Tide)

Trace Wall is a swimmer who has risen to new heights, both physically, and in swimming. He has been putting in great effort in the pool, and working very hard to become the best he can be. Fun fact, Trace’s 50 freestyle time is ranked 50th in the nation, and his time in the 50 backstroke is 42nd in the nation for 11-12 boys (at the time of writing this post). We look forward to seeing how he does the rest of the season! We were able to ask him a few questions recently, so we could get to know him a bit better. (Coach Stephen puts on his best Rowdy Gaines voice) So Trace, I hear you like swimming. Is that true? Trace nods yes. A man of few words. It’s all about the action! I appreciate that. What has been your favorite swim meet to go to? “Zones, because I was able to meet and hang out with new people.” Fantastic! Zones is a great experience that all young swimmers should shoot for. For those of you reading at home, Zones is the elite meet of PVS. The fastest swimmers from all of PVS come together to form an almost, ‘Allstar’ team to compete in a meet. What are your favorite events to swim Trace? “50 free and 50 back, because I like sprints the most.” Short, sweet, and to the point. In order to prepare for these events at meets, what do you do? “Eat a big dinner the night before, get a lot of sleep, and eat a big breakfast.” You’re making me hungry just thinking about it. We swimmers have to eat don’t we? What would you say is the most challenging part about being a swimmer? Besides having to consume so many calories of course. “Being committed and going to all the practices.” Time is a luxury we must all treasure, and spend wisely. Swimmers put in so many hours in the pool, when it comes time to ‘cash in,’ so to speak, at meets, we want a big return on all that time. Stay committed! And most importantly, have fun with the process. What is something you like about being a part of Blue Wave? “I’ve made a lot of friends.” That’s a good reason to keep going right there! Swimming creates comradery and community. That’s why we believe so much in family! What are some goals you have for the rest of the season? “Set 13 & 14 age group records.” Good goal! How do you plan on achieving that? “By putting my best into practice and perfecting my stroke.” Nothing to it but to do it! Best of luck being that man of action! Besides being a superstar swimmer, what is something we may not know about you? “I have 3 Burmese cats.” My goodness! That sounds purrrrfectly adorable! Don’t worry, the rest of the cat puns will stop right meow. What is your favorite food? “Anything that has pasta in it.” Chocolate pasta? Veggies with pasta? Escargot and pasta? Goose liver and pasta? Well you said anything. Tell you what, swimmers love their pasta. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you do? “Book a vacation.” I can see it now, Trace Wall’s world tour! He visits all the legendary swimming pools in the world, and sprints a 50 freestyle in each of them. Brilliant. What do you do when you’re not swimming? “Hang out with friends.” Do you, possibly, perhaps, play Trivia Crack? Are there any accomplishments you are proud of? “My grades.” Good man, keep studying! Finally, if you were an animal, what would you be? “Eagle. Because I could fly.” Well Trace, keep flying in the pool! We are so proud of you and all you have accomplished this year. Congratulations on being Swimmer of the Month!!! #SOTMTrace

November 2014 Swimmer of the Month

Owen Krause (BLUE Crest)

 Owen Krause likes to go fast. Really fast. Coach will say, “Okay guys we’re going to do 10 pushups,” and by the time coach says ‘pushups,’ Owen has done six of them. And good ones too. Owen has done a great job becoming more focused during practice, and has really taken ownership of his swimming and his personal improvement. He shows up to practice on time, and is a great communicator. He has done great pushing himself to be more consistent with his strokes, and is looking to be the king of efficiency and speed. Between workouts, we were able to get some questions answered about Owen. His favorite meet this season has been the Turkey Clause Showdown, because he made finals for the first time at the meet. Very exciting! He loves swimming breaststroke, and is as quick as a frog on his dives. To prepare for meets, Owen sets goals, and plans out what he wants to achieve at the meet. It’s good to be mentally prepared when it comes to competing. When asked what the most challenging part of being a swimmer is, he answered “Having 3 practices in a row, and swimming the 200 fly.” All very true. But what would swimming be without the thrill of the challenge? The better you become as a swimmer, the more you will do it, and the more events you will swim. One of Owen’s favorite parts of being on Blue Wave is the activities the team does outside the pool. I will admit, we have some great people on this team. Owen’s first goal of the year is to make JO’s in the spring. He will achieve this by “improving my times at each meet.” Yes you will Owen! What is something the team might not know about you? “I have been swimming competitively for 7 years.” Well, no wonder you’re so good at it! Haha. What is your favorite food? “Almost everything that is edible.” That is a wide variety. Buffet owners must really dread you walking in their doors. What’s the first thing you would do if you won the lottery? “Celebrate.” Ever speedy and efficient, Owen is not one to waste words. I would definitely celebrate too. What activities do you do besides swim? “Ride my bike.” Good endurance work. Keep at it Owen! Are there any accomplishments you’re proud of that you would like to tell us about? “I earned a 100% on my mythology exam.” So now we can officially call you: “Owen, the man, the myth, the legend, Krause.” Yes! And finally, if you were an animal, what would you be and why? “A fish, so that I could swim all the time.” Your parents would have to buy a really big aquarium. Congratulations Owen on being swimmer of the month! Keep up the good work, and keep celebrating! #SOTMOwen

Vy Dinh (GREEN Crest 2)

Vy Dinh is a very exciting person to be around. She is always full of ideas and suggestions. Ever the creative thinker, Vy has been finding new ways to push herself in the pool, and found new reserves of focus and energy within her, and it shows. So Vy, what has been your favorite meet this season? “The Turkey Clause showdown, because I dropped time in everything. I think the Maryland pool is amazing, and I got to hang out with my friend, Evelyn afterwards.” Shout-out to Evelyn! Sounds like fun! What are your favorite events to swim? “I love to swim the 100 back, 50 back, 100 breast, 50 breast, and 50 fly.” That’s a lot of events! Bet you love IM’s. Why do you like these events? “I like to swim these events because it’s a short 4 or 2 laps which means you sprint all the way!” So to prepare for these events, or a meet, what do you do? “I pack my big swim bag the night before and get to sleep early for a good night’s rest… and no unhealthy foods such as McDonalds.” Those sound like some great decisions! Good for you! Making good choices is a big part of being a swimmer. What do you believe is the most challenging part about being a swimmer? “Getting faster times (descending), practice sets, and persevering.” That’s true, it is a challenge to push yourself to your limits. But it’s a challenge that always pays off! What do you like about being on Blue Wave? “The team effort and being with friends that encourage you and support you (also known as cheering for you at a swim meet)!” Haha, well I’m glad to hear that! Blue Wave is one of the best cheering teams in PVS! Vy, you have done a great job this season improving your times and your practice work. What are some goals you have set for yourself for the rest of the season? “I think that I should work on my freestyle (my least favorite stroke) since I’m a bit (a lot) slower in that. Plus, I’ve begun to start breathing every two instead of three!” GASP!! Well, I’m glad you are aware of that, and working on it! Keep it up Vy! Now besides swimming, is there anything you like to do that we may not know about? “I LOVE TO WATCH DOCTOR WHO.” Well, it is a very fantastic show (Coach Mike and Coach Stephen agree)! What are some of your favorite foods? “Pho, pasta, Banh, and Xeo.” Yum! You will have to explain what some of those are next time we see you, haha. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would do? “Run, I mean drive home (why would I run?), scream (if it was a lot of money), and make it rain in the living room.” Hahaha, that sounds about right. Time to celebrate!! Hopefully it will happen one day Vy. What else do you do outside of the pool? “I’m usually busy with homework (I’m an honor roll student), but I play the piano, play stuff with my friends, or I’m on Youtube.” You, and many other people. I think we would all definitely watch the Vy channel if you started your own Youtube. Is there anything you are proud of that you have accomplished this year? “HONOR ROLL STUDENT!” You go girl!! Great job! Finally, just because most of us out there are very curious to know, what is your favorite animal and why? “A moose. I like moose. What’s the plural word of a moose? Antlers… antlers are good. Moose are also a dangerous animal. Don’t mess with the moose.” Good advice. If we see one rolling around Ashburn, you will be the first person we call. Well Vy, congratulations on being our Blue Wave Swimmer of the Month! Keep up the good work, and long live the moose!! #STOMVy