Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Some people dream of success, while others wake up and work hard at it.

Greetings!





Last Saturday we hosted and competed in our first figure meet as a team. Everyone did a great job both competing and supporting fellow teammates. Once we were done with awards the team took various positions to help run the meet by scoring the 13-15 and 16-19 age group competitors. At the end of our long day we had a special surprise. Dave Swinkin, an active supporter of Wheaton synchro, stopped by with inspirational trinkets to guide us on our way to success at nationals.



After the meet we were excited to take a holiday and see our families for Thanksgiving break. Although we were not on campus we still kept up with our workouts and independently worked through the break. I did enjoy a short break but its great to be back in the pool with the girls :)



Today at practice we discussed how to deal with stress during final exams so in relation to that I found a quote that may help anyone who is stressed. "Failures do what is tension relieving, while winners do what is goal achieving" - Dennis Waitley



Have a great week

~Rebecca



Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Hey all!


This Last weekend Christiana and I had a wonderful experience working on routine writing for an age group team the North shore Selkies. We each spent time writing two different routines and then spent the day teaching the team inside and outside of the water. The girls were quick learners and willing to try new things. We are both excited to work with them again and finish choreographing their two duets and trio.


As well as writing routines for Age Group swimmers, our team has been finishing up writing our own small routines. Each routine is unique to our own style and while they are not similar, each of them are great in their own way. We have met our Thanksgiving Break deadline for finishing routines and starting swim offs.


On Saturday November 20th we will be hosting and competing in a figure meet here at Wheaton. Masters, Collegate and Age Group swimmers will all be in attendance of this event. It should be a great opportunity to meet swimmers of different ages and abilities.

We look forward to seeing where everyone places.

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Rebecca.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

A Contact Sport

Hello Everyone

Being on top of a lift is risky but when it hits the top, it is so worth all of the falls along the way. As many of you know synchronized swimming IS a contact sport and a lot of risk is involved in making a routine spectacular. In the beginning of October as we were starting our swim offs, the contact part of synchro was demonstrated. In one of our lifts, which is supposed to twirl, was located in shallow waters, we then decided to change the twirl when the lift was positioned in shallow waters. Some of the girls were not aware of this change and spun the lift while others did not. This miscommunication led to my knee dislocation.
The last few weeks for me has been rough between rehab, doctor appointments and taking a week off of practice to rest. Although I am back in the water at this point, I am still limited in my abilities and have been instructed not to eggbeater at this time. Slowly my injury is healing and with the help of the team, the process is moving smoothly.
With this forward progression I should be %100 by Puerto Rico training! Working with an injury is one of the most difficult things to overcome in a sport as intense as synchro but with such a supportive team, we will only grow from this experiance.


~Rebecca~

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Hello,


As you know this weekend was Halloween and to celebrate we had an exciting and spooky practice. We started out by wearing old routine suits to dress up and practice in. After our warm up, coach Rebecca along with Sarah threw apples into the pool for us to bob for (only using our mouths). Next a relay race was put together where the girls split into pairs and did racing laps of spooky faces in egg beater with a witch laugh to their partners upon finishing.


On Saturday we had a Halloween dance where Rebecca's sister came to visit and celebrate with the team. As always we bonded at the dance and saw our teammates wearing some pretty amazing and original costumes.


This month at practice we are working on our figures in preparation for the figure meet which will take place on November 21st. our other goals for this month include filling in missing sections of team and finishing our small routines. For the past couple practices each small routine has done swim offs and demonstrated their impressive choreography skills. Each routine is written with unique styles and we are excited to see how they turn out.


Have a great week!

~Rebecca

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Ghosts, Goblins and Synchro Swimmers

Hello!

This weekend we had a wonderful experience with teaching a clinic here at Wheaton. Intermediate and Age group swimmers from different teams around Massachusetts spent the day with us as we helped the girls improve on their skills. We went over skills such as extension, routine drills, and counting figures.

We started the day off with some stretching and asking each girl what they would like to learn from the clinic. Throughout the day the girls did various egg beatering and sculling drills as well as figure stations and routine work. The girls were split into groups and taught a routine to swim in front of their parents later in the day. At the end of a successful synchro filled day, they were put to the challenge of swimming each routine various times and did fantastic job!

The team is not only working hard in the pool but also in the classroom and with mid-term exams. Although we were working on managing our time the second we hit the pool deck our troubles went away and we had many successful skill building practices.

We are all so excited for the Balfour costume dance on Friday after practice. To prepare for Halloween each floor in Meadows North Dorm set up their hallway like a haunted house where the children from Norton were able to trick-or-treat which got us in the Halloween spirit.

Happy Trick or Treating!

Rebacca

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Leading the Cubs to our Cave

Hello,


Last weekend the Wheaton Synchro team had the opportunity to host three wonderful and talented recruits. They came from all over the country to stay with the team, watch our practices and go to some classes with us to get the full Wheaton College experience. We had a wonderful time bonding with the recruits and hope to see them as a part of the Wheaton team next year.

This week we worked on synchronization and team unity in our swim offs. Our accomplishments continue to grow as we perfect our routine making subtle changes that improve the team overall. Along with our team routine, our small routines are drastically improving as the full picture is formed.

On Saturday we are looking forward to hosting a clinic for younger synchronized swimmers from many different teams here at Wheaton. We will be help them with basic as well as routine skills. I cannot wait to work with younger members of the synchro community!!!

I am looking forward for this upcoming weeks daily progress in our skills. We are preparing for success and will not stop until we reach our highest potential. Have a great week!

Rebecca.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

A Day in The Life of a Wheaton Synchronized Swimmer

Hello,
My name is Rebecca Gordon and I'm a freshman on the Wheaton synchronized swimming team and will be updating you throughout our first semester of the new year. I am so excited for this upcoming season!

So here is a little about myself. My synchro career started ten years ago in my home state of Connecticut in the U.S age group division. I competed with the New Canaan Y Aquianas where our team won two national age group gold metals and had a top 10 placement at U.S opens in trio and Team in 2007. I qualified for phase 2 of Jr. National Team trials. We placed 2nd at the Peru Aquatica Cup and 3rd in team at the Pan American games in 2008 and in 2009. I placed 9th in figures at Age Group Nationals.
As a freshman at Wheaton I am getting into the swing of things while balancing synchro with academics. I have seen improvement in my synchro skills while being a Lyon and continue to push myself at practice. it has not been difficult adjusting to college life here at Wheaton. I have a wonderful support system to guide me through these first few months. I cant wait to keep you updated on all the wonderful things the Lyons are doing!

Rebecca*

Thursday, October 8, 2009

As the Leaves Fall We Stay Strong

Hola!

The team is starting off with a bang. We had a wonderful opportunity to help out with a local 13-15 club team, the Synchromaids of central Massachusetts. We spent our week working with fellow teammates on choreography for a team, trio and solo. Even though it was a long day, all the girls stayed upbeat and got a gread deal done. The Wheaton girls even got in the pool with the synchromaids and helped make their routines look magnificent.

Since the start of the season our skills have drastically improved due to our intense workout regiment and conditioning. We are all so excited to exceed our goals. Last Friday we held our second tryouts which determined small routine assignments and judged overall skill improvement. Monday, we started to work on small routine choreograpghy as well as music choice.

Today we accomplished our first three consecutive swim-offs! Its almost unbelieveable that this early on in the season we are so far ahead of the game with our skills and routines work. As the weeks progress we continue to form a stronger bond among the team and it shows through our positive attitudes and motivation.

We are all excited for October break this weekend. Some of us will be going home and enjoying our Monday and Tuesday off from school with our families while others of us will be going apple picking with our Wheaton family.

I hope you all have a great Columbus Day Weekend, we know we will!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

A New Season - A New Way

What are we doing that's so different you may ask. Simple...the every day things. Our goal for the season is to do the everyday things with extreme effort, no energy saved, no holding back. We're back for the 2010 season and this time we're taking names. We're getting things done earlier and spending more time on the little things, the things that make the difference between a good swimmer and a GREAT swimmer. We have the passion, the drive, and the want to take on the challenge. And this goal will be met, you can count on that.
What's the team looking like? We open the season with 4 new freshman and 5 returning upperclassman. Our Freshman hail from Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, and New York. Let's keep our fingers crossed, it looks like we'll have a full 8 woman team with a much needed alternate. We have lots of exciting plans for the season, including a charity watershow, a choreographer, new goals and some exciting new fundraisers. I can't wait to see what the season will bring.

I'm preparing for the USAS Convention where I'll be taking 4 Wheaton swimmers whom will be acting as collegiate reps during the convention. I'm so proud of my girls for stepping up and being active leaders within the collegiate program.

Recruiting for next season is looking bright. We already have 4 visits scheduled and tons more asking lots of questions about the program and college. If you are a perspective recruit...let me know who you are by emailing me at story_rebecca@wheatonma.edu.

That's it for now, hope every one enjoys the warm weather!!!!

Hugs till next time,
Rebecca

Coming Soon:

The life of a Synchro Swimmer - a current swimmer will be posting her experiences and transitions throughout the season.
Alumni Newsletter - to help the environment we've decided to only send the newsletter electronically. If you are an Alumni and are not on our current mailing list please let me know.
Bet ya Didn't Know- An inside look at each of our current athletes and things we bet ya didn't know.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Closing chapter 2 and starting chapter 3...


Hey All!
It's official, the girls are off for the summer and I'm left gearing up for next season. So far it's nothing but clinics, choreography, and music cutting for me. But wait, did I say the girls were "off" for the summer? Not really, each of the girls has been given summer workouts and weight room logs to keep them in shape. Most of the team will be juggling part time jobs, internships, travel, and workouts while away from Wheaton. Based on the success we had this last year, I'm super excited to see what's to come. With the team only losing 1 senior athlete and gaining 4 new recruits the Wheaton Lyons are sure to make a SPLASH and bring back that Wheaton WOW! So what's next? I'll be attending the Age-Group National Championships at the end of the month to support our incoming freshman and hopefully stir up some new interest. CALLING ALL CURRENT JUNIORS!! If you happen to see me at the meet, feel free to stop and introduce yourself. I'd love to have the chance to meet you and find out what you're looking for in a college. Perhaps you're destined to become a Wheaton Lyon! So... to all our Wheaton veterans, keep up the hard work, and to our future Wheaties...GOOD LUCK. Enjoy the summer!
Hugs,
-Coach

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Thats a Wrap!!! (almost)

Ciao!
    School is out officially in 16 days (not that we are counting), and Senior Nationals is in one week! We cannot wait to be in sunny California for one last chance to show our stuff. Especially exciting is that this is going to be Senior Sharada's official last swim with her favorite Wheaties! 
    To take some stress off the end of the year, we have been having "fun" practices. A couple nights ago we did a "Midnight Madness" practice, where we had practice from 10pm-midnight. We shut the lights off and put pretty strobe lights in the pool and did our unders. Also today, we put on ridiculous suits and swam our team routine in groups. 
    Next Monday we are doing a community service project for the Kim Miller Scholarship fund! We are doing an exhibition and will have games and special guests. We are doing this right before we leave for Seniors, as another "fun" practice. 
    Finals are coming up! We are going to be having team study sessions and hopefully will ace all of our finals for a cap off to a successful academic year. Ana and I are staying for Commencement, and will be helping out, and hopefully driving golf carts.
    We just had spring weekend, which was so much fun it should be illegal. We participated in the annual boat race and surprisingly stayed afloat. That pond was freezing, but we stuck it out like troopers. There were outside concerts and tons of games on campus. 

Pictures!
our boat in action.
this is our boat. epic.
us with our recruit, kirsten!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

If a synchro swimmer who cant count (clearly there isnt one, but hypothetically) finds a four leaf clover, is she lucky?


Hello Everyone!

We have just finished Spring Break training in preparation for Collegiate Nationals. It was an intense week but we got through it like true Lyons. We spent the week cleaning up routines and fixing some things that were not working.

Last weekend we had Regionals at Keuka. In overall team points we placed a proud 2nd, something that has not been achieved since 2003. It is so satisfying to know that we are right on track with our yearly goals and that we are gaining ground on the "Wheaton Wow" we are looking for.

We are just getting ready for ECAC's this weekend, our last home meet of the season and we cannot wait to show how much we have improved and of course to show off our sick suits and routines.

Nationals is right after that and we are prepared and swimming stronger than ever. To alleviate some stress, we had some St Patrick's day activities like drunk (pretend of course) relays and money hunting!



To our girls who have not found out yet, GOOD LUCK! We cannot wait until you all get here! Study hard and swim harder!



The videos from Regionals are up, and we know you are dying to watch them, so here they are!












Tuesday, February 17, 2009

The Pack is Gaining Respect

Hello All!

We are enjoying a two weekend break from competition, having just come back from a successful New York two day competition. We traveled first Canisius College for a tri meet with them and Keuka. We competed well and had good swims, but as always there was still work to be done. After a delicious dinner at teammate Ana's house we drove to Keuka College.
At Keuka we swam figures as well as routines, placing in the top spots in all the events we competed in. It was a very good showing for the Lyons. We then proceeded to travel back home, getting back quite late but still happy to be home.
Overall the weekend was a success, we showed what we as a team are capable of and that we are coming strong. Upon getting back in the water on Tuesday, there was still more work to do, but that is synchro for you.
Now we are just concentrating on cleaning up small routines and building endurance as well as strength. We cannot wait to put those glittered suits back on however, only one week!
We are sure you are curious as to what we look like, well its alright to stop holding your breath, the videos are here!




Tuesday, February 3, 2009

The Lyons have marked their territory

Hello All,

We just had our first meet of the season, and what a show. It was a home meet, and the turnout was fantastic. Not only did we have great swims, we took first in overall points. The results are as follows

Team: First
Trios:
First: Butera, Chils and Montes
Second: Strasmore, Cordo and Swinkin
Duets:
First: Butera and Chils
Second: Cordo and Swinkin
Solos:
First: Montes
Second: Strasmore

The meet was an overall success, and we really came together as a team and focused on what needed to be done. Of course, there is still work to be done, but looking back, im not sure any of us would have changed much about the meet. One down, seven to go. Get stoked!

Amanda =]

Thursday, January 22, 2009

The tan will fade, but the memories wont...

Hello all!

We are just returning from our Winter Training in beautiful Puerto Rico, courtesy of captain Laura Montes. While we are all wishing we were back in the sun, the real fun is just beginning back at home. Our first meet is next weekend, and we will be looking tan and lean. Those ten hour days sure did push us to the limits, but we (hopefully) surpassed Rebecca's expectations for the trip.
While in Puerto Rico we had to battle crazy winds and only above or under music, but we stuck it out like the Lyons we are. Besides the training, we all had a ton of bonding time, even a day off at the beach and dancing at a local hangout. The trip was certainly a memorable one and the documentary "Let it Rock" is sure to be hilarious!
Even with coming back early from break, this trip was worth it. I cannot imagine a group of girls I would rather spend 24 hours a day for ten days with.
Puerto Rico was a blast, but now its back to classes, which all of us are stoked for! Getting back into the swing of things will take a couple of days, but when we walk outside into that 30 degree weather, all we do is take a deep breath, and say one more year until we return to the tropical sunshine and the natatorium! =]

If any of you are in the area and plan on coming to the FIRST HOME MEET OF THE YEAR, its at Haas Athletic Center at 2 pm, Saturday, Jan 31. Hope to see you there!

Amanda Chils

and now, some pictures: