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!