Intro to Nitro
Cedar Park: Max Kumets – Throughout the week Max worked diligently to have to most efficient breaststroke he could. While swimming breaststroke Max did all the coaches asked for and if he was doing it wrong he would correct it. What I noticed most from him this week was his ability to get long and tall while swimming, whether it was breaststroke or freestyle or kicking with a board. Max improved in his breaststroke kick, followed up by a effective 2 second glide keeping his back on the surface of the water and not sinking underneath. Keep it up Max! Get better each lap. – Coach Mike & Coach Ben
Bee Cave: Claire Kremer – Claire has shown the skills to move up to the next level over and over at practices. She is a great leader and has amazing underwater dolphins and streamlines. We all wish Claire the best as she moves up to our T/F group this week. Keep on swimming and improving Claire! – Coach Randy
Bronze
Cedar Park: Marcus Pineiro – This past week, Marcus was able to improve two skills he needed some corrections on. First, we worked on our butterfly arms, getting the powerful pull and the long arms over the water. Second, we worked on diving off the blocks, something that Marcus had let me know he was nervous about. Being the hard worker and trooper that he is, Marcus got stronger on his butterfly and made his dives look like he was a natural! He is quickly becoming a great swimmer…keep it up Marcus! – Coach Adam
Bee Cave: Cynthia Cui – Just a great week for Cynthia, following up on some great butterfly work from the week before she now shows off a great rotation on the backstroke we worked on all this week, a tall thumb first lift with speed and a clean pinky entry. Her stroke is fast clean and smooth, but what sets it apart is the kick, just like her fly the legs set the tone and her streamline underwater kick is the beginning of every length. She never leaves the wall without a great streamline, all young swimmers should take note, every time you push off the wall you have an opportunity to improve as a swimmer! Great Job young lady! – Coach Chuck
Technique & Fitness
Cedar Park: Maitreyi Dhavala & Avaneesh Ramesh – Maitreyi started with our summer rec program last year and has really shown great improvements in the pool. She always has a great attitude and wants to be at the pool and is always the first person to either demonstrate for the group or help out the newer swimmers. Great job on your underwater streamlines as well especially on your back. Avaneesh had some trouble with his breathing and head position this past week. We discussed it with him and minutes later we could see a vast improvement in his body position and breathing technique during his freestyle. Great job you two thanks for being a part of NITRO and we’ll see you at the pool. – Coach Steve
Bee Cave: Ruby Jalufka – The new swimmers have been on a roll lately! Ruby is another swimmer who only joined the Nitro family very recently, but I found myself singing her praises and using her as an example multiple times this week! Our focus was butterfly with a large emphasis on our dolphin kicks, keeping our breath low, our body as horizontal as possible, and eventually adding in our straight recovery arms. I was immediately impressed with Ruby’s ability to execute these concepts well, and her improvement over this week of butterfly. After such a great start, I am beyond excited to continue to see her improve! Welcome to the Nitro family, Ruby! – Coach Peter
Silver
Cedar Park: Ankush Rao & Aria Luo – This week, I have decided to choose two swimmers of the week, as choosing one doesn’t quite highlight the work these two individuals have been putting in. Ankush and Aria have been consistently making the most out of each practice – whether it’s about focusing on a specific skill or all out racing, they without question, put their all into it. Ankush has been attacking hard sets, and really shined when we went into backstroke and butterfly this week. Aria has been making strides of her own, embracing challenges, taking lead in her lane, and really setting the tone for the rest of the group. Sometimes I simply run out of the words to say, so I’ll leave it with AWESOME job, the both of you! You certainly are on pace for bigger and better things. – Coach Nick
Bee Cave: Jack Minyen – Over the past few months working with Jack, I have seen tremendous improvements in his technique and endurance as a swimmer. Jack works hard every practice and makes an effort to do everything to the best of his ability. He is an ideal swimmer for any coach, always listening to the advice we have for him and making an effort to put the corrections into place in his strokes and turns. Great job, Jack! – Coach Lianne
Advanced Silver
Cedar Park: Ethan Caldwell – Ethan Caldwell has earned this week’s SOW title! There are often swimmers who grow as athletes every single day, and aren’t always aware of their personal continued success. Ethan is a swimmer who came into the group a little behind some of his teammates, but worked hard every day to not only catch up but shine in Advanced Silver. His hard work is noticeable every day and now he’s one of the most confident, high-chinned swimmers around. There isn’t a better attitude than Ethan’s at the pool and I can’t wait to see what the next page of his swimming career reads. Way to go, E! – Coach Alex
Bee Cave: Gabriela Gomez – Gabriela, the enthusiasm and positivity you always bring to practice, makes a huge impact in everyone of us. You never fail to start the practice with a big high five followed by a “Hi coach Felix, how are you today?” Those kind of things that make your day a great one, and also make practice even better. Enjoy every step of the journey and never allow yourself to miss the HAPPINESS that describes Gabriela Gomez. Keep it up my friend. FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS!! SI SI SI!!! –Coach Felix
Gold
Cedar Park: Samantha Faulkner – Samantha not only had a great BB champs she has been making changes in all of her strokes and has been working really hard in practice! I’ve been very impressed with her attitude and willingness to learn and make changes in strokes that she may not be excited about! Keep up the great work Sam!! –Coach Jeremy
Bee Cave: Athena Luo – Athena may be quiet, but she is making some noise in the water. The verse “And though she be but little, she is fierce,” describes her perfectly. She comes to the pool each day knowing her job that needs to be done in the water and she gets it done. My goal each day is to have Athena smile about something we are doing at practice. Whether it is the set we do, or an awful joke I make. She finds it hilarious to not give into me and stands firm with her straight face. I try to make her use that straight face determination as she gets up to race! With Athena being 10 years old, I am excited to see where she directs her swimming within the next few years. –Coach Allison