Intro to Nitro
Cedar Park: Elizabeth Morton and Colin Durham
We worked on diving this week, which can be a scary skill to try and tackle. Elizabeth and Colin both demonstrated a lot of bravery! Elizabeth is one of our smallest swimmers and belly flopped a few times, but popped up ready to try again every time–and got some good dives in along the way. Colin executed some great kneeling dives, keeping his head down the whole time, and even agreed to try jumping off the block by the end! Way to go, Colin and Elizabeth! —Coach Lindsay
Bee Cave: Presley Noel and Stella Turrall
This past week, Intro worked on freestyle focusing on low breathing to the side, head down, and lots of kicking. While all the kiddos rocked the swordfish and catch-up freestyle drills, two girls stood out on the 50s. Presley and Stella kept their strokes long and their breaths low during the 50s at the end of practice. Even as they got tired, their kicks were strong and steady. I could not be more excited about the future weeks and months for Presley and Stella. Keep up the smiles and hard work! Way to go ladies! —Coach Raven
Bronze
Cedar Park: Alexa Simmons
Alexa is a joy to have in the Bronze group. A hard worker who is up for any challenge, Alexa can usually be found leading her lane, and probably leading the whole group! This past week, Alexa cruised through some freestyle drills to make her stroke longer and more efficient. She has also been focused on her underwaters, a skill that wasn’t strong, but has vastly improved. Way to go Alexa! —Coach Adam
Bee Cave: Dylan Suo and Cael Helm
A week of Breaststroke training can be hard, you are asked to be patient and long, your face spends most of the time in the water, very little breathing, and tons of leg work! These two boys did a great job of racing the legs all week long and on Saturday made some big strides on holding that tall stroke that looks so good in the water, but they were not finished after practice both of these boys put their fins on and treaded water, kicked all over the pool, and barely ever touched toe wall for another 20 minutes while they helped change the pool to long course! They did it all with a smile too! Watch out for these two young men great ability and what may be the beginnings of Nitro’s newest distance swimmers! Great Job Boys! —Coach Chuck
Technique and Fitness
Cedar Park: Annabelle Kim and Andre Bui
Both swimmers excelled in the Individual Medley work we did this past week. Great job paying attention to the order of the strokes and the correct turns. it does not matter how fast you go but rather if you do it correctly. Great job you two thanks for being a part of the Nitro family and we’ll see you at the pool. —Coach Stephen
Bee Cave: Ivan Haq
Ivan. Is. The. Man. I have so much respect for this guy. I can say with certainty that he’s the only swimmer I’ve ever coached that works himself to tears. Every time we do a challenge set, this young man puts forth more effort than anyone in TF. It’s truly inspiring. He never quits. He meets his breaking point then pushes past it. I sincerely believe this kid has no limits. He is the hardest worker I know. What’s better? He won’t say a word about it. Ivan is my inspiration. —Coach Jonny
Silver
Cedar Park: Rylan Albaugh and Abram Rheinheimer
This week as we continued to focus on freestyle Rylan and Abram deserve some major recognition for their hard work. Both boys were adamant about good technique on their flip turns as well as leaving the wall in streamline. This is something that although might seem like an elementary skill, is a sign of a focused and skilled swimmer. They both lead their lanes on a longer free style set and wall for wall came in without breathing in or out of their turns. I was so impressed by their consistency. Way to go, boys! —Coach Claire
Bee Cave: Nathan White
Man, am I impressed with this kid. Nathan only recently joined Silver, but he is making leaps and bounds in his progress already. He listens attentively to everything I say and does everything that is asked of him to the best of his ability. What more could a coach ask for? I already see him leading his lane during some sets, which is great to see out of someone so new to the group. I can’t wait to see what the next several months bring for this young man in the Silver group. Great work, Nathan! —Coach Peter
Advanced Silver
Bee Cave: Tyler Grimm and Victor Teeters
These two fine young men are the Advanced Silver swimmers of the week. Both qualified to compete this past weekend at STAGS by earning an “A” or better qualifying time in an individual event this season. Victor competed in finals of the 50m Freestyle and helped the 10&U Men’s 400 Freestyle Relay take 2nd for a thrilling first experience at this level of a Championship meet. No doubt his positive attitude helped get him to this level of success so quickly! Tyler set the Nitro RECORD in the 50m Breaststroke and was the individual STAGS champion, took 2nd in the 100 m Breaststroke and aided in the taking of Gold for Nitro on the 10&U Men’s 200 Medley Relay. Tyler will go now on to compete individually at TAGS. What a bright future for these two young men in & out of the pool! —Coach Paige
Gold I & II
CP Gold I: Kai Pitkanen
Kai was one of many Gold kids to head down to STAGS this past weekend. All the fastest kids in the area were showing off their speed. Kai swam his heart out in each race, making finals in his 100 and 200 Back. In the 200 in finals, it turned out he was going to swim the event by himself, no one to race, but he embraced it, and had an awesome race, busting out another best time. Keep it up Kai! —Coach Adam
CP Gold II: Chloe Issa
Chloe hasn’t been in Gold II for very long, but she sure has made huge strides in little time. Not only does she put 100% into practice, but she has also been doing a lot of extra credit at home. Chloe started practicing her new dryland routines with her family—even getting her own medicine ball at home—to help her achieve her goals. If there is a kid who is more all-in than Chloe, I have yet to meet her or him. Keep rocking, Chloe! —Coach Alex
Bee Cave: Ava Chozick
I want to give a huge shout out to all swimmers in Gold who participated this weekend, they absolutely ROCKED it. However, Ava truly opened up and showed her fun smiley self. I got to watch her race in a very competitive environment that can sometimes be stressful, but Ava handled it like a pro. From her sweet dance moves at finals, to her dropping oodles of time in her events, she showed true Nitro spirit through and through. At only 10 years old, she has so much more time in the sport, so excited to see what is to come! —Coach Allison