Intro to Nitro
Cedar Park: Daniel Iorgulescu and Landjuvan Paulin-Obas
Both are in our Friday afternoon group, and they are both helping to set the standard. Daniel was selected to demonstrate his breaststroke in front of the entire group. He was chosen due to his fantastic head position and superb glide after each stroke. Landju has steadily improved each week he’s been with us and he always has a smile on his face. At the end of practice we reviewed what we covered the previous week, and Landju didn’t miss a beat! Proud of these two and proud of all the Intro to Nitro kiddos! —Coach Mike
Bee Cave: Aishwarya Garapati
This young lady has really impressed me this past month. Aishwarya joined Intro in November and has a natural feel for the water. She rocked butterfly week demonstrating the rhythm of butterfly—kick-and-reach, kick-and-breathe. Aishwarya’s bodyline is phenomenal. Always pushing of in a tight streamline underwater; she looks like an arrow shooting through the water. Great job young lady; keep it up! —Coach Raven
Bronze
Cedar Park: David Le
David is a swimmer who pays really close attention to the details of his stroke, but he earned swimmer of the week for his performance at the End of School Splash swim meet. Every race David dove into, he surprised me! Whether it was his powerful freestyle or his long, tall, and fast breaststroke, David really stood out. Keep it up David; you’re doing awesome! —Coach Adam
Bee Cave: Cody Malone
Great week of hard training has paid off for young Cody, at the TXLA meet he had four swims and four best times, but more importantly he was racing to the wall on every swim. You can work on improving strokes, find a way to push your underwaters farther, practice limited breathing, but when the horn sounds it still comes down to how much heart and desire the swimmer has. Cody was straight A’s in all categories, plenty of huffing and puffing when he touched the wall, and a little fist pump showed the desire. Great job young man! —Coach Chuck
Technique and Fitness
Cedar Park: Seyoung Lee and Theo Johnson
Both of these swimmers had a really incredible week based on one crucial aspect. BELIVING IN THEMSELVES! Great job in the pool but more importantly great job in knowing what to do, how to do it and implementing the action. Great job you two thanks for being a part of NITRO and we’ll see you at the pool. —Coach Stephen
Bee Cave: Micah Gadbois
Micah has really impressed me lately, and not just by his swimming. In fact, the thing that has stuck out to me the most, is his attitude and leadership—both have been very positive. It’s been awhile since he talked out of turn or distracted others from paying attention. Now, he’s helping his lanemates pay attention, and boy has it been working! Micah usually leads the lane with rambunctious boys—you know the type. Except, lately, he’s throwing them “sh’s” as I coach! I love it! Leading by example has definitely paid off for this young man. I’ve seen great strides in his areas of weakness, as well as a rejuvenated energy for the sport. Respect and maturity infiltrates all aspects of life, I guess! I’m very proud of Micah. —Coach Jonny
Silver
Cedar Park: Macy Ahlgren and Tristan Chang
Macy and Tristan both did a fantastic job this week while the group focused on Fly. The biggest challenge for the Silver swimmers with butterfly is getting the chest down after the arms recover into the water. It’s a very difficult skill that requires a lot of strength. Macy managed to perfect this skill while Tristan completed the 100 Fly (while maintaining awesome technique) at the meet this past weekend. Keep up the great work y’all! —Coach Claire
Bee Cave: Connor McClune and Victor Teeters
I actually gave both of these guys SOW awards fairly recently, but after the swims they turned in at the TXLA meet this past weekend, they didn’t really leave me a choice but to recognize them again. Connor achieved his first two B cuts of his young swimming career in the 50 Free and 50 Back. The coaches were commenting on how much Connor’s strokes have improved, and it showed in his times. It’s always so great to see a swimmer get their first cuts of any kind, because it’s one of many ways to show how working hard in practice pays off. Victor’s 50 Free left me speechless this past weekend. My jaw slowly dropped further and further as I watched him race across the pool and turn in a 35.28…an A cut! All of the coaches were coming up to Victor to commend him on such an incredible swim. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, he achieved BB cuts in the 100 Free and 100 Back at the meet as well. Victor has been on the cusp of moving up to Advanced Silver, and his swims this past weekend all but seal his spot. I’m so proud of both of these guys! —Coach Peter
Advanced Silver
Bee Cave: Tyler Grimm
Tyler has earned this title by truly dedicating himself to developing an effective dolphin kick and it is showing! His dolphin kick is now a nice addition to his very strong breaststroke kick—a true “IMer” in the making! Although it certainly hasn’t been easy for Tyler to do this, he has found a way conquer butterfly kick when it didn’t come as easily to him as the other strokes did. The results are now showing in the pool. Watch out! Congrats, Tyler! —Coach Paige
Gold I & II
CP Gold I: Ashley Park
Ashley took a big step in the last month or so moving into the group from Silver. So far, she has handled the transition really well, and I can see her getting stronger and more confident each practice. Last week, Ashley tackled a new skill (crossover turns) with ease, making it look like she had been doing then for a long time. I’m excited to see where this season takes her! Way to go! —Coach Adam
CP Gold II: Amy park
Give Amy Park a hand! Amy is one of many who crushed it at the meet on Saturday. I’m impressed with all our athletes; but Amy did something a little special, she achieved the first Gold II TAGS cut this season. While more teammates will join her on the TAGS team throughout the summer, it’s neat to see her be the first. We made a bet that as soon as a TAGS cut is achieved, I’ll shave my beard… looks like it’s time to get those trimmers! Way to go, Amy! —Coach Alex
Bee Cave: Caleb Bui
I have to give it to you Caleb, you are one awesome kiddo. As much as it might have stunk that you were the ONLY boy from Gold group @ The Nitro’s this weekend, you came on stage and laughed and smiled at Coach Mike and my attempts to make you feel at ease. I appreciate your attention to each workout, and even how you get on the block each day to make sure you can see the board as I review it! While you know I couldn’t give every single kiddo an individual award, I wanted to make sure to recognize you through Swimmer of the week, as you have become one of the strongholds of Gold group and are developing into quite the young leader! —Coach Allison