Bennett Goes to Camp

Bennett Glasscock is attending the Texas Longhorn Swim Camp in Austin, Texas. This is Eddie Resse's camp who is the head coach at NCAA champs Texas and Olympic head coach . The swimmers wasted no time Sunday with them hitting the water for the first practice. Not only is this a camp all about technique its a training camp so the swimmers train every morning.
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Eddie giving his opening talk to the swimmers. The swimmers are placed into four groups based on their age and times. Bennett is placed in the "Blue" group which is the fastest, so far hes had to work hard to keep up.

A typical day right now is:

8:00 Breakfast, 8:30 Dry land, 9:30 6000 meters long course (ouch), 12:00 Lunch, 1:30 Stroke Drills, 3:30 - 5:30 Free time (nap), 5:30 Dinner, 6:30 Texas Relays (fun) and underwater analysis, then lights out at 10:30.

Coach Reese explaining the workout to the swimmers. He is very involved in every aspect of the camp and talks to the swimmers one on one, explaining always what they are doing and why.

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Aaron Piersol did a backstroke clinic. One common theme is the underwater swimming. Very nice guy and personable.

Ian Crocker is in the house! All strokes covered who else to do a butterfly clinic? Another super guy and by the way ... tall ... He spent much of his time talking about underwater dolfining how you start with powerful kicks then sharp quick kicks as you surface. Hand placement is critical. Seemed a few of the parents almost fell over the rails of the peanut gallery for some reason. The swimmers had a meet and greet with the Olympians last night.

More later, how did the inter squad go? Update coming, hope we got some pictures.

McGee Moody Clinic

Cullman area swimmers were very fortunate to participate in a competitive swimming clinic conducted by McGee Moody, head swimming coach at the University of South Carolina. He has been a star of teaching and coaching achieving a high profile level at a young age and also through media outlets such as Flowswimming.

Coach McGee was born in Jasper, swam park and recreation swimming at Albertville, USA/ Swimming at Huntsville Swim Association then college at Eastern Carolina. McGee understands and teaches the whole process from small town swimming to the highest level of competitive swimming.

50 swimmers participated in the "Jump Start" clinic and were split into two groups, 13-up and 12-under. Sessions for the clinic were Friday night and a half day Saturday. Having two sessions gave more needed time and depth for technique.

Coach Mcgee began each session with an instructional talk, explaining what they would be working on before they entered the water.

McGee has some unique drills, above working on pushoffs. With his teaching skills he was able to grab all he swimmers attention and make it fun.

Saturdays session included dry-land instruction. Coach McGee stressed the importance of the core and strengthening it.

Mcgee closed out his clinic with and incredible PowerPoint presentation. He took the swimmers, parents and coaches through his evolution from an age group Park and Recreation swimmer to a head coach at a NCAA Division 1, Southeastern Conference School. An amazing journey.

The Cullman Wellness and Aquatic Center was very cooperative and provides outstanding facilities for clinics. Hopefully we can make this an annual event with Coach Mcgee Moody.

CSA Banquet

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These are getting to be familiar faces, Sara Peel, Neil Norris and Colby Hutson received awards for being Southeastern qualifiers. They represent the future of Cullman Swimming, all are in the 9-10 age group. Look out Cullman Swim Team opponents!

Del Brock was the guest speaker. He was a teacher, football and track coach at Cullman High School and coach of Cullman Swim Team. Del became a successful businessman and community leader. Fantastic talk he gave.

Frank Odell gave Denise Peek an award for becoming a certified USA Swimming stroke and turn official. She had to pass an exam then complete an aprentice program by judging at several meets.

CSA Represented!

Cullman Swim Association was represented at Age Group Sectionals in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bennett Glasscock swam the 50 Freestyle, 100 Backstroke and 100 Butterfly in the meet. This is quite an honor for our team having a swimmer make it to this level. Bennett continued his taper from Southeasterns for this meet and cut more time off his personal and team bests. Coach Carson and John worked with Bennett solo in the two week addition to his season. Like Southeasterns hopefully we will see more swimmers next year at Age-Group Sectionals.

Age Group Sectionals is hosted by Mecklinburg Aquatic Club in Charlotte, NC. The host team MAC are coached by David Marsh former Auburn University head coach. It was a huge meet where everyone is fast.

Southeasterns

Cullman had four swimmers four swimmers who qualified and competed in the Southeastern/USA Championships meet in Nashville. In the first year of the year round program this is a great accomplishment. Swimmers qualifying were: Neil Norris 50 Free/Fly and 100 Free, Colby Hutson 50 Fly, Sara Peel 50 Breast and Bennett Glasscock 100 Back/Fly and 50 Free. Most notable were Colby and Sara both new to competitive swimming.

All the swimmers from Cullman worked hard this year and several more were close to making the very fast qualifying times. Next season we should have many more making the cuts. CSA being represented at SEUSA validates the program.

Traveling to Southeasterns was fun for the coaches, parents and swimmers. Competing on this level will give the swimmers confidence that they can compete well regionally.