www.usaswimming.org
The Greater Columbus Swim Team
614-478-5445
www.swimohio.org
www.gcsto.c
From The GCSTO Offices Janua
GCSTO Strong… GCSTO P
immediate announcemen
Upcoming Practices Changes
At Columbus Academy
Sunday, Jan. 25: We have 2 meets this weekend that athletes will be at so w
Academy that day as follows:
Level 1 – 4:45 to 6:15 p.m.
Level 2 – 4:45 to 6:30 p.m.
 Note: All other practices remain the same that weekend despite the fac
Tuesday, Jan. 27: Academy has a home meet that starts at 4:30 p.m. and it’
are as follows:
Level 2 – 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. (dry land) followed by 6:30
Level 3 – 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. (dry land) followed by 6:30
Level 4 & 5 – 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. (dry land) followed by
Saturday, Jan. 31: Academy has their Middle School Championships at the po
practices at CA that day. Instead, Level 4 will practice with Level 5 on Sunday
to 11:45 a.m. that day.
At St. Charles
No changes are scheduled through the end of January.
All-Team Bowling Party – Let’s Get Fired Up For Championships
Please note that our Booster Club hosts a FIRE-UP Bowling Party for the team each year. THIS YEA
FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 12:00 P.M. ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15 AND THERE IS NO COST THAT DAY T
THIS PARTY OUT OF THE BOOSTER CLUB’S ACCOUNT. Your entire family is invited (even your non
that no other guests are to be there as this is for family members only and not friends of swimmer
drinks for all and the event includes your bowling and shoe rental costs. Much of what they serve
bring something for yourself. As good guests, we also help make sure the place is clean when we l
Your help is appreciated with this and the job everyone did last year in relation to this was PHENO
Lanes (www.eastlandlanes.com) located at 3770 Refugee Road, Columbus, OH 43232-4936, (614)
so please put it on your calendar! SEE YOU AT THE PARTY… from Novice to Level 5… all of you are
be great to see you all there!
Lost Swim UASC Meet Items
One of our members, Melody Culbert (melodyculbert@icloud.com) was handed a couple lost and
Please contact her if either of these items belong to you:
1 - A bright red GCSTO towel (looks very new).
2 - A pair of black nylon pants with the brand-name Sporti Core Collection, size small.(adult, but I c
Responsible Lesson Instructors Needed
We are looking for a couple older (21 and over) instructors to help out with lessons, especially on
worker with consistent Sunday availability who comes with a strong recommendation from one of
interested or know of anyone who you think would fit the bill please let coach Nye know right awa
Another Senior Commits To College
GCSTO member, Patrick Lawrence, a senior at Bishop Hartley High School has committed to Wash
Morgan McCafferty who had already committed to Nebraska for next year. We’ll keep you inform
commitments to the college of their choice.
Nationwide Autism Camps A Big Success
GCSTO has teamed up with Nationwide Children’s to offer a series of swim lesson camps for Autist
the year and will be carrying on this program with similar camps each quarter of the ensuing year.
Stephany Aeling, Major Belli, Patrick Lawrence, Sidney Martin, Regan Nolan, Kassidy Pastor & P
your athlete is interested in helping out with our March events please let Erin Harris know at erinh
Extra New Team T-Shirts For Sale
In relation to the new team shirts I have the following available for purchase ($16 unless otherwis
Gray
Youth Large – 3 of these
Adult Small – 1 of these
Black
Youth Large – 3 of these
Adult Small – 2 of these
Adult Large – 1 of these
Adult XLarge – 1 of these
Adult 2XLarge – 1 of these ($19)
The designs are below. Checks are payable o GCSTO and you can contact coach Nye about getting
Financial information
Payment Due Date Information
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Tuesday, January 6 was our last payment due date. If you had signed up for Fall/Winter, o
team fee accounts to “paid in full” in order to avoid the $15 late payment option fee. If yo
include the $15 late payment fee and resend those bills out in a day or so.
If you have signed up for year around swimming then you’ll want to have a minimum of $
$15 late payment option fee at that time. You will then have until Feb. 26 to pay off all re
Please make all checks payable to “GCSTO” and MAIL those payments to GCSTO, PO Box
here before the deadline as we may not have the on-line aspect yet done by that time. Yo
needed.
If you wish to pay off the full amount and want a verification of how much it is that you o
have the correct amount. Remember that if you have financial questions that those shou
not your own coach as they do not handle anything in relation to finances.
e do accept post-dated checks so if you need to make sure you get your payment in on tim
feel free to do so.
Also, please remember that we allow everyone a single 1-week late payment grace perio
their payments late. If your payment comes to us late but within 7 days of the due date a
late payment fee that one time. If it comes in later than 7 days after the payment due dat
the $15 late payment option fee is applicable. Thanks!
As noted above, please note that we will start using the swim team fees payment function on o
upcoming spring. All payments due by our final payment due date this fall/winter season will need
been doing. Only from spring 2015 payments, onward, will be done there on line.
Converting From Fall/Winter, Only, To Year Around Payment Status
If you have signed up for just fall and winter and decided that you want to swim year around and u
and then have everything paid off by the payment due date for that option (Feb.26, 2015).
VOLUNTEERING INFORMATI
Swim Meet Volunteering
Please remember that we ask each family in Levels 2, 3, 4 & 5 group to provide workers for 6 sessi
session lasts about 3-4 hours and having 1 person work 6 of these sessions or 6 people working 1 o
fulfills this requirement.
To sign up simply log in on our web page and click on the EVENTS tab. Scroll down to the GCSTO m
click on “JOB SIGNUP”. A list of choice will pop up from there! If you still have questions please em
Team Volunteering” in the subject line. You should be able, as well, to see how many sessions it is
that you worked and adding up your sessions as we have a function to confirm your work assignm
totals.
The fine breakdown is as follows: 1 missed session: $25, 2 missed sessions: $60, 3 missed sessions
We then take this fine money and give it to the families who had to work more than their 5 sessio
meets.
ATHLETE NEWS
****** Ohio State Fall Classic Meet Wrap-Up
100% Lifetime Bests
Abby DiNardo
All-But-One Lifetime Bests
Paige Christy, Sam Downey, Alexa Kreuzer, Morgan Lavilla, Stacy Sa
Top 10 Total Time Dropped
Heath Thomas-47.28 seconds… WOW!!!!
Abby Di-Nardo-36.88 seconds
Marie Belli-22.66 seconds
Morgan Lavilla-11.76 seconds
Spencer White-10.78 seconds
Paige Christy-7.88 seconds
Tuckor Lambert-7.56 seconds
Alexa Kreuzer-7.20 seconds
Tannor Lambert-3.02 seconds
Sierra Coey-2.18 seconds
****** GCSTO Holiday Cheer Meet Wrap-Up
Swimmers of The Meets
CA Level 1-Molly Fitzpatrick
Molly swam six events in two days and had lifetime bests in four of her events. She dropped a to
Her positive approach to this is the reason for her successe
SC Level 1-Emily Schiele
Emily had a great meet placing 4 in the 50 free, 5 in the 25 fly, 2nd in the 25 back, 3rd in the 100
an outstanding meet and really benefited from her good attendance a
th
th
CA Level 2-Heath Thomas
Heath swam to best times in 5 of 7 events. He dropped a total of 9.91 seconds, including near
seconds off OHJO in the 50 Back and 1.11 off in the
CA Level 3- Devan Lewellen
Devan, nicknamed by me as "SOFTBALL" because that is her other sport. I'm
Devan has been practicing extremely well and her efforts are making a difference. She had great
the good work!!
SC Level 3-Paige Christy
Paige was the top GCSTO girl in all 6 of her events. She won the 100 free with a 101.92 and was 2
in this outstanding performance. Congratulations P
We’ll have the Top 10 drops and such for this meet in our n
****** GCSTO January B Meet Wrap-Up *
Swimmers of The Meets
Novice-Joy Neal
Joy dropped nearly 18 seconds from her best times when swimming the 50 free, 50 back, and 10
breaststroke for the first time!
CA Level 1-Anthony Alioto
Anthony swam in four events and had lifetime bests in all of them. Anthony has been working v
showed at this meet. He dropped 36.05 second
SC Level 1- Grant Turnbull
Grant swam to all but one life time bests at this meet and, once, again, had one of our Top 10 tot
of his events. Grant keeps on dropping a ton of time in all of his meets due to
CA Level 2-Colin Brame
Colin swam 4 events and achieved best times in all four. He dropped a combined total of 14.53 se
and a 6.94 second drop in the 200 Free. Colin has been working hard in practice and
CA Level 3-Kasey Lichtner
Kasey swam 100% lifetime bests. She dropped 2.69 in the 200 IM, 4.89 in the 100 ba, 1.40 in t
9.89secs. Congratulations Kasey, you swam very well this past weekend and your h
SC Level 3-Emily Harness
Emily had a fantastic meet and dropped in all four events. In the 100 freestyle, alone, she dropped
Congratulations Emily!
100% Lifetime Bests
Anthony Alioto, Colin Brame, Harvey Culbert, Parker Hamilton, Emily Harness, Kasey Lichtner, M
Shultz, Vikram Vadrevu
All-But-One Lifetime Bests
Irena Alahakoon, Tara Alahakoon, Chloe Albrecht, Evan Alioto, Mia Boccio, James Cao, Arianna
Korbin Martino, Carlie McClurg, Jaida Plair, Raghav Ramachandiran, Mayson Reed, Claudia Sant
Mathew Sheridan, Grant Turnbull, Alexis Turner, Spencer Whit
Top 10 Total Time Dropped
Anthony Alioto-36.05 Seconds
Parker Hamilton-23.24 Seconds
Xavier Nowakowski-18.03 Seconds
Liam Timmons-17.72 Seconds
Joy Neal-17.53 Seconds
Matthew Sheridan-17.49 Seconds
Grant Turnbull-17.16 Seconds
Colin Brame-14.53 Seconds
James Cao-11.40 Seconds
Vikram Vadrevu-11.07 Seconds
Steve Nye’s College Placement Manual
Coach Nye produces a college placement manual for athletes who are in the beginning of, or in th
GCSTO athlete who has come through our program has used this manual to assist in their search.
100% satisfaction guarantee. If you would like to order a copy please contact me and I will get one
every year so it is ready to go!
SWIM MEET INFORMATION
Swimming Championships
The opportunity to reward an athlete who qualifies for an individual or relay event in a champions
that championship meet should not, in our opinion, be passed up. We have actually heard people
championship meet because it was only Regionals, or only for a relay, because it was only 1 event,
group or because they didn't feel the athlete would "do anything" at the meet. We understand tha
can't these be worked out by sharing transportation and rooms or the like? Think about it this way
work hard, commit themselves, stay clean and set their goals high. And then, when they achieve t
meet because it's only Regionals, it’s only a relay, it's only 1 event, their at the bottom of their age
anyway. Talk about creating a conflict in their minds. How can we continue to ask them to (and wh
themselves, stay clean and set their goals high if all of this effort isn't rewarded when it does, in fa
for their hard work and how can we judge the worth of the experience to the athlete or the impac
highly encourages you to participate in the championship series of meets on behalf of your athlete
Short Course Meet Hotel Reservations
1/23-24, 2015 Circle City Classic at IUPUI: Candelwood Suites located at 1152 N. White River Park
5567). The rooms are under the Greater Columbus Swim Club (their mistake) and are $99.99 (plus
night (plus tax) for a 2 bedrooom suite. You must call by 12/22/14 to reserve your room!
3/6-8, 2015 Ohio Swimming Senior Championship Swim Meet at Miami University: Houston Wo
Lodge Rd., College Corner, OH 45003 (513-664-3509). The rooms are under the Greater Columbus
a double non-lake view, $124.00 per night (plus tax) for a double lake view and $124.00 per night
to reserve your room!
3/13-15/2015 Ohio Swimming Age Group State Championship Swim Meet at Bowling Green Uni
Vue Drive, Perrysburg, OH 43551 (800-496-7630). The rooms are under the Greater Columbus Swi
(1 king size bed) or $130.99 (2 queen size beds) per night plus tax. You must call by 1/4/15 to rese
Thanks to Melody Culbert for setting these all up for us!!!!
Finding Your Athlete’s Times
We’re trying hard to get our athlete’s educated as to their best times, what the state championsh
are and such. We will have a GOAL BOARD, produced by coach Stepha Echard, set up at all of our m
and such so that it is in front of our athletes ALL of the time. Too, every 10 days or so each and eve
SET or a TEAM CHALLENGE SET. In the former, the athletes are racing (one another, the clock and
practice so that they are more focused on achieving a specific time… and not just “trying to go fast
different ways:
1 – By using USA Swimming’s “Times Search” function located here:
http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=1470&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en-US
2 – By using USA Swimming’s “Deck Pass” ap:
http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=2186&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en
3 – Another source is an apple store ap called “iswim times”. It’s free to download and is a really n
http://go2telecom.net/go2telecom/Go2Telecom.net/iSwimTimes.html
4 – By using our own team unify web site (www.gcsto.com) and simply looking up your swimmer’s
Finding State & National Time Standards, Team Records and More!
These are on our web site at: http://www.gcsto.com/Swim_Team_Information/Records__Times__
USA Swimming IMX Events
IMX is a motivational program that allows swimmers across the nation to compare themselves to
All you have to do is swim a combination of events, at least one time per season, and USA Swimm
trying to get at least 40% of the team to compete in the IMX series of events. Please click on…
http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=1720&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en-US to
athletes) events! See below for our current GCSTO athletes who have already competed in all of th
focus on improving those times to improve their nationals ranking!
TEAM CLOTHING & EQUIPME
Team Clothing, Caps & Towels & Such
Team Caps – At Academy, senior team coach, Justin Max, has these caps that can be purchased by
with him at the pools for purchase. Latex caps are $5 while silicone caps are $15. Cash and checks
pick these up at the heat sheet sales table at our swimming meets or from a coach on deck at thos
SPEEDO Performance Paddles – We have 2 medium sized & 8 large size sets of paddles for sale. R
$15. Contact coach Nye (stevenye@sbcglobal.net) to order your pair.
SPEEDO Competition Pull Kick All In One – We have a dozen of these which act as their pull-buoy
but we have them for $15. Contact coach Nye (stevenye@sbcglobal.net) to order your pull kick.
Team Towels – We have towels from the last 2 years for sale for $12 each. We have the maroon t
year before. All are brand new so feel free to contact us if you’d like. We have no extras from this
MyLocker.com Team Store
You name it, you design it, you pay for it, they ship it immediately. There is an AWESOME selection
minimums, no wait, no problems! Click the banner above to go directly to our store! Go to www.m
account or set one up if it’s the first time you’ve logged in!
SwimOutlet GCSTO Team Store
You can now order all of your training equipment needs directly AT ANY TIME WITH NO MINIMUM
an affiliate team member. Our website is located here: http://www.swimoutlet.com/gcsto. If yo
aren’t sure what it is, exactly, that you need you can either go to your coach o
GCSTO Offices” fly out tab located under the “Swim Team information” tab and
Senior Equipment Order Information”. Make sure that you enter in through the
the purchase of your equipment.
Kast-A-Way Team Store
You can log on and purchase your already discounted team merchandise, as well as all the other i
secured site, swimmers/parents need to complete the one time registration process. Once this re
email address and password you used when you registered and click on the Sign In box. Your regis
account you entered. Make sure to file this information so you have access to it for future use. To
to view your team page. Here is where you login to you team account with the Team Login and P
Enter our Team Login: GREATERCOL (case sensitive)
Enter our Team Password: GCSTO (case sensitive)
Or you may also copy and paste the following into your browser address field to automatically affi
Ohio: http://www.kastawayswimwear.com/Teams.aspx?tid=1353
ATHLETE & PARENT INFORMA
Cold Weather Changes
We had an inquiry recently about dropping off/picking up athletes from different areas of one of o
initially seem to make sense it actually can create a dangerous situation in a couple ways.
1 – While it seems to make sense because a school may not be in session or school activities may n
danger in that if we have athletes entering or exiting in places not monitored by our staff we could
a parent in an area that they weren’t supposed to be in (and we don’t see as coaches). How dange
is the top reason why we need to adhere to our entrance and exit policies.
2 – Also, if we start picking and choosing where to pick up/drop off the kids based on weather con
family determining their “exception” scenario due to weather (and goodness knows what else) co
to shut it and we may end up with problems with our facilities which could jeopardize the welfare
contract because we cannot adhere to their parking and entrance guidelines. I don’t think anyone
having the entire team thrown out of one of our facilities. That would have a terrible effect on a lo
That is why, without exception, you should stay with what we’ve been asked to do and what we h
gotten so bad that we have had to institute a 2-practice suspension policy as sent out just a week
ourselves in good graces with our facilities by following these policies. Thanks!
WHAT IS A "PRELIM/FINAL MEET"
PRELIMS (Preliminaries)
Our championship meets run “preliminaries or prelims” in the morning which is where almost all
their events. I say “almost all” as in the shorter events (200’s & down), all swimmers do, indeed, sw
under level, however, (400’s and above) everyone swims in the prelims except the top 1 to 2 heat
“finals”. These longer events are considered “timed final” events in that the swimmers don’t get a
once and then are placed/awarded by the time that they receive.
FINALS
The “finals” portion of the meet is for those who make the top 6 to 24 fastest times in each event
pool has and how many heats are brought back at night to swim in finals. At some meets it will be
swim again in finals. In this case you would have an “A” or Championship Finals heat (used interch
or Consolation Finals heat (used interchangeably) comprised of the next fastest 6 times. Some poo
that come back to swim at night. At our age group championships for 14 & unders we run 2 heats
meets (15 & over) we actually run 3-4 heats in finals depending on the size of the meet and the tim
athlete moves to that level.
Once the athletes qualify for their heats at night and are assigned to their respective (A/Champio
that night can move them up or down within that heat but cannot move them into consideration f
regionals, is in a 6 lane pool and has the 12th place time. They will come back in the Consolation he
Let’s say they then perform so well at night that they beat everyone in their (consolation) heat. Th
that their time that they swim that night actually is FASTER than one or more of the times in the C
best placing they can get. The reverse is also true in that a swimmer’s time performed in the Cham
the Consolation heat. Even if they go slower than every single person in the Championship and Co
time performed that evening) the worst place they can get is 6th!
If this is all new to you, please make sure you talk to your coach about what to do at these meets.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Please note:
1 – There are no “self-scratches” allowed. What this means is that a parent or athlete cannot simp
expressed, written consent of a staff member.
A – Doing so in the preliminary heats without coaches’ permission is considered a “no show” by t
counted against the athletes daily and meet limit of events.
B – Doing so in finals causes the athlete to be disqualified from their next event and, in our state
meet charged to the family.
C – Doing so may result in addition ramifications by our own staff such as removal from a relay or
2 – If you do receive permission to scratch an event (as there are cases where this may be warrant
procedures for scratches at these meets so that your athlete is not subject to penalty. Please stay
time.
Taking Care Of Sickness
If you get sick, here are some things that might help that do not require taking medications:
1 – Changing your bed sheets every day and your clothing/pajamas at least 2-3 times per day. Oth
during that time.
2 – Open the windows in your room for a little while each day to air it out. Again, otherwise, you a
infected air.
3 – Bath/shower a couple times a day to wash off germs and such. Just don’t get chilled in the pro
you.
4 – Try using a HEPA filter in your room. These are FANTASTIC at helping to clear the air.
5 – Drink LOTS of water to help you from becoming dehydrated.
6 – Eat small bits of fresh fruit throughout the day. It’s easily digestible and provides you with a co
antioxidants will be good for you.
7 – Sore throat? Gargle with salt water a couple times a day and, if you’re not allergic, drink a mixt
8 – Nasal Congestion? Consider a steam vaporizer in your room that you can add a menthol type s
9 – If you MUST take antibiotics, make sure you understand that they kill more than just the bad g
tract that helps you absorb food (which will obviously weaken you) so it is VITAL to replace tho
products or probiotics.
SWIMMING LESSON SIGN-UP
Swimming Lesson Sign-Ups
Steven A. Nye
GCSTO
PO Box 30483
Gahanna, OH 43230
614-478-5445
www.gcsto.com
Our next session of swimming lessons starts in February and we’re taking registrations now for
information on this. Please read the “Registration Information” section in the informational broc
additional pertinent information. Contact Erin Harris at 614-582-2597 or erinharris.gcss@gmail.c
REGISTRATION for this will start with our very next session!!!!
Private Lessons
Our new schedule for this is now up on the web site inclusive of coach Nye’s availability. Simply l
Home School Program Has Started
Our Home School Program started with over a dozen athletes enrolled in the first session! If you
us know and we’ll get our information to them. Please CLICK HERE for more information on that
WHO TO CONTACT
USEFUL LINKS
For a wealth of information that you can use and I mean a WEALTH of USEFUL information go to:
USA Swimming’s Web Site – www.usaswimming.org
For news about Ohio Swimming and other such things you may need go to:
Ohio Swimming’s Web Site – www.swimohio.org
TEAM INFORMATION
Greater Columbus Advanced Technique Stroke Analysis Camps (1 day stroke camps starting up
the spring) – Steve Nye (614-478-5445 or stevenye@sbcglobal.net)
Greater Columbus Swim School (swimming lessons operating year around at multiple facilities
Harris (614-582-2597 or erinharris.gcss@gmail.com) for St. Charles, Wyandotte, Ft. Rapids &
Columbus Sports Club lessons.
Greater Columbus Home School Program (our swim team program for home school children) –
Nye (614-478-5445 or stevenye@sbcglobal.n
THANKS FOR BEING A PART OF OUR