Team Santa Monica Newsletter - March 2021
Message From The Board President:
Happy Nowruz, aka: Persian New Year and spring equinox (I love saying “happy new year” three months in a row)! Although there is still a chill in the air, the increase in daylength is a welcome sign that brighter days are ahead. Since the 11th century, Nowruz has been both a secular celebration and for some, a religious celebration. It is a time of gathering, to feast, dance and enjoy each other’s company. As I write this, Passover is underway and Easter is just days away. Regardless of what you observe, eat (or don’t eat) and/or celebrate, I wish you the very best in this time of renewal and growth. While it’s still a bit too soon for us to celebrate all together, I am cautiously optimistic that an in-person celebration is ever-closer to becoming a reality. In the meantime, let’s enjoy the longer days and the possibility of holding more swim meets!!
April will be a big month for our community, as more and more Californians become eligible to be vaccinated. As a Science educator, I was eligible for the Covid vaccine after healthcare workers, and I am happy to say that I have had both doses. It felt like an accomplishment, of sorts. While I continue to mask up around others, I am glad to know that I am participating in this vast project to build protection for the public, so that we can ultimately put an end to this crisis. In this spirit, I strongly encourage the TSM community to get vaccinated as soon as you are eligible. Stay safe, and I’ll see you on the pool deck soon!! Yipppeee!!!
FUNDRAISING
After a break for the holidays, our fundraising committee is geared up for an active spring, including the launch of the Swimathon. Please keep your eyes on your email for more announcements about the Swimathon. 100% of the funds we raise go directly to operational costs that are not fully covered by our dues, and some scholarships. Let’s support our swimmers as they appeal to friends, neighbors and family for the future of TSM!
Date: Monday, May 3rd 2021
Prizes: If your swimmer raises $150+, we’ll throw in a custom red practice cap! MORE prizes for more$ !!
Our Goal: $25k; if we get 100% participation, I am confident that we will achieve this goal.
Meets and Results
OPEN WATER NATIONALS
Congrats to the swimmers that qualified for OW Nationals. They will be competing in Florida mid April.
Mattea [National 10K & 5K]
Adam [JNat 7.5 K]
Alan [JNat 5K]
Zach [JNat 5K]
Lena [JNat 7.5 K]
Colin [Jnat 5K]
DUAL MEET
We had a smooth and successful dual meet with La Mirada March 28th. It was great to see all of our groups represented and we hope this is the beginning of much more racing ahead! Here are some quick highlights from the meet...
2 Open Water Junior National Qualifiers
Zach Tower
Colin Kim
3 Futures cuts
Colin Kim (400 IM)
Isabelle Shapiro (400 IM)
Kristin Bartlett (100 Fly)
130 new personal best swims!
SECTIONALS
It was great to have a Championship level meet after such a long time. Even though the meet was held at 2750ft altitude, the swimmers did relatively well and they all learned a lot. Most of our swimmers recorded personal bests. TSM finished 7th place out of 46 teams, 3rd place in medium teams. All that without any relays
We had a few swimmers achieve new time standards.
TSM really impressed in the 400IM.
Alan got a new Sectionals cut in the 200Fly
Mattea got a new Juniors cut in the 500Fr
Thea got a new Futures cut in the 100Br
UPCOMING EVENTS
We are hopeful that the meet on we had on March 28th is the first of many to come! Go TSM!!!
PLEASE BE ON NOTICE:
BEWARE: There have been some phishing emails going around from Board members and Coaches, asking for you to help with something. Do not respond. If we want your help, we will send it through TU or Telegram.
Late pickups are not only difficult on your swimmers and disrespectful to the coaches, but it costs the team to pay coaches for this additional time. At the next BOD meeting, the Board will be considering late fees for compensating coaches for their additional time spent.
Please remember that when we are waiting outside of the Swim Center, we are representatives of TSM. As such, we need to remind ourselves to continue to wear masks AND maintain physical distancing. We appreciate your cooperation.
