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Zone Select Camp
The National Eastern Zone Select Camp took place from May 20th to 23rd, 2010, at Franklin Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. The camp is the second level of USA Swimming camp program that seeks to identify emerging young athletes ages 13 to 16 in each Zone and offer them a unique motivational and educational experience. This year there were 54 athletes selected and 4 coaches. The coaches were Head Coach Dave Krotiak, assistant coaches Jerry Adams, Mike Ferraro and Dan Jacobs. Three swimmers were selected from Connecticut. The swimmers were Mary Spillane (Trumbull Pisces), Joe Sheply (Cheshire), Alex Rosen (Greenwich ), and Kaz
Takabayashi (Glastonbury).Many different teams from all over the country were represented. Some teams that were represented were North Baltimore Aquatic Club, Mecklenburg Aquatics, Poseidon Swimming, and Germantown Aquatics. As a Coach, I got to watch some of the most talented young athletes come together, compete and train everyday for 4 days. The swimmers had a grueling schedule which included 4 days of long course doubles and one and a half hours of drylands a day. There were two hour long meeting/ classes on subjects like nutrition or underwater kicking.
These young swimmers were given a great opportunity to be a part of something special and they took advantage of it. The coaching staff was amazing. Dave Krotiak brought great leadership and work ethic to the camp and the skill of underwater kicking. This camp was not a technique camp, but instead a peak into the life of an elite athlete and skill was the main focus. Our team’s main skill of focus was the underwater kick. Twelve to 15 meters off every wall for a six thousand meter workout was the staple of this camp.
As the camp went on, the swimmers worked harder and harder to get better at this skill. Workouts were electric and the skill level was very high. Our Connecticut swimmers had a great showing and were able to show off their ability in many sets. The camp was not all work. The athletes were able to have some fun at night whether they watched movies, went on scavenger hunts, or just hung out with each other. The swimmers were able to become one big team. By the end of the camp, the swimmers and also the coaches had become friends and leaving the camp was a bitter-sweet time. As each swimmer went back to their club teams, I know they learned a skill or something that they will use everyday at home at their own team. As I watched one of the last swimmers leave, I heard him say, “Man, can you imagine how good we would be if we stayed a team and trained together every day?” Coach Dave Krotiak replied, “We will because we’re Team USA!” I will always remember my time at the Eastern Zone Select Camp. I learned a lot, and if any coach or swimmer gets an opportunity to attend this camp, I strongly urge you to go.
"E is for Extra - extra attention, extra work and extra concern for what you are doing will put you way ahead of those multitudes who barely do what they're supposed to do." - The General - Coach Bobby Knight