Lions and Tigers and … Hyenas or Kookaburras … Oh My!

By Jason Marsteller

HONOLULU, Hawaii, June 7. TODAY was a pretty slow news day here at the National Club Swimming Association's All-American meet trip. With the swimmers only having what the coaches called a "loosening up swim" this morning and then as much rest and relaxation as they could get before tonight's first session of competition, my wife and I wound up being by ourselves most of the time. That isn't a bad thing in Hawaii!

So, we decided to head to the Zoo since my wife might as well be a vet with how much she loves animals. We were able to see a bunch of great animals, birds and vegetation. There were indeed lions and tigers, but there were also hyenas and a cool bird called a Kookaburra. I'm usually a desk-jockey, so I don't get out much. It was the strangest thing when that bird started talking. It sounds like a mule laughing.

It was nice to get rested up a bit before tonight's first day of swimming.

Here are some of my observations from the day:

* Matt Sprang of GCIT Swimming and the East squad was poring over his lineups at the breakfast training table. Talk about a coach who is a technician. He had all the best LCM times for every swimmer at the meet, and was working through the Rubik's Cube of the perfect meet lineup. We'll see if the East can pull that off.

* We swam at a different pool today. It was much closer to the University. I didn't catch the name of it, but it had an amazing backdrop to look at.

* I'm still working on getting a heat sheet before tonight. Not sure it will happen, though. Keep posted.

* While Victor Wales, the head coach of the University of Hawaii, isn't going to be the only coach getting to see these swimmers in action with their own eyes. Word around the trip broke that Brian Barnes, an assistant coach for Auburn University, is in the building. This made my day, personally, since I was able to work with Brian at Indiana University. I'm really looking forward to seeing him, as well as his wife Alyssa and new child.

* Erin Greene, our assistant newsmaster at SwimmingWorldMagazine.com, dropped me a line to say hello to coach Jamey Myers of Southern Crescent. She swam for Jamey in the past and was incredibly excited that I had the chance to meet such a great person. Jamey was thrilled to reconnect with Erin.

* Bob Gillett mic'ed up coach Jeff Cooper of the Oakland Live Y'ers during practice today for some video sessions. It should be interesting to hear what the fiery coach has to say.

* Dana Christ taught some of the women a swim cap maneuver at the end of practice that brought about a lot of enjoyment. Many swimmers know this one, but some of the women on Christ's team did not. The one where you fill up your cap as much as you can, throw it up in the air and try to catch it with your head. Emma Reaney caught on quick, as she was one of the first to learn the trick. Then, Shara Stafford got it after trying for quite some time.

Well, time to get ready for the meet. Next time, I should be writing about some top-flight performances.

* Interesting thought of the day: Did some of the West swimmers bribe Bob Gillett to have Kentucky be considered a Western state? NCSA Junior National high pointer Cory Chitwood from the Northern Kentucky Clippers – along with his teammate Claire Dickmann – both wound up on the West squad.

If you have anything specific you'd like me to focus and report on, please click here to drop me a note. I will do my best to respond to reader requests.

Cory Chitwood

2007 NCSA All-American Meet

2007 NCSA All-American Meet

2007 NCSA All-American Meet

2007 NCSA All-American Meet

2007 NCSA All-American Meet

2007 NCSA All-American Meet

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