A swimming perspective...

I’ve realized these past four years of swimming for McNeil high school that swimming in itself isn’t just a sport; it’s a lifestyle. Whether it’s finishing my homework during school so that I don’t have to stay up late, eating healthy foods so that I’m at my full potential for the upcoming swim meet or skipping every party that my friends delve into, every decision I make revolves around reaching my full potential as an athlete. I have dedicated so much of my life towards swimming; yet swimming has given so much back to me.
Swimming has helped me overcome countless struggles in my life, including my parent’s divorce, our house being foreclosed on and the seemingly endless stress of school and life as a high school athlete. Most people don’t understand the magic swimming holds in being able to distract a person from all of their problems to the extent that all they can think about is achieving the constant goal to become faster and greater in the sport. Upon arriving at practice and starting each day’s warm-up, all of my troubles are forgotten in minutes as my mind focuses only on the rhythm of my stroke and keeping my arms moving through the liquid lead most call water. Swimming puts me in a trance to survive every set and better myself tremendously every time I enter the pool.
There is no other sport, club or person in this world that compels me to be the best person I can, and simultaneously gives me a feeling of exponential importance. Now that it’s almost over, all I can do is hold onto the life-lessons I’ve learned from it and thank anyone and everyone who’s ever given me the opportunity to be a member of such a privileged and rewarding sport such as swimming.

Marissa Byrd
Veteran Swimmer
Mighty Maverick

A day on the life...

McNeil Swim Booster Club Meeting Minutes: December 17th, 2012

Members Present: Coach Foss, Coach Chapa, Joanne Sims, Debbie Dalke, Marina Glava, Jen Gluff,, Mr. Shomper, Beth Gavin

I. Winter Training:
A. December 21st, 27th, 28th, 31st ( 7:00-10:00 a.m.)
B. January 1st (8:00-11:00 a.m.), January 2nd ,3rd , (7:00-10:00 a.m.), and 4th (6:30-8:00 a.m.)
C. All training days, with the exception of Jan. 1st, will end with a team breakfast.

II. Team ‘Lock-In’, held in McNeil HS, is scheduled for December 29th from 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m..

III. District Meet Dinner will be held Thursday, January 24th. Historically, the freshmen boys have an option to have their heads shaved for the meet (along with older swimmers). This is not a requirement.

IV. Regional charter bus will be shared with RRHS swimteam. Hotel room blocks have been made.

V. Financial Report given by Debbie. Outstanding invoices include Regional Charter bus, and swim-a-thon shirts.

VI. End of season Banquet will be April 26th. Booster positions open will include President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

VII. Next meeting: January 21st, 6:00 p.m.

McNeil Swim Booster Club Meeting – November 12, 2012

McNeil Swim Booster Club Meeting – November 12, 2012

Members Present: Debbie Dalke,, JoAnn Sims, Coach Foss, , Marina Glava, Jen Gluff,, Abigail Scruggs, Brett Quinn, Mr. Kalina, Beth Gavin

. Fundraisers: Discussed ideas for future possible fundraisers. Ms. Glava and Gluff discussed Lacrosse team’s Haunted Spooky hayride. Board discussed a ‘New Year’s Polarbear plunge’, or other seasonal fundraiser ideas (raffle, etc.).. Coach Foss will present to Seniors.
. TISCA: Hotel rooms have been reserved. Coach Foss will try to find a parent or two who will be attending the meet to help coordinate lunches (some type of boxed lunch). Swimmers will have Olive Garden on Friday night. Joanne will coordinate water / snacks to be donated.
1. Warm-ups will begin 10:00 a.m., with the meet starting at 12:00 on Friday.
2. Saturday will have a 10:00 start time for finals. Coach Foss expects the swimmers to be returning from Corpus around 8:00p.m. on Saturday evening.
3. Coach Chapa will send out the itinerary for the meet.

. Christmas Training: Coach Foss would like to have breakfast for the swimmers at least 2 mornings. Ms. Scruggs and Ms. Gluff will arrange the breakfast items.
The training times will be 7:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. on all days, with the exception of January 3rd and 4th. Due to in-service meetings, the practice time will be 6:30a.m.-8:30a.m.
. Regionals: McNeil and RRHS will share the charter bus to Houston. Joanne and Mindy Lewis (RRHS) have been coordinating the logistics for travel, hotel, and meal arrangements. Additional plans will be discussed during the next board meeting in January.
. Team Building: An in-school team-building Saturday lock-in will occur in December, during Christmas break. Coach Foss will schedule the date.
. Next meeting: December 17th, 6:00.

McNeil Swim and Booster Club meeting – October 15th

Members present:  Coach Chapa, Coach Foss, Joanne Sims, Leigh Krusee, Tracey Quinn, Mr. Shomper, Beth Gavin

I.                   Pool Challenges:  The Heating motor for the Rattan pool is broken without a definite date it will be fixed. Coach Foss is researching alternative pools in the meantime.  Coach Foss will also coordinate the transportation needs for the students from the temporary team pool.

II.                Aggieland Needs:  Coach Foss has scheduled a regular school bus, and will request a driver for the meet.  The bus will depart around 6:00 a.m. with possible warm-ups around 9:00.  The exact warm-up time will be announced shortly.  Coach Foss will send Ms. Krusee the lunch requests as soon as possible.  The swimmers will not return until late due to the Prelim / Final meet set-up.  Coach Foss will also research possible dinner options available.

III.             Westwood Swim meet has be altered to a ‘Double Dual’ meet.  The meet will include Lake Travis High School.  This will be scored as a regular dual meet.

IV.             Regionals:  The location for Regionals has not been finalized.  Possible locations have been discussed (which includes U.T.).

V.                Team Spirit day:  The annual Ropes Coarse was discussed.  There has been difficulties in scheduling a date.  The Ropes Coarse may be changed to a School Lock in with various activities.  More information will follow.

VI.             Swim-A-Thon:  The Swim-A-Thon is scheduled for October 26^th.  We will coordinate a breakfast for the swimmers following their swim.  Ms. Krusee will send out an email to include breakfast items such as muffins. 

VII.          Next Booster Club Meeting:  November 12^th at 6:00 in B113.

Booster club meeting minutes 8-20-12

McNeil Swim and Dive Booster Club Executive Meeting Minutes: August 20th

Present: Coach Foss, Joanne Sims, Debbie Dalke, David Dalke, Marina Glava, Jen Gluff, Beth Gavin

. Budget: The board reviewed the proposed budget for 2012-13 swim season.
Expenses: $7,608
Income: $1,280 (32 families x $40 Booster membership)
Balance: The balance of $6,328 will come from the Swim-A-Thon. The goal for each swimmer will be approximately $200.
Envelopes will be provided for each swimmer for tracking purposes.
Corporate Sponsorship possibilities discussed. Ms. Glava will pursue Schlotzsky's headquarters.

II. Meet Schedule: The board discussed the possibility of Aggieland this year. We are first on the waiting list to enter. If we enter the meet, we will not attend the AISD Invitational meet. UIL allows for 8 meets outside of Championship season.

III. Meet The MAVS: The board agreed upon September 6th, at 6:00. The Senior Class will send out a list of Pot Luck items for each grade level to provide. Coach Foss will bring a Committee sign up sheet. This will include the Breakfast committee. The board suggested breakfast dates to be more often, and beginning earlier in the season. Possibly before each Dual / Tri meet also.

IV. Ropes Course: The board discussed the Ropes Course as a team building event in September. The potential cost of the evening would be $360. Coach Foss will review this event with the swim team.

. Corpus Christi TISCA Hotel Reservations will be made by Ms. Sims.

. Misc. Items: The success of the AquaTex swim meet concession and raffle was discussed. Ms. Gavin will contact Ms. Turner to see who is coordinating the concession stand this year, along with the possibility of a Raffle for the RR Invitational meet.

. Next Meetings: September – Meet the MAVS
October 15th
November 12th
December 17th

McNeil Swimming & Diving 2003