What makes a team be the best it can be?

This is my team of high school boys at last weekend's Conference meet.  I'm so proud of their hard work, in the water, in school, as teammates.  Athletes, their Families/Friends, and Coaches.  Is any one part of this effort more important than another?  We need everyone to do their best for the team to be its best.   We need health, knowledge, willingness, compassion, generosity, strength, growth mindset, grit, determination, courage, heart.  

We are headed to the State Championships next week, on our quest to win #20 consecutive state championships.  This team exists in the proud tradition of all the teams that existed before.  We dedicate this year to our dear friend Bruce Gresly.

 Thank you for the honor and privilege to serve.

(Photo by Mark Crawford)

UW Sophomore Maria Harutjunjan, Breaststroker

 Mountain West Conference record, 100 breaststroke, 1:00.21, set by Maria Harutjunjan of UW.
Slicing clean, head down extreme streamline kicking into the line.  Hardly any splash.

I love watching swim video of beautiful fast swimmers because it shows me the strength and economy of motion that makes up an efficient swim.  I recommend this to all my athletes.  What do you see?

SPRINT FREESTYLE!! Caeleb Dressel, 18.23 50 Yard Freestyle

 Caeleb Dressel is a Sophomore at Florida, in prelims and finals, setting NCAA records at SEC Championships in the 50 yard Freestyle.
What do you see?
Start, underwater dolphin kicks, stroke count (8 strokes off the start, 14 the second length), straight arm shoulder-driven stroke, unrelenting monster kick?
SPRINTING!

Ryan Hoffer, 17 year old, 100 yard free in 41.23 in December 2015.
Watch his underwater kicking off every wall.