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Congratulations to the 31 Duke Aquatics swimmers who qualified for their high school state championship meet! 

* Regional Champion in a relay, ** Individual Regional Champion, *** Top 3 Finisher at 1/2A States

Good luck to all 3A & 4A swimmers who will be racing at their State Champs on Saturday, February 14^th.
 

DA earns Club Excellence Silver Medal for 5th straight year

Congratulations to the entire DA organization- parents, swimmers, coaches and countless others who have supported Tar Heel Aquatic Team over the years as DA was named as a Silver Medal club by USA Swimming's Club Excellence program for the 2008 season.  The focus of this program is to identify and reward up to 200 USA Swimming clubs that have attained a high level of athlete performance as well as organizational success.  DA has received this award every year since 2004.

Four new NC state records highlight December meets

Duke Aquatics swimmers of all ages and abilities attended a variety of December meets, all with outstanding results.  When the fury of fast swimming was over, 29 team records and 4 North Carolina state records were smashed by DUKE swimmers.

New NC State Records:
Chelsea Howard: 15-16 Girls 100y Fly (:54.51)
Christopher Dong: 13-14 Boys 200y Breast (2:10.11)
Maija Roses: 11-12 Girls 200y Breast (2:24.51) & 100y IM (1:00.00)

Four Duke Aquatics’ swimmers attended Short Course Junior Nationals in Austin, TX and achieved 100% personal bests throughout all 24 of their prelims, finals, and time trial swims.  All four swimmers qualified for finals in at least one event: Chelsea Howard (5^th – 100 Fly, 19^th – 200 Fly), Andrew McKenzie (8^th – 100 Fly), Dania Marinshaw (11^th – 500 Free, 18^th – 200 Free), and Zach Blom (10^th – 200 Breast).  Complete list of Duke Aquatics results.

Read more
 

Well done all Duke Aquatics Swimmers & Coaches!
 

Five Swimmers From Duke Aquatics Qualify for 2008 Olympic Team Trials

Congratulations to Duke Aquatics swimmers Poston Pritchett, Karen Guilkey, Ashley Howard, Ashley Twichell & Matt Crowe for qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Team Trials held in Omaha, NE June 29 - July 5, 2008. Poston & Matt qualified in the 100m & 50m Freestyles, Karen the 200m & 100m Butterflys, Ashley Howard the 200m Backstroke & Ashley Twichell the 400m Freestyle. Poston & Karen also participated in the 2004 Olympic Team Trials. There is no greater national meet for a USA Swimmer to qualify for then the USA Olympic Trials. It is one of the fastest, deepest and most pressure-packed swim meets in the world, including the Olympic Games. DA is very proud of this achievement by these swimmers. 
 

DUKE swimmers sweep relays at Open Water Championships

Duke Aquatics swimmers combined to win both boys & girls relays at the recent Open Water Championships in Seven Lakes.  Relays are calculated by adding times from one swimmer in each age group.  Swimmers who placed in the Top 8 individually include:

Mackenzie Robinson- 5^th (5K)
Andrew Clark- 1^st (5K)
Reilly Butler- 4^th (5K)
Supriya Davis- 8^th (3K)
Maija Roses- 2^nd (2K)
Tommy Bilden- 3^rd (2K)
CeCe Marzinsky- 1^st (800)
Teddy Bilden- 4^th (800)

Great job to all who competed!

Complete Results
 

27 DA Swimmers honored at NCS banquet

North Carolina Swimming will hold its annual awards banquet this Sunday in Charlotte, with many DA swimmers receiving honors for their accomplishments over the past year. 

DA swimmers selected as an All-Star for the previous short or long course season:  (11-12)- Maija Roses, Conor Hoffman, (13-14)- Chelsea Howard, Dania Marinshaw, Chris Dong, (15-16)- Marie Pesacreta, (17-18)- Marie Pesacreta

DA swimmers selected as an All-Star for Open Water: Ashley Howard, Dania Marinshaw, Kenzie Robinson, Meghan Smith, Reilly Butler, Maija Roses, Tommy Bilden

DA swimmers achieving a Top 5 time in NC for the previous short or long course season: (10 & u)- Caroline Liu, CeCe Marzinsky, Emily Sarratt, Morgan Smith, Tommy Bilden, (11-12)- Bailey Castillo, Maija Roses, Carly Speight, Conor Hoffman, (13-14)- Supriya Davis, Chelsea Howard, Dania Marinshaw, Kenzie Robinson, Meghan Smith, Chris Dong, (15-16)- Dania Marinshaw, Marie Pesacreta, Andy Duskey, Andrew McKenzie, (17-18)- Jing Li, Marie Pesacreta, Michael Aitken, Bud McClernan, Tyler Mills, Matt Tang.  

The banquet will also recognize swimmers who finished in the Top 16 rankings in the USA for 2006-2007.  DA swimmers Maija Roses and Dania Marinshaw accomplished individual Top 16 rankings.  The relay teams of the 10 & under girls (Morgan Smith, Sara Siemens, Emily Sarratt, Roses) and 13-14 girls (Kenzie Robinson, Chelsea Howard, Supriya Davis, Marinshaw) also achieved this distinction.

Congratulations Swimmers!
 

THAT Swimmers looking good at NC 14 & under Champs

The new Triangle Aquatic Center recently played host to the North Carolina Age Group Championships on February 21^st-24^th.  The youth of this year’s team gives glimpses of the strong THAT Championship teams to come.  Of the 32 swimmers who participated, only 7 will move into a new age group before Long Course JO’s, and only 3 others will age up before next December.  Regardless of their age, the swimmers collectively turned in a very successful meet.  THAT swimmers began the first night of distance races with eleven lifetime bests in nine swims (a few swimmers had best 500 times in their 1000).  Each successive night saw more great swims and lifetime bests turned in by THAT swimmers.

Read the complete article
 

High School States filled with THAT swimmers

Congratulations to the long list of THAT swimmers who individually qualified for their high school state championship meet:

4A- Laura Seidel, Andy Duskey, Kevin Speight, Marie Pesacreta, Meghan Smith, Michael Aitken, Scott McDonald, Dania Marinshaw, Chelsea Howard, Supriya Davis, Sarah Yu, Andrew McKenzie, Joey Steward, Maureen O'Donnell, Chris Dong, Nick Creidler, Blake Williams

1/2A- Tim Minton, Mackenzie Robinson

Private- Alex Box, Hillary Scott, Josh Rowsey, Jess Rowsey, Bailey Castillo
 

Trick-Or-Treat Meet A Success!

THAT’s annual Trick-Or-Treat Meet was hosted this past weekend at the Triangle Sportsplex in Hillsborough and was a success on all fronts. The coaching staff would like to extend huge thanks to all parent volunteers who timed, worked hospitality, announced, officiated and all the other countless odd and ends that go into hosting a well run meet. The coaching staff was proud of all of the swimmers, especially those new to our team and our sport as they had great attitudes and supported each other in swimming well. This meet was a great way to kick off the season and we expect to see more of the same in our upcoming meets!
 

Strong showing by THAT Age Group swimmers at 14 & under Champs

Twenty-seven age group swimmers recently represented THAT at the NC 14 & under JO Championships in Charlotte.  The swimmers left the meet having achieved lifetime bests in over 80% of their events!  Conor Hoffman, 12, captured 1^st place in the 200, 100 & 50 Breastroke, setting new team records in each.  Other 1^st place finishers included Chelsea Howard (13-14 100 Fly) and Dania Marinshaw (13-14 400 Free).  Maija Roses, 11, turned in a very solid performance, placing in the Top 5 in all 10 of her events, finishing as high as 2^nd in 3 events (200 IM, 200 & 100 Breast) and 3^rd in 3 others (400, 200, & 100 Free).  Also finishing in 2^nd place were Mackenzie Robinson (13-14 400 & 200 IM), Morgan Smith (10 & under 100 Fly), and the 13-14 Girls 800 & 400 Free Relays.  For a complete list of THAT medalists click here, or check out the complete meet results.

Congratulations to Conor, Maija, and Chelsea for being selected to the NC Zone team.  They will join THAT senior swimmers Meghan Smith and Andy Duskey at Southern Zones in Houston, TX on July 31^st – August 4^th.  You can follow them with real-time results.
 

THAT Senior Team excels at NC Senior Champs

This past Thursday through Sunday saw another excellent performance from the Tar Heel Aquatic Team Senior swimmers. Starting Thursday night with the 800 meter Freestyle and the 4 x 200 meter relays, the group had incredible energy on deck which lead to personal bests in all 800 swims and strong team showings in the relays, with the men’s A relay finishing second, under the old meet record time. The energy never let down the whole weekend, which saw many lifetime bests from the entire team and more junior national times from Michael Aitken in the 200 butterfly (2:09.08) and Aidan Akkari in the 200 backstroke (2:11.31). On the ladies side, 15 year-old Meghan Smith won the women’s high point award against a strong and talented field. The weekend ended as it started, with a great team effort towards very successful 400 medley relays. On the women’s side, there were more lifetime bests turned in and on the men’s side the B relay took third overall and the A relay took first overall in a new meet record time (4:02.12). Complete results
 

Outstanding results from THAT swimmers at Sr. Sectionals

THAT swimmers looked incredibly impressive at this weekend’s Speedo Sectional Championships in Auburn.  The meet brought a slew of Junior National cuts and team records amongst an overwhelming majority of personal bests.  Dania Marinshaw, 14, achieved Jr. National time standards in the 200 Free (2:06.02), 100 Free (:58.85), and 50 Free (:27.38), setting 13-14 team records in all three events.  Dania also picked up a Jr. National bonus cut in the 800 Free (9:12.47).  Matt Tang, 18, picked up a new Jr. National time in the 50 Free (:24.75), while lowering his previous 18 & under team record and Jr. National cut in the 100 Back (1:00.39).  Bud McClernan, 18, bested his 18 & under team records with new Jr. National standards in both the 200 & 100 Breast (2:27.87 & 1:07.89).  Marie Pesacreta, 16, made Jr. Nationals in the 200 IM (2:22.41), with a bonus cut in the 400 IM (5:06.86).  Andy Duskey, 15, added 15-16 team records in the 400 Free (4:13.72) as well as the 200 Back (2:11.93), which was also a Senior team record.  Complete Results

The swimmers will join the rest of their teammates in the upcoming North Carolina championships.  Those who attained Junior National time standards will travel to Indianapolis on August 6-10 with teammates Tyler Mills and Michael Aitken to compete in the 18 & under National Championships.
 

College Matriculation for Senior Class

Congratulations to THAT Masters Swimmer Fillipo Porco on being named a United States Masters Swimming Distance All – Star! Fillipo gained this recognition for setting the North Carolina State Masters Record in the 2.5 Open Water Swim at last years NC Open Water Champs. For a complete list of all those recognized visit the link below:

http://www.usms.org/longdist/awards/ldas06.pdf
 

The North Carolina Swimming Masters State Short Course Championships in Raleigh was contested the weekend of April 28^th and 29^th, and the Tar Heel Aquatic Team Masters placed second behind the meet host Raleigh Area Masters (RAM). Notable individual accomplishments included:

State record performances by Karen Futch, Erik Crankshaw, Robin Robinson, and Pamela Lindroos

David McKee swimming the 500 and 1000 freestyles in only his second meet ever, way to go David!

Margie Stetson achieving personal masters bests in all events in which she competed, keep it up Margie!

Jerry O’Donnell knocking 15 seconds off his personal best in the 200 butterfly, a testament to his grueling routine of swimming a 200 fly after every practice!

To see how everyone did, the complete results can be found at http://www.ncmasters.org/res13704.html
 

1^st Annual THAT Devil Spring Splash a Huge Success

When swim meets are held at good facilities with good swimmers and a good support staff, they turn out to be successful and fun. The THAT Devil Spring Splash held Saturday, March 31^st at Taischoff Aquatic Pavilion on the campus of Duke University in Durham, NC was no exception to this rule. Thanks to Duke University for graciously sharing their pool space. Thanks to the organizers, timers, computer operators, sandwich providers, coaches, fans and everyone else who showed up to help make this event a fun and successful one. And finally, a big thanks and congratulations to the swimmers from across the state for their excellent and inspiring efforts. All involved helped contribute to the up beat, healthy and supportive environment found on deck at this and other Masters meets. This atmosphere is unique in swimming and all of sport, and is truly inspirational to the coaches and spectators who are lucky enough to be involved with this event.
The complete results can be found at www.ncmasters.org/13703res.html.
Once again, a sincere thanks to all involved – THAT Masters Coaches
 

THAT places 4^th at 14 & under State Champs

Twenty-nine 14 & under swimmers recently represented Tar Heel Aquatic Team at the North Carolina Age Group Championships.  The team placed 4^th overall, with the girls placing 2^nd.  Complete meet results and team scores can be found here.

Congratulations to all swimmers.  For a list of THAT medalists, click here.
 

THAT selected for Master Coach program by USA Swimming

Tar Heel Aquatic Team was one of 50 swim clubs recently selected for the 2007 Masters Coach program. USA Swimming recognizes these clubs for showing swimming success at the national level and wants to help ensure further success. Swim clubs are selected from the almost 3,000 throughout the United States. Clubs are visited for a half-week by a veteran coach of USA Swimming who themselves have shown excellence within coaching. The Master Coach will shadow the club Head Coach and be available as a resource during the visit, working to plan ways to improve all overall aspects of the swim club. 
 

THAT Swimmers compete at US Open

Five THAT swimmers--Tyler Mills, Eric Caron, Erika Stewart, Claire Caron, and Hannah Caron--competed at the 2006 US Open in West Lafayette, Indiana from Nov. 30th - Dec. 2st.  Athletes from more than a dozen countries spanning 4 continents competed, including 20 American Olympians. Final swims were achieved by Hannah Caron (100m Butterfly – 18^th place) and Erika Stewart (100m Backstroke – 21^st Place). Hannah’s placing in the 100m Butterfly was the highest achieved at the meet by an individual 18&under swimmer from North Carolina. All THAT swimmers were unrested and unshaved. Lifetime best times were achieved by Erika Stewart (200 & 100 Backstroke) and Eric Caron (200m IM). Erika was also first alternate (25^th place) in the 200m Backstroke. Nice racing swimmers.
 

THAT swimmers excel at 2006 Grand Prix meets

Congratulations to all swimmers who participated in the 2006 UltraSwim Meet in Charlotte, NC and the 39^th Santa Clara International Meet in Santa Clara, CA. Overall 14 THAT swimmers qualified for these meets, 12 of which were ages 18 & under. Many good races, best times, finals swims and team records were turned in by the swimmers. These meets served as valuable experience in each swimmers on-going development. Many fun team moments with lots of great in-season racing…well done swimmers.