August - About

tion to learning strokes.”Summer morning practices are by age divisions,where each group has time and individualizedattention from the coaches – Jackieand assistant coach, Jay McCormick. The kidsconcentrate on proper swim strokesplus the additional techniques theywill need in a swim meet.“We spend about 70 percent ofthe time on swimming,” Jackie says,“and a good 30 percent on the mechanics,such as turns and starts.”She states that the mechanics of ameet can be the hardest part formany swimmers.A swim meet starts with warmups.“Each team gets thirty minutes,”Jackie says. “It’s kind of crazy, reallyhectic, everyone is in the pool. Thenwe run in heats with five lanes in the pool. Westart with the youngest group and move upfrom there for each event.”Near the end of the meet, the relays occur.“That’s my favorite part because that’s where theteam aspect comes in,” Jackie says. “Everyoneis loud and cheering. If we win, the coachesget thrown in the pool.” Jackie continues othertraditions with the team. “We go over to Sal’safter every meet. I remember doing that whenI was seven, so it’s cool to still do that. Also, westill do the same cheers at the meets that we didwhen I started at six years old.”“Being an athlete, I really like thebody and trying to fix things, notso much with medicine, but withmovement. I love the science ofthe body and how everythingworks together.”~ Jackie HartmanOne of her favorite things about the swimmeets is how everyone gets involved.“At the meet, it’s a lot of the older kids helpingthe younger ones,” Jackie says. “All the parentsare involved too, whether timing, gettingthe kids behind the blocks, or cheering – it’svery loud during a meet.”Jackie says the Manta Rays have a lot ofyoung talent, ready to grow and get faster. “I’dlike to see the team move up a division. We’reDivision II now, and Division I is the biggestand fastest.” Divisions are based on the size ofthe teams and their records. “If we win ourmeets this summer, we’ll probablymove up.”Jackie will continue her educationthis fall at Sacred Heart University inConnecticut. “I’m going to physicaltherapy school,” she says. “Being anathlete, I really like the body and tryingto fix things, not so much withmedicine, but with movement. Ilove the science of the body and howeverything works together. It seemslike a really great field for me. I likepeople: dealing with them and helpingthem.”The people aspect of sports is more than thestatistics of wins and losses: it’s the spirit of thesportsmanship. Jackie sees the team as a family,not defined by a neighborhood or a singlesection of Williamsburg. The team is open toevery child who wants to have fun in the waterand learn basic lessons about teamwork tocarry him or her through life. NDNENJOY OUR MILITARY DISCOUNT NOW THRU AUGUST 31 ST !off in store merchandise for active duty, dependents and retired military.Does not apply to bullion, coins or special orders.20%NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORSAUGUST2011 35