The Black Swamp Gators will be expanding next year! We will continue to have our Northwest Ohio team, and we will be adding a Southeast Michigan team based in Ann Arbor. The Metzgers remain at the helm, but we will have some exciting additions to our head coaching staff!
Emily and Jeremy are no strangers to coaching either. They have several successful cross country seasons under their belt at Ottawa Hill, but more importantly both have a healthy perspective on competition. The mission of fitness, fun and friendships will be in good hands with Nixon’s as Head Coaches of the Black Swamp Gators next year.
Do the new head coaches and an elite coach mentor change the culture and direction of our team? Not at all! These coaches, Jeremy, Emily and Kim share our mission! We are first and foremost about fitness, fun, and making friends! As founder and head coach of Black Swamp Gators I firmly believe that racing techniques and training methods practiced at the elite youth and junior levels are not incompatible with our mission. Improving and getting faster and reaching your own personal potential is immensely satisfying and fun! Furthermore, the skills and techniques practiced by elite athletes -- regardless of your athlete's goals -- are more easily learned as a youth and junior triathlete. Emily and Jeremy were asked to lead the Black Swamp Gators Northwest Ohio team because they share these values and have the requisite qualities and experiences. Networking with other experienced USAT coaches that also appreciate the whole child athlete, - the psychologically, socially, and emotionally developing young person – are the kind of coaches we want supporting our team.
What about Coaches Michael and Maureen? The founders and Head Coaches of the Black Swamp Gators are even more committed to fulfilling the mission of the Black Swamp Gators of Northwest Ohio. We are expanding the team mission by starting a Black Swamp Gators team in Southeast Michigan, based out of Ann Arbor! The two teams will have the same training schedule and workout content and even have plans to have joint workouts! Some will take place in Northwest Ohio and some in Ann Arbor. The excitement these workouts will create will elevate our levels of fitness, fun, and expand our friendships. The future is very bright for youth and junior triathlon in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, the region historically known as The Great Black Swamp! Yours in fitness, fun and friendship, Michael and Maureen Metzger, Head Coaches The Black Swamp Gators Youth and Junior Triathlon Team
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Hi Gators!
I hope your Gator’s school year is finishing strong! Speaking of finishing strong, are you managing to join them for their twice weekly runs in preparation for our summer triathlon season? First official workout is the first Saturday in June! Your Head Coach has finished a satisfying semester of teaching at the University of Michigan and is increasingly turning his attention to getting ready for our summer season. Top on the list of ensuring a safe and successful triathlon season is maintaining my certification as a registered USAT Triathlon coach. This includes renewing my Lifeguard certification to keep the Gators safe on the water, renewing my CPR and Oxygen administration certification, and renewing my First AID and AED certification. The training that accompanies these certifications is supported by your team registration fees ($30 per athlete) and training fees ($100 for youth athletes ages 7-10 years, and $120 for junior athletes ages 11-15 years). Your training fees also support our growing coaching staff. We have the same awesome Assistant Coaches returning this year (thank you Ben, Tiffany and Abel!) and some new Assistant Coaches joining the team (check out our website to read their profiles). These coaches are experienced athletes, love working with children, and have a track record of dedication of working with young people. They also have their own Gators on the team! If you have not registered for the team yet this year or paid training fees, please bring your checks made out to Human Performance Dynamics LLC to our next practice at Cyclewerks (see following). Please also complete the attached USAT liability waiver (also on our website) as well and include it with your payment. We look hope to see you at our next unofficial social workout, Wednesday May 30th, at Cyclewerks Brick & BBQ. More information to follow! Please phone me or Maureen if you have questions, 419-508-8082. We are here for you and your triathlon goals! Yours in Fitness, Fun, and Friendship! Coaches Michael & Maureen .Hello New and Returning Gator Families!
We have some new families joining the team and new coaches joining our staff. I’m excited about the enthusiasm I’m feeling around the 2018 season! Please see the Black Swamp Gators website as it has been updated to reflect the 2018 season. In case you didn't see it on the training page, a PDF of the current summer training schedule is available here. Our next event will be on Wednesday, April 25th 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm with our sponsor Cyclewerks for a Brick and BBQ! The brick workout is a combination of cycling and running at age appropriate distances and pace for our Gators. This workout is an opportunity for the Gators to practice cycling etiquette and rules of the road for a safe training season. While we never cycle on roads that see car traffic, cycling safety and being focused while on group rides are learned skills that must be practiced for safe training this summer. The event will take place a Cyclewerk’s new Sylvania store, 510 New West Road off of King Road. Following the workout we will have a community BBQ! We hope to see you this Wednesday! Coaches Michael and Maureen PS Be sure to bring your bike, helmet, running shoes with speed laces! June Training Sessions Begin!
Our June session begins this Thursday, June 1st at Sylvan Prairie Park on Brint Road in Sylvania! Youth (7-10 years) 4 - 5:30 PM Junior (11-15 years) 5:30 - 7 PM For planning purposes, please indicate whether your child will be able to attend this Thursday, June 1st's session at the link below. This allows us to provide necessary coaching support: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/8050D4CABAA23A57-thursday Monthly and Daily Options We know summer is family time and as it should be. For Maureen, Katie and myself Triathlon is wonderful family time. In the midst of your busy summer travels, we want to see you when we can! So, for club members with busy summer travel we offer $10.00 per workout on a daily basis, so you can come as your schedule permits. There is obviously a big savings to pay the $65 for the monthly session ($35 for second child), but flexible options allow your children to participate and feel like they are not missing out. The purpose is to keep you a part of the team and give you a chance to develop and hone skills key to success in our sport! Video bike/run brick circuits (Thursday, June 1st) Workout Purpose: This workout will put into motion the process of continually perfecting our running form. We want to establish good running form at the beginning of the season, so it becomes second nature for us. There are about 2500 – 3000 strides per mile. If our stride has flaws or we have less than perfect running form, we are spending more energy than necessarily and running slower. Improving your form can mean better conservation of energy throughout the run, optimizing your stride for improved average and top end speed! When it comes to the finish a good reliable sprint can possibly gain one, two or more places in your age group as you pass competitors in the final meters. Improve average and top end speed and spend less energy? Sounds like something worth working on! Watch Javier Gomez and Johnny Brownlee in this EPIC ITU sprint finish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm04y-F5UXM Want to finish like Javier Gomez? Come to practice Thursday evening and learn how! Best regards, Coach Michael Black Swamp Gators Youth and Junior Triathlon Team Informational Meeting, May 24th, Francis YMCA4/26/2017 Dear Parents,
This second April Newsletter is to inform you of our next team meeting, our summer event schedule, summer training blocks, and ordering information for the team triathlon kit. Next Informational Meeting Our next meeting will be at the Francis YMCA, May 24th 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. This meeting will be to review our summer event schedule, training schedule with the parents and review important triathlon themes relevant to parents of young triathletes, as well as have some organized group fun planned for your triathlete. The themes we will discuss will include one or two of the following: 1) triathlon gear for the swim, bike, and run, 2) sports psychology and the young athlete, 3) physical training and the young triathlete. While the parents are meeting supervised youth activities will include dodge ball, games, and hopefully recreational swimming. This is an outreach activity, so please invite interested friends. Summer Event Schedule The following events are on the calendar for the Black Swamp Gators with possibly more to be added. Please note them on your calendar: Saturday, June 17th – Maumee Bay State Park Triathlon (Maumee, Ohio) Sunday, June 18th – Sylvania Cycling Classic Criterium (Sylvania, Ohio) Wednesday, June 28th – Quarry Ridge Triathlon (Sylvania, Ohio) Sunday, July 16th – Clark Lake Triathlon (Clark Lake, Michigan) Saturday & Sunday, August 5th & 6th – USA Triathlon Youth & Junior National Championships (Dayton, Ohio) Summer Training Blocks The team’s monthly training blocks will be June, July and August with training sessions meeing Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening. The workout times will be as follows: Youth Training Sessions (7-11 years): 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm Junior Training Sessions (12-15 years): 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm We will do most of our training at Prairie Park in Sylvania, 8601 Brint Road in Sylvania. Saturdays mornings will be Open Water Swims followed by Bike/Run Bricks occurring twice a month if an event is not scheduled. Note, our first Open Water Swim will be at Maumee Bay State Park on June 10th. Our second Open Water Swim will be at Quarry Ridge on June 24th. We may arrange for child supervision if you have two children participating in two different training session times. Just email Coach Michael at [email protected]. Triathlon Kit Ordering Information See the Training link menu on The Black Swamp Gators website for triathlon kit ordering information. If you order your kit now you will have it for a team photo on the 24th! We hope you can join us Wednesday, May 24th, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Francis YMCA. We will have the team technical shirts and sponsor visors ready, as well as some official Black Swamp Gators car decals, and even gator tattoos (don’t worry, they’re temporary)! Best regards, Coaches Michael and Maureen Dear Parents, It was great to meet you and your triathletes this past Wednesday at Cyclewerks! Thanks for joining us for the pre-season workout. This letter will provide some details on Summer Training Blocks, Summer Triathlon Camp, and new Assistant Coaches added to the team. Summer Training Blocks Based on the parent survey we will be having two different training sessions three days a week, one for youth triathletes (7-11), and the other for junior triathletes (12-15). These sessions will meet Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays. Additionally twice a month we will have either an open water swim followed by a bike/run brick, or triathlon race, if scheduled. See monthly training program block example below, Youth Training Sessions (ages 7-11 yrs): Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 4:00 – 5:30 pm Junior Training Sessions (ages 12-15 yrs): Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 5:30 – 7:00 pm Saturdays Training Sessions will combine age groups and occur twice a month.. These sessions will include an Open Water Swim followed by a Bike/Run Brick. These Saturday sessions will meet early in the morning, time, dates and locations to be announced. We are hoping to do these Saturday sessions at Maumee Bay State Park. Summer Triathlon Camp at Francis YMCA The schedule for the annual summer triathlon camp by our sponsor Francis YMCA will be the following: Youth Triathlon Clinic l: Ages 7-11 years, July 10th-14th, 8:00 am – 11:00 am Junior Triathlon Clinic ll: Ages 12-15 years, July 17th-21st, 8:00 am-11:00 am Youth Triathlon Clinic lll: Ages 7-11 years, July 24th-28th, 8:00 am-11:00 am Registration information will be forthcoming. Assistant Coaches We are excited about the interest in the Black Swamp Gators Triathlon Team and have determined the level of interest will require additional coaches to make sure training is well organized and executed to ensure the safest training environment possible and therefore the most fun for your triathlete. We have two wonderful and experienced coaches that will be assisting us this summer. Melody Carmichael Melody is a Masters swimmer and an accomplished triathlete having competed in US Age Group National Championships at the Olympic distance. She is also a competitive cyclist and an accomplished equestrian instructor and gives lessons to children, youth and adults. When Melody is not training or riding she teaches biology at Monroe Community College. She is the mother of three grown children. (Melody is on the left in the photo.) Tiffany Quisno Many of you already know Tiffany, but for those that do not, Tiffany is USA Swim Coach and brings years of experience working with youth swimmers from early years through high school. She is the mother of Ben and AJ, members of the Black Swamp Gators. Tiffany knows youth and swimming and makes sure your triathletes are technically proficient in the water as well as having fun. (Tiffany is on the right in the photo.) Well that is the latest news at this time. More information will be forthcoming within the next week regarding how to order team triathlon kits!
Best regards, Coaches Michael and Maureen Hello Parents!
Please note on your calendars our second Team Workout and Informational Meeting! When: Wednesday, April 12th, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Where: Cyclewerks Triathlon Studio, 6760 Providence St, Whitehouse, OH 43571. What: We will divide the triathletes into two groups for training: Group 1 (7-11 yrs): Bike/Run Brick, followed by Swim Mechanics Group 2 (12-15 yrs): Swim Mechanics, followed by Bike/Run Brick What to bring: Your swim suit, towel, and swim parka if you have one, bike, helmet and trainer if conditions do not allow us to bike outdoors. Bring a reflective vest or jacket if you have one to make you visible on the bike and run paths. We will conclude with an informational meeting and customary recovery ice cream! Triathlon Team Registration: This will be an opportunity to register for the Black Swamp Gators Youth and Junior Triathlon team. Team registration is $35. Our monthly training blocks begin in June and our Summer Triathlon Camp dates at Francis YMCA are: Youth Triathlon Clinic l Ages 7-11 years, July 10th – 14th Junior Triathlon Clinic ll Ages 12-15, July 17th-21st Youth Triathlon Clinic lll Ages 7-11 years, July 24th – 28th Team Shirts: Black Swamp Gators Team Cyclewerks technical shirts and visors will be available for order ($25 and $11 respectively). Please register for this event using the link below: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050d4cabaa23a57-black This is an outreach event so invite interested families! If you have questions phone Coach Michael and Maureen at 419-508-8082 or email: [email protected]. Best regards, Michael and Maureen Hello Parents!
Just sending out a brief memo to layout my thoughts about the vision for the team and what you can expect in the future. First, it was a real joy to get to know your children and share triathlon with them. Maureen and I are making a long term commitment to coaching in the Northwest Ohio area. We have cultivated engaged and generous sponsors and are now pursuing credentials from the governing bodies of the sport to enhance our own knowledge and experience to benefit the team. USAT Coaching Certification Thank you for your letters of recommendation. I have been accepted to the USAT program for coach certification, which will be held in Kentucky in October. If all goes well and I pass the exams and meet other criteria (some criteria already met, e.g. CPR certification, Lifeguard certification, First Aid certification, etc.) my certification will allow us to pursue registering the team with USAT and seek ranking at US Nationals. This will provide many benefits to our triathletes in the form of continued education for your coach, travel to USAT sponsored events as a team, etc. Maureen is pursuing these same credentials. The Science of Training Young Athletes Maureen and I have enrolled in a course on The Science of Training Young Athletes offered by the University of Florida. This course will no doubt benefit the training of your triathlete and love for the sport. The course will result in certificate and additional credentials that will benefit the team. Future Training Talking with other team coaches at US Youth and Junior Nationals, most programs have a team membership fee and various training blocks throughout the season for which you can register your triathlete. The proposed fees and benefits of this fee structure are summarized below: Team membership ($35) This provides access to emails and information on team activities, such as group rides, group runs, team participation in local biking events, road races, open water swims, and social activities such as pool parties, Olympics parties, etc. These are not structured training activities, but activities open to members with no team fees associated with them. Training Blocks ($85 per training block) Training block dates (proposed) would be as follows, each block including 2-4 weekly two hour long group workouts: Training Block 1 (June), Training Block 2 (July), Training Block 3 (August) Training blocks are structured training programs designed around the objectives of: 1) early season base building, 2) strength building, and 3) peak performance for National Championships and end of season races. Team Triathlon Suits ($96) See the attached example of the proposed team suit with sponsor logo. Francis YMCA Training Camp The Francis Family YMCA Camp will be expanded next year, most probably with two youth camps of one week each, and one junior camp of one week. These should not interfere with Training Blocks, but enhance training and fun factor. Thanks for your help with the formation of the team and supporting your triathlete! After having shared with you the above efforts on Maureen and my part and our plans for the future, I want to remind you and ourselves, that our objectives are first and foremost lifelong fitness, friendships, and fun! We want this to be an inclusive team, that makes triathlon accessible to everyone, and a place where each young triathlete can pursue their own unique goals in a supportive and inclusive environment. Best regards, Coaches Mike and Maureen |
AuthorMichael Metzger is a multi-sport enthusiast, USAT certified triathlon coach, US Masters certified swim coach, certified lifeguard, and certified USA Swimming Official. Archives
June 2018
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