Happy Holidays!

On behalf of the entire team I'd like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Our 2008-2009 season has started with our largest team and one of our most competitive teams since I came to St. Kate's in 2002. We look forward to continuing our success in 2009 and hope to see all of you at our meets.

We will begin the New Year by going on our annual training trip. This year we will be training in Islamorada, Florida and are excited to escape the cold & snow and get in some great training! Be sure to check out our blog in January for updates from our trip.

Fun from 2008!

A BIG Thanks!

Thank you to everyone who attended our Noodles & Co. fundraiser on Monday! We appreciate you coming out and supporting the team by eating lots and lots of pasta!

Also, thanks to those of you who have purchased the Green Mill gift cards our athletes are selling. This has proven to be our most successful fundraiser.

And lastly, we'd like to thank Marissa's mom for providing a great opportunity for our swimmers and divers to work off their training trip cost. Go visit her at the Byerly's Culinary and Gift Basket shop in St. Louis Park and purchase a gift basket handmade by our athletes.

Hour of Power for Cancer Research

The girls pose after the finish of their Hour of Power relay on November 6th. This is the third year our team has taken part.

A couple of weeks ago, our team, amongst 90 other teams around the country and world did an Hour of Power, a relay in honor of former Carleton College swimmer, Ted Mullin who passed away in 2006 from a rare form of sarcoma.

You can read more and donate money to fund this type of research at the University of Chicago on Carleton College's website:
http://apps.carleton.edu/athletics/varsity_sports/mens_swimming_and_diving/hour_of_power_relay/

Augsburg Pentathlon Champ!

We had our first swim meet of the season today and it was a huge success! We placed four of our swimmers in the top ten (out of 64 total swimmers). Bridget (as seen above) came out on top and finished first amongst the women. CONGRATS to everyone for a great meet! Click here for complete meet results.

Who's that swimming in the pool?!

"Shark and Shark Attack Victim" (Christa and Katie).

Yesterday we had our annual Halloween practice, where everyone dresses up in something they can swim a 25 in (at least) and we do challenges and silly cheers. As you can see from the pictures, we had a lot of fun!

"Sisters of St. Joseph Nuns" (Mary and Sarah).


Jen's wake of "grapes."


Our winners! Front row: "Bunch of Grapes" (Jen), "Luigi & Mario" (Kayla & Kelley). Middle row: "Hannah Montana" (Christy), "Loofah Sponge" (Reba), "Shark Attack Victim" (Christa). Back row: "Sisters of St. Joseph Nuns" (Mary & Sarah).


The crew.

Team Building at Friendship Ventures

It was a perfect fall day for our team outing to Friendship Ventures in Eden Prairie today. The air was crisp, leaves were falling, and the sun was shining all day. The day was filled with lots of laughing, activity, stories, and an eagerness to work together and solve the challenges that were presented to us. Here are a few photos from the day . . . more to come later!

Fish out of water? Dance party? Nope, but close.

Jenn and Lindsey, no hands!


Ashley and Anna, cruising up their challenge.

A Great Start!

We've been practicing for a little over a week, and it's been great to see our more seasoned athletes welcome our new swimmers and divers. We have 22 total swimmers and divers, which is the largest team that our Head Coach, Nicole has ever coached.

We're looking forward to our team trip this weekend to do some team building activities "on the ropes." Then we're back to the pool the next weekend (October 25) for our first home meet, a swimming pentathlon.

Go Wildcats!

One Week!

The start of the 2008-09 swimming and diving season is only a week away! We are looking forward to having one of the largest teams we've had in several years.

Our first meet is at home, a Pentathlon hosted by Augsburg College, on October 25th at 11am. Come join us--it should be a fun meet!

Baby Hempler Arrives!

Robert Clayton Hempler arrived on Sunday, September 14th at 11:45am. He was 9lbs 4oz and 21 inches long. Thanks to the team for all their support during the last 9 months.

Pure Blue Team Fundraiser

Pure Blue is a local swim store that we order all of the team suits and gear from. They have started a new fundraising program this year that allows teams to earn back 5% of all purchases made. The process is really simple and is an easy way for us to make a little extra money for our team. Here is how it works:

• When shopping at their Plymouth location make sure you tell them that you are with the College of St. Catherine and they will record your purchase as being made under our team.


• When shopping online (http://www.pureblueswim.com/) click on the Team/Group Pages link on their main page. Then click on College of St. Catherine and finally click the link that allows your purchases to count towards our fundraising program.

Since everyone needs some equipment throughout the year please try and order through Pure Blue so that a portion of what you spend is coming back to our program. If you have any questions about this please see Nicole.

Captains!

Hello Ladies!

It's your captains, Christa and Emily speaking! Now that summer is coming to a surprisingly fast close, it is time to start thinking about the beginning of the season. We have many exciting activities planned to get you back in shape as well as other fun games! There will be more information about the specifics of captains' practices in the coming weeks. I don't know about you, but the performance by Phelps really made us excited to accomplish some goals for the season and it all starts with the training! We look forward to seeing old faces and meeting new ones! Have a safe journey to St. Kate's!

Move-in!

First Year move-in is just around the corner. We are excited to welcome 12 new first year and transfer swimmers and divers this year! Our first team meeting is Wednesday, September 3rd at 4pm where we'll talk about captains' practices, our team outing in October and the start of the season!

Let's Go to the Lake!

The day's host and boat operator, Gina!

Yesterday, several new and current members of the team headed out to Bald Eagle Lake for a team get together at Gina's house. The girls went sailing, tubing, swam in the Endless Pool, had a bonfire and just hung out for the afternoon and evening. Here are a few shots from the boat!

Katie (left) and Christa (right).

A few of the girls who made it out to the lake (in no particular order: Kelley, Christa, Katie, Mary, Marissa, Lindsey and Gina).

Save the Date!

Mark your calendars for this event coming up in the fall!

Who: Members of the CSC Swimming & Diving Team
What: We'll travel to a site and do high and low ropes course challenges
When: Saturday, October 18th
Why: To get to know your teammates better and to have a little fun before our meets begin

2008-09 First Half of Season Practice Schedule

Junior Katie Millerbernd and senior Jen Lippitt.

Our practice schedule for the first half of the season
(October to Christmas Break):

Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 3-5:30pm
Tuesday/Thursday: 6-8am

2008-09 Captains!

Our 2008-09 captains, seniors Emily Schmidt and Christa Buhl.