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*** Breaking News***
MOR SWIMMERS BREAK 4 STATE RECORDS AT 1ST MEET OF SEASON!

 

Marlins Of Raleigh swimmers broke 4 North Carolina State age group records at the Duke Aquatics 12-Under 'Trick or Treat' Meet held Oct. 11-12 at the Triangle Sportsplex in Hillsborough. This was the first meet of the season and 1st since the 2008 Olympic Games...(Read More...)

M e e t   I n f o r m a t i o n
Name Dates Entries Psych Results
12 & U Meet Host Duke @ Triangle Sportsplex 10/11/08-10/12/08 X X X
NCAC Short Course Sr. Tri Meet 10/18/08 X    
Senior Meet Host RSA @ TAC 10/24/08-10/26/08      
MOR TriMeet All 9 and overs @ Pullen 11/14/08-11/16/08      
8 & U Meet Host YOTA @ Ravenscroft 11/15/08-11/16/08      
USA Swimming Short  Course Nationals 12/4/08-12/06/08      
Senior Meet Host NSS @ Charlotte MCAC 12/5/08-12/7/08      
12&U B/C + 12&O A and below Host RMY @ Rocky Mount Y 12/6/08-12/7/08      
Fall States Invitational Host WAVE @ TAC 12&U BB and faster 12/12/08-12/14/08      

**OCTOBER PRACTICES**

Raleigh Schedule
Ravenscroft Schedule

Riverwood Schedule

**SWIM AMERICA**
Winter Registration
Winter Registration - Sat only

STATE RECORDS
NATIONAL RANKINGS



MOR SWIMMERS BREAK 4 STATE RECORDS AT 1ST MEET OF SEASON!

Marlins Of Raleigh swimmers broke 4 North Carolina State age group records at the Duke Aquatics 12-Under 'Trick or Treat' Meet held Oct. 11-12 at the Triangle Sportsplex in Hillsborough. This was the first meet of the season and 1st since the 2008 Olympic Games.

MOR's 10-Under boys 200 Free Relay broke the NC record for by going a 1:51.06, easily clearing the 1999 record of 1:52.41 held by Mecklenburg Aquatic Club. The previous relay record holders included Ricky Berens, now 20, who won a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in the 800 Free Relay. The members of the new record relay included Tyler Silver, Will Countie, Collier Cobb, and Brooks Verona.

Tyler Silver, 10, broke 3 other 10-Under State records during the course of the meet. Silver's leadoff split for the relay of 25.96 broke Ryan Mahoney's (Swim Carolina) 2002 record of 26.17. Silver went a 27.74 in the 50 Fly which broke the previous record of 28.67 held by Kevin Coan (WSY) since 2006. Silver's final record was in the 100 Free where he went 57.58 to edge the 1999 record of Robert Padgett (GSA).

MOR won the meet with 1191 points followed by Duke Aquatics with 897 and Chapel Hill YMCA with 540.

In the more advanced BB and above session, the following MOR swimmers won events: Elena Adcock (1), Cameron Brown (1), Steven Craig (3), Kelsey Lawton (2), Emily Martin (1), Justin Ress (1), and Tyler Silver (10). In addition to the State record in the 10-Under boys 200 Free Relay, MOR won the 10-Under boys 200 Medley Relay, 11-12 Girls 200 Medley Relay and 200 Free Relay, and 10-Under Girls 200 Free Relay. This gave MOR victories in 5 of the 8 relays contested in this session.

In the 12-Under developmental session, the following MOR swimmers won events: Grace Countie (4), Gabrielle Dorsey (2), Jennifer Dufresne (1), Jack Faller (2), Conor Hale (2), Chloe Mikles (1), Carlie Sellers (1), Christopher Silver (5), Justin Staab (1), and Rachel Strickland (1). MOR was victorious in 10 of the 12 relays including the 11-12 girls 200 Medley Relay and 200 Free Relay, 11-12 boys 200 Medley Relay and 200 Free Relay, 8-Under 100 Medley Relay and 100 Free Relay, 8-Under boys 100 Medley Relay and 100 Free Relay, 10-Under boys 200 Medley Relay and 200 Free Relay.

"The swimmers were clearly motivated by the exciting swimming from this summer's Olympic Games, highlighted by Michael Phelps. It was a great way for us to start our season and exposed the great technique work our swimmers have been working on with our coaches during the 1st six weeks of the season", said MOR Head Coach, Paul Silver.


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2008-2009 Brochure
2008 Event Calendar
2008 Fall Swim League Application
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MOR Catalog
MOR Travel Guidelines
MOR Monthly

 



RECORD SETTING SUMMER FOR MOR SWIMMERS!

 
    It was a record setting summer for the Marlins Of Raleigh-Wolfpack Aquatic Club swimmers.   As a team MOR had the following accomplishments:
  • 1 Olympian for Colombia-Erika Stewart
  • Kirsten Smith ranked 65th in the World Rankings in the 400 IM-4:46.79
  • 7 US Olympic Trials Qualifiers with one semifinalist-Kirsten Smith-200 IM 15th
  • 2nd at NC 14-Under Age Group Championships-1 High Point Winner-Tyler Silver 10-U Boys
  • 2nd in Combined Team score and 1st in Women Team score at NC Sr. Championships
  • USA Swimming Toyota Virtual Club Championships-2nd out of 55 teams in NC and 41st out of 2700 teams in the US.
  • 3 swimmers placed at the US Open with Kirsten Smith finishing 4th and 6th in the 200/400 IM, Steve Mellor finished 7th in the 200 Back, Kelsy Smith finished 20th in the 200 Back.
  • Broke 13 North Carolina Swimming State Records
  • 26 National Top 16 Rankings
This has been a most exceptional year for MOR.  Breaking 13 State Records was fabulous and having 1 swimmer and 1 relay ranked 1st in the nation was also a big accomplishment.  It shows what can happen when swimmers work hard, coaches provide caring guidance and motivation, and parents believe in the dreams of their swimmers.  With the tremendous excitement of Michael Phelps and the Olympics, our swimmers truly came through with some record setting performances of their own.  We've never set more than 4 state records in one year so to have 13 this year is superb!"  said MOR head coach Paul Silver. 

For more information, go to:

State Records:

Kirsten Smith    18    Cary
    15-18 Girls 400 IM    4:49.51 Olympic Trials
    Sr. Girls 400 IM        4:49.51 Olympic Trials
    15-15 Girls 200 Back2:16.07 Olympic Trials
    15-18 Girls 400 IM    4:46.79    US Open
    Sr. Girls 400 IM        4:46.79    US Open
Tyler Silver     10    Cary
    10-U Boys 100 Fly    1:11.75    Capital City Meet  
(previous 1979    1:11.78 Melvin Stewart-1992 Olympic Gold medalist)
    10-U Boys 100 Fly    1:11.53    14-U JO's
    10-U Boys 50 Free       29.44    14-U JO's
    10-U Boys 100 Free  1:04.93    14-U JO's
    10-U Boys 50 Fly    31.56        Capital City Meet
    MOR 10-U Boys Relays
    10-U Boys 200 Free Relay    2:07.32   
                 (Silver, Justin Ress, Will Countie, Collier Cobb)
    10-U Boys 200 Medley Relay 2:23.02  
                 (Silver, Ress, Countie, Cobb)
15-18 Girls 200 Medley Relay   2:02.35   
       (Kirsten  Smith, Kirsten Esplin, Avery Pittman, Erika Stewart)
 
National Rankings:  
  2007-2008 Yards
Tyler Silver    10    Cary
      50 Fly     2nd      28.89
    100 Fly     7th    1:05.03
    100 Free   8th       58.30
    200 IM      9th     2:23.76
      50 Free   9th        26.83
 
Kirsten Smith    18    Cary
    400 IM        10th     4:13.72
    200 Back    12th     1:58.71
    200 Breast  12th     2:14.99
    200 IM          9th     2:00.30
10-U boys 200 Free Relay        11th    1:54.92   
    (Walker Morrell, Silver, Ress, Countie)
10-U boys 200 Medley Relay    15th    2:10.12
    (Walker Morrell, Silver,  Ress, Countie)
 
2008    Meters
Tyler Silver    10 Cary
      50 Fly      1st       31.56
    100 Free    2nd    1:04.93
    100 Fly      2nd    1:11.53
    200 Free    3rd     2:20.90
    200 IM       4th     2:39.03
      50 Free    5th        29.44
    400 Free    8th     5:00.10
    100 Back  10th    1:15.56
      50 Back  11th       35.25
 
Will Countie    10    Raleigh
    100 Back   13th    1:16.43
 
Kirsten Smith    18    Cary
    200 IM         6th    2:15.68
    400 IM         7th    4:46.79
 
10-Under    200 Free  Relay    1st    2:07.32  
  (Silver, Countie, Ress, Cobb)
10-Under    200 Medley Relay  2nd    2:23.02   
   (Silver, Countie, Ress, Cobb)

15-18 Girls 200 Medley Relay   15th    2:02.35   
    (Kirsten  Smith, Kirsten Esplin, Avery Pittman, Erika Stewart)
 


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 MOR'S KIRSTEN SMITHONLY NC SWIMMER TO SCORE IN
 NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIPS

 
Cary, NC:  Kirsten Smith of the Marlins Of Raleigh (MOR) was the only swimmer from North Carolina to score in the Swimming World Magazine National High School Championships.  Swimming World released the results in its Sept. issue and has published the rankings every year for the past 40 years. 
    Smith, a 2008 graduate of Athens Drive High School and Cary resident, finished 8th in the 200 IM with a time of 2:00.58.  The time was swum at the NCHSAA 4A State Swim Meet held  in February.  Points are awarded for 1st through 16th place.  No other swimmer from NC placed in the top 16 in any individual or relay event.  Smith was also named an all-American in the 500 free where she finished 51st in the country with a time of 4:55.87 swum at the NCHSAA 4A State Meet also.
    Smith is now a freshman at the University of Florida and is the North Carolina Swimming record holder in multiple events.  Smith advanced to the semifinals of the 200 IM at the 2008 US Olympic Trials.  Additionally, she went undefeated at High School State Championship meets all 4 years in the 200 IM and 500 Free while at Athens.   
    "The time really shows how talented Kirsten is as she competed at the State Meet unrested and unshaved as we prepared her for the US  Olympic Trials.  It's nice to see her hard work pay off with this special recognition."  said MOR head coach Paul Silver.
    Other Raleigh Swimmers who were named by All-Americans by swimming under the AA qualifying time by Swimming World Magazine include MOR's Gabi Shishkoff in the 500 Free (4:59.95).  Gabi is currently a Jr. at Enloe HS. 
    Also the following swimmers with Triangle connections:
Women
Sabrina Benson     Broughton HS   100 Back (57.27)
Torrey Bussey       Cary HS           100 Breast (1:04.59)
                                                    200 IM    (2:04.44)
Marie Pesacreta     Chapel Hill HS  100 Breast    (1:05.18)
Hannah Facchine    Enloe HS         100 Breast    (1:05.24)
Zoe Gan                 East Chapel Hill HS    100 Fly  (57.03)
Carly Smith            Chapel Hill HS   100 Back    (55.61)
Chapel Hill HS        Girls 200 Medley Relay    (1:48.02)
Chapel Hill HS        Girls 400 Free Relay        (3:31.40)
Leesville Rd HS      Girls 400 Free Relay        (3:34.17)
 
 
Men
Chris Gunnels       Chapel Hill HS    100 Free      (46.24)
                                                     100 Back    (50.87)
Andy Lamb           Athens Drive HS  100 Back    (51.53)

Jordan Denmark    Leesville HS       100 Back     (52.27)


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MOR SWIMMERS ATTEND US OLYMPIC TRAINING CENTER ALTITUDE
 TRAINING CAMP!

 
Colorado Springs, Colorado: While many Wake County youths took last week off, 5 Marlins Of Raleigh swimmers attended an altitude training camp at the US Olympic Training Center (OTC) in Colorado Springs, Co. Mar. 31-April 6, courtesy of USA Swimming.  USA Swimming paid for all room, training fees, and food for the swimmers and Coach Paul Silver since the swimmers had all achieved the specified funding qualifying times.  The only cost was the plane fare.  The swimmers who attended were Taylor Harris (Broughton), Kirsten Smith (Athens), Erika Stewart (Jordan High), Elizabeth Oliver (East Wake), and Victoria Mitchell (Cary HS). 
    The goals of the camp were to train Long Course at 5500 feet of altitude, get educational seminars from USA Swimming's Sports Science team, underwater video analysis, blood lactate analysis and of course fun.  USA Swimming has a limited # of camps available for teams that qualify throughout the year and usually about 20 teams take are approved to have camps each year.  MOR, a Silver Medal Club, took advantage of the school break to attend while space was available at the OTC.  While at the OTC, MOR swimmers trained alongside the US National Open water team, as well as Texas world record holders Brendan Hansen and Aaron Piersol.
    USA Swimming provided the following services to MOR: 
  • Conducted underwater video analysis of the swimmers and gave one on one feed back on ways for the swimmers to improve their stroke efficiency.
  • Dan McCarthy gave a presentation on nutrition and ways to improve training through different nutritional choices. 
  • Genadijus Sokolovas conducted 3 blood tests to test for lactic acid buildup and removal after maximum swimming efforts.  He then talked about how to use the information gathered to determine how much warm-down is needed for each athlete.
  • Stacy Michael gave a presentation on supplements, banned substances and steroid testing.
  • USA Swimming National Team Head Coach, Mark Schubert spoke to the swimmers about always finding more to give in training and competition and asked the swimmers what their goals are for swimming.
  • US National Team member Fran Crippen spoke to the swimmers about the importance of perseverance and the bond formed from training and competing with your friends.
    There were 11 swimming workouts, 2 weight workouts and 3 dry land workouts that the swimmers participated in completing over 70,000 meters during the week.  The first practice had the swimmers gasping for breath but they gradually adapted to the altitude and the workouts slowly increased in intensity as the week went on.
    It wasn't just all swimming though for the MOR athletes.  There was a trip to the movies as well as a day trip 13,000 feet up Pikes Peak into the snow and well above the tree line and the clouds.  A tour of the Cave of the Winds followed and a hike through the majestic Garden of the Gods.  The day culminated in pizza in downtown Colorado Springs.
    "I feel we accomplished many goals on this trip including increasing our athlete's awareness of the importance of technique and nutrition.  I got to know each of them in a small group environment and this will aid us as we strive together to achieve higher goals for all."  said MOR head coach Paul Silver.
    "It was a good challenge learning how to adapt to the training at high altitude."  said MOR senior, Erika Stewart.
    "It made me understand and respect the sport of swimming to a much higher level." said MOR junior Taylor Harris.
    "I learned how can improve my recovery between workouts by eating a healthier diet." said MOR junior Elizabeth Oliver.
    "There is a lot more to swimming than just training including the mental and nutritional side.  It was valuable to hear input about my swimming from National Team Head Coach Mark Schubert and technique corrections from staff member George Heidinger." said MOR US National Jr. Team member Kirsten Smith.

    "I loved getting my ear pricked to draw blood for the lactate testing.  The test results showed how quickly I recovered from training and that I'm in good shape."  said MOR freshman Victoria Mitchell.

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MOR  finished  2nd at  NC 14-Under Age Group State Championships

Charlotte, NC:
  The Marlins Of Raleigh Swim Team finished a strong 2nd place at the NC 14-Under Age Group State Championships held July 17-20 at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center.  Over 40 teams and the top 650 athletes in NC competed for state championships as well as for spots on the NC Zone All-Star Team that will compete in Atlanta July 29-Aug. 3 at the Southern Zone All-Star Meet.

    Team Scores were as follows:
1-Mac    2941
2-MOR   2001
3-Yota    1605.5
4-Ncac   1416.5
5-Rsa     1091
6-Wave    929
7-Star      721
8-Duke     516
    Last year Mac won with a similar score of 2997.  However, MOR finished 2nd a year ago with only 1455 so MOR tallied 546 more points this year as a team and with only 45% of the # o f swimmers entered in the meet that Mac had.
    3 Swimmers won events for MOR were Caroline Mitchell (200/400 IM), Emily Nordstrom (100 Breast), and Tyler Silver (50 Free*, 100 Free*, 200 Free, 400 Free, 50 Back, 100 Back, 50 Fly, 100 Fly*, 200 IM) *=state record
   14 Swimmers placed in the top 8:Cameron Brown, Collier Cobb, Will Countie, Matt Duggins, Matt Hurley, Scott Johnson, Casey Lawton, Kelsey Lawton, Emily Martin, Ben Miller, Ryley Miller, Justin Ress, Jacalyn Schoening, and Lillie Smith.
    9 Swimmers scored in the Top 16: Carlie Brown, Sarah Comstock, Steven Craig, Emily Duff, Meagan Johnson, Adam Linker, Dominque Quintero, Jacqi Rocque, and Brennan Textor.
   
    MOR's 10-Under boys smashed 2 state relay records.  The relay of Will Countie, Justin Ress, Tyler Silver, and Collier Cobb swam a 2:23.02 in the 200 Medley Relay and 2:07.32 in the 200 Free Relay easily passing the previous state records of GSA (1998) 2:25.52 and Wave (1998) 2:09.64. MOR also won 11-12 Girls 400 Medley Relay (Kelsey Lawton, Emily Martin, Cameron Brown, and Carlie Brown) Additionally, Silver tied the State record in the 100 Free 1:04.93 (previous 1:04.93 from 1988) and broke state records in the 50 Free (previous 29.46 1988) and 100 Fly (previous 1:11.75 2008). 

        "It was a great weekend that saw over 1/2 our swimmers contribute individual points and saw an astounding 47 out of our 50 swimmers contribute points either individually or on relays.  The swimmers worked hard on improving their technique using underwater video and hard on their race skills with our Age Group Coaches.  Our quality came through as well as we won 12 individual events and 3 relays.  It was so much fun to see the swimmers efforts rewarded.  This is our 2nd straight runner up finish as a team."  said MOR head age group coach Billy Thorne.


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MOR-Wolfpack Aquatics to Send Largest Contingent Ever From Raleigh to Olympic Trials

    The Marlins Of Raleigh-Wolfpack Aquatics will be sending the largest continent ever from the Raleigh area to the 2008 US Olympic Trials June 29-July 6.  7 MOR swimmers have qualified for Olympic Trials in 15 events. 

    There will be 1200 swimmers fighting for 52 spots on the US Team and it is an honor to compete at this level meet.  About 100 swimmers will compete in the preliminaries of each event with the top 16 in 50/100/200 events qualifying for the evening Semi-Finals that evening.  Then the top 8 from Semi final action advance to the following night's finals with the top 2 from the finals making the Olympic Team.  Events 400 and longer have just prelims and Fianls.  6 swimmers will qualify if the 100/200 Free in order to fill out relays. 

The 7 MOR-Wolfpack Swimmers are:

Kirsten Smith                200/400 IM, 100/200 Back
Kelsy Smith                  100/200 Back
Kassia Shishkoff            200/400 IM, 200/800 Free
Erika Stewart                100 Back
Jason Miller                  100 Fly
Mason Mcgee               200/400 Free
Kevin Woodhull-Smith    200 IM

    You can follow the action at www.usaswimming.org or watch on TV at 8pm on NBC on June 29, July 4-6 and on USA Network on July 1-3.  Good luck to our MOR swimmers.  We're all very proud of you and your preparation!
 


MOR WINS NC SR. CHAMPS WITH SUNDAY COMEBACK

Our Sr. swimmers won MOR’s 1st State Championship winning the NC Sr. Champs Feb. 14-17 in Huntersville.   The Valentines weekend was made sweeter with MOR’s furious Sunday comeback battling strong competition as well as the elements.  Going into Sunday’s finals session, MOR trailed perennial champion Mac by 60 points and Rsa by 6 ½ points.  But after placing 7 swimmers in scoring position inthe 1650 and 200 IM along with 5 scoring relays, MOR had made up the difference + 29 ½ points to take the win.  Additionally, MOR won the women’s team competition by 264 points and finished 6th in the men’s team competition.  It was a combination of depth and quality that won the day for MOR as the Marlins won all 3 girls relays, 5 girls individual events and 2 boys individual events.  Our depth was displayed with MOR placing 7 or more swimmers in the 200 Breast 200/400 IM and 1000/1650 Free along with winning the women’s 50 Free.  Additionally, 23 of MOR’s 26 swimmers at the meet scored points.  MOR placed 4 swimmers in the top 8 of the individual team scores.  A big thank you to Mr. Adams and Mr. McMichael and all the MOR parents cheering in the stands!  This victory shows what a geat team effort it was and what can happen with preparation and determination.  Congratulations to all!

Combined Scores                 Women Scores            Men Score
1-MOR  948.5                      1-MOR  731.5             1-Mac     588
2-Mac     919.5                       2-Rsa      467                 2-Rsa      336
3-Rsa      803                          3-Wsy    342                 3-Ncac    331
4-Ncac    542                          4-Mac     331.5              4-una       307
5-Wave  465                          5-Yota    227                 5-Wave    256
6-Yota    441                          6-Ncac    211                 6-MOR    217


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TEN MOR SWIMMERS RECEIVE ACADEMIC AWARDS FROM USA SWIMMING

 
Raleigh, NC:  
Ten Marlins Of Raleigh (MOR) swimmers were selected for the 2007 USA Swimming Scholastic All-American Team according to USA Swimming.  In order to qualify for this award, swimmers must have completed 10th grade, maintain a 3.5 GPA and compete at the USA Swimming Sr. Sectionals or Nationals.  This shows the true nature of the student athlete is alive and well at the Marlins OF Raleigh Swim Team.

    North Carolina lead the nation in placing swimmers on this Scholastic All-America team and MOR's 10 swimmers was the 2nd most in NC, continuing MOR's outstanding run this year as MOR finished 2nd at the NC Sr. Champs and 2nd at the NC 14-Under age group championships. Mecklenburg Aquatic Club lead NC with 31 members selected to the scholastic AA team. MOR placed 2 swimmers on the USA Scholastic All-America team while locally Yota placed 2 on the team, New  Wave placed 2 and Rsa placed 2. 

    MOR swimmers who were selected included Caitlin Zanga, Brett Scott, Taylor Harris, Kirsten Esplin, Cameron Figuers, Elizabeth Oliver, Avery Pittman, Elizabeth Brunk, Brooke Bowden and Hannah Lee. 

    "This is a great honor for these student athletes and is a reward for their hard work and self-discipline.  MOR swimmers are encouraged to excel in all areas of their lives and this is a testament to these swimmer's commitment to excellence in academics and athletics."  said MOR coach Paul Silver.

"MOR swimmers achieve 4 Olympic Trials Qualifying times, 7 Sr. National Times at World Championship Trials"

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The 2006 US World Championship Trials were a big success for MOR swimmers. Three different swimmers achieved 4 Olympic Trials Qualifying times. In addition 7 swims achieved the Sr. National qualifying time. MOR's Kelsy Smith lead the way with a 10th place finish in the 200 Back. She then lead off the 400 Medley Relay in an Olympic Trials Qualifying time and the other 3 girls finished in good measure to finish 12th. These swims lead MOR to the top spot among NC teams in the women, finishing in 42nd place out of 3000 teams.

Olympic Trials Qualifying Times:
Kirsten Smith 200 IM
Kassia Shishkoff 200 IM
Kelsy Smith 100/200 Back
Sr. National Qualifying times:
Kassia Shishkoff 200 Fr, 400 Fr
Kirsten Smith 200 Fr, 400 IM
400 Medley Relay, 800 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay
Suzanne Figuers swam on the 400 Free Relay
Alex Hammerberg swam on the 800 Free Relay and 400 Medley Relay

 





 

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