Ross is the Boss! 400 Free Record Goes Down

Another LCM record goes down this morning.  Eric Ross nipped Bryan Pelka's 400 free record.  According to Dad (and Purdue head coach) Dan Ross - he swam a great tactical race - out in 2:08.78.

Will it last?  Adam Glover will make a run this weekend in Missouri where Doug Schranck says I'd better "get ready to see some lightning fast swimming."  I'll be at Mizzou (taking the train tomorrow). 

Meanwhile, up in Minnesota, Mike Moravek ust crushed his lifetime bests in the 200 breast and 100 free. 

Pelka Earns NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship!

For the first time since 1978 a Carthage swimmer has earned a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. Bryan Pelka was one of just 58 winners of the $7,500 award.

CCIW - Day II (Continued)

OK - got a power cord.

200 Freestyle - Last year Rip went in as the top seed only to get third. No doubt this year though - Rip led coast to coast along with teammate Kyle Winiecki. For Rip it broke the school record set hours earlier by Stephen. For Kyle it was a new lifetime best - leapfrogging him from the 1:46 range to 1:43 - no need for 1:44 or 1:45. Isaac also established a new lifetime best - knocking a 1/4 second off of his previous best to move into 4th. In the consol heat, Eric Ross established himself as the consol king. After a disappointing morning swim - he stormed back to drop nearly three seconds to go 1:47.50. We used prelims as a tryout for the fourth leg of our 800 Freestyle relay. The guys were impressive across the board. Dan Jones and Ryan Ortmann going 1:52.1 and 1:51.3 were probably the most shocking. Still, there were enough lifetime bests to go around - Adam Glover 1:49.6, Alex Boyer 1:49.3, Alex VanHuis 1:47.4, Pelka 1:47.2, Doug Schranck 1:46.9 and the winner for that fourth relay spot - Derek Schneider 1:45.31

100 Breaststroke - A night after the disappointment of the 200 IM, Stephen took back a little piece of history in the breaststroke. This was an event Wheaton had their eyes on and with good reson - Jon Nitz is fast. He's a sprinter though so when he and Stephen turned at the 50, I knew we had it - sure enough, Stephen came home in 29.79 to break Zach Jole's meet record with a 56.61. Andy slipped a spot - going 1:00.31 and bring an end to his breaststroke experiment. In Consols Adam Van Huis reached down into his sprint reserves to go a LTB 1:02.38. Mike Moravek was just back at 1:03.0 - not what we were aiming for, but good enough for 11th. We were excellent in our morning swims - Buck a 1:09, Alex VanHuis a 1:00.78 and a breakthrough swim for Ben Coder who bypassed the 1:02 zone, cruising in in 1:01.97.

100 Backstroke - After watching Varner go a 52.64 on Thursday's relay - expectations were high in the 100 and he came through again - this time going a 52.75 - a little off but still good enough for a 'B' cut and a nice second-place birthday present. Bob went a little faster at night, but never really look comfortable as we went a LTB 54.03. Pat, who snuck into finals, made it worthwhile - clocking his first sub-56 time! We didn't have anyone in consols - but did enjoy some good swims in the morning. Dan Jones won the latest Jones-Ortmann showdown 59.0 to 1:01.2. Clinton Scheirer also clocked a LTB 58.63 as did Tommy who took over a second off of his lifetime best - 56.64.

800 Freestyle Relay - OK - we're going to save the story of our 'C' relay for a little later. Let's just say we did some re-shuffling and had to go with our 5-8th 200 freestylers for the 'A' and even had to dip down to our 16th fastest guy to complete the 'B' team. That 'B' group didn't disappoint though - as they swam away with their heat - Blake 1:45.4, Glover 1:48.3, Eric a little slower 1:48.6 before Tom Stowe - he of a 1:55.5 lifetime best - splits 1:49.50. When it comes to the 'A' team, they too didn't disappoint as they posted a five-second win over Wheaton. Doug led it with a 1:45.55 while Isaac followed with his first-ever sub-1:46 split. Alex VanHuis continued with a 1:45 of his own before Bryan Pelka anchored in 1:45.18.

The win was especially enjoyable because it was essentially with our 'B' guys, but also because it was the first-ever conference title for Isaac Rothenbaum - a guy who didn't make our scoring team last season, and a relay title for Bryan and Alex - a first for both.

Carthage Senior Class

Today’s Carthage bids farewell to the most decorated class in school history. These five young men have tallied twenty-two CCIW titles, seven CCIW Open and Championship records, nine All-American certificates, and seven Academic All-American awards. As much of an impact as they’ve left on conference, pool and school record boards, they’ve also made a significant contribution to the ethic and culture of Carthage swimming and we’d like to recognize them briefly here today.

We begin with one of the most accomplished butterfliers in conference history – Bryce Davis. In his career thus far, Bryce is a twelve-time CCIW Champion and two-time NCAA Qualifier. As a freshman, he earned All-American recognition as a part of the 200 Freestyle Relay and last qualified individually in the 50, 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly. A month prior, Bryce established CCIW Championship records in all three events en route to being named the conference Most Valuable Performer. Bryce is also the 2006 Carthage Captain’s Biathalon Champion. A deep thinker, Bryce is a double major in philosophy and psychology and two-time member of the Carthage athletic director’s honor roll. In the history of the CCIW three men have won the 100 fly three times – next month Bryce could become the first to win the event four times. Ladies and gentlemen, Bryce Davis.

Next we celebrate Chris Steenrod. As a freshman Chris was not selected as a scorer to the a very deep conference team. Still, he posted times that would have scored. Since then, the Freeport, Illinois native has developed a valuable contributor having reached the conference finals on five different occasions. Chris has proven one of the most versatile performers in Carthage history – he ranks among Carthage all-time Top-25 list in six different events including the 1650 where he currently ranks 13th – ten spots ahead of his father Dave Steenrod. Chris was named a member of this year’s homecoming court – something big brother Andy couldn’t match. A psychology major, Chris has twice been named to the Carthage dean’s list and is a three-time member of the Carthage athletic director’s honor roll. Ladies and gentlemen, Chris Steenrod.


Our third senior, Bryan Pelka will graduate this spring as the greatest distance swimmer in CCIW history and why not – nobody has ever been faster in the 1000 or 1650 freestyle. Bryan is a two-time honorable mention All-American in the mile. On the conference level he has won three individual events and finalled nine different times. His academic resume is as impressive as his performance in the pool. He is a three time CSCAA Academic All-American and two-time CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Second Team All-Academic honoree. He was the 2007 CCIW “Jack Swartz All-Academic Award Winner” and will soon be nominated for a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. Ladies and gentlemen, Bryan Pelka

Andy Bax leaves us as one of Carthage’s most valuable and consistent sprinters. No swimmer has split under 21.0 seconds more times than Andy has in his time here and he will likely be remembered as one of the best sprint breaststrokers in school history. Andy is an eight-time CCIW Finallist and five-time CCIW Champion, including an individual win in the 50-freestyle. Andy has achieved five different NCAA consideration times and last season was recognized by the College Coaches Association as an Academic All-American. A double major in elementary and special education, Andy is a three-time member of the Carthage athletic director’s honor roll, member of the dean’s list and, along with Chris was a member of the homecoming court. Ladies & gentlemen, Andy Bax.

Our final senior today is Stephen Schranck. Nationally, Stephen has garnered more attention than any other swimmer in Carthage history. He has earned All-American or Honorable Mention All-American recognition on six different occasions – the second most in school history. On the conference level, Stephen won four individual and six relay titles in spite of often swimming off events for the team. In fact, in 2007 failed to win a single individual CCIW title, but was still recognized by Carthage as its Athlete of the Year. A double major in accounting and business administration, Stephen is a three-time CSCAA Academic All-American and has swum the 14th fastest 200 breaststroke in NCAA History. Ladies & gentlemen, Stephen Schranck.

Day 1: Bryan Pelka

The first day and everyone seems to be an even mix of excitement and trepidation. Excitement to finally get training trip started in earnest, trepidation at some of the challenges to come. We know that there are going to be days where we are faced with sets we aren’t sure if we can finish. We know that there are going to be days where even just getting into the water is a small triumph in and of itself. It’s what we signed up for and the key is going to be taking the trepidation and turning into excitement in and off itself. There are few things that feel as good as doing what you believed to be impossible or pulling something out of nowhere to perform that last practice when everything seems to point at not being able to. The unofficial team motto seems to be holding true already. We know what we’re here for, to “Do Work”.

Practice-wise this morning’s main set for distance consisted of a set of 3 x 400 descend, 4 x 300 IM/Free and 8 x 200 Pull Descend. It was great to see people going at it, the group as a whole seems to be buying into what we’re here to accomplish and I’ve barely heard a word of complaint as of yet. We went back a little early this afternoon at 3:15 to relieve some pool crowding issues we would have otherwise had. The highlight for distance was 8 x 100, 8 x 150, and 6 x 100 all Red split up by some 50’s kick. Once again I was struck by not only the good attitude at the sudden change in schedule but also how willing the team was to bounce back from the morning and not let any fatigue or soreness hold us back from doing the work we needed to tonight. Overall a good start to what promises to be an awesome week.

Off the pool deck we find ourselves crammed into even closer quarters than we’re already used to being together for hours each day. Six people per room, having to share food, space, bathrooms, everything. You either let it get to you and turn your week into a frustrating experience or you embrace it and have some fun with the situation. Movies, dodging around each other to make food, waiting around arguing over what to watch when one person decides to make food for the room, sleeping, playing cards, meandering between the rooms, whatever one must do to fill in the time between practices. It will be a test of how close our team has become over the last few months and, along with a bit of patience, I think that we have the chemistry and the team personality to have a great time over trip while absolutely destroying our previous notions of what we’re capable of.

The Venice Diaries: Day Six Bryan Pelka

It was an interesting mix of recovery and intense effort today, a mix that is probably only possible on training trip and with a group of swimmers like we have this year. In the morning Coach gave us a difficult decision; either swim a 6800 yard workout or a 1050 yard one. After careful deliberation we decided on the latter, then Coach let us know the caveat. 950 of the yard would be our Standard Warm-up while the last 100 would be one leg of an 8 x 100 relay. Oh, and the average time of all three relays had to be under 7:08.00. We stood quietly for a moment with only one through running through our minds, “Only 7:08?”, we then proceeded to put all three relays under 7:00. A fitting performance for one of the only “get-out swims” that most of the guys will ever see, it was great to see the guys pull together to blow away the expectations that were put on us, hopefully we’ll keep doing that all the way through the rest of the year. Of course, it couldn’t be that easy as we proceeded to do an ab workout that ended with a practice in mental focus as the team struggled and finally succeeded on a 1:00 push-up together. An attack on the hotel’s continental breakfast and naps was how we celebrated the end of the morning.

It was “meet” time that afternoon as we met with the University of Cincinnati for a combined biathlon in the Gulf of Mexico, one mile of swimming and then a one mile run back to the start. With “yellow flag” waves (the wind was kicking them up a bit) we plowed through the water, inhaling a good portion of the Gulf along the way. It’s a bit different swimming a mile in an ocean compared to a pool, the constant beating by the waves, the lack of lane lines, and any way to judge distances makes it seem a lot longer than it really is. I managed to get out of the water first and start my run back to the starting point. About halfway back or so I was passed by Paul, his running experience backed by his swimming skills making him a terror in these biathlons. I held on to get second in the end and watched and cheered the rest of the guys as they came in.

After a quick game of beach volleyball with the other team we headed back to the hotel for rest and recovery before tomorrow. Some head out to catch a bite at one of the nice restauraunts nearby while others cook up something in the nice hotel rooms. I'm sure there will be movies or card games for a few hours afterwards and then everyone will give in to their bodies' demands and hit the sack in preparation for tommorow's resumption of normal practices.

We’re getting that team atmosphere that we’ve been striving to get all season since the campout proved that we meshed well together. We’re supporting each other, cheering each other, taking pride in each other’s successes, and driving each other onward through all the pain and hardships that this week has brought. When it comes time to make it count, all these things will be there and thinking about what that will mean in the pool and on the deck makes me sorry for whoever we face. Two more days to push through and then we can congratulate ourselves for what we’ve accomplished this week, but there’s still plenty of work to be done before that time so that light at the end of the tunnel is still too far away to take comfort in it yet.

Pool Records, Learning Highlight Start of the Season

They say the best thing about freshmen is that they turn into Sophomores. With our first meet under our belt, that was never more evident than today. There are a lot of different thoughts running and I’ll try to collect them here. I’ll confess, that my attention might be distracted. It pains me that so many college kids have never been exposed to some of the great works of American Cinema. So today, for the return trip I made sure to bring along one of the classics – Blazing Saddles.

But I digress. Here are the quick thoughts on today’s 162-132 loss for the good guys. First thought – we have a team that can be VERY good. Second thought – we’ve got a LOT TO LEARN. When horn sounded, Wabash was ready to pounce while we were still getting our bearings. By mid meet, the Little Giants had built up a 40+ point lead. By the back half though, we’d begun to hit our stride. Mistakes made in the early races were corrected in the second half. By the end, we’d made a meet of it. Some highlights:

• Andy Bax, Nathan Ripley, Jeff Walkotten and Bryce Davis equalled the fastest unrested 400 free relay in school history (12th fastest all time)
• Kyle Drake jumped onto the top-ten list in the 100 (5th) and 200 (6th) backstrokes.
• Derek Schneider became the 7th fastest 1000 freestyler in school history.
• The 200 Medley relay of Kyle Drake, Schranck, Bax and Davis was the 11th fastest in school history and second-fastest unrested ever.
  

A lot of credit goes to Wabash. They competed tough and as always, were a classy bunch to race against. In a lot of years we’d start with an easier opponent. The problem with those meets is they don’t really expose your weaknesses. They don't make you a better team. This year’s schedule is the toughest we’ve ever faced – five top-25 teams, two more conference champions and 4-5 Division I & II schools – but its one that I think will prepare us well for February and March. Wabash, for instance, is one of the teams that we’ll be battling for relay spots with and by the time we reach the CCIW and NCAA Championships, we should be well rehearsed for some great performances.

Top Honors

Just got word today that the Carthage Red Men posted a 3.23 GPA - the highest since we had just nine guys on the team back in 2002. Fully a dozen of our fourteen guys made the AD's Honor Roll for GPA's above 3.0. This represents the 11th consecutive semester and extends a sixteen-year run of Academic All-Americans as a team and extends a sixteen-year streak begun under Sue Nutty. By next week we should know where we rank in the nation.

Named Academic All-American were Bryan Pelka (who was also named to the ESPN The Magazine All-District Team), Stephen Schranck, Zach Jole and Nathan Fisher (right). Andy Bax and Bryce Davis were near misses but made the AD Honor Roll.

Also on the roll were: Jeremy Brandt, Paul Bustion, Scott Kaseska, Chris Steenrod, Chris Trella, and Alex Van Huis. No perfect 4.0's around, so we'll have to settle with Bryan and Alex at mere 3.92's.

Day Five

Day Five

What to expect on day five…another day of intense challenge sets? A slight retreat from the difficulty of the day before? The answer of course is obvious: more challenge sets. From 150s on 1:35 in the morning to 150s at night on a somewhat easier interval (though intended to be proportionally faster). These days are what make training trip worthwhile, discovering exactly how much more you can do before it becomes too much, how much you can push it on that first 150 and still have enough left to bring the last one back faster. Each day you are a little more tired, and each day you have to dig a little deeper only to find out “hey, I can still do this”. That discovery will come in handy during that last 500 in the mile at the end of the year I’m sure.

Part of the reason all of this intensity is possible is undoubtedly due to the amount of recovery we get each day. No classes, no tests, no family get togethers, no nothing except sleeping, chilling, or finding something to eat. Good recovery begets good practices and with the practices
being thrown at us, and the three still to come, every minute of recovery counts.

Relief Arrives

DAY THREE
The Carthage Red Men continue their weeklong training camp at the University of Houston. This is the same pool that the NCAA Division III championships will take place at. Bryan Pelka and Zach Jole are taking time out of their taxing schedule to give you a glimpse of the trip. Today Bryan offers some insight into the value of a 'recovery' day.

The third day of training trip brought with it some relief and a great deal of anticipation. The morning recovery practice was a relative surprise, magnified only by the water free dryland practice later in the day. Although the day’s level of intensity was somewhat reduced, the day lent a somewhat different but no less important sense of weight to it. Between bouts of medicine balls and ultimate frisbee on the indoor field (good thing it didn't rain because the football team was practicing for the Liberty Bowl outside), we spent some time as a team articulating our expectations of one another and what we all could do to improve everyone’s overall performance. It’s great to see an already close team becoming even closer over the week as the close proximity forces issues to the surface to be dealt with and lets those who don’t know each other that well (such as my roommate Chris Trella and I) to understand each other a lot better.

Training trip really is something of a ballet of individuals. Swimmers have to be ready to work harder than they ever have, coaches have to prepare a course of work that makes every moment worthwhile to the swimmers involved, and everyone has to work to foster an environment that is both focused while at the same time possessing an almost relaxed air where everyone understands the path they are walking and can work together with those who are helping them walk it.

Texas Training

DAY ONE

The Carthage Red Men are taking their training trip to the University of Houston, home of the 2007 NCAA Championships. Each day we're asking one of the guys to give their account of the trip. Today's guest columnist is two-time CCIW Champion and Honorable Mention All-American Bryan Pelka.

The first day of training trip is always interesting. A taste of what the rest of the week is going to be like is either exciting or disheartening, depending on how you look at it. Either way, everyone here is ready and prepared to put it some of the hardest work of their lives the next several days. Our first glimpse at the site of the 2007 NCAA championships came in the afternoon, the morning being spent in Houston’s second pool. Although we are swimming Long Course in the pool, as opposed to the Short Course that will be swum at Nationals, it’s still possible to get a feel from the place. As the week goes on, a more solid impression will be fixed in my mind and hopefully the experience will help at Nationals.

Four people to a room may seem a bit cramped, but when those four people are in various states of consciousness, it really isn’t that bad. Most breaks are spent finding food, making food, or collapsed on a bed. It’s part of why training trip can go so quickly, the time flies while sleeping or just resting and pretty soon it’s time to head out for practice once again. For now though, it’s time to relax and recover before the second day, I’m sure we won’t be disappointed.

Ten Records Set in Long Course Season

With Sectionals wrapping up in Minneapolis and Columbia this weekend, three rising sophomores have been making their mark on the Carthage long course record board. Stephen Schranck, Bryce Davis and Bryan Pelka tallied eight school records this past weekend.

Certainly the highlight has to be Stephen's Sectional Championship in the 200 Breaststroke last Wednesday. He followed it up on Friday with a second-place finish in the 100 Breaststroke. Both swims broke the previous bests set by Henry Somers at the 2003 Janet Evans Invitational.

Here's an updated list of Carthage's long-course records:

50 Free	25.27	Davis, Bryce	8/7/2006	Senior State-Wisconsin
100 Free	54.65	Somers, Henry	7/24/2003	Sectionals-Minnesota
200 Free	2:02.24	Schranck, Stephen	7/19/2006	Region 8 Zones
400 Free	4:19.18	Pelka, Bryan	7/20/2006	Sectionals-Minnesota
800 Free	8:53.06	Pelka, Bryan	7/20/2006	Sectionals-Minnesota
1500 Free	16:58.65	Pelka, Bryan	7/20/2006	Sectionals-Minnesota
100 Back	1:02.90	Chapman, Nathaniel	7/24/2003	Sectionals-Bloomington
200 Back	2:15.23	Chapman, Nathaniel	7/24/2003	Sectionals-Bloomington
100 Breast	1:07.15	Schranck, Stephen	7/19/2006	Region 8 Zones
200 Breast	2:26.29	Schranck, Stephen	7/19/2006	Region 8 Zones
100 Fly	59.16	Davis, Bryce	8/6/2006	Senior State
200 Fly	2:12.01	Pelka, Bryan	7/20/2006	Sectionals-Minnesota
200 IM	2:16.58	Schranck, Stephen	7/19/2006	Region 8 Zones
400 IM	4:49.76	Chapman, Nathaniel	7/23/2004	Indiana Senior State