Making Waves

Each week the Pulse will feature two young athletes in the Door County YMCA’s swim program.

Brock Aune: Brock, 13, is a four-stroke specialist (butterfly, freestyle, back and breast strokes) and a senior level swimmer. As a state qualifier in multiple events last year, he swam exceptional at the breaststroke events. His relentless effort in practice sets a fine example of what we would like all our DCY swimmers to emulate.

Kaitlyn Schauske: Kaitlyn, 13, is a senior level swimmer on the DCY swim team. She is an outstanding distance butterfly stroke and Individual Medley (IM) swimmer. New to the team from the Green Bay Swim team, she is a great leader in the swim lane and an outstanding motivator to her teammates.

Notes from Coach Mike McHugh: The season is kicking off with a bang — the team has expanded to 140-plus swimmers. With our first meet just around the corner all swimmers must understand that practice makes progress.

Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” At swim practice it is important to stick to the format and swim every stroke that is asked of each age level in every lane — not only to become a stronger athlete but also to be a valuable team member by following the core values of the Y: respect, responsibility, honesty and caring. The coaching staff asks all swimmers to be role models for each other. It simply is a better plan for team unity and self-improvement. It is not about being an Olympic swimmer, it is all about striving to be “Olympian” by reaching for excellence as a goal in life not only in swimming.

Upcoming November Swim meets

Stevens Point Fall Invitational: Nov. 8-9

Oshkosh Champions Meet: Nov. 21-23

Minnesota Grand Prix USA qualifiers: Nov. 20-22