Wow.

Twenty-Three years later....

This is a Midwestern Swimming Story:

This is a Midwestern Swimming Story. So, once upon a time a New York Engineering Professor Tim Wei discovers that water forces generated by swimmer movements could be turned into computer imaging and used to show swimmers and Coaches, among other things that points of power generation and power wasted, etc. can help improve swimming technique.
Over the years Tim has been credited with technical improvements that have contributed to improved performances of several Elite U.S. Swimmers.
In 2011 Tim becomes Dean of Engineering at UNL and in this Olympic year and the proximity of the Omaha Trials, it makes sense the Tim gets a call. In this case NBC looks him up for a NBCLearn.com segment.
Tims daughter swims for the Midwestern Team Nebraska Aquatics/Lincoln Swim Club which trains in the UNL pool. So it also makes sense that the UNL pool would be a logical site for the taping. But wait, access to the pool is tightly guarded.
Even the Dean of Engineering needs permission. Pablo Morales, the UNL Swim Coach is out of the country and it looks like access may not be granted in time for the planned film crew's visit.
Just in the nick of time Pablo returns to the States and let's the crew in. Dr. Wei's graduate assistant swimmer/Coach Lori Halverson suits up to model swim strokes for the camera. The questions begin and Tim says 'Hey. Don't ask me. Ask Pablo. He's the one who can really explain this stuff. I can't even swim.....'
So Pablo who is a smooth consummate engaging speaker and experienced interviewee takes over with Tim sitting quietly off camera.
It was an amazing accidental supreme journalistic scoop. Imagine that. You arrive in tiny Lincoln Nebraska to interview an east coast transplant only to learn that one of the most accomplished Olympic swimmers is who opens the door for you and turns on the lights! .....How do I know this? Because I crashed the taping and watched the whole thing from the top row of the bleachers... Only in Lincoln....   

Tips for morning swimmers:

For most of you, it will be morning swims. Attached is a nutritional sheet that may be of use. As far as I can tell we have swimmers working out on their own at UNL Campus Rec, Downtown Y, Cooper and Fallbrooke Y. Keep me posted. You can email me or use the "comments" box below.

P.M. swimmers:

The above nutritional sheet may also be helpful to you. When I wrote it I was still hopeful that we would have a regular morning group. If you have any goals at all, competitive or non-competitive the information is useful. Contact me if you have questions.

Devaney swimmers:

Welcome back to the pool. It was great to see Amber, Jeremy and Ryan at the first fall workout. I am looking forward to also seeing Shana, Duane, Shirley, Allan and Coach Becky getting in regular P.M. practices. We'll be at 2600-3100 next week! There are also three "clubs" you can partake in in the Spring/Summer Months. 

Cycling Club, Traithlon Club, Running Club. We will have some quarterly Club Presentations at which local athletes will give short talks and answer questions.

Nebraska Aquatics (NA) USA Swimming Team is now the host site for University Masters Swimming Club:

In order to swim with NA you need a current USMS or USA Swimming membership, the monthly fee is $40.

Log on at: http://www.teamunify.com/AlertCenter.jsp?team=mwna

It will look like alot of paperwork. No worries the site is mostly intended for age group family memberships. Just please work through the paperwork and turn it in to NA. Once you are in the system, you'll get notice of NA events, pool closures, weather procedure, Fall/Winter schedules and you can see what the age groupers are doing at their meets, etc....

Nebraska Aquatic Stroke School. This is a paid coaching session available to anyone. Log on at:

http://www.teamunify.com/TabGeneric.jsp?_tabid_=17150&team=mwna

NA Stroke School Coach Eric Shanks

Eric Shanks is a Certified USA Swimming Coach and member of the American Swim Coaches Association. He is Head Coach of Nebraska Aquatics where he directs the swim training for age group and Masters Swimmers. He is a past Aquatic Director of the University of Nebraska-Omaha from 1999-2007.

He has officiated at numerous age group, high school, Masters, and collegiate swim competitions. He has coached at several Nebraska State High School, National Championship meets, two world Masters Swim Meets and many ocean swim races. His athletes have competed in open waters in Minnesota, New York, California and the Florida Atlantic and Pacific coasts. His Masters swimmers have competed in pools from Palo Alto to Fort Lauderdale, Milwaukee to Kansas City.

Eric is a scholar and has presented his research on swimming at academic and professional aquatic conferences. He has contributed to several Masters National championships individual top five times. Eric has coached summer league teams to small division league championships in Lincoln NE (Y Dolphins 2009) and Omaha NE (Happy Hollow Club 2007).

Swim workouts can be sent to any current NA/University Masters member. Send email to eshanks3@vzw.blackberry.net

University Masters Practice

University of Nebraska Lincoln Bob Devaney Sports Center Sept 1 thru May

All practices are M-F 5:30-7:00pm and Saturday 9:30-11:00am 

Other pool site with structured swimming available

University of Nebraska Lincoln Campus Recreation Center (follows school calendar)  http://crec.unl.edu/facilities/hours.shtml

Cost $6.00 per visit and are by appointment only for non-students who must be accompanied by a member

Students may contact eshanks3@huskers.unl.edu to be coached Tue and Sat 6:00-7:30am

Downtown Lincoln YMCA Members or Guest Pass required 5:00-6:30am M-W-F Ideal for triathletes. Workouts are swimmer coached

Fallbrook YMCA Members or Guest Pass required

This is a link to the Nebraska Aquatics registration packet. This packet is also located at the Devaney pool.
Note to adult (age 18+)/masters swimmers: When completing the NA registration form above, do not include the USA Swimming Registration fee with your payment; instead, sign up on your own for the U.S. Masters Swimming organization starting with this U.S. Masters Member Registration Page and then selecting the UMSN Club Abbreviation.

Questions are always welcomed. Please contact Sarah at 402-310-8122 or swimNA@live.com.

2012 USMS Club Registration

Nebraska LMSC

University Masters of Ea & Gr Nebraska

If you you want to join the club, indicate so at the  USMS LMSC page

The Club Abreviation is UMSN if you have any problems contact me at 402 450 3412 or Anna Lea Matysek
Membership Coordinator U.S. Masters Swimming 655 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 AnnaLea@usms.org
941-556-6279