PJS Honor Times 1-24-06

I debated whether I should even post these since something went wrong with the printing process. Some of the times are cutoff.

Conference T-Shirt Design

I couldn't help but share the artwork for the Conference T-shirts. It looks great!

The Novena - (and our special intentions)

This is the fourth year that we have done a Novena beginning nine days before the Conference Swimming & Diving Meet. Ceil Myers helped the team start this tradition in 2003 when we were on our quest to the win the school's first ever Conference Title. This tradition has taken hold. I believe that it gives the guys a chance to relax, focus, and center on something larger than swimming.

I encourage everyone in the extended PND swimming and diving family to pray with us each day. We are praying for the health of Debbie Ely, Osama Hambazaza, and that the young men on the team can use their talents to the fullest.

Swimmer of the Meet - Manual Dual

Even though Manual only had one swimmer, we still award the Swimmer of the Meet award. I think that this just goes to show that Swimming is really a sport where you can compete against yourself. The greatest victories are those that you conquer yourself.

Two Meets in a row, Mike Couri has shown that he is a breaststroker and he is out to win. Congratulations on your first first-place Mike. You might be interested to know that Mike's older sister, Anne, is PND school record holder in the 100 breaststroke. This probably isn't a coincidence.

I am not sure if Daniel Gullifor proved that sprinter are born or made. Either way, he had a huge win in the 50 freestyle with a 25.02. Not only was that a lifetime best for Daniel, it was the third fastest 50 freestyle time we've had all season.

Here's How John Cealey Rolls

Yes, John Cealey sported some goggles around his neck during his recent interview with WMBD. I think he was trying to show Dan Stoughton that it's OK to do this under certain circumstances. This picture is dedicated to John keeping it Real.

John Cealey earns the WMBD Extra Effort Award

Congratulations to John Cealey for earning the Extra Effort award from WMBD.

Since John is in Washington D.C. this weekend to see his brother graduate from an intern program, I couldn't resist the urge to add the video to the web just in case he checked the blog.

Feel free to watch the video. You will need a broadband connection to watch it.

Swimmer of the Meet - Freshmen Invite

We had to do this a little late since we found ourselves on the bus without some pool water. A special thanks to A.J. for collecting our pool water.

How could we not award swimmer of the meet to Jake Querciagrossa? He won two events and set one meet record.

Also earning swimmer of the meet honors was Mike Couri. Mike really impressed me with a 35 in the 50 breaststroke. His talent is really starting to shine through.

Some Elite Company at the Freshman Invite

The Meet Records at the Woodruff Freshman Invite is an all-star cast of names. There are a few state champions in the bunch. Dan Stoppenhagen, Derek Amerman, and Giordin Pogioli were all Peoria-area swimmers who set a meet record during their freshman year. Jake Querciagrossa now has his name among an elite group of swimmers. He just set the meet record in the 400 freestyle with a 3:57.45.

I reviewed some of the old results and noticed that Jared Hallam from Galesburg and Jeff Bucher from Dunlap once took a crack at the 400 freestyle record and they only mustered a 4:08 and a 4:09. Those two swimmers went on to place in the state swim meet later in their careers.

Senior Day Meet

The photos from the Senior Day meet against Eureka High School are online at ChingPhoto.com. This photo is courtesy of Ching Zedric.

Senior Day (Eureka) - Swimmer of the Meet

We broke from tradition a little -- the seniors awarded swimmer of the meet honors.

Their first award went to Dan Stoughton who swam a lifetime best in the 100 butterfly with 1:05. It seems fitting that senior Dan Lontai awarded this one. I guess that he was impressed with his fellow butterflyer. Maybe he is passing the torch? If so, we will know shortly.

The second award went to Nick Redshaw. Nick had a great day on the diving board. His day must have been great since he impressed the seniors.

The final award went to Danny Slevin. I think that Danny has won this honor more than any other swimmer or diver this season. I think that the seniors saw his 1:08 in the backstroke and kinda sensed some foreshadowing for the end of the year. Danny's great attitude and work ethic are paying off.

Peoria H.S. - Swimmer of the Meet

Kevin Gorman dropped three seconds en route to a 1:16 100 butterfly and swimmer of the meet honors.

Great moments are born from great opportunity. Ryan Murphy seized his opportunity with a 26 split in the 200 free relay. That relay went on to win the event.

I told the boys that I didn't want to award swimmer of the meet to Brian Tillis again, but I had no choice. When you earn it, you earn it, and as Danny Slevin said that night, "When you go 5:15 in the 500 free, you go 5:15 in the 500 free."

PJS Swimming Honor Roll Time (1-17-06)

John Cealey is on WEEK News Channel 25

For those of you that missed the story when it aired on TV, you can watch the story on the internet at WEEK.com

Fastskins Revealed

In case you wondered what a Fastskin really looks like. This photo is courtesy of ChingPhoto.

PJS Honor Roll 

Woodruff Dual Meet Photos

Check out the photos from the Woodruff dual at ChingPhoto.com. This photo is courtesy of Ching Zedric.

Odds or Faith - I'll take Faith

Champaign Charger Swimmer of the Meet Honors

Dan Stoughton earned swimmer of the meet honors with a 25.94 50 effort on the 200 free relay. He also swam a 58 second leg in the 400 free relay.

Robin Basu mustered a breakout swim in the 100 breaststroke. He dropped almost 2 seconds to go a lifetime best of 1:13.70 and earn swimmer of the meet honors.

Journal Star Honor Roll times 1-4-06

Conference Motivation

PND Swimmers and Divers, please pay close attention to the end of this article. Pekin is seeking you out.

Swimmer of the Meet - Woodruff

We had quite a few swimmer of the meet honors this evening. Nick Smith is swimming long and strong with a 2:45 in the 200 free. Mike Couri stepped up by finishing his first 100 yard butterfly. Ryan Murphy showed that he means business with a 26 in the 50 free and a 2nd place finish.

Danny Slevin made a bold statement with a breakout swim in the 200 IM. Not only did he better his lifetime best by 20 seconds, he won his first event for the season.

The Best DAN Relay ever!

Yes, tonight's dual meet against Woodruff will feature the best Dan Relay ever assembled. The 400 Free Relay of Daniel Gullifor, Dan Stoughton, Danny Slevin, and Dan Lontai will combine to rule the pool.

Swimmer of the Meet - Dunlap

Swimmer of the Meet honors went to Alex Boen for stepping it up in the 500 free and going under 6:00 for the first time.

Swimmer of the Meet honors also went to James Tobin for his stellar 100 free, winning a close battle with Adam Rock.