The Monocacy Aquatic Club is a year-round swimming program dedicated to advancing the sport of swimming. MAC is now in its 31st year of providing a program to all levels of swimmers who wish to improve their swimming skills by training year round. The skill level of MAC swimmers ranges from those just learning to swim to those competing at regional and national levels. Find out how to join, or find out about the accomplishments of our swimmers.
MAC Swimmers Break Into the 2007-2008 Top Ten
Congratulations to three MAC swimmers who achieved Top 10 times in their respective age groups for the 2007-2008 season. Lauren James ended up 8th in the country among 11 year old 200 backstrokers. Margot Manning took 2 top spots, tie for 6th in the 12 year old 50 free and 9th in the 12 year old 50 breaststroke. Finally, Hanne Borgersen had the 7th fastest 500 free time among 13 year olds last year. Way to go ladies!
To see the complete list, click here - www.usaswimming.org/usasweb/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=205&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en. USA Swimming also maintains a current list for the 2008-2009 season which is updated every two weeks. This list may be found here - www.usaswimming.org/usasweb/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=82&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en.
Thanksgiving Practice Schedule (**updated 11/18**)
Wednesday, November 26 Senior Red and Black 6:45-9:00am
Senior White, Age Group II 9:00-10:30am
Age Group I 4:30-6:15 pm
Thursday, November 27 all groups off
Friday, November 28 same as Wednesday
Saturday, November 29 regular schedule
VERY IMPORTANT -- Parking, Drop Off, and Pick Up
It is important that our swimming club operate within the requirements of Hood College, which provides us with swimming facilities. Hood is a great supporter of MAC and we need to be a good tenant. Please note: parking on the Hood campus is for students, teachers, and staff only. MAC families cannot park on campus. You must use street parking, but also be respectful of local residents. Also, we need to minimize traffic impacts on campus. This includes not stopping in fire lanes, moving as quickly as possible on and off campus before and after practice, and walking to your parked cars, as opposed to queuing in front of the pools.
AN EXCITING NEW SEASON FOR THE MONOCACY AQUATIC CLUB!
Please be patient during the first few weeks as we welcome many new swimmers to our club.
MAC has had an unprecedented number of try-outs for our team and we are very excited to have more than 60 new swimmers joining our club. It is especially exciting to expand our novice group and introduce new families to our sport!
Coaching Staff Update
Here is MAC's starting line-up of coaches:
Novice 1: Ashley Garyn and Scott Nipps
Novice 2: Scott Nipps, Jamie Hyrkas, and Ashley Garyn
Novice 3: Sheri Shayuth, Jamie Hyrkas, and Ashley Garyn
Subs for Novice: Bridget Vache, Drew Althouse, Chris Moreland, and Walt Leskuski
Age Group I: Jen Thackston assisted by Ashley Garyn and Jamie Hyrkas
John Miller will join the Age Group 1 staff in the near future
Age Group II: Andy Lehner assisted by John Miller
Senior White: Lauren Brenneman assisted by John Miller
Senior Red and Black: Andy Lehner assisted by Chris Kaplan
Senior Prep: Scott Nipps assisted by John Miller
Health and safety is a priority for MAC. Every coach will meet the following qualifications:
- Completion of safety training for swim coaches
- Completion of first aid course
- USS background check
MAC Wins 2nd Place in Maryland State Championships
Congratulations to all coaches and swimmers for their efforts in leading MAC to a second place finish (out of 24 teams) at the Maryland State Championships. NBAC was the first place finisher and Loyola Blakefield finished 3rd. In the girls division, MAC finished in 2nd place, with our boys taking 6th. Here is a link to the complete meet results: http://www.mdswim.org/Full_2008_MD_State_Meet_Results.htm. Check back for more stories on the meet and a photo gallery.
MAC Has Five State Champions and One Relay Champ
Five of our swimmers won events at the Maryland State Championships. Margot Manning won seven (11/12 girls 50, 100 and 200 free; 50 and 100 breaststroke; and the 100 and 200 IM). Muhammad Hudhud won the 11-12 boys 50 free. Christina Hyrkas is the 11/12 girls state champion in the 200 breaststroke and Angie Marruca the state champion in 9-10 girls 500 free.
MAC Swimmers Achieve Sectional Qualifying Times
We would also like to extend congratulations to the following swimmers who whose efforts lead to achieving new Sectional qualifying times at the championship meet - Kiersten Bell, Christina Hyrkas, Nikki Hyrkas, Ally Long, Margot Manning, and Julie Thackston. In addition, the relay team of Frank Reidler, Chris Howard, Will Goundry, and Josh Kim also achieved a qualifying time.
21 MAC Records Broken at State Championship Meet
MAC swimmers setting new club standards were: Margot Manning (11-12 girls 50 free, 50 breast, and 100 IM records); Hanne Borgersen (13-14 girls 200 free, 13-14 girls and Open 500 free, and the 13-14 girls 1000 free); Christina Hyrkas (11-12 girls 200 breast); Nikki Hyrkas (13-14 girls 1650); Kiersten Bell (17-18 and Open girls 1000 and 1650 free marks); Muhammad Hudhud (11-12 boys 50, 100 free and 100 and 200 breaststroke); and, Artem Shandrenko (13-14 boys 200 free). Three new relay records were also set - the team of Andrew Howard, Ahmed Hegazi, Thomas Colket, and Muhammad Hudhud broke a 14 year old record, winning the 11-12 boys 200 free relay. The 13-14 girls team of Shannon McClellan, Chelsea Rossick, Nikki Hyrkas, and Hanne Borgersen lowered the 400 free relay mark, and the 15-18 girls team of Joanna Yeh, Katelyn Rossick, Kiersten Bell, and Laurel Brabson set a new standard in their 400 free relay.
