And We Are Back...

Wow, I think that it has been almost eternity since I last posted. I have been playing catch up the last few months since returning from my trip to China. I was not able to post blogs while there since they don't support Google really. With the help of my friend Matt, I have created a site mostly with pics from the trip. Please feel free to check it out!! A little tardy, but better then never right? Let the games begin again...

World University Games Blog

World University Games

The summer months have been a bit of a whirlwind. I have recently traveled to Shenzhen, China, with the USA women's water polo 'B' team. They and hundreds of other athletes from around the world are now arriving in China to compete at these world championships. Kind of like a mini Olympics. Our team arrived yesterday at 0530am, after a bumpy ride over the pacific. The girls and myself are slowly getting used to the time change. We trained in California for 3 days before coming out to China. It was a good time getting to know the team and for them learning to play together. Just as I was adjusting to CA time, we flew to China. All I want to do is eat and sleep. But how could I waste the day in such a special place?

We had our second training today since arriving. The team is really starting to gel together. Afterward, we went as a team to the "Musical Decompression Room," which is an area in the athlete village where athletes can go to bang on drums or play other instruments in order to help de-stress. I wish this existed everywhere!! All to say, it was a blast! Everyone got a turn to share a beat with the group and then everyone would join in with them. I love team bonding! Then it was off to eat lunch. Of course there would be a mini McDonald's located in the cafeteria. Not to mention, team USA provided all teams with $80 worth of McDonald's cash. So much for my cheeseburger fast.

The organizers of team USA have been very generous towards the teams. They have provided extra gear (t-shirts, shoes, sandals, headphones, shorts, etc) to all the USA teams. I was already over weight coming here. Not sure how I 'm going to get everything back home.  I am hoping to post pictures, but I'm not sure that it will be possible, but I will try!! I feel more than blessed to be apart of this experience. Hoping to meet several athletes and support staff as we join in togehter with all the festivities. !   

Christians Gone Wild

By now, you have probably heard about the woe's of Jim Tressel (recently the former head coach of Ohio State University). And if you don't know, you probably don't care about sports, or at least sports in the mid-west. Tressel just recently lost his cushy head coaching position after it was found out that he had clearly lied to the NCAA about knowing of certain violations in which his athletes had been involved in. This of course is a big deal in the world of college athletics. For us folks in the mid-west, this is a HUGE deal.

Why? Here's a little background...

I was born and raised in the great lake state of Michigan. I will be forever proud that I can show you where I live just by holding up the palm of my hand and pointing. Who else can do that? There are too many things to love about this state. But I think the one thing that makes Michigan stand out is the multiple number of sport rivalries people of this state involve themselves in. I figure when it snows for 5-6 months of the year, people need sports to distract them from the lack of natural vitamin D production. Hands down the most well known rivalry exists between Michigan vs Ohio State. I grew up loving all sport teams from the University of Michigan. Blue through and through! Anything Ohio State is considered blasphemous. Seriously, there are stories where people from both states travel to the other and will not stop for gas so to not contribute financially to the state. Quite possibly a myth, but who knows for sure.    

That's A Wrap...

After braving tornado sirens, the throwing of javelins in the dark (who would be a judge for that?), a track lite with the headlights of Gators, and 80 degree weather that dropped to 50 degrees a day later, my 2011 track season has finally come to a close.  So I thought I would share some of my favorite pics/memories from the year. Enjoy!

Michigan Water Polo

Head coach Matt Anderson

 

After a crazy busy 2 months of indoor track, spring break '11 dropped down on us. Prefect timing too! I tool most of the time to rest and catch up on random tasks. Very much needed. I also got to snowboard a little with an old friend. But I would say the highlight would be my trip to Ann Arbor (or A2). They hosted a tournament from the east coast. The east coast is not too famous for its water polo. The caliber of play/competition is a bit inferior to the west. This most likely is due to more opportunities that are presented in along the west coast. And with our snow and cold, not too many people desire to come play a water sport here. But the University of Michigan water polo team is setting the bar high by shooting for their 4th consecutive Eastern Championship this year. This is their ticket to the national championships!

For those not familiar with water polo, the best way to describe it would be soccer in water. But, you use your hands. It is pretty intense under the water. An occasional elbow or kick into the body. Very hands on. Constant swimming and treading water for long periods of time. Playing takes place indoors or out. If outside, it could be blazing hot or raining. I love basketball, but you never have these kind of conditions.

I think why I feel in love with the sport, other than working with a great team and staff, is that it is a tough sport to play that gets little attention. And there is great respect between teams and coaches although the competition is intense. This obsession lead to working with the USA Jr. National team last August. I am hoping to go on another trip with USA water polo again soon. I'll keep you in the know. If you want to catch some polo action, U of M will be playing Indiana on March 26th on Big Ten Network, 2pm. Hail to the Victors!!      

Getting ready to start

Ryan the media guy and friend doing his thang

With the seniors. Love these ladies!

The officials wear all white in games. Interesting...

With the USA Jr. National Team at the UANA Games in Miami

Indoor MAC Track Championships!

Holly, Danielle, and Raeanne in the 3000m

Our track team traveled to Bowling Green, OH for indoor track champs. It was nice to head back to one of my many homes in the last decade. It for sure brought back many memories from my graduate school days. Since I worked with the track team at BG, I got a chance to see some of my previous athletes compete as well. Not to mention, it was nice to chat and work along side one of my past supervisors. Kind of weird that we are now peers. How time moves.

The team did not win, but many performed very well. A couple of them are now MAC champs! The goal they been striving for since they were freshmen. It's awesome for me to watch them overcome injures and perform the best in their event.

I noticed more during this trip how much I actually eat. A LOT! I have favorite restaurants in every city I have lived in. So it is a must to hit those places as well as check out the spread at the track meets and after. I almost thought about tracking my weight by taking a before and after track season picture, but thought that might be depressing to others, not me :o) Here are some pictures of the event!

Kevin Mays - MAC champ in weight throw

Mike, John, and Alex. All placed in the shot put!

 

 

Me eating Polleyes!! A must if you visit BG.

Reynaldo doing his "Sonic the Hedgehog" race hair 

 

 

Jake won 3rd place in the high jump!

Me eating again. This time Chipotle!

Long distance coach, Matt and I

My past supervisor Annette

Notre Dame

My track team traveled to South bend, IN this past weekend. I have only been on the campus of Notre Dame once before for a soccer game, so it was nice to visit for more than a couple hours. This weekend also began my year for hotel visits. Thinking I'll try to keep a tally this year. Not sure how many hotels I actually stay in during the year. I'm sure it's somewhere around 20-30. No wonder I don't go to the grocery store ever.

It was a long weekend, but well worth getting to see my athletes improve in their events. Some of the best athletes in the country were also present. It's not everyday you get to see someone run a mile in less than 4 minutes or high jump over 7 feet. Who knew that track could be so exciting??! The video below is the men's Meyo mile. Thank you Flotrack. The guy who won ran just under 4 minutes. That for sure doesn't happen everyday. It almost inspires me to get back into running. But, not really ;o) Maybe someday. I'll stick with snowboarding for now.

Watch more Videos on Flotrack

The 60m hurdles final gearing up. Tiffany Ofili (3rd from the right),
a stand out from U of M, will soon be at the Olympics.