Each month we select one  athlete from our competitive swim team to be named Swimmer of the Month.

JOHANN DERRICK

Congratulations to Johann for earning the September award for swimmer of the month.  When you talk about Phoenix swimming and dedication, you will undoubtedly think of Johann.  He doesn’t just show up at practice, he always comes ready to work hard to improve his skills.  He has an extremely positive attitude, which rubs off on his team mates.  I often see Johann cheering on his fellow swimmers while swimming himself, a skill not often mastered.  Johann is also a talented football player, is involved in gymnastics, and is an honour roll student- a testament to his hard work and dedication, outside of the pool.  Johann will be leading his team into action on Sunday, October 4 at the Antigua OECS Time Trials.  Great job Johann and good luck at the meet!

1. How old are you? I am 11 years old.

2. When did you start swimming? I started swimming competitively in the summer of 2009

3. What is your favourite stroke? The butterfly, what else??

4. What are your goals for next month? Definitely to beat my times in all my strokes.

5. If you were a super hero, what would your power be? Why? If I was a super hero my power would be having an ability to travel to other dimensions.

6. What is your favourite breakfast cereal? Lucky Charms – something my mom never gives me!

7. Describe your dream vacation. My dream vacation would be to Barcelona to see FC Barcelona play and to meet and play football with one of my hero’s – Leo Messi.

8. What is your favourite desert? Cake…basically if it has sugar I love it.

9. When you are not swimming what other activities do you enjoy? I love football – so it’s usually playing football.

10. If you could make one wish, what would that wish be? I would like to help the world out during these trough times.

11. If you could spend a day as an animal, what creature would you choose? I would love to be a wolf Why? Because they’re cool – they look cool, they sound fierce and can see good in the dark.

12. Describe: “a typical day in the life of Johann” I go to school, then I play some football, then I swim. Somewhere in there I do homework and play with my Nintendo DS and watch tv.

And now for some “this or that”…

13. Apple or Orange

14. Coffee or Tea

15. Bath or Shower

16. Fruit or Veggies

17. Cat or Dog

18. Beach or Pool

19. Blonde or Brunette

20. Hotdog or Hamburger

JOELLE LAGASSE

Joelle earned August swimmer of the month as the most consistent and hardest working swimmer in the junior competitive squad in August.  Joelle never complains about exercise on land or in the water and often volunteers to do extra laps, extra pushups or extra anything if she feels it will make her a stronger swimmer. Joelle’s hard work paid off during our end of the month junior swim off in front crawl, breast stroke and butterfly: where Joelle racked up an astonishing 16 points, 5 more points than the runner up despite being one of the youngest swimmers in the group.  Congrats Joelle keep up the good work!

20 Questions with Joelle Lagasse: Swimmer of the month August 2009!

1. How old are you? 8 years old

2. When did you start swimming? 2 months old

3. What is your favourite stroke? breaststroke

4. What are your goals for next month? to beat my current time

If you were a super hero, what would your power be? Why? rocket speed to use in racing

6. What is your favourite breakfast cereal? l prefer a fruit smoothie

7. Describe your dream vacation. Disney cruise

8. What is your favourite desert? peach cobbler with icecream

9. When you are not swimming what other activities do you enjoy? playing with friends and my Nintendo DS

10. If you could make one wish, what would that wish be? to win a gold medal at the olympics

11. If you could spend a day as an animal, what creature would you choose? Why? I would like to be a dolphin which is actually a mammal but it would be so much fun to jump and dive in and out of the water and they are really fast swimmers and very smart.

12. Describe: “a typical day in the life of Joelle” I live in Jolly Harbour with my sister Jade and my Mom and Dad.  We have two kittens and a dog.  I get up early, have my fruit smoothie go to camp or school .  At the end of the day when l get home l play with Jade and relax from my busy day.  Sometimes we go for walks or ride my bike.  We have some friends here too and play with them.  Sometimes we go to the pool.  At night after dinner we just chill and then l go to bed.  Goodnight!

And now for some “this or that”…

13. Apple or Orange

14. Coffee or Tea neither, fresh juice or water please

15. Bath or Shower

16. Fruit or Veggies

17. Cat or Dog

18. Beach or Pool

19. Blonde or Brunette

20. Hotdog or Hamburger as long as it is chicken or veggie

YANNI ALEXANDER

Yanni is our first swimmer of the month, July.  Yanni has been our most dedicated swimmer since we began a regular training schedule.  He has made nearly all of the five scheduled practices each week, he helps out at our summer camps, has been training to become a lifeguard, and recently competed in his first triathlon along with team mate Johann Derrick.  As a result of his hard work, Yanni has seen significant improvements in his personal best times.  He is a leader on the team and there is no telling how good this young man will become.  Great job Yanni!