Dear Families,

I wish to express my sincere thanks to TNT parents and swimmers for making our first meet, The 2008 TNT Beach Blast Summer LC Invitational, a success. I will not try to name everyone who helped to make our first team hosted USA Swimming meet possible, but instead will highlight areas where TNT parents made a difference.

First, several TNT parents came together to fill key areas of responsibility, including:  Debbie Anderson, Meet Director; Leslie Bullock, Timers; Marcie Kinsey and Sue Ann Turnipseed, Hospitality; Terri Kinsey, Snack Bar; Laurie Simpson, Meet Tee Shirts; Ann Fisk, Meet Programs. The effort of these individuals was indispensable to making the meet a success.

Special thanks to Alice El - Hamaki, who arranged for donations of food and drinks from the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino, including more than 2,000 bottles of water, cases of soft drinks, breakfast, lunch and dinner items, candy, etc.  These items were served at both the hospitality suite and snack bar, saving the team money and also generating income.  Alice also got us a great rate on our room block. 

From a coaches perspective the meet was well run, with few delays and a full compliment of meet officials from our team. TNT usually had at least 6 stroke and turn judges, as well as a meet starter on the deck at all times.  Although a couple of parents from visiting teams did work as meet officials, it was impressive that our team was able to run all 5 meet sessions without needing the visiting teams to supply meet officials. Special thanks to our "deck people," including, Mike Turnipseed, Alan Simpson, Mary Beth Mantiply, Chuck Fisk, Mark Kinsey, Steve Powell, Elena Szydel, and Andrea Doucet for "working the meet".

Thank you also to TNT parents and swimmers who volunteered to work the meet as timers, runners, computer and console operators, food and supply transporters, cooks, water dispensers, ribbon processors, heat winner bag tag distributors, warm up music producers, etc. 

The problem with naming names is that I inevitably leave someone out, but I thought I'd take a stab at it anyway.  If I have left anyone out, please know that I still appreciate your contribution to the meet.

Approximately 300 swimmers representing 11 teams from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi attended the meet and I received numerous compliments from coaches and parents from visiting teams who said that they were looking forward to coming to the meet again next year.

Congratulations to everyone involved on a first class job and another step forward for our competitive swimming program.

Sincerely,

Jan Mittemeyer

Head Coach - TNT Swimming