Tuesday, December 29, 2020
2020 Club Excellence Spotlight – Mason Manta Rays
Like pretty much every swim team around the country, the Mason Manta Rays have had to deal with the ups and downs of COVID-19 this year and the pool closures, practice and meet cancellations and constantly shifting schedules that have resulted.
Despite these challenges, the team is looking stronger than ever after claiming the fifth spot in the 2021 Club Excellence program rankings and a Podium Club honor with four straight years as a gold team, and they are eager to bring a large group to the US Olympic Trials in June. Here’s a closer look at the team and how they’ve overcome the many challenges of 2020, from head coach Ken Heis.
1. In what ways has COVID-19 affected your team? What did you have your swimmers do during the shutdown, and what are you and your swimmers doing now as far as training and meets?
With a good-sized group of athletes qualified for Trials, including a few that had big things in mind, COVID-19 hit us hard. Just like many others, we had planned out every day, every competition and practically every minute of the spring and summer. Once we realized the fate of Trials and the obvious need to shut everything down, several silver linings have come to light – coaches and swimmers were able to spend quality time with their families. This past year was going to be a flurry of training, traveling and competing, and the quarantine allowed for a lot of quality family connection that would have been missed. Our team made the most of it and we shared those connections during group zoom meetings. The other silver lining is that we all have a stronger appreciation for our sport. Besides mask-wearing and social distancing, we are back to almost a full training regimen. Everyone is more grateful than ever to be able to see each other and to be able to do what we love. We have only been able to hold intrasquad meets so far, but we have made the most out of them and look forward to swimming against some other teams.
2. What are two team goals you have for the rest of 2020/start of 2021?
Two things – 1. Keep things fun, and 2. Be positive.
We always look for the fun—in working hard, in getting better, in making lifelong relationships, in seeing yourself look good, or silly, in an underwater video. We’re serious about swimming, but we don’t forget that what keeps our swimmers wanting to put in all the time and effort is the fun, and we are conscious about keeping it fun, too.
Be Positive. Several years ago, the positive culture of our highest group began to spread like wildfire. We spend time talking about the power of positivity and actively pursue a positive team culture. We also have a culture of showing up early for practice, warming up to swim before practice, being excited about working hard, encouraging teammates and being proud to wear our cap in individual events and especially relays. Our older swimmers continue to mentor our younger swimmers, providing a top to bottom positive connection within the program.
3. What are two contributing factors to your team’s success over the years?
Staff – While our program is relatively young, each of the lead coaches of our 13 different practice groups have been with the Manta Rays for over 12 years. All of them have embraced our team-wide goal: the constant pursuit of excellence, not only in the development of fast swimmers, but also good people. Our long-standing staff is the heart of the team. They provide the longevity, stability and enthusiasm to bring all swimmers along on the path to excellence. And, we all happen to like each other.
Community Support – We are a proud City of Mason program that operates out of a competition pool we share with the local high school. The City of Mason supports and empowers their coaches to make decisions in the best interest of the program. The City and local school district also collaborate well to support all of the different programs using the pool.
Dryland – Dryland training is an integral part of the program. Six years ago we brought in dryland consultant Vern Gambetta to help us develop a comprehensive and progressive “8 to 18” dryland program. Our kids are not only strong and fit, but the dryland program has “bullet proofed” our athletes from injury. It also provides a different element of fun for our athletes.
Despite these challenges, the team is looking stronger than ever after claiming the fifth spot in the 2021 Club Excellence program rankings and a Podium Club honor with four straight years as a gold team, and they are eager to bring a large group to the US Olympic Trials in June. Here’s a closer look at the team and how they’ve overcome the many challenges of 2020, from head coach Ken Heis.
1. In what ways has COVID-19 affected your team? What did you have your swimmers do during the shutdown, and what are you and your swimmers doing now as far as training and meets?
With a good-sized group of athletes qualified for Trials, including a few that had big things in mind, COVID-19 hit us hard. Just like many others, we had planned out every day, every competition and practically every minute of the spring and summer. Once we realized the fate of Trials and the obvious need to shut everything down, several silver linings have come to light – coaches and swimmers were able to spend quality time with their families. This past year was going to be a flurry of training, traveling and competing, and the quarantine allowed for a lot of quality family connection that would have been missed. Our team made the most of it and we shared those connections during group zoom meetings. The other silver lining is that we all have a stronger appreciation for our sport. Besides mask-wearing and social distancing, we are back to almost a full training regimen. Everyone is more grateful than ever to be able to see each other and to be able to do what we love. We have only been able to hold intrasquad meets so far, but we have made the most out of them and look forward to swimming against some other teams.
2. What are two team goals you have for the rest of 2020/start of 2021?
Two things – 1. Keep things fun, and 2. Be positive.
We always look for the fun—in working hard, in getting better, in making lifelong relationships, in seeing yourself look good, or silly, in an underwater video. We’re serious about swimming, but we don’t forget that what keeps our swimmers wanting to put in all the time and effort is the fun, and we are conscious about keeping it fun, too.
Be Positive. Several years ago, the positive culture of our highest group began to spread like wildfire. We spend time talking about the power of positivity and actively pursue a positive team culture. We also have a culture of showing up early for practice, warming up to swim before practice, being excited about working hard, encouraging teammates and being proud to wear our cap in individual events and especially relays. Our older swimmers continue to mentor our younger swimmers, providing a top to bottom positive connection within the program.
3. What are two contributing factors to your team’s success over the years?
Staff – While our program is relatively young, each of the lead coaches of our 13 different practice groups have been with the Manta Rays for over 12 years. All of them have embraced our team-wide goal: the constant pursuit of excellence, not only in the development of fast swimmers, but also good people. Our long-standing staff is the heart of the team. They provide the longevity, stability and enthusiasm to bring all swimmers along on the path to excellence. And, we all happen to like each other.
Community Support – We are a proud City of Mason program that operates out of a competition pool we share with the local high school. The City of Mason supports and empowers their coaches to make decisions in the best interest of the program. The City and local school district also collaborate well to support all of the different programs using the pool.
Dryland – Dryland training is an integral part of the program. Six years ago we brought in dryland consultant Vern Gambetta to help us develop a comprehensive and progressive “8 to 18” dryland program. Our kids are not only strong and fit, but the dryland program has “bullet proofed” our athletes from injury. It also provides a different element of fun for our athletes.