De Anza Cupertino Aquatics

August 21 , 2008 - DACA Competitive Practices to Resume Monday, September 8, 2008

All DACA Competitive Practices, including the National Group will resume on the afternoon of Monday, September 8, 2008. We look forward to a great fall!

DACA swimmers swam to lifetime bests, as well as record setting performances, while relays continued to prove strong at the 2008 U.S. Open, held July 29-August 2, 2008 in Minneapolis. Shayne Fleming broke the 15-16 National Age Group Record in the preliminaries of the 50 freestyle, with a personal best 23.05. He then went on to capture the bonus final (17th place) in 22.72, not only breaking his newly set 15-16 record, but the 17-18 record as well, making Shayne the fastest American 50 freestyler under the age of 19 in history. Maddy Schaefer also qualified for the bonus final in the 50 freestyle, finishing in 19th place, with a near best time of 26.15. Individual bests at the meet included Shayne Fleming in the 50 freestyle (22.72) and 100 freestyle (51.33), Danielle Gong in the 100 butterfly (1:03.27), Maddy Schaefer in the 100 freestyle (57.10), and Whitney Campbell in the 50 freestyle (26.45).

DACA Relays were strong, with the Women's 400 Freestyle Relay of Maddy Schaefer, Hayes Hyde, Jennifer Gong, and Whitney Campbell finishing in 3:49.73, good enough for 8th place, the highest finish of any non-University related club. The Women's 400 Medley Relay of Ashley Vrieze, Danielle Gong, Hayes Hyde, and Maddy Schaefer finished in 12th place, touching the wall in 4:18.01. Congratulations to all participants, Way to Go DACA!

Both individual and relay champions highlighted DACA's performance at Summer Sectionals, held July 16-21, 2008 in Bakersfield, CA. DACA finished with 861 points to claim 3rd Place in the Large Team Division. Event Champions included Jennifer Gong (400 IM) and both the Women's 400 Medley and 400 Freestyle Relays. Whitney Campbell, Hayes Hyde, Chelsea Fong, and Maddy Schaefer combined to win the Freestyle Relay in 3:51.96, a new Sectional Record, while Kristen Clarno, Jennifer Gong, Jessica Khojasteh, and Emma Drysdale teamed up to finish 3rd in 3:57.77. Ashley Vrieze, Eva Chen, Hayes Hyde, and Maddy Schaefer were crowned champions in the Medley Relay, finishing in 4:21.25. The DACA Women's 800 Freestyle Relay of Hayes Hyde, Chelsea Fong, Jessica Khojasteh, and Maddy Schaefer also had a strong swim, finishing in 2nd place (8:29.96) Other standout swims included new Jr. National Qualifying Times from Kristen Clarno in the 50 Freestyle (27.80) and Hayes Hyde in the 100 Butterfly (1:03.22). Congratulations to all DACA Sectionals Swimmers!

Whitney Campbell - 50 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle
Maddy Schaefer - 50 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle
Ashley Vrieze - 100 Backstroke
Hayes Hyde - 100 Butterfly, 200 Butterfly
Jennifer Gong - 200 IM, 400 IM
Shayne Fleming - 200 Backstroke

DACA Swimmers put up an excellent showing at the US Olympic Swimming Trials, held at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Nebraska June 29-July 6, 2008. Both Maddy Schaefer and Shayne Fleming qualified for the United States National Junior Team with their outstanding swims in the 50 freestyle. Shayne's 23.29 was just hundredths off his lifetime best, while Maddy swam a personal record of 26.02 to qualify. Each year, the National Junior Team is comprised of the best 15 & Under Girls and 17 & Under boys in the entire country. They will compete with this elite squad either in Guam or Victoria, B.C. in the coming months. Maddy's 50 freestyle swim also qualified her to compete this week at the FINA World Youth Championships in Monterrey, Mexico. Congratulations to all of DACA's Trials Qualifiers, and best of luck to Maddy this week in Mexico! Way to go DACA!

There will be NO AGE GROUP PRACTICES Friday, July 4, 2008 in observance of 4th of July or Friday, July 11, 2008 due to the J.O. Championships. Practices will resume as normal the following Mondays.

Four Swimmers will be representing DACA at the US Olympic Swimming Team Trials, coming up June 29 - July 6, 2008 in Omaha, Nebraska. Maddy Schaefer (50 Freestyle), Ashley Vrieze (100 backstroke), Danielle Gong (200 IM), and Shayne Fleming (50 Freestyle) each took the time to share their thoughts on qualifying for Olympic Trials and DACA's role in helping them achieve their goals. Congratulations to each of our qualifiers and best of luck in Omaha! GO DACA!

Maddy: The night before I made the cut, I swam the 50 free in finals. I missed the cut by .01 seconds. The cut is 26.39 and I went 26.40. I was so upset that night because I really thought I was going to make it then. I talked to Pete and we made a plan to try one more time during the 200 free. I would swim it as a split for the first 50 and then do the 150 easy. So I swam the 50 split. I looked up and when I saw my time I was so HAPPY! I was in shock. I was so excited I could barely finish the 150 easy. When I got out of the pool, all of my friends from DACA were standing there ready to give me a hug! :-)

Ashley: The feeling was so surreal. I had missed the cut multiple times and once I achieved it, I couldn't believe it was true. I still think it is surreal that I will be competing at Olympic Trials. I am so thankful that everything finally came together for that one race. I had trained so hard and the feeling of looking up at the clock and seeing my time was unbelievable.

Danielle: I was ecstatic when I found out that I got my cut. I still remember, I got it a year ago in Irvine. Before my race, Pete told me to go for it and I was a little unsure if I could get it. When I touched the wall, I saw that I had gotten it. It was also a relief to get it because it was a goal of mine to get it.

Shayne: When I finished the race and achieved the cut in the 50, time stopped for a little bit. Time came back when I heard my Teammates congratulating me from the side of the pool and it was all smiles from there.

Maddy: Pete has always been very encouraging and from the very beginning he understood that I have very high goals. He supports me completely. I am so glad he is my coach. My teammates also encourage me, too. Every day in practice, we all try to help one another to be the best that we can be.

Ashley: DACA has supported my Olympic Trial aspirations by supporting and believing in me 100%. I couldn't have been able to achieve the qualifying time without the support of my swimmers and their parents, my teammates, my co-workers, and most of all my coach(Pete). DACA is an amazing club program. It gives swimmers so many opportunities to be the best swimmer and person they can be.

Danielle: DACA is and has been extremely supportive of my Olympic Trial aspirations. DACA has a really strong support group that includes knowledgeable coaches at all levels and who are willing to do anything to help you succeed. DACA has high standards and a strong work ethic, which is expected from a young age

Shayne: The gift of being able to train on Daca has been a blessing ever since I started. It is impossible to say any coach I have had has not helped me. I am grateful for the chances to travel so far in order to get faster competition and my best swims. Daca has been a wonderful help ever since I joined the club 7 years ago.

DACA Swimmer and US Open Qualifier Whitney Campbell is featured on La Voz Online in an article highlighting her quest to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Trials.

All competitive groups will return to there normal practice schedules today at Saratoga High School. Remember all Saratoga High School Groups will be swimming at De Anza College on Thursday, June 12, 2008.

On Thursday, June 12, 2008 Saratoga High School will be holding its 2008 graduation ceremony on campus. This means that all Competitive groups will be swimming at De Anza College. Please refer to the practice schedule below to find out when your child will be swimming on Thursday.

Do to a mechanical problem at the pool DACA has cancelled swim practice at the Saratoga High pool. Practice should resume as scheduled tomorrow June 10, 2008. We do apologize for the late notice.

June 4 , 2008 - De Anza College Annual or Summer 2008 Parking Pass Available

The 2008 Annual / Summer Parking Pass Application for De Anza College is now available. The application must be printed out and received by the DACA office NO LATER than June 27th. Please note that all vehicles parked at De Anza College must have a parking pass or daily permit.

Click here to download and print the application form

DACA Swimmers finished the high school season with a great weekend at CCS. Highlights included Maddy Schaeffer breaking the Pacific Swimming Record for 13-14 Girls in the 50 Freestyle with a 22.99, 4 Individual Champions, and 25 Championship Finalists! Congratulations to all participating swimmers!

Chelsea Fong - 200 Freestyle (1st CCS Championship Title)
Danielle Gong - 200 IM (4th CCS Championship Title)
Shayne Fleming - 50/100 Freestyles (4th CCS Championship Title)

Chelsea Fong - 200 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle
Hayes Hyde - 200 Freestyle, 100 Butterfly
Danielle Gong - 200 IM, 100 Butterfly
Eva Chen - 200 IM, 100 Breastroke
Laurence Delisle - 200 IM, 100 Breastroke
Emma Drysdale - 50 Freestyle, 100 Butterfly
Maddy Schaeffer - 50 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle
Jessica Khojasteh - 50 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle
Elsa Cheng - 100 Backstroke
Shayne Fleming - 50 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle
Kevin Parizi - 200 IM, 100 Backstroke
Andrew Chin - 200 IM, 100 Butterfly
Arthur Lam - 100 Breastroke
Richard Chen - 100 Breastroke

Pacific Swimming will be hosting a stroke and turn officials clinic on Saturday, May 31, 2008
from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. At the Fremont Hills Country Club, 12889 Viscaino Pl. Los Altos, CA 94022

Becoming a stroke and turn official helps you support our team by becoming more involved and will also count towards required volunteer hours.

All those who are interested in attending this free clinic please e-mail Martina Dezwirek to reserve a spot at
mdezwirek@gmail.com

Coach Jaison will be leaving us here at DACA to pursue a career with the Vans Footwear Corporation located in Southern California. We wish him every success at Vans and hope that he achieves all of the goals that he aspires.

Burlingame Aquatic Club will be hosting a stroke and turn officials clinic on Saturday, April 26, 2008
from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. At the Burlingame High School Pool, 400 Carolan Avenue, Burlingame CA.

Becoming a stroke and turn official helps you support our team by becoming more involved and will also count towards required volunteer hours.

All those who are interested in attending this free clinic please e-mail Christopher Culp to reserve a spot at
chris@burlingameaquatics.com

The Short Course Far Western Championships were held this past weekend in Pleasanton, CA and DACA finished the weekend of solid swimming in a 3rd place finish. Some highlights from the meet were the 13-14 DACA Boys swept all 5 relays, Casey Fleming was Far Western Champion in the 100 Back, and AJ Zavala and Kevin Khojasteh finished 1st and 2nd in the 100 Breast!

The Far Western Championships signifiy the end of the short course season and the beginning to the long course season. Good luck to all DACA swimmers this spring and summer!

There will be NO COMPETITIVE PRACTICES April 9th-11th due to Spring Break. Enjoy your break!

March 26 , 2008 -DACA Alumni Sasha Brophy competes at Div III NCAA National Championships

Former DACA swimmer Sasha Brophy competed at the Division III NCAA National Championships representing her college, MIT. This is the 2nd time Sasha participated also having made the trip in her sophmore year. Sasha swam the 100 Freestyle (53.13) finishing 25th, 200 Free (1:53.86) finishing 8th, and the 500 Freestyle (5:06.65) finishing 24th. Nice job Sasha and congratulations on a great collegiate career!

DACA National Team member Danielle Gong was featured on Channel 20, Cal-Hi Sports this past Sunday. If you missed it, stay tuned because we will have a link posted so you can view it. She will also be featured in the All-Star issue of the San Jose Magazine this summer in July, so remember to keep your eyes open for that one!

Over the past weekend DACA swimmers of all age groups participated in the Spring JO Championships in San Ramon, CA. The meet saw some very fast swims with many DACA swimmers qualifiying in the Top 8 to come back and swim in the evening finals competition. Here is a list of our DACA Finalists:

Girls
Sayeh Faridnia, Valerie Wang, Aileen Lee, Anna Yu, Roslyn Lu, Heather Stanbury, Sabrina Shie, Thuy Phi, Tammy Tai, Joyce Zhou, Jessica Khojasteh, Ritty Zhai, Ellen Umenda and Sarah Arakaki.

Boys
Kevin Shang, Kevin Su, Andy Guo, Jeffrey Lee, Darren Zhao, Justin Read, Patrick Benight, Vernon Chan, Kevin Khojasteh, Casey Fleming, Ian Yuh, Jonathan Lin, A.J. Zavala, Michael Leung, Vincent Chen, Connor Bengston, Richard Chen, Michael Chen and Eric Trautman.

Nice job Finalists and good luck at the upcoming Far Western Championships!

March 13 , 2008 - DACA Swimmers at Sectionals, Erich Peske Breaks Pacific Swimming Record

Ten swimmers from the DACA National Team participated in the California-Nevada Spring Sectionals over the past weekend in Mission Viejo, CA. Out of 53 Teams competing DACA finished in a respectable 5th place. Among the many great swims, one highlight was Erich Peske's 100 meter Butterfly in which he broke the 13-14 Boys Pacific Swimming record. Erich shattered the 7 year old record by almost a second clocking in at 57.89. Nice job DACA and congratulations Erich!

At the Clovis Senior Meet, Shayne Fleming of the DACA National Team broke his own Pacific Swimming Record in the 100 yard Freestyle clocking in at 45.14, just breaking his previous record of 45.18. Keep it up Shayne!

DACA's National Team, Development Group and Senior Teams traveled to Clovis, CA over the past weekend to compete in the Juanita Allington Senior Qualifier Meet. The meet was a success with many lifetime best times. There were a number of swimmers who qualified to compete in the evening finals with 31 overall swims in the Bonus Finals, 32 overall swims in the Consolation Finals and 54 overall swims in the Championship Finals. Way to go DACA!

The 2008 Spring Parking Pass Application for De Anza College is now available. The application must be printed out and received by the DACA office NO LATER than March 21st. Please note that all vehicles parked at De Anza College must have a parking pass or daily permit.

Click here to download and print the application form

The following swimmers were selected to the 2008 Zone 1 North All-Star Team that will travel and compete in Carson City, Nevada. Good job and good luck swimmers!

8 & Under Boys:
Gianluca Bencomo

** Future bills will be sent to you by E-mail on the 21st of each month. All credit card accounts will be charged on the first of the month. Payments for non-credit card accounts must be received by the 5th of each billing month to avoid a $25.00 late payment charge.

While DACA continues to work at improving our billing process, we appreciate your patience.

When dropping off swimmers at the Saratoga High School pool site please do not stop your car at the steps near the front gate. Stopping at this point in the parking lot causes backups and gridlock within the parking lot. Please pull into a parking spot and have your child leave the car then. This will make the traffic flow smoother and safer for everyone. Thank you.

December 10 , 2007 - DACA Finishes 2nd at Pacific Swimming Senior Championships

The DACA National Team and Development Group competed in the Pacific Swimming Senior Championships over the weekend finishing in 2nd place. Check out below Individual Champions and Championship Finalists from the meet.

Individual Champions:

Kevin Parizi - 100 Back / 200 Back / 100 Breast / 200 IM
Shane Fleming - 50 Free
Eva Chen - 200 Breast
Women's 200 Medley Relay - Vivian Yuen, Eva Chen, Hayes Hyde, Maddy Schaeffer
Men's 200 Medley Relay - Kevin Parizi, Richard Chen, Andrew Chin, Shane Fleming
Women's 200 Free Relay - Maddy Schaeffer, Eva Chen, Chelsea Fong, Hayes Hyde

Championship Finalists:

Maddy Schaeffer - 50 Free / 100 Free / 200 Free / 500 Free
Chelsea Fong - 50 Free / 100 Free / 200 Free / 500 Free
Hayes Hyde - 200 IM / 100 Fly / 200 Fly
Vivian Yuen - 200 Back
Paige Gilley - 100 Back
Jeff Peters - 1650 Free / 1000 Free / 500 Free
Arthur Lam - 200 Free / 200 IM / 100 Breast
Erich Peske - 100 Fly / 100 Back
Andrew Chin - 100 Fly / 200 Fly / 100 Breast
Richard Chen - 200 Breast

Way to go DACA!

The DACA National Team and Development Group kicked off the competitive season with the St. Ignatius Invitational in San Francisco this past weekend. Teams competing at the meet alongside DACA included the Terrapins, Arden Hills, North Bay Aquatics, San Ramon Valley Livermore Aquatics and the Cabrillo Threshers.

Hayes Hyde – 100 Fly – 58.92
Laurence Delisle – 200 Back – 2:04.20, 200 IM – 2:09.23
Danielle Gong – 400 IM – 4:29.64
Women's 200 Free Relay (Delisle, Fong, Hyde, Schaefer) – 1:39.21
Women's 400 Free Relay (Schaefer, Fong, Hyde, Gong) – 3:34.72
Women's 200 Medley Relay (Delisle, Chen, Gong, Schaefer) – 1:49.73
Women's 400 Medley Relay (Delisle, Chen, Gong, Schaefer) – 3:58.50

Shane Fleming - 50 Free – 22.10, 100 Free – 47.58
Richard Chen – 200 Breast – 2:15.74

The DACA Senior Teams from both De Anza College and Saratoga sites joined this past weekend and headed to Mission Viejo in Orange County to compete in the 2007 TYR "Turkey Classic". The meet was a success with the swimmers achieving 84 lifetime best times! There were also 10 new JO's cuts and Sarah Arakaki and Eric Trautman achived Far Western time standards! Way to go Senior team, nice job representing DACA in Southern California!

DACA National Team member Hayes Hyde was named a 2006-2007 Scholastic All-American Team member. The Scholastic All-American Team is comprised of high school student-athletes, who have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, and have competed in an individual event in the 2006 Summer Speedo Championships Series (summer sectionals), 2006 ConocoPhillips Nationals, 2006 Junior Swimming Championships, 2006 U.S. Open, 2007 Speedo Champions Series (spring sectionals), and 2007 Spring Championships. The award is based on a point system for grades and competition.

Nice job Hayes, keep up the good work next year!

October 11, 2007 - De Anza College Facilities

As a reminder to all of our families at the De Anza College pool site, there are NO dogs allowed on campus at any time of the day. Please respect the policy of the college and leave your pets at home. Thank you for your cooperation.

Zone 1 North will be hosting three clinics for beginning stroke and turn officials. Parents from any team are welcome and are encouraged to attend these clinics. Becoming a stroke and turn official helps you support our team by becoming more involved and will also count towards required volunteer hours.

If you would like to attend one of these free clinics, please send an RSVP email to Mark Taliaferro at mtaliaferro@ucpaloalto.com and let him know which one you plan to attend.

No prior experience with swimming or officiating is necessary. The three clinics will cover the same content; pick the one that is most convenient for you. There is no fee for attending a clinic, but you must register as a non-athlete member of USA Swimming to be allowed on deck as an official.

Congratulations to the following DACA swimmers for their selection to the High School All-American Team!

Women:

Chelsea Fong       50 Free / 100 Free
Hayes Hyde            200 Free / 100 Fly
Laurance DeLisle    200 IM / 100 Back
Danielle Gong         200 IM / 100 Fly

Men:

Kevin Parizi 200 IM / 100 Back / 100 Breast
Shayne Fleming 50 Free / 100 Free

The following swimmers represented DACA at Senior Nationals this Summer in Indianapolis, Indiana:

Whitney Campbell
Laurence Delisle
Danielle Gong
Shayne Fleming
Hayes Hyde
Fiona O'Donnell-McCarthy
Ashley Vrieze

The following swimmers represented DACA at Junior Nationals this Summer in Indianapolis, Indiana:

Eva Chen
Chelsea Fong
Hayes Hyde
Maddy Schaeffer
Kevin Parizi

Congratulations to the following DACA swimmers who were selected to represent Pacific Swimming at the Western Zone Meet in New Mexico:

Aileen Lee - 10 & Under Girls
Rolland Lee - 11-12 Boys
Jeff Peters - 13-14 Boys
Richard Chen - 15-16 Boys
Arthur Lam - 17-18 Boys

Congratulations to DACA's Sectional Team who finished in 1st place for the Women's Teams, 7th place for the Men's Teams and 4th place for the Combined Teams.
Highlights include:

DACA's age groupers rocked at the Pacific Swimming Junior Olympic Championships. DACA took 2nd place with numerous finalists.
Highlights include:

Jeff Peters, in Gold Boys group, took FIRST PLACE in the Bridge to Bridge open water race on July 7th! This race was from the Bay Bridge to the Golden Gate Bridge over 6 miles of COLD open water swimming. Way to go Jeff!

March 19, 2007 - Kevin Khojasteh Breaks Pacific Swimming Record

At the Junior Olympics swim meet, Kevin Khojasteh broke the Pacific Swimming record in the 11-12 boys 400 I.M. The previous mark was set three years ago by fellow DACA swimmer Shayne Fleming. Kevin smashed the record by nearly three seconds with a time of 4:27.56.

February 20, 2007 - DACA Alumni Shine at Pac-10 Championships

Day one of the Pac-10 Championships, three former DACA swimmers had impressive results!

Abra Armour (Arizona State University) qualified for NCAA Championships as a member of the 200 free relay. In addition, she qualified with a "B" cut in the 50 free with a time of 23.33.

Nilasha Ghosh (Stanford University) qualified for NCAA Championships in the 200 IM and placed 2nd in the consolation heat with a 2:00.3. In addition, she qualified with a "B" cut in the 50 free with a time of 23.3.

Jennifer Gong (University of Washington) had a best time in the 200 IM with a 2:05.0 and placed 26th in the event.

Day Two & Three of the Pac-10 Championships:

Abra Armour (Arizona State University) and Jennifer Gong (University of Washington) posted personal best times in all three of their events. Jamie Martinez (Arizona State University) posted a personal best time in her 200 back.

February 9, 2007 - De Anza College Facilities

All able bodied individuals should NOT use the disabled door openers. If you are able bodied, you can certainly open the door yourself. This will save wear and tear on the door mechanism. This also includes the elevator. I see numerous able bodied students using the elevator to get down to the pool deck. Thanks for your cooperation.

January 30, 2007 - 11-12 Boys Break Pacific Swimming Records

At the Zone 1-North Championships, the 11-12 boys attacked the Pacific Swimming Records. Kevin Khojasteh, Rolland Lee, Michael Leung and A.J. Zavala broke the 200 Free Relay set back in 2004 by DACA. They also combined to break the 200 Medley Relay by nearly a full second which was set back in 1983! Congratulations Boys!

January 29, 2007 - Kevin Parizi Wins Ray Taft Award

Kevin Parizi won the Ray Taft Award at the Zone 1-North Championships by winning the 100 backstroke event.

January 15, 2007 - Jeff Peters Selected to the Pacific Swimming Distance Camp

Congratulations to Jeff Peters who was selected as one of the top distance swimmers in Pacific Swimming and will attend an intensive training camp at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Have fun in the altitude where the air is rare!

September 11, 2006 - High School All-Americans

Congratulations to DACA's High School All Americans.

Men:
Nicholas Buonfiglio
Kevin Parizi

Women:
Laurence Delisle
Danielle Gong
Jennifer Gong
Michelle Liu
Hayes Hyde

September 11, 2006 - Laurence Delisle Qualifies for National Select Camp

Congratulations to Laurence Delisle who qualified for USA Swimming's National Select Camp which will be held November 9-12th at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

October 18, 2005 - Become a USA Swimming Official

De Anza Cupertino Aquatics USA Swimming Official Development Program

Our mission is to offer opportunities for parents of DACA swimmers to receive training, volunteer-hours credit and recognition for serving as USA Swimming Officials.

Stroke and Turn Judge, Head Timer, Starter, Referee and Marshal are jobs that have been filled by Pacific Swimming parents for decades. Swim meets benefit our children and their friends. Competitions are for the benefit of all youth and cannot be conducted without pool deck officials willing to serve.

It is the responsibility of all swimming clubs to provide adults who will serve. A typical 8-lane competition requires 6-12 stroke and turn, 2-3 starters, 1-4 referees, 4-8 marshals, 2-3 intermediary, 1-3 timing system operators. Clearly, we cannot rely on someone else to fill these jobs considering that nearly every weekend there are 2-5 swim meets taking place in Northern California. In Zone One North (our zone), there are two or three weekends per month where our swimmers compete. Often, in order for meets to allow all participants a chance to enter, two meets are held concurrently, doubling the demand for meet officials.

It is important for DACA to be represented in proportion to our large membership. DACA will keep you informed of the dates and locations of upcoming training events. In just a few hours you can learn how to perform one of these vital official’s tasks. And, there is a benefit reward beyond community service.

DACA VOLUNTEER HOURS CREDIT: (Effective September 2005-August 2008)