Guest Blog Post by Coach Col Matt Schroer: Striving for Excellence and Sacrifice in Seton Swimming
“The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner He wills it; and thirdly, to do it because it is His will.“ – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
“If you’re bored with life — you don’t get up every morning with a burning desire to do things — you don’t have enough goals.“ – Lou Holtz
At Seton Swimming, you’ve committed not just to the program but to the values that define us: Gratitude, Excellence, Meekness, and Sacrifice (GEMS). Let’s reflect on two GEMS that distinguish good athletes from great ones: Excellence and Sacrifice.
Excellence: Focusing on Better
At Seton, we believe in aiming for better. When we focus on becoming better, good naturally follows.
How do we achieve “better”? It’s not just about training harder — it’s about training with purpose and goals. As a wise Marine once said, “A goal without a plan is simply a dream.” God entrusted us with talents not merely to work harder but to invest wisely, improving ourselves and those around us.
At Seton Swimming, we set goals, map out paths to achieve them, and execute our plans. This approach applies not only to our swim season but also to our time at Seton, our family life, and our Catholic faith. Without clear goals and plans, we risk becoming directionless dreamers, squandering the talents God has given us.
We strive for Excellence because that’s what we are called to do.
Sacrifice: Offering It Up for Others
Achieving great goals demands sacrifice. Worthwhile goals stretch and challenge us, requiring us to push beyond comfort. Sacrifice might mean spending extra time in the pool, enduring tougher dryland workouts, adopting a better diet, or leaning on teammates to push us forward.
At Seton Swimming, we rely on teamwork and love. Love, as defined by St. Thomas Aquinas, is “willing the good of another.” Our team thrives on mutual support:
- Swimmers set challenging goals that inspire.
- Teammates coach, mentor, and encourage one another.
- Captains and Coaches demand excellence, correct strokes, and push us to achieve our best.
We hold each other accountable because Excellence and Sacrifice require all of us working together.
Setting SMART Goals
To achieve our goals effectively, we use the SMART goal methodology:
- Specific: Clearly defined and detailed. What do you want to accomplish? Who’s involved? What’s your timeline? Why is this goal important?
- Measurable: Progress must be trackable. How will you know you’ve succeeded?
- Attainable: Goals should stretch you but remain realistic. For example, aiming to break 1:00 in the 100 Free is realistic; qualifying for States as an 8th grader may not be.
- Relevant: Your goals should align with your broader commitments — swimming, school, and faith.
- Time-based: Goals must have a deadline. Is your timeline achievable?
Setting SMART goals ensures we define and pursue them effectively. They also allow teammates, captains, and coaches to hold us accountable.
Examples of SMART Goals
Here’s a balanced approach to goal-setting at Seton Swimming:
Swim Goals:
- Weakest Event (100 Fly): 1:10 by season’s end; 1:20 mid-season.
- Strongest Event (50 Free): :31 by season’s end; :33 mid-season.
- 500m: 6:00 by season’s end; 6:30 mid-season.
School Goal:
- Maintain an A- average in Latin IV through the 3rd quarter.
Faith Goal:
- Perform a Corporal Work of Mercy at least once a month.
Accountability and Execution
At Seton, we track our goals to ensure accountability:
- Friends and teammates encourage us.
- Captains keep us honest.
- Coaches push us to stay on track.
Written goals serve as constant reminders of our path. As we approach time trials, take time to reflect and answer these questions:
- What are my weakest and strongest events?
- What school and faith goals should I set?
- How did I perform at time trials, and what should I strive for by the season’s end?
- What interim goals will help me reach my end-of-season targets?
- Do my goals align with the SMART methodology?
- Once you’ve reflected, enter your goals into the Google Form provided.
JV: your swimming goal should be not later than the January 25th JV Junior Varsity Swim & Dive Invitational Championship.
Varsity: consider which meets in February you want to test yourself.
Let’s Be Excellent Together!
The season ahead offers countless opportunities to grow in Excellence and Sacrifice. Let’s honor the GEMS and make this a season to remember!
“Set goals. Plan well. Execute with purpose. And always offer it up!”