It’s been a couple of weeks. Time to get back to what we do best around here, right?

So with “The Game” set to jump off tomorrow in Ann Arbor, it reminded me that we haven’t written a Michigan-specific post in a couple of weeks. We know, we know. That’s unacceptable. We’ll be better! We promise!

OOPS, MY BAD!
I’m not sure where I was or what I was doing when the Michigan boys travelled to Bloomington, IN for meets against IU and Texas. I remember being jealous that I wasn’t going to be able to see those meets; especially because the Longhorns almost never venture this far north during the NCAA season. Anyway, long story short, Texas swept both IU and UM, but UM defeated IU. It didn’t hurt the boys though. They actually rose one spot in the CSCAA poll to #4. Represent! I know the boys are likely bummed this week seeing as how they’ll be away at Northwestern when “The Game” jumps off. But that’s what cell phones are for. I’m sure they’ll be routinely updated as to what’s going on. I know it’s not the same as being there, but what can ya do? I expect 3 (yes, 3) Michigan wins this weekend. 2 from the swim team and 1 from the football team.

“THE GAME”
If you grew up in Ohio or Michigan, then you know what a big deal the Ohio State/Michigan rivalry is. Many will argue, but they don’t know. It is THE biggest rivalry in college sports. I grew up (and still live) in Columbus, so I’ve had all things OSU crammed down my throat for as long as I can remember. I didn’t go to school there, or anything. I’m not a fan. But don’t tell anyone around here that. I don’t want to get jumped. But what people fail to realize is that Columbus is not your average “college town”. It is actually the 15th largest city in the country. And there is a lot more going on here than just Ohio State. So I’d be willing to wager there are a whole lot more people like me than you’ve been led to believe.

Last year, when he asked me if I had any extra tickets for him to the big game in C-Bus, PVK told me that I “better be cheering for Michigan”. I was, but a lot of good that did them. Maybe I should be rooting against them this year? Hmmmm. All I know is that I want Mike Hart to get a win against OSU before he graduates. I also want a UM win so I can see the next hilarious thing he says to the media. Swimming needs a “Mike Hart”. For serious.

THE HUSKY INVITE?
Seriously? Why is the Michigan swimming team going to the Husky Invite in 2 weeks? There are some major invitationals and championship meets going down that weekend, such as the Texas Invitational (that Michigan used to go to) and the Short Course Nationals in ATL. So why is Bob dragging the boys out to Seattle for the Husky Invite? Did someone lose a bet? Is the team being punished for something? Who else is competing at the Husky Invite? Anyone? Bueller?

CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER
We’re afraid he’ll turn “hater” like his oldest brother, but we’re willing to take a chance. On behalf of all of the Swim Aids, we’d like to congratulate a Vanderkaay named Dane on being totally predictable and committing to the University of Michigan. We know you had to keep a little suspense going since everyone has had you as a UM lock for years. (Kind of like we know you’re reading this right now ) But let’s be real. I don’t think anyone would be able to stomach seeing a member of the Vanderkaay clan rockin’ anything other the Maize & Blue (during the NCAA season) and a CW (in the summer). It is simply not done. So Michigan completes the VDK Sweep. Hopefully we’ll see another sweep, in a few years, when Dane is voted a team captain; just like all 3 of his older brothers.

SWIM OFFS
++ I am well aware that this a long post. But it was necessary. You love it.++

++ Wasn’t commenter Messler supposed to hit up the Northwestern/Wisky/UM meets this weekend? If you see this and go, we’d love the 411!++

++ I thought everyone should know that Miss Hunninghake saw our shout-out post, emailed me personally, and sends her thanks for being so sweet. See why we love her?++

I think now would be a good time to say “I told ya so”.

I told everyone to keep their eyes on the Michigan team this season. I believe I even went so far as to say that they were going to “tear shit up”. That wasn’t me being overconfident in their abilities. I’d like to think I know what I’m talking about when professional signings aren’t involved… Anyway, the boys did their thang in the pool and proved me right.

Michigan travelled all the way down to Lochteville Gainesville to take on the Florida Gators. Nice early season matchup between 2 great programs. The meet took place over 2 days and 3 sessions. Taking a look around the net, many were quick to predict a Gator victory. They don’t know what I know, though. I knew Blue would come out on top. Final tally: Michigan 326, Florida 272. [FULL RESULTS]

We saw the usual suspects stepping up and scoring points for UM. You know. Vanderkaay, Patton, Spann, Savulich, Brady, & co. But major props go out to Tyler Clary. Way to make a splash in your freshman season! (Pun intended)

Looks like the beginning of a very special season!

Or else we’ll send Erika to your house to punch you in the face!

We just want to let y’all know, since Club Wolverine Owns Us, that the UM schedule for 07-08 is out and y’all need to go support those boys. Why? Because we said so! Oh, and also because we can’t…

We’d also like to let you know that nothing, short of an act of God, will get us to any UM meets this time around. Yea, we know we’re slacking, but we have a plan, so just bear with us. We will be there in spirit! The alum exhibition and Big Tens interests us more than anything else, but we have to use a little self control this year. Next summer is going to make all of us broke! Besides, I need to go see some of my peoples on tour this fall. I work for/with some music artists too. Y’all don’t know nuthin’ bout that!

And I know I have less of an excuse than the other Swim Aids, being that I’m less than 3 hours from Ann Arbor, but I’d just like to remind everyone that I went to all of the UM meets (home & away) but one during the 2005-06 season. So back up off me! Now, my mind can be changed in rare occurances — and by request — but I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were y’all. However, it should be noted that I will accept gifts in the form of flowers (lillies) and McDonald’s gift certificates (mmm, fries).

Anyway, Go Blue!

A picture is worth a thousand words. haha. Have fun with this one!

I know what you’re all thinking: “Who’s the new guy?”. According to the meet announcer, Chris DeJong has now started pronouncing his name “dijon”. Yes, like the mustard. This wasn’t the only mistake the meet announcer made. He continuously gave us the wrong names, lanes, and times throughout the meet today. Now that we’ve all unrolled our eyes we decided to make a post.

A couple of things: if you’re not sure how to pronounce a name, GO ASK! Keep the correct heat sheet, come on it can’t be THAT hard. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me, but if I were announcing a meet I would at least try to correctly pronounce peoples names. I’m surprised no one has corrected him. Next time let me announce the meet. I have no problem pronouncing names, unless they are Japanese.

That is all. Goodbye.

Looks like swimming’s most photogenic male swimmer, Chris DeJong, wasn’t enjoying life in the retirement home.

Just a short (or long, depending on who you ask) year ago, Chris competed in the Day 1 prelims of the Eric Namesnik grand prix. Shortly after that session, he withdrew from the meet and disappeared from the sport. As the summer of ‘06 wore on, we began to fear that we’d seen the last of The Asian. We asked PVK what was going on (because we were too pussy to ask for ourselves) and he told us that CDJ was “unofficially retired”.

This revelation lead to many tear-filled Swim Aid nights, because can’t nobody strike a pose on the pool deck like The Asian!

At Nationals, the name ‘Chris DeJong‘ turned up on the psych sheet. But we knew better. A quick text to PVK confirmed our prediction that he was indeed not competiting. Luckily we didn’t get our hopes up too much!

In the fall, The Asian started turning up on the pool deck, but not in a competition Speedo. He was keeping stats for the UM team. Better than nothing, but still not like old times.

So imagine our surprise when his name popped up on the Eric Namesnik Memorial grand prix psych sheet. Is our celebration premature? We hope not!

We’ll see for ourselves this weekend!

P.S. Don’t ask us to explain why we call Chris DeJong “The Asian”. If you don’t know, you betta ask somebody…ELSE

ETA: MGoBlue is adding more fuel to the fire! I hope, for their sake that they are not yanking our chains, ladies! Check out the latest release:

Current Wolverines who will participate in the event include 2007 NCAA 400-meter individual medley national champion Alex Vanderkaay (Rochester, Mich./Adams HS) and 10-time All-American Lindsey Smith (Dexter, Mich./Dexter). Vanderkaay will be joined by his brother, 2004 Olympic gold medalist and five-time NCAA champion Peter Vanderkaay (2003-06), and other former U-M stars, including three-time NCAA champion Davis Tarwater (2003-06) and five-time All-American Chris DeJong (2003-06). Club Wolverine members Erik Vendt, Kaitlin Sandeno, Hayley Peirsol and Kalyn Keller will also be competing at the event.

A few short months ago, Kalyn Keller left USC and Dave Salo to train with her older bro at Club Wolverine. Now, Big Daddy Keller has decided to go back to USC himself and train under Salo.

This move saddens the Swim Aids. We grew very accustomed to seeing our dear Kletus rocking that ugly CW cap on a regular basis. It brings back fond memories. We cherished the opportunity to see Klete-esque activities like playing with his fat rolls and applying excessive amounts of sunscreen. Does anyone remember the man-UGGs from World Cup last year, or him almost missing his race at the last ever US Open? We do!

The Detroit Free Press indicated that Klete probably needed a change in addition to wanting to finish his degree. And if this move will rejuvenate him and super-charge his swimming efforts, then by all means, have a safe trip, Klete! Don’t forget to write!

So, is there a 1 sibling per club rule going on? Maybe that’s the REAL reason CDJ retired? And if that’s the case, can someone please pass this memo along to the Vanderkaay’s? They are 1 over quota at present time.

kthanx.