Performance Wellsprings

- EXCELLENCE IS A CHOICE -

Greetings! This first edition of Performance Wellsprings highlights the exciting achievements of our scholars and athletes in training. You will also find program info, news, and updates providing an overview of our academic and athletic immersion approach.*

Later bulletins will detail our training theory and practice while offering behind the scenes reporting on the unique challenges and personal triumphs of our charges. By fall, Unfolding Universe will publish its final blueprint for the Wellsprings Academy, a combined university level curriculum and athletic training program offering a performance based mentorship alternative to high school education. We look forward to sharing the adventure with you and welcome your program inquiries and reflections.

The Unfolding Universe programs provide elite, performance based, one-to-one academic and athletic training. The comprehensive immersion approach is well suited to highly motivated individuals seeking the learning and sports facility of top performers excelling in "most" competitive universities and colleges. All training is conducted by the Directors, Hal Hirshon, M.A.T. and Alex Primilsky, M.S.
*see biographical summaries

The Aristotle Tutorial, a full curriculum, three hour academic immersion for high school and college students, convenes two to four times weekly for one or two marking periods.

Ultimate Preseason Athletic Training, a world class immersion program for swimmers, runners, and fencers, is conducted year round by the coach of world, national, and Olympic champions, past and present.

The College Bound Summer Intensive, a combined program in university level academic and athletic training for high school juniors and seniors, runs for six weeks, July 7th through August 15th (We have two openings as of May 20th).

Notice! The College Bound Summer Intensive Open House May 31st, 1:00 pm, at the Boston Architectural Center (rm. 3-4 in the Carriage House Annex). The BAC is located at the corner of Newbury and Hereford streets in Boston's Back Bay.

Directors Hal Hirshon and Alex Primilsky* will discuss the programming supporting CBSI's university level academic and athletic immersion training.

Those interested in receiving the Summer Intensive's comprehensive program brochure may contact Hal at 450-9810.

We look forward to seeing you at the Open House.

Updates:

Olympics 2000: Homecoming for our world champion coach.

April marked the first U.S. reunion celebration of Alex and his Olympic and World Champions in San Antonio during the U.S. Open Pentathlon Championships. As befitting the occasion, his former competitors extended a warm greeting to Alex's latest up-and-comer, pentathlete Mark Kype.

This spring's Aristotle Tutorial scholars continue the training's legacy of excellence. All have demonstrated markedly improved intellectual facility and have the marks to show for it.

Our Ultimate Pre-season Swim athletes won events in the nationals, were appointed team captains, and excelled in both technical development and open meet competition.

Biographical Summaries

Academic Director, Hal Hirshon, M.A.T. (Brown University), is a highly regarded faculty instructor in Critical Analysis at UMASS/Boston. He received the 1994 Outstanding Instruction Award as a Senior Learning Specialist at Boston University and has been cited for teaching excellence by the Middles States Association for Accreditation and the Vermont Board of Education. He served as English Chairperson for the Performing Arts School of the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts (now the University of the Arts) during its first successful Middle States Accreditation and his comprehensive, performance based immersion training has been commended by University Deans and Program Directors, and a long list of parents and their many successful students.

Athletic Director, Alex Primilsky, M.S. (Lvov Institute, Russia), is swim coach of the highly regarded Masters Program at the South End Fitness Center whose regular participants include elite, top ranking triathletes and a host of high ranking regional competitors. Alex was awarded World Honors/Best Coach of the Ukraine for repeatedly training world and national champions including two-time World Pentathlon Champion Gregory Bremel (1989 Egypt/1990 Portugal). The 1996 Olympic Pentathlon Silver Medalist, Edward Zenovka,* trained under Alex during his tenure as swim coach of the Russian national team. For fifteen years, Alex cultivated Olympic, National, and World Champions as head coach of the Ukraine Olympic School. His inspiring mentorship approach has been recognized by scores of top ranking and novice athletes who cite his brilliant and insightful execution of carefully paced aerobic conditioning and elite technical training. *more about Alex

Olympics 2000: Homecoming for our world champion coach.

This April, Coach Alex and one of his current Olympic prospects, 35 year old pentathlete Mark Kype, completed a four day training session at the U.S. Olympic Pentathlon Camp (San Antonio, TX). Arriving just three days before the start of the U. S. Open Pentathlon Championships, Alex was warmly received by former world, national, and Olympic champions whom he coached as members of his world dominating Ukraine and Russian national teams. Former teammates, Edward Zenovka (1996 Silver Medalist, Atlanta) and Gregory Bremel (twice World Champion), welcomed Mark into their Olympic training circle at a back yard bar-b-que. Comparing fencing blades and target pistols, the Russian champions were quick to recognize Alex's handiwork in Mark's technical development.

Others who have seen Mark train in Alex's Master's Swim at Boston's South End Fitness Center will attest to his dedicated training and fierce drive which have taken him from a "fair weather" recreational swimmer to a highly competitive athlete with increasingly potent freestyle technique. From his initial time of 3:40 for the 200 meter swim (six months ago), Mark has improved his performance to 2:40 by mid April. He hopes to reach 2:25 by the end of summer before his first pentathlon competiton in the fall in Mexico or Brazil.

Mark's fencing skills have shown comparably impressive gains. Coaching excellence and dedicated athletic talent have taken Mark from a novice fencing enthusiast to a rapidly advancing competitor with highly skilled epee facility. "His technical development is right on target," remarks Alex who cites Mark's considerably improved footwork and sword handling.

In his tactical bouting, Mark increasingly scores points by simultaneously deflecting and tagging. "My blade handling during heavy engagement has really come together. Working with Alex, I am very confident that I will one day compete with the best pentathlon talent from Europe and Russia."

[photo of Zenovka, Alex, and Bremel --- photo of Mark and Alex]
Champions past and present - Zenovka and Bremel - A Champion future?

Most memorable quote heard at the Bar-B-Que. "Alex, where did you find him (Mark)? He's got the (Russian) spirit!"

Ultimate Pre-Season Swim Training
The High School Program

Last fall's Ultimate Pre-Season Swim Training Program saw hard driving performances from Newton North swim competitors, as well as a special guest appearance from top ranking world age-group triathlete (35s), Anatoly Chevchuk..

Commencing weekday evenings on the heels of the masters program, the eight week pre-season base training combined one-to-one technical development with innovative interval regimens benefiting from Alex's many years of Olympic and World Championship team coaching.

A sample of the fun:

Warm Up/

• 400 swim
• 200 kick

Core/

• 200 I.M.
• Complete twice the following set:
• 2 x 75 (25 stroke/50 free) both medium on 1:00
• 4 x 100 (choice/medium) on 1:50
• 3 x 150 (#1choice/medium, #2 and #3 free-100 medium, 50 hard) on 2:10
• 4 x 100 (#1 and #2 catch-up/medium, #3-50 left+50 right/medium, #4 medium) on 1:40
• 2 x 75 (both free/50 medium, 25 hard) on 1:00

Recovery and Exercises/

• 100 EZ-200 Kick
• Sprint Aerobic/ 8 x 25 hard (on the watch)

Warm Down/

• 200 EZ

Newton North Junior Wes Goldstone (UPST, fall), following a very competitive '96/'97 season, was selected a senior tri-captain. (Wes has also achieved considerable academic success as a participant in the combined academic and athletic training-see page three.) Newton North breast-stroker, Ido Gabay (UPST, fall), again qualified for the state championships and looks forward to another winning individual record in '98. Other participants expressed enthusiasm for the training's emphasis on quality aerobic conditioning and overall work-out effectiveness. Some would have preferred an earlier work-out schedule (UPST was held 8:30p.m. to 9:30p.m. weeknights, Monday through Thursday) and Program Coordinators will do their best to secure an alternative schedule next fall, though limited pool availability has precluded earlier time-slots in the past.

[picture of Wes getting a dose of one-to-one academic training]
Out of the pool, Wes trains at the college level in the one-to-one Aristotle Tutorial.

Ultimate Pre-Season One-to-One Swim Training, Update 1997

Since last October, South Boston junior national's competitors, John and Shane Dorian, along with brothers Gannon and Michael, have improved markedly while training in Alex's UPST. Though Alex respectfully credits the South Boston Boys Club for providing John and Shane base training and general swim programming, parents John and Maura Dorian have been very pleased with UPST's professional swim coaching. "We believe Alex has largely helped to further the development of our young swimmers competitive swim technique and performance."

John Jr.'s National's results (10 and under) in Orlando this April were very encouraging. He finished 6th overall while placing 2nd in the 100 Back (1:22), 3rd in the 50 Back (39.53), and 5th in the 100 Free (1:12). At the New Jersey Invitationals (8 and under), brother Shane placed first in both the 100 Free (1:25:97) and 25 Breast (19:94).

Alex sees considerable potential in the Dorian brothers. He should know-He has raised world champion pentathletes from the age of eight while head coach of the Ukraine Olympic School. Everyone looks forward to the Dorians' continued success this summer.

Mary Washington College sophomore, Whitney Berman, regained much of her competitive form while completing simultaneous technical development and base rebuilding with Alex last fall and winter. His carefully choreographed "less is more" work-outs enabled Whitney to recoup much of her strength after suffering a shoulder stress injury at college last year. Her mother reports that she has been competing pain free this spring, and that Whitney looks forward to Alex's combined one-to-one and Masters Swim Training this summer.

Triathlete and Stanford University Physicist Ron "The Terminator" Chiarello was extremely enthusiastic about his competitive prospects after swim training with Alex this winter. Already a monster cyclist and running competitor, Ron has used Alex's work-outs as a template for extended base conditioning in preparation for his up-coming west coast triathlon season. He looks forward to a one-week swim immersion with Alex when visiting the east this summer.

A host of former non-swimmers have shown tremendous progress developing free style technique. Several self-proclaimed "sinkers" mustered the drive and spirit to master a quarter, a half, a full length, and more, en route to full free-stroke autonomy. This is no small feat for a number of adults and juniors with long standing fears of deep water. Hats off to you! Several of these first timers benefited from Alex's labor intensive "mirror" protocols in which coach and student replicate each other's stroke, kick, breathing and rotation enabling suspension and propulsion. For Alex, the success of these beginners has often been as gratifying as the accomplishments of his elite triathletes and world champion pentathletes.

The Masters Program

This program is known for its accommodation of elite, world champion and world ranking triathletes (including this winter's participation of world 35's champion Anatoly Chevchuk-finishing 6th at this year's Hawaiian Ironman). Yet, many novice and intermediate swimmers have expressed deep appreciation for Alex's generous professional attention.

All swimmers over eighteen are welcome. Work-outs are held Monday through Friday, 7:30pm to 8:30pm, with indoor parking available.

For additional information, contact the South End Fitness Center at 534-5822 or Hal Hirshon at 450-9810.

Another sample of the fun:

• Warm Up (600 Swim, Pull, Kick)
• 200 I.M. (fast lanes)
• 900 free (for every 100--75 med/25 hd) (fast lanes)
• 600 free medium (lanes 1 and 6)
• 8 x 75 choice/medium (20 sec. interval)
• 300 pull (100 med- 50 hd- 100 med- 50 hd)
• 8 x 75 free (25 med./50 hard) 25 sec. interval
• 200 drill
• 4 x 50 kick (15 sec. interval) and 200 Warm Down

*Alex tailors all workouts to benefit individual levels.

Hats off to twice Ironman Canada Champion, Michael McCormack, a regular Masters swimmer who was the 2nd American finisher at the Hawaiian Ironman Championships. He has inspired many of us with his spirit and technical example. We wish him continued success. (Check out Michael's triathlon training articles in Metro Sports magazine.)

[picture of Michael and Alex]

Window on Athletic Director Alex Primilsky, M.S.

Born in the Ukraine in 1946, Alex has a long standing history of Olympic, World, and National pentathlon competition and coaching. First recruited by the Ukraine's top Pentathlon Coach at age sixteen, Alex combined his well established strengths in swimming, fencing, and equestrian competition with new training regimens in cross-country running and target shooting. By his early twenties, he was competing internationally as a member of the Ukrainian Pentathlon Team. His athletic excellence and training experience attracted the attention of Russia's top coaches seeking elite talent for their Olympic School staff. Rising to head coach of the Ukraine Olympic School, Alex raised world, national, and Olympic champion pentathletes over a fifteen year period. Not long before his U.S. emigration, Alex was awarded highest coaching honors for his training of two time world champion pentathlete, Gregory Bremel.

Now settled in Brookline with his wife Natasha and daughter Eleanor, twelve, Alex conducts his one-to-one swim and fencing training at the South End Fitness Center. An increasing number of nationally ranked juniors and elite masters have realized the benefits of Alex's training craft. The Dorian boys of South Boston, winning competitors at the New Jersey Invitationals and Sarasota, will be among a host of top talent undertaking intensive immersion training with Alex this summer. As described by twice Canadian Ironman Champion Michael McCormack in Alex's August '96 Boston Globe feature, "He was an elite athlete, and he trained elite athletes." All who have worked with Alex agree that he presents an exciting opportunity to realize fully individual potential. The results past and present speak for themselves.

The Aristotle Tutorial

Notes on the Performance Based, Full Curriculum Academic Immersion

This spring's scholars in training continue to hone the academic facility of top performing students who will go on to do very well in most /highly competitive universities and college programs.

Meeting three to five times weekly, three students each immersed in one-to-one, full curriculum learning skills and advanced analysis training.

The Net Results: (third marking period/Spring 1997)

• Student number one moved from a marginally passing 2nd quarter G.P.A. to Honor Roll.
• Student number two earned the Ten Most Improved Students Award (for the entire school).
• The third student's two month focus upon college level analysis of the Russian Revolution yielded a top thesis paper evaluation (while he had long ago achieved the honor roll outside of the Aristotle Tutorial).

These individuals merit considerable recognition for their academic drive and achievement. Like their predecessors, they have completed many hours of labor intensive close reading exercises to substantially evolve independent facility for sophisticated text comprehension and analysis. Each has increasingly shown indicators of the heightened focus requisite complex and detailed theory explication in a range of disciplines.

Cumulatively, their work drew upon investigations in Astronomy, Biology, Russian History, Early Civilizations, Modern World History, French, Spanish, and English and American Literature.

C.J. Manning tore through molecular processes sustaining photosynthesis and the kreb cycle (the vital energy transformation and storage enabling proliferation of numerous life forms on our planet), navigated the path of international political and economic developments culminating in World War I, and weighed the arguments of the Boston Globe editorialist who criticized Newt Gingrich's failure to marshal government resources in a return to pure "Reaganomics".

Wes Goldstone completed successful analyses of several Russian Revolution histories while gaining a view to the integration and assembly of sub-theses in the context of an extended term paper. Close readings compelling the focus requisite precise recitation gave way to written exposition illustrating the presentation of both summary and forensics. In the end, Wes had written a comprehensive discussion detailing the interplay of Russia's internal economic challenges, political handicaps, and peasant agrarian affinities, and the external forces of both Germany's war machine and rising industrial economies in the western hemisphere.

Danny Serrano completed close readings revealing the logic of Newton's laws of motion and gravity as applied to planetary movement. Recently, he has investigated the application of these laws in the use of simple tools including the inclined plane, the lever (1st, 2nd, and 3rd classes), and the wheel and axle as illustrated in David Macaulay's The Way Things Work (think keys and locks, back hoes, and hydroelectric turbines). His success here bodes well for his upcoming studies in the 1997 College Bound Summer Intensive beginning July 7th. Danny's Spanish language rehearsal protocols have enfranchised him with increasing facility for dialogue, his pro-active investigations of subsequent Early Civilizations chapters have provided him a greater context in which to place pivotal economic, political, and cultural developments, and his synthesis of cultural, political, and economic influences in the life of Malcolm X resulted in a rigorous illustration of thesis composition, (and a superior evaluation).

The College Bound Summer Intensive

Alex and I have been working at a brisk pace to finish preparations for the exciting College Bound Summer Intensive. We have had some very informative discussions with several high school academic advisors and coaches and are pleased to have completed half our summer intensive enrollment by early May. At the same time, young ranking national's competitor, John Dorian, will complete a challenging six-week combined academic and athletic immersion for advanced intellectual and sports development. A full update on the summer intensive's exciting scholastic and sports adventure will see publication in our August newsletter.

Until then, we wish all of you continued academic and athletic success this spring.

Open House Preview:

Though the Open House will provide detailed discussion of the Academic Immersion's university-level discipline study, here follows the seminar introduction and an example of a typical day's intellectual undertaking.