Meet THIS Saturday!

I hope you all have had a Merry Christmas!  I have just returned from Idaho spending time with family and now I'm ready to get things going again.  

In case you missed it, we do have a meet this Saturday, January 4, 2014!  If you are in town, I hope that you plan to come and swim.  This is our last "regular" swim meet of the season.  The championship meets will occur in a couple of weeks and I will send more information next week.

The meet this week will be at a new place Mt Hood CC (26000 SE Stark St., Gresham, OR) The college's physical address is listed, but the entrance to the pool is off of NE 17th. I have corrected the link above to show the proper placement of pool, use those directions if possible.

The meet warm-ups begins at 3:30 and the meet should be over by 6:30.  Please plan to arrive no later than 3:15 and be on the deck in your suit with cap on by 3:20.

We co-host this meet with another team, and I will be sending out our needs for volunteers once I make contact with the other coach, but plan that we will need about half of the positions filled by WHCS parents.

I need to know if your swimmer is going to swim or not.  Please click this link by 7PM Wednesday (tomorrow) to indicate if your swimmer will be present (and what they want to swim) or not.  The following swimmers have submitted entries as of 8am 12/31:

America, Emma

Dutt, Madeleine

Farmer, Caleb

Frost, Heath

Gowens, Christopher

Jaramillo, Emily

Johnson, Hannah

Leslie, Sydney

Longacre, Elisabeth

Otto, Ariel

Terhaar, Maya

Weber, Cole

Willis, Katy

January 4 Meet

It's Christmas eve, and time to think about our next meet.  I will provide the exact details next week (address, times, and hosting responsibilities) so look for another email from me next week.

Click here for meet entries.  All entries are due next week on January 1, but since a lot of families are busy over the next week I thought I would allow entries starting today.

Practices...

I wanted to update everyone on the practice plan for next couple weeks.

This week:
M-W normal practices
Th - Dryland practice at WHCS (no evening practice)
F- NO PRACTICE

Dec. 23-27
23-M - 11:00-12:00
24-Tu - 11:00-12:00
26-Th - 11:00-12:00

Dec. 30-Jan. 2
30-M - 11:00-12:00
31-Tu - 11:00-12:00
2-Th - 11:00-12:00

Meet on Jan 4 at Mt. Hood Comm. College...more info to come!

Results are in!

As I expected, we swam well.  39% of the girls had best times in this meet and 50% of the boys did as well.  Unfortunately, the sick season took some of the swimmers away from the pool, but those that were there swam their hearts out.  Great job, Crusaders!

Click here for the results.

Updated Meet Program

After countless emails, I realized this morning that I inadvertently posted the boys Meet Program only.  Here is the whole Meet Program.

Sorry for any inconveniences!

Dec. 14 Meet

I am looking forward to tomorrow's meet.  It's been about a month since our last meet, and these swimmers have really learned a lot of stroke technique in the past month. 

Here are the particulars for our meet tomorrow.  We are back at the Reynolds Community Pool at 1204 NE 201st, Fairview, OR starting at 3:30 and ending by 6:30. Swimmers should be in their suits ready to swim by 3:30, so plan to arrive by 3:10 to change, get your caps on, and find a place on the deck.

Here is the Meet Program for you to print. I will look forward to seeing you all tomorrow.

Friday practice...tomorrow!

Just a reminder, that our whole team Friday Practice will meet tomorrow after school from 3:15 to 4:15.  I will be sure to end on time tomorrow, especially since the 5/6 graders have their concert tomorrow.

Due to the concert, we will be meeting in the music room, if you want to be present when I highlight the best times by our swimmers at 4:00.  I will have them walk out the doors by the gym to be picked up shortly after 4:15 if you don't meet us inside.

Please note: our next "Friday Practice" will actually occur on Thursday, December 19 from 3:15-4:15.  I will be handing out event awards and best time awards from this week's meet.  Please plan to be there.  Due to this scheduling conflict, both Thursday practices will be cancelled.  Friday practice will also be cancelled due to no school.

Look for the Christmas Break practice schedule to be announced next week...

Meet entries due tonight by 8pm

Our next meet is Saturday at the Reynolds Community pool (same place as last meet) from 3:30 to 6:30.  Please click here to enter your son and/or daughter in the meet.  Please let me know if you are NOT coming or what events your swimmer wants to swim by 8pm TONIGHT!   I must submit all entries by 10pm tonight.

As of 4pm I have received the following entries or regrets:

Akenson, Aidan

Clapp, Shaylee

Craft, Madison

Dutt, Madeleine

Farmer, Caleb

Farmer, Megan

Frost, Heath

Gowens, Christopher

Jaramillo, Emily

Johnson, Hannah

Leslie, Sydney

Longacre, Elisabeth

McFarland, Gwendalyn

McFarland, Lillian

Moshofsky, Sarah

Nelson, Laurel

Terhaar, Maya

Willis, Katy

Woody, Hailey

Meet Entries and End of Season Meet Info...update

Updated!  Link to meet entries added!!

This week's meet info
I feel like it has been a while since I have written you.  I'm sorry if you feel like there has been a lack of communication, but I feel that things are going smoothly now.  The swimmers are learning so much, and it is great to see how each of them have really started to change their strokes and become faster.

Our next meet is this coming Saturday, December 14 at the Reynolds Community pool (same place as last meet) from 3:30 to 6:30.  Please click here to enter your son and/or daughter in the meet.  Please note the All Star Meet (more info below) qualification times if they are close in a certain event.  Please let me know if you are NOT coming or what events your swimmer wants to swim by 8pm on Wednesday!   I must submit all entries by 10pm that night.

End of season meet info
Please note, we have one more regular season meet on January 4 from 3:30-6:30, and we will co-host this meet.  It is the last Saturday of Christmas Break, before school resumes.  I will open meet entries next week for people who will be on vacation.

There will be a couple of different end of season meets for swimming.  First are the Polliwog Championships (K-3rd) on Sunday, January 19 from 1:00-5:30.  All polliwogs that have swam in two or more meets are eligible to swim, and this will be their last meet of the season.  Entries are due on January 7th.

Next, the Division Championships (4th-8th) will be on Saturday, January 25 from 1:00-5:30.  All cubs and cadets that have swam in two or more meets are eligible to swim, and this might be their last meet of the season.  Entries are due on January 14th.

Finally, the All Star Meet (4th - 8th) will occur on Saturday, February 1 from 1:00-5:00.  This is a fee-based, qualifying meet.  All swimmers who qualify for it can swim for a $30 flat fee (meaning whether they qualify for one or six events, it will cost a total of $30). Entries can begin on January 13, and your fee payment must accompany entries.

Meet Entry and end of season meet information

Updated!  Link to meet entries added!!

This week's meet info
I feel like it has been a while since I have written you.  I'm sorry if you feel like there has been a lack of communication, but I feel that things are going smoothly now.  The swimmers are learning so much, and it is great to see how each of them have really started to change their strokes and become faster.

Our next meet is this coming Saturday, December 14 at the Reynolds Community pool (same place as last meet) from 3:30 to 6:30.  Please click here to enter your son and/or daughter in the meet.  Please note the All Star Meet (more info below) qualification times if they are close in a certain event.  Please let me know if you are NOT coming or what events your swimmer wants to swim by 8pm on Wednesday!   I must submit all entries by 10pm that night.

End of season meet info
Please note, we have one more regular season meet on January 4 from 3:30-6:30, and we will co-host this meet.  It is the last Saturday of Christmas Break, before school resumes.  I will open meet entries next week for people who will be on vacation.

There will be a couple of different end of season meets for swimming.  First are the Polliwog Championships (K-3rd) on Sunday, January 19 from 1:00-5:30.  All polliwogs that have swam in two or more meets are eligible to swim, and this will be their last meet of the season.  Entries are due on January 7th.

Next, the Division Championships (4th-8th) will be on Saturday, January 25 from 1:00-5:30.  All cubs and cadets that have swam in two or more meets are eligible to swim, and this might be their last meet of the season.  Entries are due on January 14th.

Finally, the All Star Meet (4th - 8th) will occur on Saturday, February 1 from 1:00-5:00.  This is a fee-based, qualifying meet.  All swimmers who qualify for it can swim for a $30 flat fee (meaning whether they qualify for one or six events, it will cost a total of $30). Entries can begin on January 13, and your fee payment must accompany entries.

Friday Practice!

Just a reminder that tomorrow is the first of our Friday Practices at West Hills.  Practice will begin at 3:15 and end at 4:15.  Students will be released by their teachers to the auditorium immediately after school.  If they need to eat a quick snack, they will be allowed to sit and eat in the auditorium.  No special clothes will be needed, as long as they wear "normal" school clothes.

We will have an awards presentation beginning around 3:45 tomorrow (parents are welcome to watch) to celebrate all swimmers who have earned an event place and best times in the previous 3 meets.

I have a need for some parents to help at practice.  First, if a couple of parents could help supervise during practice, it will make practice run smoother.  Second, if a couple more parents could help put stickers on the place ribbons, swimmers will have a lasting record of their accomplishments.

Please email me if you can help in either area!

This week's practices...

After enjoying a week off, it is time to start thinking about swimming again.  (Although, I know some of you visited a pool to get some practices in - Great Job!)  This week, we will begin our new practice schedule: M-Th practice at VC pool; Friday everyone at WHCS.  Friday's practices will typically consist of videos, dryland exercises, and awards.  If parents want to be present for the awards presentations this week, I will be awarding them from the 3 previous meets, and I will begin them around 3:45 this week since there will be so many.  Normally, I will begin the awards around 4:00 for the Fridays after meets.

For this week we will have normal practices M-Th, and on Friday everyone should attend practice in the auditorium from 3:15-4:15.  No special clothing required (i.e. normal school clothes should be fine), but we may do light core strengthening exercises (so dress or change accordingly).

By the way, if you originally practiced on Fridays please let me know what practice you will be switching to.

Practice schedule changes...

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday break (or soon to be break)!  I know I am thankful for so many blessings in my life and I thank God everyday for those gifts.

I wanted to let everyone know of a system-wide change that will be occurring starting next week for ALL swimmers.  Starting next week (12/6), Friday practices are strongly encouraged for ALL swimmers for the rest of the season.  Practice will occur in the auditorium (or music room) at West Hills from 3:15-4:15.  Swimmers will go to the gym at the end of school, and I will walk them outside the gym doors around 4:15 to be picked up from the curb.  Parents can stay in cars and line up in the parking lot, similar to Kindergarten pick up.

The reason for this change is that I have realized that I am missing an opportunity to address the whole swim team on technique, best time awards, meet results, and meet entries.  In addition to getting through the previously mentioned items, we will also be working on core strength with some moderate exercising (no special clothing required).

Due to this change, I would encourage all athletes that were swimming on Fridays to contact me and pick any of the other practice times that would work into family schedules.  Click here to see the current list of practice times and attendees.

Here is a list of the remaining Fridays and any special notes:

12/06 - in Auditorium 3:15-4:15
12/13 - in Music Room 3:15-4:15
12/20 - NO PRACTICE (No school - Christmas Break)
12/27 - NO PRACTICE (No school - Christmas Break)
01/03 - NO PRACTICE (No school - Christmas Break)
01/10 - in Auditorium 3:15-4:15
01/17 - in Auditorium 3:15-4:15
01/24 - in Music Room 3:15-4:15

No practice this week...

Just a reminder to everyone, there will be no practices this week.

Enjoy your thankful week!

Thanksgiving Week Practices

Due to scheduling, there will not be any practices during Thanksgiving Break.  I would encourage everyone to try to jump into a pool once during the break, but I realize that may not be possible.

In lieu of swimming, you could go over this document, created by Coach Roslyn.  It shows the common errors for all of the strokes.  These errors will earn a swimmer a DQ in a race, so let's try to avoid them. :)

Happy Turkey Day!  

Way to go!

Another great meet is in the books!  Here are the meet results (also posted to Important Links).  Remember, a negative improvement time means they dropped time.

Many swimmers have been asking, "When will I get my ribbons?"  That is a very fair question.  I envisioned at the beginning of the season, taking care of that during practices.  Once the season got rolling, I see that it isn't possible in our 45 minute practices.  Especially since every day, the groups are different.  So I am looking at options for a whole group practice once a week.  Details of this whole group practice will be coming out this week as I finalize logistics.  Once we meet as a whole group, I will award event place ribbons for all of the previous meets and best time awards.  Watch for details to come...

Lost and found items...

In the previous meets, a few swimmers have left behind items.  I have acquired many wonderful items that may be yours.  If your swimmer is missing a towel (I have 5) or other items, please see me.

Also, a girls team suit was left over at the Lake Oswego meet last weekend.  It is a size 30.  Someone else on the team is missing their size 28 suit.  I am wondering if they were accidentally switched after the meet.  Could you please check the size of your daughter's suit to confirm they have the correct one.  (FYI, Sharpie works well and lasts a long time on these types tags, if you want to label yours.)

Swim Meet TODAY!

Just a reminder that the meet is at the Reynolds Community Pool (1204 NE 201st, Fairview, OR) from 1:00 to 4:00. I would like all swimmers to arrive by 12:45, ready to swim. Since we host this meet, I would like all parent volunteers at their position by 12:45 as well. I believe we can enter the facility at 12:30, so feel free to arrive early.

I forgot to request one volunteer spot. We need 4 safety marshals during warm ups only. This requires one adult to stand at each corner of the pool during warm-ups only to ensure the swimmers are not acting in an unsafe manner. You can do this AND volunteer for another position, since this is before the meet only. If you could be one of the four, please contact the Volunteer Director, Meegan Mittelstaedt, as you arrive.

Meet Progam

The meet program has been added to the "Important Links".  You can download it here to view and print.

Meet Program...delayed

Due to circumstances out of my control, the meet program has not been published by CYO.  I normally have a copy by this time of the week, so I will post it as soon as I have it.  I expect that it will be delivered to me sometime tomorrow.

Reminder...meet attendance/entries due today at 8pm!

Please click here to let me know if your swimmer will be here, and to fill out events if you want.

BY 8PM!

I must submit tonight!

Nov. 17 entries due by 8pm Wednesday!

Please click here to enter your swimmer by 8pm on Wednesday.

Click here to volunteer for the meet.

Finally, click here to see a listing of what the meet jobs entail.

Meet Results / No Practice Monday!

You will find the results attached here and also on the blog under the  "Important Links" area.   Also, since you are on the blog, check out the file "All Star Qualifiers" for the All Star Meet on Feb. 1 I have posted in the links area.  We are starting to grow the list of WHCS swimmers.  "Go Crusaders!"

Additionally, since there is no school tomorrow, there is no practice either.

See you all on Tuesday!

Nov. 9 Meet

I am very excited for our meet tomorrow!  The warm ups begins at 4:30 at the Lake Oswego HS Pool.  It is located to the to the east of the High School which is located at 2501 Country Club Rd, Lake Oswego.  I just received an email from the host team letting us know that swimmers will be allowed to walk into the facility at 4:15.

Please view the meet program, and print it for your reference during the meet. Remind your swimmers to listen for the coaches to give them their event entry cards.  I suggest writing your swimmers events with a sharpie on their hand or arm before they get in the pool in a way similar to this photo.  You can see the event, heat, and lane from the meet program.  Coaches can assist with this if necessary.  This way, they know exactly when they are swimming.  In this photo, this swimmer's first event is Event 8, Heat 3, and Lane 6.  The next is Event 20, Heat 2, and Lane 4.  Please only write the individual events.

Please make sure you view the link to the blog and look at the Important Links on the right.  One of the documents is a listing of the All Star Meet qualifying times.  The only way to get into the All Star Meet is with a qualifying time in a developmental meet, and a few swimmers have already achieved qualifying times.  If your swimmer is interested in swimming in the All Star Meet, please share the qualifying times with them.

Please feel free to ask me any questions I may have missed.  Do not respond to the email, as it sends it to a noreply address.  You have two options: first you can comment on the blog, or you can send an email to swimteam@whcs.org.

Friday Practice...

WHCS has our normal practice time tomorrow (Friday).  Valley Catholic does NOT have school tomorrow, but has allowed us to practice.

I wanted to inform everyone, since some parents were asking the question.

Nov. 2 Meet Results

I am sorry for my oversight!  A few parents asked for them today, and I apologize for not getting this posted faster.  You will find the WHCS team's results here.  I will also keep it on the right side of the blog under "Important Links" for the remainder of the season.  You will also find the entries for the Nov. 9 meet on the side too!

Note: there were a lot of DQ's primarily due to (but not limited to) the following reasons:
Freestyle  - Using the bottom (by standing) or using the lane line for propulsion.
Backstroke - Not finishing while on back
Breaststroke - Not finishing with a simultaneous two-hand touch, or legs were not a mirror image of each other (i.e. scissor kick or flutter kick)

Meet Entries due by 8pm!

As of 4pm, the following people have responded to let me know if they coming to the meet or not (see below).  Please respond either way at: https://docs.google.com/a/whcs.org/forms/d/1NpR7S-XvtNiTmDA-sof0xGhlj3Z9KTSNWdkfTXVbhjM/viewform  Remember, this is for individual events only.  I will place everyone who will be at the meet in relays.  If you want Coach Kevin to decide all events, please only indicate that your swimmer will be present.

I NEED ALL RESPONSES BY 8PM!  CYO requires me to submit by 10PM.

Clapp, Shaylee

Craft, Madison

Dutt, Madeleine

Farmer, Caleb

Farmer, Megan

Guffee, Avery

Guffee, Ella

Guffee, Jameson

Jaramillo, Emily

Johnson, Hannah

Killian, Ainsley

Longacre, Elisabeth

McFarland, Gwendalyn

McFarland, Lillian

Moshofsky, Sarah

Nelson, Laurel

Otto, Ariel

Suter, Maggie

Terhaar, Maya

Walker, Christian

Weber, Cole

Willis, Katy

Woody, Hailey

Zell, Mariah

Zell, Sierra

Nov. 9 entries due Wednesday by 8pm!

It's time to choose your swimmers events.  The meet this week is at Lake Oswego HS Pool (address and directions coming later this week) from 4:30-7:30.  

Click here for meet attendance and selecting your events.

Each swimmer can swim up to three individual events and one relay or two individual events and two relays.  I will assign all relays.  Here is a listing of all events.

Please email me any questions you have!

Meet recap / Practices this week

I am so excited by what I saw yesterday.  West Hills has some talented swimmers, and I love how they used their God-given talents to try their hardest and succeed!

Now for a couple of items to discuss with parents and swimmers.  First of all, we all need to get to the pool earlier (me included).  Let's shoot for having the swimmers on deck, in their suits, ready to swim 15 minutes before the the scheduled start of the meet.  Our next meet at the Lake Oswego HS Pool is scheduled to start warm ups at 4:30.  Let's try to have everyone in suits on deck at 4:15.

Feel free to print the meet program at home and share it with your swimmer.  Have them look at the event numbers and realize how close or far apart their events are.  Also, too many swimmers did not realize they were in relays.  Let them look at the relays or let them know when they are swimming and with who.  I will always have a meet report posted, but I want them to know what they are swimming before everyone gets to the meet.

Also, pack two towels for your swimmer.  One to sit on and get very wet, and one to dry off with and keep warm.  All of the snacks I saw were great!  Keep them performing well with nutritious snacks.

We will be hosting the meet in two weeks, and parents are always encouraged to volunteer at every meet.  If you want to be involved, you do not need to be invited.  If you want to be a timer, take an empty seat.  If you want to work in the bullpen or other positions, inquire if they need help at the table with a computer operator.

Results will be posted tonight or tomorrow by CYO.  I will make a link on the main blog page and send a post to let everyone know exactly where to find them.  As I expected, we had many DQ's.  Some of them occurred due to the finer points of the more technical strokes.  A majority of them came in one of three main areas that we will work on in practice this week.  If your swimmer was DQ'd in one of these strokes, this is probably one of the reasons:

• Freestyle - walking/using bottom of pool
• Backstroke - turning over on front before the end of the race (Swimmers must finish on their back)
• Breaststroke - finishing with one hand (Swimmers must touch the wall with two hands simultaneously)

Lost and found items from Nov. 2 Meet

I found these items left behind.  If they are yours, I will bring them to practices this week.

Practices this week:

Normal practices this week.  

Coach Kevin will not be at practice Tuesday night or Wednesday.  This will be my regular schedule going forward.  With 7 practices a week, I need to step back a little for my own sanity.  I hope you understand.

Nov. 2 Meet

Our first "real" meet is upon us, and I am very excited.  Warm-ups will begin at 3:30 on Saturday, so plan to arrive about 20 minutes early to the Reynolds Pool located at 1204 NE 201st Ave., Fairview, OR.  The meet should last around 3 hours.

Below you will find some basic procedures and meet etiquette to help most of us at our first "real" meet.  Meet tips for the Reynolds meet will be listed at the bottom, so please make sure you read it all.  

Here is a good website that lists general swim meet basics from the USA Swimming website.  Feel free to read it (in addition to my notes) for a good overview of swim meets in general.

Arriving and warm-up:
Swimmers should come to the team area on the deck in their swimsuits. We will inform swimmers when the warm-up time begins. Everyone must complete the warm-ups. This is the time for swimmers to get ready for their races, get their muscles warmed up, and get used to the pool they are swimming in.  After warm-ups, we will have a quick team meeting and team cheer.

During the meet:

After the team meeting, swimmer will go to the area where they are sitting and wait there until his/her first event is called. Due to the length of the meet, swimmers should plan to occupy themselves with a book (that could possibly get wet), by cheering, chatting with friends, or sitting with their parents.  No electronics should be on the pool deck, due to the proximity of the water.  They will need to make sure they are paying attention to what event is swimming. The announcer will announce events and heats.  Let your swimmer know that they should go to the bullpen (staging area) about 3 events before they swim WITH THEIR MEET ENTRY CARD in their hand. There will be volunteers to help them get to the right lane in the correct heat of the event.  If the swimmer is not in the lane behind the starting block for their heat and event, the starter will not wait for them, so it is important that they follow the meet.

Snacks:
Since the meets are around three hours long, the swimmers may get hungry.  The best snacking foods would be any light, and nutritious snack that won't make a mess on the pool deck.  Goldfish, Ritz crackers, and Cheerios are poor choices due to how they make a mess once wet on the pool deck.  Fruit, peanut-free trail mix, wheat thins, etc... are all great choices.


Nov. 2 specific information:
Our team suits should be ready for pickup Friday afternoon (If this changes, I will post new information immediately!), and I will hand them out before the meet begins.  Plan to arrive about 20 minutes early to get your suit, if I have it.   Unfortunately, some sizes are on backorder.  Please click this link to see if your suit was backordered.  Highlighted names are backordered and will have their suit before the Nov. 9 meet.  Due to this fact, and wearing the suit for the first time, EVERYONE should bring a backup racing suit.  I will have WHCS swim caps for everyone.  Please try to take care of yours, but if you should lose or damage it, I will always have more on hand to give out.

Click here for the Meet Report.  Please print your own copy and bring it to the meet.  This will list all swimmers' events, heats, and lanes.

As always, if you have any questions...ask!

Meet participation and entries due TODAY

I have responses from 22 swimmers that they are going to the meet.  I need to know today by 8pm if your swimmer is going to the meet.  Please indicate whether or not they will be participating (and if you/they want to which entries)

If you have already responded (see the bottom of this post if I have yours recorded), you can disregard this message.

If you have not responded, please do so ASAP.  CLICK HERE

America, Emma

Craft, Madison

Dutt, Madeleine

Farmer, Caleb

Farmer, Megan

Frost, Heath

Guffee, Avery

Guffee, Ella

Guffee, Jameson

Jaramillo, Emily

Leslie, Sydney

Longacre, Elisabeth

McFarland, Gwendalyn

McFarland, Lillian

Moshofsky, Sarah

Nelson, Laurel

Powers, Grace

Powers, Jacob

Suter, Maggie

Terhaar, Maya

Walker, Christian

Weber, Cole

Willis, Katy

November 2nd Meet Entries

I am excited for our first developmental meet at the Reynolds Pool (same place) from 3:30 to 6:30pm this Saturday!  I need you to let me know if your swimmer will be participating.  Also, you can help your swimmer select the events for their meet, if there is something they want to swim.  If you would rather me to choose, please click the box to let me know they will be there and leave the event entry sections blank.  YOU MUST HAVE ALL ENTRIES COMPLETED BY 8PM WEDNESDAY NIGHT!  Or, I will do them.  My entries are due to CYO by 10 pm.

Click here for meet attendance and selecting your events.

Each swimmer can swim up to three individual events and one relay or two individual events and two relays.  I will assign all relays.  Here is a listing of all events.

Also, please don't forget...NO PRACTICES ON 10/31!!

Please email me any questions you have!

FYI, the notification system from Blogger is slower than the email I sent from the other system.

Swim meet recap

Thank you for your patience and cheering for our first meet.  I realize that this was the first swim meet for over half of our team, and I am so proud of the swimmers in how they went with the flow!  Every swimmer, whether they had a fear of swimming in a race or not, all swam fantastically!   The purpose of this meet was to allow many first time swimmers (which our team has many) the chance to swim as a part of a relay and to conquer their fear.

Our future meets will not run like this one.  The rest of the meets are a majority of individual events, and one or two swims as a part of a relay.  The order of events will not change for the rest of the season.  Typically swimmers (and parents) will sign up for events by 10 pm on Wednesday nights.  Then, I will send out and publish heat sheets before the meet via the blog.

The following is how the meets will work in the future:

• When swimmers arrive, they will warm up in our predetermined lanes.
• We will have a quick team meeting and team cheer.
• Swimmers will learn to follow the meet and when a swimmer gets close to their event, they will get their event card from a coach.
• They will walk themselves to the bullpen for each event with their event card in hand.
• They will hand their card bullpen for final heat and lane assignment.
• When instructed, they will walk to their lane and hand the timer their event card.
• Get ready to swim!
• Go FAST!
• Once done with all of their events, swimmers may leave once they check out with a coach.

Please look for a blog post tomorrow to sign up for the meet on November 2 back at Reynolds Pool.  You must sign up by 8pm on Wednesday night.

No Practice 10/31

Practices on Thursday, October 31, 2013 will be cancelled.  

If you wish to come to a make up practice, please choose Monday, Wednesday or Friday afternoon of that week.  Both Tuesday practices are full at this time.

Pumpkin Meet Details

I hope you all are as excited as I am for our first meet tomorrow.  The meet is a relay only meet, so all swimmers will swim in teams of 4 to 6.  This exhibition meet will not record times or points.  It is considered a fun meet, and I have heard that candy will be given out.

Here are some of the details:

• Expect it to be very chaotic!
• Make sure your swimmer knows where you will be sitting
• MANY swimmers!
• Many first time swimmers
• Many interesting relays
• Arrive by 12:45
• We will sit as a team, look for Coach Kevin.
• WHCS Swim caps arrived and are encouraged for ALL swimmers (boys and girls alike)
• Most swimmers will swim only freestyle and a few will swim backstroke and breaststroke
• Official entries will be announced tomorrow.
• Plan to spend nearly the whole time at the pool.  If you need to leave early, check out with Coach Kevin

Relay meet...please respond!

With entries due in less than a day, I *NEED* to know TODAY if your swimmer is going to swim on Sunday from 1:00 until 4:00.  You can respond with a "yes" or "no" to inform me either way.  Please let me know if your swimmer is going to make it or not by clicking this link. 

So far 18 people have responded:

Akenson, Aidan

Burke, Holly

Burke, Katelyn

Craft, Madison

Dutt, Madeleine

Frost, Heath

Jaramillo, Emily

Killian, Ainsley

Killian, Grady

Moshofsky, Sarah

Nelson, Laurel

Otto, Ariel

Parker, Garrett

Parker, Lauren

Terhaar, Maya

Willis, Katy

Zell, Mariah

Zell, Sienna

Look for more information about the meet (including entries) on Saturday.

Pumpkin Relay Meet - This Sunday!

Our first meet is upon us!  This Sunday (10/27) from 1:00 until 4:00 is the Pumpkin Relay Meet at the Reynolds Pool (1204 NE 201st, Fairview, OR).  This is a fun relay meet, where everyone can swim up to 4 relays.  I will enter most people in 3 unless you indicate to me that you want your swimmer in more or less.  Again, I will only enter them in a relay if I'm fairly sure they will swim the stroke correctly.

Please let me know if your swimmer is going to make it or not by clicking this link.  I need to know by Wednesday at 10pm.

Here is a printable document of the rest of the meets for the season.

URGENT! ORDER FORM! No practice Wed-Fri!

Due to suit fitting on Wednesday and no school on Thursday & Friday, there will be no practice Wednesday - Friday this week.

Swimmers should have brought this order form home from today's practices, or you can download and print from your house.  Order forms must be present tomorrow.  Sorry for the late notice.  I found out at 4pm today, and have been away from a computer until now!

JD Pence will be at WHCS on Wednesday, October 16 immediately after school to try swimsuits on for purchasing the correct size of our team swimsuit.  The fittings will occur in the 7-8th grade hall (bathrooms and workroom).  I will take all swimmers from the carpool area at 3:15 to the 7-8th grade hall.  It will take about 30-45 minutes to get everyone done.  Your swimmer may leave as soon as they tried on a suit.  If you want to be present to make sure they are getting the correct size, you are welcome to be there.  You can come up to the 7-8 grade hall to pick up your swimmer.

Suit fitting and practice schedule.

JD Pence will be at WHCS on Wednesday, October 16 immediately after school to try swimsuits on for purchasing the correct size of our team swimsuit.  The fittings will occur in the 7-8th grade hall (bathrooms and workroom).  I will take all swimmers from the carpool area at 3:15 to the 7-8th grade hall.  It will take about 30-45 minutes to get everyone done.  Your swimmer may leave as soon as they tried on a suit.  You can come up to the 7-8 grade hall to pick up your swimmer.  

I would urge every swimmer to purchase a suit, but it is not mandatory   Suit prices will be published here as soon as I have them, but expect to pay about $30 for boys suits and $45 for girls suits.  Please remember, swimmers should wear undergarments while trying on the suits.  

Since we will be here helping swimmers try suits on, there will not be practice on Wednesday.  Yes, that means no practice from Wednesday-Friday next week.  I am sorry for the spotty practice schedule at the beginning of the season.

Practice schedule for the week of 10/14-18

Monday 4:00-4:45

Tuesday 4:00-4:45

Tuesday 6:30-7:15

Wednesday NONE

Thursday NONE

Friday NONE

Schedule update!

I wanted to make sure we are all up to date on the schedule changes coming up.

• Thursday, Oct. 10 @ 7pm - Parent Meeting - NO EVENING PRACTICE!
• Friday, Oct. 11 - NO PRACTICE (VC No School)
• Thursday, Oct. 17 - NO PRACTICES (WHCS No School)
• Friday, Oct. 18 - NO PRACTICE (WHCS No School)

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at swimteam@whcs.org

Parent Meeting on 10/10

Parent Meeting - 10/10 @ 7:00pm in WHCS Auditorium

I am going to hold a mandatory Parent Meeting this Thursday at 7:00pm.  The practice for that evening is cancelled.  I would like to have at least one parent from each family to give all of the necessary information, since this is new to everyone.  We can't rely upon experienced families, so all information is important.  If you need to bring your children, please provide an activity for them.  There will not be any childcare or activities for them.

I will lay out the entire season, introduce all coaches, talk about volunteering, and answer all questions you have.  The meeting should last no longer than 45 minutes.

Welcome to the Blog!

I'm glad you have made it here.  This will be your new source of information for the WHCS Swim Team.  I will update often, so please enter any and all addresses in the "Follow by Email" box to the right.  Just below that, you will find useful links that will be updated throughout the season.

First order of business, if you click on the Practices tab at the top, you will see which practice days and times I have you scheduled for.  If you don't see your name on the list it is because you have not filled out a short form to assist me with assigning you to a practice time.  Please click here and complete the form.

Last announcement for now.  A parent meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, October 10 at 7pm in the auditorium.  I would like to have at least one parent from each family to give all of the necessary information, since this is new to everyone.  We can't rely upon experienced families, so all information is important.  Due to this meeting, this thursday night's practice is cancelled!  I simply can't be two places at once...