Championship Info...

There will be a couple of different end of season meets to end our swimming season.  Below you will find information about each one and about volunteering.  Please read this email carefully, it has a lot of information.  All the following meets occur at the Mt. Hood Aquatic Center and specifically under the bubble.

Polliwog Championships

First are the Polliwog Championships (K-3rd) on Sunday, January 15 from 1:00-5:30.  All polliwogs who have swam in two or more meets are eligible to swim, and this will be their last meet of the season.

Division (Cub/Cadet) Championships

Next, the Division Championships (4th-8th) will be on Sunday, January 22 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 10th.

All-Star Meet

Finally, the All Star Meet (4th - 8th) will occur on Saturday, January 28 from 1:00-5:00.  This is a fee-based, qualifying meet.  All swimmers who qualify for it can swim for about a $40 flat fee (meaning whether they qualify for one or three events, it will cost a total of about $40, exact charge will be announced before entries open). Entries can begin on January 9 and end on Jan. 24, and your fee payment must accompany entries.  Currently, here is a listing (2 pages) of who has qualified and in which events.

Volunteers

As always, these meets are staffed by parent volunteers and each team has a certain number of positions to fill. Spectators will have to pay to watch the meet and be crammed in the bleachers.  Volunteers can watch for free and are not confined to the uncomfortable bleachers.  So you want to volunteer, right?? ☺  Julie Motschenbacher will be emailing everyone with the details on how to volunteer for any of the three meets.

Practice update!

Due to the impending weather coming our way tomorrow afternoon, we are practice is cancelled on Wednesday afternoon.  Additionally, we are being proactive and have cancelled on Thursday afternoon as well, but mostly due to lack of coaching staff.

Christmas practices will on the Thursday (12/22), Monday (12/26), and Thursday (12/29) from 4:00-5:00 (cubs/cadets can stay until 5:30 if desired).

Additionally, we only have one more Beaverton Swim Center practice on 01/08/17.

So here is a recap in list form:

Wed (12/13) - CANCELLED - tomorrow
Thur (12/14) - CANCELLED
Sun (12/18) - No practice until 01/08
Thur (12/22) - 4:00-5:00/5:30 @ VC
Mon (12/26) - 4:00-5:00/5:30 @ VC
Thur (12/29) - 4:00-5:00/5:30 @ VC
Tues-Thur (01/03-05) normal practices resume
Sun (01/08) - 6:00-7:00 @ BSC (last Sun practice)

Sorry for the spotty practices!

~Kevin

Polliwog entries due!

Even though the Polliwog Championships are more than a month away, I need your entries by tomorrow night.  Please click the link below.  (I have entries for Elly, Connor, Rachel, Adam, and Sophia).  Just a reminder, all Polliwogs swim at this meet and this is their final meet.

Polliwog Championship (Jan. 15 - Sunday)

• Entries due 12/13 (Tuesday) @ 8pm!
• ALL POLLIWOGS SWIM
• Mt. Hood (Bubble) starting at 1pm

Meet program

Just to let you know, the meet program has been uploaded and can be found here.

Remember, the meet is on Sunday this time at the Reynolds Pool again.  Warm-ups begin at 1:00pm and the meet will start around 1:15, and it should conclude close to 4:00.

Please remember, there are no more scheduled practices this week until Tuesday.

Reynolds Pool 
(Located behind the Middle School)
1200 NE 201st Ave.
Fairview, OR 97024

Practice updates!

Obviously by now, you know that school has been cancelled tomorrow.  With that decision, practice is also cancelled.  Sadly, Friday's dryland practice is cancelled due to the 5th/6th grade Christmas Concert on Friday night.  Finally, due to Sunday's meet at the Reynolds Pool starting at 1:00pm, we will not have practice on Sunday night as well.

Practice recap:
Thursday (12/7) - Cancelled - Inclement Weather
Friday (12/8) - Cancelled - Christmas Concert
Sunday (12/10) - Cancelled - Meet

Meet results and entries for Sunday's meet

Yesterday's meet results are here, and also on the side of the blog.

Meet entries are due for this Sunday's meet by 8PM Tuesday night.  The meet will be at the Reynolds Pool again, but it will be on Sunday starting at 1pm.  At this point in time, the following swimmers have submitted their entries:

Riley
Lucy
Elly
Maya
Rowan
Kinley
Connor
Amalie
Adam 

If your swimmer isn't listed, click here to enter them.

Meet tomorrow!

As you are hopefully aware of, we have another meet tomorrow.  This time it is at the Reynolds Pool, which is actually located at their middle school/administration offices (not the high school).  The address of the building is 1204 NE 201st Ave., Fairview, OR.

Due to a miscommunication between one of the coaches and myself, we are co-hosting this meet.  It is important that we fill a few spots to make this meet run smoothly.  The other team is filling a majority of the positions.  Please click the following link and volunteer.  Our meet's success depends on your volunteering.

http://signup.com/go/bGFrKa

The meet program can be found here.  Warm-ups begin at 4:00 and volunteers should be in their place by 3:40 and all swimmers should be on the deck by 3:45.  The meet will end close to 7:00pm, due to the number of swimmers.

Finally, if your swimmer has become ill and will not be at the meet, please email me ASAP or text me at 503-267-2346.

Meet entries as of 4pm!

As of 4pm today, I only have these 16 entries, out of nearly 40 swimmers. Please enter your swimmer by 8pm today!

December 3rd meet

Maya 

Ariel 

Isa

Katja 

Riley 

Lucy 

Elly

Adam 

Luke 

Gabriel 

Rachel 

Amalie 

Rowan 

Madeleine 

Mason 

Sydney 

Swim Entries

I know we are only in the end of November, but I want to start to let everyone know about the meets for the rest of the season.  You can enter in all of the meets right now (except All Star Meet), click on the meet to enter.  Entry information for the All Star Meet will be sent out in a week.

December 3rd meet (Saturday)

• Entries due 11/29 (TOMORROW!) @ 8pm!
• Reynolds Pool starting at 4pm

December 11th meet (Sunday)

• Entries due 12/6 (Tuesday) @ 8pm!
• Reynolds Pool starting at 1pm

Polliwog Championship (Jan. 15 - Sunday)

• Entries due 12/13 (Tuesday) @ 8pm!
• ALL POLLIWOGS SWIM
• Mt. Hood (Bubble) starting at 1pm

Cub & Cadet Championship (Jan. 22 - Sunday)

• Entries due 1/10/17 (Tuesday) @ 8pm!
• ALL CUBS AND CADETS SWIM
• Mt. Hood (Bubble) starting at 1pm

All Star Meet (time qualification meet) - (Jan. 28 - Saturday)

• Entries in January
• Mt. Hood (Bubble) starting at 1pm

If you have any questions about the meets, please email and ask!

Great meet / no practice TODAY! / T-Giving Week Practice

What a great meet we had!  Thank you all for pitching in and pulling off a great meet.  I had multiple coaches come up to me after the meet and comment on how well the meet ran.  It was due to your volunteering, so thank you all!

Just a quick reminder, there is no practice tonight, but we will be back to practicing on 11/27.

The Thanksgiving practice schedule:

• Sunday (today) - no practice
• Tuesday - normal time
• Wednesday - normal time
• Thursday - no practice
• Friday (dryland) - no practice
• Sunday (11/27) - normal time

If I don't see you sooner, "Happy Turkey Day!"

~Coach Kevin

Nov. 19th Meet

This post will have several parts to it, please take time to read it all.

First and foremost, here are the meet entries.  Since we are the host team, we get an advance copy.

Now, we still need volunteers!  There are a few positions we need filled (in order of importance):

• Boys Locker Room Monitor
• Bullpen
• Runner
• Timer

Please click this link that Julie Motschenbacher created to volunteer.  Here is a description of each of the roles, if you want to know what is involved.

Next, this meet will be a very crowded meet for multiple reasons.  There will be about 160 swimmers from the CYO swimming at the indoor pool (where we had our first meet).  Due to the number of heats, we will need to start the meet as close to 2:00pm as possible.  There is a strong possibility that there will not be any warm-ups.  I will update everyone as soon as I have confirmed this information.

Finally, there will be up to 200 high-school aged water polo athletes using the large pool under the bubble.  Since this is happening at the same time, the changing rooms will be very busy.  I urge all swimmers to come to the pool with their suits on, so you won't have to use the already busy changing rooms.  With this added number of athletes, you may need to park further than normal.  With all of these factors, you should plan to arrive around 1:30.  Also, getting there that early will allow the volunteers to be in their places well before the start of the meet.

Thank you all for making all of this happen for the swimmers!

~Kevin

Meet Entries & Meet Results

It's time to do the entries for the next meet.  Click here for Meet Entry for Nov. 19.  Please complete your swimmer's entry by 9pm on Tuesday!

Here are the last meet's results by swimmer.  You can find this on the blog as well.  Remember, an improvement with a "-" in front of the time means they dropped time.  If there is no time in the improvement column, then this is the first time they swam that event for a time.

oops...meet program here

If you already looked on the blog, you have found the meet program for this week.  If you were waiting for a link...here you go!

Sorry about forgetting the link in the previous post.

No Dryland Today / Meet Entries

A quick reminder...when there is a No School Day, practice that day will be cancelled.  Except for the week-long breaks at Thanksgiving and Christmas; you will find an adjusted practice schedule.

Here are the meet entries for tomorrow's meet.  It will be at the same complex, but this week the meet will be under the bubble.  If this is your first time in the bubble, it is a short walk outside from the main building.  The meet will operate exactly the same as last week, except for two small changes.  First, the racing course will be 8 lanes instead of 6, so the meet will progress a little faster.  Next, the bathrooms are in the main building.  If you have a polliwog, we are going to ask that parents escort them to the bathroom.  If you have a cub or cadet, please discuss with them BEFORE the meet whether or not you need to escort them...you need to have a plan, since the coaches need to be focusing on the swimmers.

The time frame is the same this week as it was last week.  Please arrive after 1:30, but in enough time to have your swimmer on the deck by 1:45.  No showers until 1:55 or later (especially due to the cooler air temperature in the bubble).  The meet should be done by 5:00, but your swimmer can leave after their events are done swimming and they check out with a coach.

Lastly, I am sorry for the delay in posting the results for last weeks meet, but you can find it now on the blog sidebar (along with this week's entries).

Missing Meet Entries!

I do not have entries for the following people.  Please enter your swimmer by 9am on Wednesday, otherwise they will not be able to swim on Saturday.

Aleskus, Grace  (5)

America, Emma  (5)

America, Joshua  (3)

Golden, Connor  (3)

Groscup, Kate  (8)

Heilman, Sophia  (3)

Larson, Katy  (4)

Otto, Ariel  (4)

Rhunke, Amy  (4)

Steyn, Louise  (3)

Please click here to enter you swimmer by 9am on Wednesday!

Meet results and meet entry

Meet Results

WOW!  What a great meet we had on Saturday!  There were so many PR's (personal records)  Below you will find two documents to see the meet results.

• The top one is the entire meet result.  (Two small notes...first, there are many DQ's; I am not concerned.  This happens at the beginning of the year.  If you want to know more, email me.  Second, ignore the points in the last row.  They are incorrect.)  This report can also be found for the entire season on the Important Links at the side of the blog.
• The bottom one is only our team.  It will show how your swimmer has done against their lifetime times for WHCS.  It their "Improvement" time has a "-" that means they have dropped their lifetime best.  If no "-" is before the time, then it was above their lifetime best.  

Meet Report

Team Results

Meet Entry

Now, entries are open for this week's meet on Nov. 12.  Please enter your swimmer by 9pm on Tuesday night.  If you are going to be gone, please let us know too!

Meet Entry for Nov. 12

Meet Program, Meet Info, and general info

Each week, I will post the "meet program" on the blog in the "Important Links" area on or by Friday.  You can also click here to print your own copy.  A day or two after the meet, I will replace it with "meet results".  

On Saturday, the meet will be at the Aquatic Center at Mt. Hood Community College.  The campus is quite large, so here are specific directions from their website:

From I-84 take exit 17 and follow the Frontage Road to 257th street and turn right. Follow 257th south, pass Stark Street, to 17th Street and turn left. Take the first left after the soccer Field and then left again into the Aquatic Center parking lot.

If you swam with us previously, you know there is an indoor and outdoor pool under the bubble.  Our meet this week will be at the indoor pool.  Plan to be on deck ready to go by 1:45pm, but do not arrive at the pool before 1:30.  The meet will end by 5:00pm, but your swimmer can leave after they are done swimming.  BUT, they need to check with us FIRST before they change.  Sometimes, we adjust relays and need your swimmer to stick around until the final relay.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, if you need to contact a coach for any reason, call or text (better option) Coach Kevin at 503-267-2346.  Especially if a swimmer will not show up for the meet.  We make all of the relays, and it is easier to substitute someone if they tell us in advance if they are not coming (even if its an hour before).

If this is your first meet, please continue reading below...

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. On Saturday, we can get into the water to begin warm ups at 2:00.  We ask that everyone arrive on deck around 1:45 to get set up.  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. This is our team area, and parents sit in a different section.  Due to the length of the meet, swimmers should plan to occupy themselves by cheering, reading a book (that could possibly get wet), 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) once they get their meet entry card from a coach, and they need to keep it dry and walk to the bullpen. 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 might 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, jerky, etc... are all great choices.  Water is the best drink choice, and all swimmers should have a water bottle.

Communication:
If you need to contact a coach for any reason, call or text Coach Kevin (503-267-2346).  Especially if a swimmer will not show up for the meet.  We make all of the relays, and it is easier to substitute someone if they tell us in advance if they are not coming (even if its an hour before).

Meet entries for November 5th Meet

I am excited for our first developmental meet at the Mt. Hood CC Aquatic Center (I will send the exact address later this week) from 2:00 to 5:00pm this Saturday!  I need you to let me know if your swimmer will be participating OR NOT (please click the link below).  Once you have indicated if your swimmer is coming or not, you can select their events for their meet, if there is something they want to swim.  If you would rather the coaching staff choose, please click the box to let me know they will be there and leave the event entry sections blank.  ALL ENTRIES MUST BE COMPLETED BY 8PM TUESDAY NIGHT!  If there is NO response, I assume your swimmer will not be participating!  My entries are due to CYO by noon on Wednesday, and it is nearly impossible to enter them in the meet after noon on Wednesday.

Click here for meet attendance and selecting events.

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

Time Trials tomorrow!

Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow from 4-6pm at the Beaverton Swim Center, we will have our Time Trials.  I hope everyone can come, especially the newer swimmers.  This is a great way to get an idea on how meets work.

Swimmers should bring their meet suit, if they have it, otherwise any suit will be fine.  Bring 2 towels, just to be sure they can stay warm while they aren't swimming.  Bring their WHCS Swim Cap, if they have one already, if not, we will have more to give out.  Lastly, a water bottle is always a good idea, so they can stay hydrated.

We will need volunteers for the time trials.  You can step up to volunteer at the time trials.  Here is what is needed:

• 6+ timers (if you have a stopwatch, bring it!)
• 1 starter (start the races with a script)
• 1 or 2 recorders

There is no need to email me, just let me know after our team meeting which starts promptly at 4:00 at the Beaverton Swim Center.

~Coach Kevin

Time Trials 10/29

Don't forget, this Saturday (10/29) is our first time to swim fast.  We are going to have a time trial session, which means that everyone gets a chance to dive in and swim fast.  We will be timing each race, so everyone that swims will have a base time for the season.

The Time Trials will be at the Beaverton Swim Center from 4:00-6:00pm.  Swimmer should be on the deck with caps and goggles by 4:00.  We will have a short team meeting and start warm-ups at 4:10.  The first events will swim at 4:30.  If we finish early, you are welcome to take your swimmer home, or they can stay and the pool will be open for recreation swim until 6:00.

Be looking for a volunteer sign-up sheet in the next day or two.

Roster is coming!

I have been asked by several people for a complete roster.  I will be publishing one soon.  I need to know a couple things from your family.  Please try to take care of this by the end of the day so I can publish soon.

1. If your swimmer isn't listed, I am still waiting for your complete registration.  If you are lost in the CYO registration "black hole", please email me to let me know what has been completed and our Athletic Director, Doug Loiler, can research to see what is happening.
2. If your Practice Day is not filled in, please email me and let me know which day you would like to swim.  All days are back open to signing up, and currently Tuesday = 8, Wednesday = 11, and Thursday = 3.  *Note, several blank names were submitted when I previously asked for practice days.
3. If you don't want your contact information listed, email me to let me know.  I will be using the registration information you listed.  I will include the parent names and home phone numbers you entered.

Practice Day	First Name	Last Name
	Grace	Aleskus
Tuesday	Amalie	Bates
Wednesday	Grace	Brownlee
	Sydney	Coleman
Tuesday	Kinley	Deewall
Tuesday	Rowan	Dooley
Wednesday	Eden	Dounies
	Connor	Golden
Wednesday	Kathryn	Groscup
Tuesday	Sophia	Heilman
Wednesday	Annika	HIlton
Wednesday	Hannah	Hilton
	Naomi	Huffman
	Ainsley	Killian
Tuesday	Molly	Klingner
Wednesday	Reid	Klingner
Thursday	Sydney	Leslie
	Gwendalyn	McFarland
	Lillian	McFarland
Wednesday	Elly	McMahon
Wednesday	Lucy	Mcmahon
Wednesday	Riley	McMahon
	Grace	Powers
	Jacob	Powers
Tuesday	Haven	Slocum
Tuesday	Trinity	Slocum
Tuesday	isa	stan
Wednesday	Maya	Terhaar
	Nicholas	Thomas
Thursday	Madeleine	Vore
Thursday	Mason	Vore
Wednesday	Adam	Wachsmuth
	Andrew	Wong

Dryland practice starts tomorrow!

Just a quick reminder...dryland practice starts tomorrow!  It begins at 3:15, and coaches will pick up the swimmers from carpool.  Please instruct your swimmer to go out with their class to carpool and they will need to listen for the coaches to call them in.  They can bring their backpacks and school supplies into the auditorium with them.

They will need to wear clothes that they can move freely in and shoes that can also support movement and running.

Please plan to pick up your swimmer at 4:30.  You can come into the auditorium to pick them up, or they will be walked out to the side doors by the gym and you can drive up to pick them up.

Volunteers needed!

There are three key positions where we could use some help for this season:

• Computer operator for meets
• Volunteer coordinator
• Stroke and turn judge

Below is a quick idea of what each position consists of.

Computer operator for meets - You will run the computer software for the meet we host on Nov. 19.  The computer and software are provided.  Training comes on two dates.  First, THIS THURSDAY from 6-8pm at the CYO Office.  Next, during the meet on Nov. 12, you can observe and assist the host team on that day.  On Nov. 19, you will be running the meet via the software on the computer.  I will be available to answer questions as needed.

Volunteer coordinator - You would be responsible for setting up a volunteer site and soliciting families for volunteer positions at meets.  There are four meets (one in November and three in January) where we need help with volunteers.

Stroke and turn judge - Our team needs to have at least four judges, and we currently have two.  If we have four judges, they can work every other meet since all teams must provide judges at the meets.  Coach Kevin will provide the training via a video and discussion at the school, one night that works into everyone's schedule in the near future.  It is easier to be a S&T judge if you have some previous swim team experience so you have some prior knowledge of the four basic strokes.

If you are interested in volunteering for any of these positions, please email us here!  Due to the timing of training, we really need to have a computer operator volunteer soon.

Thank you for considering volunteering!

Practice Days and Registrations

So far, 10 families have responded to which days they can come to practice.  Currently, no one is planning to go to Thursdays practice.  Please respond here to let us know which days to expect your swimmer.

Currently, only 19 swimmers have registered for swimming.  I have had verbal commitments from more people, and it is now time to register so I can have an accurate roster.

Registration Link

If you have any questions, as always...just ask.

Practice updates

I have bad news and good news...

Bad news - Due to a scheduling miscommunication, practices will start at the Beaverton Swim Center on Sunday Oct. 23.  They DO NOT begin this Sunday (10/16)!!

Good News - Hurray!  We have grown!!  I expect that we will have 30+ swimmers this year.  Since this can create issues with pool space, we will be offering practice three days a week at Valley Catholic.  To start the season, I am asking each swimmer to choose one day a week to swim at VC.  The second swim practice should be at Beaverton Swim Center on Sunday nights from 6-7.  Can you please fill out this form for each swimmer in your family to let us know which day you will be coming.

Valley Catholic Pool location

The swim assessment is still scheduled for today at 5:00pm at the Valley Catholic pool.  The pool is located to the east of the elementary school on their campus.  Please refer to the map and text below.

Since it can be hard to find where the pool is on the Valley Catholic campus, I have included this photo from Google Maps.  The pool is the red arrow.  You will want to park somewhere close to the tennis courts and walk to the pool.  If you are using a GPS, I typically just enter "Valley Catholic High School", and mine gets me there just fine.

Valley Catholic Pool location

Practice begins 10/16!

I was just informed of a mistake I wrote on the previous blog post about the season information

Swim Team practices begin on Sunday, October 16.  Please help spread the word to any friends who may not read this email.

I mistakingly had Parent Information meeting on Oct. 10 at 7:00pm in the library on my mind when I wrote that date.  However, this meeting is very important, so please try to attend it.  I will highlight the important facts for the entire season and answer any questions you have.

We are still working on the exact practice schedule, but I wanted to highlight two practices that are going to integral to your swimmer's performance this year.  Please put them on your calendars now.

• Friday afternoons (begins 10/21) at WHCS (3:15-4:30) we will have a dryland practice which will incorporate strength training, flexibility, and videos for learning proper techniques.
• Sunday nights (begins 10/16) at Beaverton Swim Center (6:00-7:00) we will have a full pool to workout in.  Each Sunday night there will be a drawing for a prize (think...ice cream) to encourage the swimmer's attendance.

There will be more information about these practices and the weekday practices at the Parent/Information Meeting on Oct. 10.

I am sorry for any confusion I created!!

~Coach Kevin

2016/17 Season Information

The season is upon us, and here is most of the information you will need to know!  There will be a pre-season Parent Meeting on Monday, Oct. 10 from 7-8pm in the Auditorium at WHCS.  If you wish, you can wait to hear all of the final information that night before registering.  If you are ready to register, please click here.

Here is the plan this year, which is much like last year's plan.

We will practice primarily at the Valley Catholic Pool (Murray Rd./ Farmington Rd. in Beaverton) M-Th after school from 4-5 (Tuesdays will be 4:30-5:30).  Friday dry land practices will be at WHCS from 3:15-4:30 every Friday we have school.  We also have a practice at the Beaverton Swim Center on Sunday evenings from 6-7pm.  I will urge all swimmers to attend a minimum of two swimming practices a week plus the dryland practice.  If you are on another WHCS sports team or on another swim team, your practice schedule will be reduced.  The exact days of the week your swimmer will swim will be announced soon.  Our meets are mostly on Saturday afternoons on 11/05, 11/12, 11/19, 12/03 & 12/11 (Sun) on the east-side of Portland at a variety of pools. All swimmers must attend at least three meets this year.  If this is not possible, please contact Coach Kevin for alternatives, if needed.

Practices will begin on 10/16.  Everyone will continue swimming through to the championship meets (everyone swims in at least one championship meet) in mid/late-January.  

For safety, I will conduct a swimming evaluation for ALL NEW swimmers.  This is to assure that all swimmers are able to swim (non-stop) 25 yards safely.  It doesn't have to be a racing stroke (although preferred), then we will teach the rest!  The evaluation will be on Oct. 12...more info soon on this, and you may wait to register until after that date, if you are concerned about your child's safety.

I am in need of help this year!  Particularly, I need SWIM COACHES & Stroke and Turn Judges.  Stroke and Turn Judges work at swim meets and we are required to have two working judges for most meets; currently we have a few.  Some prior swimming knowledge is needed, and training is provided.  If we could have four parents volunteer to be Judges, this would really spread the load out!  MORE COACHES are needed to give the swimmers the best possible experience.  Have you ever considered coaching?  No swimming experience is necessary. You will receive some great training from the experienced, returning coaches.  Qualifications for this role is that you are a parent who can help encourage the kids and keep them moving and safe in the water.  If you are interested or have questions, contact Coach Kevin!

Please don't hesitate to email any questions!

~Coach Kevin

NOTE: If you got this email and wish to unsubscribe, please click on the link at the bottom of the email.

2016-2017 Registration information!

The season starts in about a month!  Are you registered?  If not, click here.  If you are, please continue to tell your friends about the team, WE NEED MORE SWIMMERS!  Last year, our registration numbers are much smaller, so any word of mouth advertising you can assist with would be wonderful!

Here is a little known fact...ANYONE can swim for our team, not just WHCS students.  Homeschool, public school, or other private school students can register for our team.  When they register through the above link, they need to indicate that they are registering for an "Exception", and indicate that they want to swim for West Hills Christian School.  It's a couple more hoops to jump through than a WHCS student has to go through, so email Coach Kevin if there are any questions.

Also, if you need financial assistance (or know someone who does) to register due to family hardship or multiple athletes from one family, contact Coach Kevin.  CYO has scholarships available.

For any swimmers who this is their first year, I must perform a safety check to make sure that ALL new swimmers can swim 25 yards safely.  I will have a date confirmed in the near future, and I will have it on a separate blog post.  If you wish, you can wait to register until after your swimmer passes the safety check, if you have a first year swimmer.


Blessings,

Coach Kevin

Swimming for 2016-2017!

I hope your summer is rolling along well.  I just returned from a wonderful trip to California with my children playing in the USA Water Polo Junior Olympic Tournament.  While watching their sports, I started getting excited for our upcoming swimming season.  Now that I am back, I will have a couple weeks free to watch our nation compete in the Olympics.  I am especially excited to watch the swimming events.  Here is a link to see when USA is competing in the pool for swimming.  Olympic Swimming Events 

As you watch the best of our nation compete, you can think about signing your student up for the WHCS Swim Team.  I would also like to see the team grow, so please tell your friends about our great swim team as well.  Registration links are not active yet, they will be later this month.  I will send out another email once they are active.  Just so you know, the season will begin in early October and end in late January.  Practice info is still being figured out.

Blessings,
~Kevin

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Awards Ceremony on Feb 23

Let's celebrate!

Plan to bring your whole family to the Swimming Awards Evening at WHCS on Feb. 23 from 6:45-7:30.  Heidi Golden has offered to head up this event.  Please follow this link to sign-up to bring items to the party: http://www.perfectpotluck.com/meals.php?t=NEQD7667

We are also in need of a photographer for the event.  Please contact Heidi at this address to volunteer or ask any questions: hscovill2000@yahoo.com

Blessings,

~Kevin

All-Star Meet tomorrow!

I am looking forward to the meet tomorrow for the All-Star Qualifiers:

Emma America
Sydney Leslie*
Gwen McFarland*
Eden Dounies*
Ainsley Killian
Lillian McFarland*
Nick Thomas*
Grady Killian
Mark Mittelstaedt*

Payment of $38 needed per swimmer TOMORROW!  If it's a check, make it out to WHCS.

The meet is at the Mt. Hood Aquatic Center, and we will be in the bubble.  Admission is $2 adult / $1 child.  They sell heat sheets for $3 each.

Swimmers should arrive on deck in their swimsuits (no shower, no caps on head) by 12:30.  The warmups will begin at 1:00, and the meet should be concluded around 5:00.  If you are volunteering for the meet, you will get in for free, but you must check-in by 12:20.  Volunteer Check-In is located around the side of the pool, just follow the signs.

Nothing super important, but here are the quick facts:

• Arrive on deck with suit on by 12:30
• Eat a healthy lunch no later than 11:30 today
• Bring healthy snacks to lightly munch throughout the meet, if needed
• Bring a water bottle (no sports drinks needed)
• Bring clothes to wear over your wet swimsuit between races
• Do NOT bring electronics

If you need to contact Coach Kevin, his cell number is 503-267-2346.

Awards Ceremony

Heidi Golden has offered to coordinate the awards ceremony for the swim season.  Please read the message below:

Families! We are excited to have the Swimming Awards Ceremony on February 23rd! We will have an ice cream sundae bar that evening for swimmers and their families. We need just a little help with food and toppings....You can go here to sign up!


Sign up to help!

Thank you!

Heidi Golden

Division Championships...today!

Today is the day for the championships!  We am super excited, as we hope your swimmer is as well.

The meet is at the Mt. Hood Aquatic Center, and we will be in the bubble.  Admission is $2 adult / $1 child.  They sell heat sheets for $3 each.

Swimmers should arrive on deck in their swimsuits (no shower, no caps on head) by 12:30.  The warmups will begin at 1:00, and the meet should be concluded by 5:30.  If you are volunteering for the meet, you will get in for free, but you must check-in by 12:20.  Volunteer Check-In is located around the side of the pool, just follow the signs.

Nothing super important, but here are the quick facts:

• Arrive on deck with suit on by 12:30
• Eat a healthy lunch no later than 11:30 today
• Bring healthy snacks to lightly munch throughout the meet, if needed
• Bring a water bottle (no sports drinks needed)
• Bring clothes to wear over your wet swimsuit between races
• Do NOT bring electronics
• Most importantly, bring a great attitude for the last meet of the year

If you need to contact Coach Kevin, his cell number is 503-267-2346.

See you later today!

Dryland practice today

Dryland practice today will end at 4 PM. We will discuss the Division Championship meet at length, and do no strength training.  

Championship Meet Volunteering...please help!

We are getting to a critical point.  We must have volunteers for the championship meet.  At this point, we still need 7 more people to come forward to volunteer for the Division Meet this weekend, and 4 more people for the All-Star Meet on Jan. 30.  If we do not get enough volunteers, coaches may be pulled to assist with the meet.

Would you please consider volunteering?  Both meets are in big need of bullpen workers.  There are only a few timer positions left for both meets.  All positions are first come, first signed up, and available to all teams.  Please click here to notify us that you wish to volunteer.

Practices and Award Ceremony

Here is the practice schedule for the next two weeks for the Cubs and Cadets:

This week

Monday - No Practice due to no school

Tuesday - 4:30-5:30

Wednesday - 4:00-5:00

Thursday - 4:00-5:00

Friday - 3:15-4:00, dryland at WHCS

Next week

Monday - 4:00-5:00

Tuesday - no practice

Wednesday - 4:00-5:00

Thursday - no practice

Friday - no practice

As we look toward the end of the season, we need to plan an Award Ceremony.  I would love it if someone would step up to volunteer to plan the Ceremony.  Please contact me if you wish to help plan this. 

All-Star Meet info

It is time to sign up for the cubs and cadets for the All-Star Meet on Saturday, January 30 from 1:00-5:30pm.  I need entries by Wednesday at 8PM.  But this time, I need an email stating which events they want to swim.  Email Coach Kevin here  This meet is not part of the season, thus it costs $38 per swimmer.  Each swimmer can swim up to 3 events which they have already qualified in, and you can only swim in the events where you have qualified.  Click here to see qualified swimmers.

I will need a check for $38 made payable to WHCS on or by the Division meet on Saturday, if your swimmer wants to participate in the All-Star Meet.  Again, this fee covers the entry into one to three events for one swimmer.

Polliwog and Division entries

Here are the entry lists for the championship meets.

Note for both meets: The relays got a little messed up, I will have the relays "fixed" at the meet.  EVERYONE will swim in a relay, unless someone doesn't show up.

Polliwog Champ entry list on Sunday, January 17 @ MHCC from 1:00-5:30

Division Champ entry list on Saturday, January 23 @ MHCC from 1:00-5:30

Note for Division: Nick, Grady, Mark, and Elisabeth are entered in 4 individual events due to no possible relay availability.

Polliwog Championship Meet

This Sunday is the Polliwog Championship Meet at the Mt. Hood Community College Aquatic Center.  The meet starts at 1:00.  If you are volunteering, you need to arrive between noon and 12:15.  If not, I need to see your swimmer on the pool deck between 12:30 and 12:40.  Warm-ups will start at 1:00, with the meet starting shortly after.

Just a reminder that this is a CYO Championship Meet, so they will charge for entry ($2 adults / $1 children 6+), and Meet Programs will cost $1.

I do not have the entry list, I left it at school today. :(  I will send it tomorrow.

Division Championships due Tuesday 8pm

All Division Championship Meet entries are due Tuesday by 8pm!  Everyone can swim at this meet, and as of right now I have the following entries:

Maya, Nick, Mark, Rachel, Emma, Grady, and Ainsley

Division Championship Meet entry form

Also, we still need 7 more volunteers for the meet, otherwise, coaches maybe assigned to volunteering spots.  Please consider volunteering!  As an added perk, you get in for free!!

Championship Meet volunteers

Practice Cancelled! (Sunday night)

Unfortunately, I received only one email stating a family was coming. Due to how much it cost to rent the pool, it is not a financially Wise choice to have practice.

Tonight's practice is canceled, come join Coach Kevin and others at the Skate Night.

All practices will resume on Monday. The tree issue has been fixed.

Swim practice tonight?

I am stuck with a small dilemma and I need some input from swimming families.  Originally when I scheduled these Sunday practices, I didn't look at the WHCS Master Calendar.  Some families have pointed out that tonight is the Skate Night at Oaks Park from 5-7.  Obviously, that is during the same time frame as our practice at Beaverton Swim Center from 6-7.

I am wondering if your family is coming to swim practice tonight?  I will cancel it if there are only a few families coming.  Please let me know you are coming by sending us an email here and just put your name in the subject field if you ARE coming to practice. (I'm trying to make this as easy process for you)

Coach Kevin

Swim Meet today

Today, we return to the Reynolds Pool (1200 NE 201st, Fairview, OR 97024) which is located at the Reynolds Middle School.  The meet warmups begin at at 3:30, so I would like to see all swimmers at 3:10.  Expect that the meet will end near 6:30 tonight.

The other team may need some volunteers at the swim meet, so if you wish to volunteer, see Coach Kevin on the pool deck.

Dryland practice resumes tomorrow.

Don't forget, we have dryland training tomorrow in the auditorium from 3:15 until 4:15. There are 3 left (1/8, 1/15, 1/22), if your swimmer hasn't been coming, why not start now. It is a great complement to what they are doing in the water. 

VC pool update

I received word late today that a tree crew is coming to take out the tree midday tomorrow. Due to the timing, they are requiring that the area around the pool be kept clear for the entire day. 

Practice is cancelled again tomorrow (Thursday). 

PRACTICE CANCELLED!

I just received this email from the Valley Catholic staff...

The pool will be closed to all personnel until further notice. There is a large Cedar tree that appears to be pulling out of the ground in the direction of the pool and, in an abundance of caution, we have decided to prevent people from using the pool and occupying the building. I am meeting with our Landscaping contractor today at 1pm to evaluate the tree and come up with a plan of action.

It looks like practice will be cancelled today, but if things change, I will let you know ASAP!

~Kevin

Optional practice today!

Due to the ice around our school, the day was obviously cancelled.  Since Valley Catholic has school today (albeit delayed), the area around that school is safe.  It has also been nearly a week out of the water for most of the swimmers.  So with all of these facts, I have received an "OK" for us to have an optional practice at our normal time.

Today's practice will be from 4:30-5:30 for all swimmers.  Regardless of what day you normally practice, if you can travel safely to the pool today, come and swim!

Coach Kevin

Practice cancelled today...meet info needed!

Due to the snow/ice day, practice has to be cancelled.

Please remember, I need the next two meets entries by tomorrow night.  I do not have very many entries at this point.  Please click below to enter the meets and volunteering shifts!

January 9 (regular) Meet  Due tomorrow by 8pm
Polliwog Championships  Due tomorrow by 8pm
Division Championships  Due Jan. 12 by 8pm
Championship Meet volunteering  Due anytime, first come.  Sign up now for your desired job, otherwise they will disappear!

Practice CANCELLED!

After doing some preliminary driving around at 2:30, I decided to cancel practice.  It's sort of slick out there, and I want everyone to stay safe. 

Lots of info...read carefully!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  

I hope this year is off and running well for you and your family.

Please read this entire email (blog post) carefully, there is lots of information below.

Upcoming practices

This Sunday (01/03) we well resume our 6-7pm practices at the Beaverton Swim Center.  Then the rest of the week will continue our practices at Valley Catholic during the normal days and times.  After the meet on January 9, we will have our last practice at the Beaverton Swim Center on January 10.

Jan. 9 Meet

We need to start to think about the next meet on January 9.  It will be at the Reynolds Pool starting at 3:30pm and ending by 6:30pm.  Click here to provide your swimmer's entries.  Entries must be received by Tuesday at 8pm.  This will be the last meet to be able to qualify for the All-Star meet (see below for info).  Click here to see the entry times for the All-Star Meet.

Polliwog Championships

The Polliwog (K-3rd grade) Championships is for ALL Polliwogs and is on on Sunday, January 17 from 1:00-5:30pm at the Mt. Hood CC Pool.  Click here to provide your swimmer's entries for this meet.  Entries must be received by Tuesday at 8pm.  For a meet of this size, volunteers are needed.  WHCS must provide at least 2 more volunteers.  Only one person has stepped up at this point in time.  Please consider volunteering sooner rather than later so you can get the position you wish, since they are first come, first served.  Click here to volunteer for all Championship Meets.

This will be the end of the season for all Polliwogs.  They will not participate in any more practices of meets after January 17th.

Division (Cub & Cadet) Championships

The Division (4th grade-8th grade) Championships is for ALL Cubs and Cadets and is on on Saturday, January 23 from 1:00-5:30pm at the Mt. Hood CC Pool.  Click here to provide your swimmer's entries for this meet.  Entries must be received by Jan 12 at 8pm.  For a meet of this size, volunteers are needed.  WHCS must provide at least 9 more volunteers. Please consider volunteering sooner rather than later so you can get the position you wish, since they are first come, first served.  Click here to volunteer for all Championship Meets.

This will be the end of the season for all Cubs and Cadets.  They will not participate in any more practices of meets after January 23th, unless they are participating in the All-Star Meet.

All-Star Meet

The All-Star Meet is on Saturday January 30 from 1:00-5:30pm at the Mt. Hood CC Pool.  This is a qualification meet.  Currently, these are the swimmer who have already qualified.  The meet costs $30 if they swim in one, two, or three events, and there are no relays at this meet.  The check must be made payable to WHCS when you enter your swimmer.  I will open the entries on the week of January 11, but if you wish to volunteer for the meet, please consider volunteering sooner rather than later so you can get the position you wish, since they are first come, first served.  Click here to volunteer for all Championship Meets.