Great First Half of the Season!!!

Well, folks, we're off to a great start over the past few weeks. We've shown we're the team to beat in the league this year, which means our competitors will be working hard to try to knock us off. What this in turns means for us is that it is time to really buckle down and spend the last half of the season perfecting our streamlines, strokes, starts, turns, and finishes. So nose to the grindstone folks!

A few quick housekeeping items:

• July 11 will be team pictures. We will take them ahead of the meet with Granite Falls that we are hosting, so PLEASE BE THERE!!! Order forms will be available next week. Please arrive around 3:30 to make sure you are going to be in the picture. The photographer will take the money when he takes the pictures. Individual picture packages are also offered.
• Please go ahead and sign up for meets you plan to attend. If you are unable to attend, PLEASE be courteous and let me know if you will not be attending. We as a team are counting upon you all to attend if you sign up and fail to notify me your plans have changed. I really hate telling kids that we can't swim a relay because I'm finding out last minute that you are no showing at a meet. 
• Please be sure to have most of Saturday, July 29 blocked off for the championship meet. We want all hands on deck for this meet! It will be at Valdese, although it is being hosted officially by McDowell. We will meet together the night of July 28 for our spaghetti dinner in Rotary Park.

I want to commend you all on a great season. To date, we have had eight team records broken this season, and there are several more ready to fall, teetering on the edge. I hope you all will push forward this month to continue to make these records fall like dominoes and continue to earn best times.

Parents, you have done a great job volunteering. I'd still like to have a few more of you step up to learn to stroke and turn  judge, but all told, you have made timing and running meets so easy, and I truly thank you!.

I have had a great summer with you all this far, and I think it will only get better from here! Thanks for making this a great team to coach, and keep up the excellent work!

First Ever Kick Off Event!

Good morning, Torpedo!

This Monday evening following our 9-10 practice, or about 6:45pm, we'll host an informal gathering for members to come and visit. This is a great opportunity for you to meet one another, learn about the sport, and see how YOU can volunteer to help the team.

We will have:
Coaches available to answer any questions, swimmer sign-ups for meets, booster/ concession stand sign ups, fun races, a timer's tutorial, a starter's tutorial, timing operator tutorial, and POPSICLES.

If you haven't had a chance to order your team shirt (shirts are for parents, too!), this will be a chance to do that, as well. I'm placing the shirt order on Friday, June 16, so if you want one (and you will!), please go ahead and place and pay for your order. Orders not paid for won't be filled.

Our first meet is at home against the Forest City Stingrays this Thursday, so plan for a great meet and a great time watching our swimmers compete!

All the Questions You Ever Had About VTST Summer Swim Meets

Here are some answers to a few common questions we have about swim meets, including how to sign up, what to expect, and information about the always important ribbons.

How do I sign my swimmers up for a meet?

It’s easy! In the notebook at the fitness counter desk, put your swimmer’s name on the sign up sheet for the meets you plan to attend. If you find out later that you are unable to attend, please cross your swimmer’s name out and be sure to let Coach Andersen know by the entry deadline. If you find out after the entry deadline, please contact Coach Andersen as soon as possible.

When we go to a meet, what does my swimmer need?

Before leaving for a meet, please check to make sure your swimmer has a suit, goggles, and a towel. It’s also a great idea to have some snacks, shade or a chair, as well as something to help your swimmer pass the time. Sunscreen and a Sharpie is also a plus! Swimmers will often write things on their hands like event numbers, heat numbers, and lanes, if they know them .

What is warm-up?

Before a meet, all of the swimmers go through a warm up routine to loosen up and focus the swimmers. It is important both physically and mentally in terms of preparation for our meets. When we have home meets, swimmers warm up at 5pm, and we warm up at 5:30pm for away meets. The only meets where this is a difference are the Sprint/Distance Meet (for 11-12 and up) and the championship meet.

How do I know what events my swimmer is in?

The coaches have entered your swimmers in certain events based on team needs for the meet and what we have seen as strengths and points for your swimmer to challenge themselves. They are only allowed to swim a maximum of three individual events and two relays or four individual events and one relay. Swimmers are chosen for relays using a computer program based on times, with consideration for the need to fill individual events for the team. Swimmers can check entry lists posted by the coaches or the Meet Mobile app on the phone when at home meets (for individual events only).

Once you’re finished with all of your events, tell a coach before leaving. It may be that we need a swimmer to substitute on a final relay, so it’s always good to check before leaving!

OK, we’re at a meet. Now what?

Have fun! Cheer on your teammates, even if you don’t know them! Swimmers will need to listen as the events are called so they can go to the clerk of course for their swims. The clerk of course will get the kids in the correct heat and lane for their races. We don’t want anyone to miss an event!

If you can, we’d love to have you help out! Timing is easy and very helpful, and we really always need volunteers. Parents willing to help with scoring, starting and officiating, or running the timing system are welcome to speak to Coach Andersen and he will work on training you. We do need your help! Come and sign up to volunteer when you arrive at the meet.

My kids won races! Will they get ribbons?

Yes! We give ribbons for 1st-5th places, and 1st and 2nd places for relays. If your swimmer wins their heat, they should get a heat winner ribbon at the conclusion of their race! We give out all of the ribbons earned over the season at our end of season potluck, held at Rotary Park.