Team News November 11 2023

Stay in the Loop: If you haven't already, go back and read the last few news updates.  

Season Checklist attached. Have you completed all the steps? 

TeamUnify Website: www.shepherdseasnakes.com Our team has it’s very own domain name. Hurray! 

Team Activity: HCC Turkey Trot and kids race on Thanksgiving morning. See Meets and Events Tab for more information.  

Fundraising: If you have not picked up your fundraising raffle tickets to sell, please look under your name in the file box at practice 

Practice Attendance: Remember we are looking for at least 50% practice attendance from all swimmers – please be on time and check in if you are not able to make practice with Coach Erica [email protected] 

December 15th 5:30-8:00 pm - In-House Mock Meet/Time trials. Everyone is expected to attend – opt-in on the Meets and Events page.  

January-March meets are posted - see if you can make all of them! You do need a USA Swimming official time to attend championships. 
 
 

Next Booster Club meeting is Monday November 13, 7-8 pm at the Wellness Center.  

Sign up here to start working with one of the committees.  

Reach out to Booster President, Brian McBean ([email protected]), if you have any questions or concerns. Committees include: 

Fundraising Committee 

Spirit Wear Committee 

Swim Meet Committee 

Team Spirit/Activities Committee 

Pick up your raffle tickets! Fundraising is a required part of being on the Sea Snakes Team. Fundraising helps reduce the costs for all swimmers to attend meets and other activities, as well as overall costs for all families.  We are currently selling raffle tickets for a Paul Reed Smith Guitar.  Your swimmers’ assigned tickets will be in a file box under your family’s name at the Booster Club table in the pool area. Tickets are 1 for $20 or 3 for $50. Sold tickets and money are due back November 24.  
 

Thanks everyone for gathering gear! They are great tools for training these athletes. 

Find required gear HERE. If you have to pick only one thing to get – get fins.   

If you are having a hard time finding or financing gear, please reach out to Coach Erica at ewheatle@shepherd.edu.  

Swimmers will be invited to watch practice from the side of the pool instead of swimming if they do not have required gear.   

Write your name on all your gear and Team Shirt/Sweatshirt (maybe on the inside of bottom hem). Check the lost and found in the meet office (we try to collect it there after practice specifically). Also check in the lost and found behind the front desk.    

Be on time for strength, stretch, and chat at the beginning of practice (5:45 or 6:45pm)  

Practice attendance:    

50% attendance is required to hold your priority registration spot moving forward  

Email Coach Erica if your swimmer can not make it: ewheatle@shepherd.edu 

Note: Swimmers that are being disruptive during practice (i.e. horseplay, talking over coaches, going under water/not listening) will be removed from the pool for the remainder of practice for that day. If you have suggestions or concerns about your swimmer in this regard, please check in with us. We want to do anything we can to help each athlete enjoy their time at swim while also keeping all swimmers safe.  

December 15 – In-House Time Trials/Mock Meet

• Invite your friends and family to watch! We will need timers, officials, and computer operators for this meet. Great chance for swimmers and swim families to become familiar with the workings of a swim meet.  

Unnattached Meets

• There are no more scheduled team USA Swimming meets for this session. If you would like to attend a meet on your own or with some friends, see the News page on Season Meets. You are responsible for registering your swimmer on your own, connecting with a coach there, and supervising your swimmer during the meet. Talk to your coaches if you plan on attending any of these unattached meets.  

January-March Meets

• These are posted on the Meets and Events page! Sign-up now for the meets your swimmers can attend. Final Championships are open to all swimmers regardless of speed – they just need to have previously swum a USA Swimming meet in those events they want to compete in.  

January 3 – March 17, 2024 – Last session of our Fall/Winter Competitive Season 

• ​We will publish these prices and calendar in the next week or two.

Priority Registration will be November 27-December 3rd (sign up for the same practice days you currently have) 

Open registration will be December 4th- 18th if new people want to join or if you want to switch or add practice days 

April 8- May 21, 2024 – Conditioning Practice session 

Open to both USA and non-USA Swimmers 

Choose M/W practice days or T/Th - or choose both to practice M-Th 

Focus will be on maintaining endurance and improving stroke technique 

June 3 – July 27, 2024 – Summer Competitive Season with Mid-Atlantic Summer League (MASSL) 

Open to USA and non-USA Swimmers 

There will be an add-on package for those wishing to attend USA Swimming meets in addition to MASSL league meets 

August 2024- March  2025 - Fall/Winter USA Swimming Competitive Season 

Information on next year’s season will be published in February 2024 

Be prepared for higher attendance requirements, long-term commitments and less breaks over holidays for our advanced levels and older swimmers – Sea Snake athletes are ready to take it to the next level!! 

 We will continue to make flexible options for younger swimmers and swimmers with multiple sports/activities (we believe in well-rounded people!).  

Meets and Events will be published earlier so families can get them on their schedules