CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SWIMMERS OF THE WEEK: Our swimmers of the week are: Vivian Nicol and Kayli Campbell. Vivian listened to advice and was able to use it to noticeably improve her dives and strokes this week. Kayli listened to directions and was able to learn breaststroke quickly! Swimmers of the week receive a gift card in recognition for their hard work. Congratulations Vivian and Kayli!

COACH'S CORNER:

• Coach Allie: When we were able to get into the pool last week we continued to work on turns and dives in preparation for time trials this week. We are seeing great progress and I am excited to see how we do this Tuesday! As we go into our first “meet” of the season please know that I am available for any meet questions or concerns about your athletes.
• Coach Sophia: Hello parents! There was a lot of conflict last week due to weather so we weren’t able to get through everything that I had planned. I want to work on perfecting breaststroke and introducing dives as we prepare for time trials and our first swim meet of the season. Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns at [email protected]!
• Coach Lilly: Hi everyone, I’m Coach Lilly and I’m really looking forward to meeting all of our swamp pups! We’ll be starting off our lessons with practicing kicking and getting everyone comfortable with being in the water.

Practice cancellations, delays, and updates are sent through the Swimtopia App. The app is free for basic needs (like communication). A paid subscription provides more features such as timely results of swim meets. Be sure to log in with the e-mail address used for registering for the Swampfoxxes.

VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE NEWS: Thank you to our Memorial Day Committee for making our first holiday pool party of the season a success! The Social Committee is planning to have popsicles at Fun Friday evening practices on June 6 (see attached).

SWAMP PUPS: The first Swamp Pup lesson will be today, Monday, 6/2 from 5:30-6p. You should have received a notification about what two days per week your swimmer has practice. Swamp Pup practices are 5:30-6p on the dates for your swimmer (on Mondays, Wednesdays and/or Thursdays). Reach out to the board if you have not received that information at [email protected]

TIME TRIALS: Time Trials are scheduled tomorrow, Tuesday June 3!

• The pool closes to residents at 5p
• Arrive at 4:45pm to get settled and numbered (real meet arrival will also be 4:45p). Numbers (found as an excel under the Time Trials event on our website) are written on the swimmer's arms (see attached image for example). There will also be a table at the meet with the swimmer numbers and sharpies. This number will be your swimmer's number for the entire season. Experienced parents suggest putting sunscreen on first, letting it dry and then marking the swimmer's arm with the Sharpie. Sunscreen is a great way to get marker off when you need to do that.
• We’ll do our team photo with Time Trials. That will add some time to the meet, but we don’t have another team to swim against, so hopefully we can run through the practice meet fairly quickly. Meets can run until 9pm or later (with 6 and unders finishing earlier as they only swim up to the breaststroke event -4th event below)
• Time Trials are run like a real meet. Swimmers should wear their team suit if they have them (or a black or red suit to match the team), swim cap (which will be available at the meet), and goggles.
• We run the events in order of:
  • 1. Medley relay (7-8 age group through 15-18),
  • 2. Individual freestyle (6U through 15-18),
  • 3. Individual backstroke (6U through 15-18),
  • 4. Individual breaststroke (6U through 15-18),
  • 5. Individual butterfly (7-8 through 15-18), and
  • 6. Freestyle relay (7-8 through 15-18).
• Papers called “heat sheets” will be on display on a board at the meet (coaches and several volunteers will also have these to do their jobs, like kid pushers, clerk of course, etc), showing the lane and heat that each swimmer will be in. Please check relays in addition to individual events. Swimmers might swim in a relay of an older age group when there are not enough swimmers in that age group to make a team of 4.
• If your swimmer’s status has changed (especially if they planned to swim and no longer can), please let us know ASAP. Coach Allie ([email protected]) and Coach Sophia ([email protected]) need to adjust the heat sheets and having as much time as possible to do that is very helpful. You can copy the board ([email protected]) so that we can try to get heat sheets updated before they are printed. We understand kids can get sick at any point and sometimes meets can be overwhelming, so please just communicate with a coach if you need to leave, or your swimmer can no longer participate in event(s) planned.
• Swamp Shack - will be serving food (pizza, Chick-fil-a and Smoothie King) and snacks. You can pay with cash, Venmo, or purchase a $10 Swamp Shack Card on our website (https://oxxfordhunt.swimtopia.com/shop/128660).
• Parking - Home Meets we ask Swampfoxx families to walk/ride bikes to allow parking for the other team. For time trials, parking might have similar availability to practices. If you drive please obey the No Parking signs that will allow Fallsworth Drive to stay open (only park on one side of the road) and for cars to have proper access to the road.

MEET VOLUNTEERS: We ask that if you have a swimmer competing, at least one parent plans to volunteer at each swim meet. We want all families to do their part to help. Swamp Pup parents who have no one swimming at the meets do not need to volunteer at meets. There is a wide variety of jobs to fit the needs of most families. If you are interested in learning about a particular job, you can shadow a more experienced volunteer for part of their shift. Time Trials is a great opportunity to try a new job. We'll have 'teacher' and 'in training' positions - so if you're new to the team, grab an 'in training' position to learn the ropes. Jobs for the first meet on June 10 are now open as well: https://oxxfordhunt.swimtopia.com/swim_meets. If the position you want to learn is already filled, just let Katie Richards ([email protected]) know and we can probably have you join the others who are learning. During meets, please check in for your job with Katie before the meet begins, even if you are working a 2nd shift job. We need to ensure there is coverage for all positions at the start of the meet.

TSA, Tarheel Swimming Association (our swim league), is offering training on Stroke & Turn, Starters, and Meet Administrators on June 7 (beginning at 8am) at Cary Park. Email Katie Richards ([email protected]) if you want more details! Another training is being offered on June 1 in Raleigh. Unfortunately, there are no virtual trainings this season.

MARK SWIMMER AVAILABILITY: It is important for all swimmers to declare their attendance (select meet entry for each meet online) for time trials and meets. This should always be done at least one week prior to a meet so the coaches can properly plan the heat sheets and minimize changes. The first meet is a week from Tuesday, so please mark your swimmer for the meet by this Tuesday (tomorrow). Attendance will close on Friday 6/6 for the meet Tuesday 6/10.

TEAM SHIRTS & SWIM CAPS: Our 2025 swim team shirts are IN!! Each swimmer gets a free tee shirt and we’ll be set up poolside this week for distribution, see Sally Nicol or Katie Herndon. Extra 2025 shirts will also be available for sale for only $20! Swim caps will also be available for pick up. If your swimmer still has a swim cap from last year, please consider having them use it again to help us conserve our stock. We are happy to replace their cap if it breaks.

TEAM SWIMSUITS: Swim suits are available at Kiefer Aquatics, located in the Harris Teeter plaza at Maynard and High House Rd. Team suits are not required, but we ask swimmers to wear black or red for meets if possible. When you go to Kiefer Aquatics, you just tell them you are on the Oxxford Hunt Swampfoxxes and they will show you the team suits. Children can try it on in the store. There is also an exchange box/tub available at practices for families to donate suits and/or swim team apparel that no longer fits. Families are welcome to take any items that might fit their child.

OTHER TEAM MERCH FOR SALE: We’re having a BIG SUMMER BLOWOUT SALE on our 2024 red lightweight performance tee shirts for only $10, and our dark gray 2023 cotton tee for only $5!! See Katie Herndon or Sally Nicol for size options and payment. Please excuse our error in last week's newsletter, customized Swampfoxx swag is available for direct order and shipping at SwimOutlet. This link can be found on our website under the Team Store tab. If you don’t see the product you’re looking for, let us know and we can add it!

MORNING PRACTICES (9-10a daily) begin Monday June 16, marking the beginning of traditional calendar schools summer break! Congratulations to year-round school Track 1 swimmers on finishing your school year.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY: We’re still looking for just ONE MORE FAMILY to join our Biggest Fan Sponsorship for just $150! It's the perfect way for families and friends of the Swampfoxxes to show a little extra love (and get a little well-deserved recognition too!). We’d LOVE to add your name to the list!

Please let us know what questions you may have or use other parents as a resource, either in person at the practice or via our FB parents forum!

Your Oxxford Hunt Swim Team Board