The water is warmer! Yay!

Spirit Wear

Reminder, the spirit wear store is open until Sunday! Put your orders in, don’t forget! See https://hpstingrays.swimtopia.com/apparel. The ordering window will be May 29 to June 8 so that we receive the items by June 27. The orders will be shipped at one time to me and then I will distribute the items. Browse through and see what you like! If you didn’t order a cap, we will have some at time trials and the first meet.

Time Trials and Pictures

Before time trials on June 14, we will have individual and team pictures taken. I will have order forms at the pool next week when I am there. If you would like one, I can put it in your family folder, just send me an email. Individual photos will be at 7 a.m. and the team picture will be at 7:30. Please arrive by 7:15 for the team photo. Feel free to come for the photo even if you have other commitments that prevent you from coming to time trials.

Time trials is a chance for new swimmers to see what a meet feels like without another team there. It is also an opportunity to get baseline times for the season so you can see how your swimmer will progress. All swimmers can swim every event for their age group at time trials. There will be a limit at the meets. More information next week!

Recycle

I will collect “like new” swimming suits (team suits or similar) and t-shirts that don’t fit anymore. Then members can look and find something “new to you.” I will keep everything through the first home meet and then it will be donated. The incentive shirts and recycled clothing will be available at time trials.

Helpful information for people new to swim team:

• Everyone can swim at the regular season meets. There is a limit to how many events a swimmer can swim. In the sign up you can request events, but the coaches ultimately pick which swimmers swim which event. Signups are open.
• We need volunteers. We need over 100 slots filled for home meets to ensure it goes well. Please volunteer as much as possible! Many hands make the work lighter.
• There are three meets at the end of the season that are based off time or rank on the team.
  • The first in the Warrior Novice meet. This one is for the “not as fast” swimmers. There is a time limit for each event (can’t be faster than…). The cost for this meet is $5 per event.
  • Straehle is a meet for the fastest swimmers in all of CMSL (Central Maryland Swim League). There are 10 divisions in CMSL and we are in Division 1. The cost for this meet is $5 per event. The times to qualify are posted here: https://www.gomotionapp.com/reccmsl/UserFiles/File/Straehle/straehle-qualifying-times-2024-_083041.pdf
  • Divisionals is the end of season meet for the teams in the Division (the ones we swim during the season). We have a limited number of entries for each event. The team will pay for these entries.

• Lots of great information can be found in our handbook. It isn’t perfectly up to date, but has lots of fantastic information for new families. https://hpstingrays.swimtopia.com/team-handbook
• No photographs are allowed behind the blocks. If you are a timer or a clerk of course (line up the swimmers), please do not use your cell phone.
• Ribbons and other information will be put into family folders. These are located in the guard office, but will be out during some practices. Ribbons can be collected during the week, not during the meet.

Go Stingrays!

2025 Events

June 14 - Time trials and team pictures

June 20 - Pep Rally #1/School’s Out Party

June 21 - Swim meet vs. Forest Hill

June 27 - Pep Rally #2

June 28 - Swim meet @ Watermont - Superhero theme

July 5 - Swim meet vs. Westminster - Red, White, & Blue

July 9 - Night of Shenanigans

July 12 - Swim meet @ North Saint Johns - Lilo & Stitch/Hawaiian

July 13 - Mini Ray Meet

July 18 - Pep Rally #3

July 19 - Swim meet vs. Waverly Woods - Mermaids & Pirates

July 20 - Team Banquet

July 21 - Warrior Novice meet @ Wynnewood

July 23 - Straehle @ Andover Swim Club

July 26 - Divisionals @ Forest Hill