Who We Are
The Gaylord Gators Swim Club is an independent, not for profit competitive swim team, managed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Our team is a member of the Michigan Team Swim League (MTSL).
Age group swimming means that boys compete against other boys in their own age group, and girls compete against girls in theirs. The age groups are 8 and under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, and 15-18.
Swimmers may compete in MTSL dual meets (against another MTSL team either at the Sportsplex or away), invitational meets, the MTSL Championship Meet and MTSL State Meet.
Our team is a member of the Michigan Team Swim League (MTSL).
Practice Information
The team is set up in three levels of swim ability. Practice times are listed below.
Group C is straight forward, beginner swimmers.
Group B is for swimmers who have a basic understanding of all of the strokes, who enjoy competing, but who are not ready either by ability or personal desire for group A.
Group A is for swimmers who are able to achieve pre-set cut off times in selected events, and who have decided that swimming is their first priority.
| Group | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | 6:00-7:30pm | 3:30-5:00pm | No Practice | 3:30-5:00pm | 4:00-5:30pm |
| Group B | 6:00-7:30pm | 3:30-5:00pm | No Practice | 3:30-5:00pm | No Practice |
| Group C | No Practice | 3:30-5:00pm | No Practice | 3:30-5:00pm | No Practice |
General Information
Swimmers are expected to follow pool rules at all times - including while in the locker rooms. Everyone MUST show respect for the facility. The Sportsplex is a beautiful facility - let's do our part to keep it that way! Swimmers may be temporarily suspended from the team by the coaches or permanently expelled (without refund) by the Board of Directors for infractions.
The coach will keep notes on attendance and swimmer performance during practices. Absenteeism, cheating on yardage, horseplay, and amount of effort (or lack of effort) put in during practice will be taken into consideration when the coach makes the lineup for swim meets.
During practice, swimmers must make every effort to swim ALL of the strokes and yardage they are instructed to do. When a swimmer does not complete ALL of his/her yardage, he/she is cheating him/her self, and letting down the rest of the team on race day!
Bake Sale - A schedule will be set out to let parents know when it is their turn to provide items for a bake sale.
Every swimmer will have a file folder in a portable file container. ALL information that is to be distributed to the swimmer and his/her parents will be put into his/her folder. It will be the responsibility of the swimmer and his parents to check the file on a regular basis. Items you will typically find will be ribbons from past swim meets, notes about upcoming events, reminders for things to do, etc. This file container will be kept in the Sportsplex pool office, and it will be set outside the pool office door in the main lobby every day during swim practice.
Team suit and cap orders will be taken at registration. Swimmers are encouraged to wear their team suit, however this is not mandatory. In an effort to promote team unity, it IS mandatory that each swimmer wear the Gator swim cap provided at registration. Additional swim caps are available for purchase. "Gator Gear" (t-shirts, sweatshirts, practice suits, etc.) are available as well.
Swim Meet Information
We will host one swim meet per month at home, and attend about 1-2 away meets per month. All swimmers are expected to attend all meets. If a swimmer cannot attend, please provide at least 4 days advance notice by signing off on the posted sheet "sign off" sheet. If you have an emergency or illness which would prevent your child from attending any meet, please call the coach ASAP so she can adjust the line-up.
WE NEED ALL FAMILIES TO ASSISST AT HOME SWIM MEETS: A volunteer list will be posted near the bulletin board about one week prior to each meet. You will be able to see your children swim, We will train you for any job you’d like to learn, AT LEAST ONE PERSON FROM EACH FAMILY IS REQUIRED TO WORK AT OUR HOME SWIM MEETS. We appreciate your willingness to help our meets be successful!
Dual Meet - Between two teams
Swimmers may enter up to 3 individual events and 1 relay, each team may enter up to 3 swimmers for points per event, swimmers not swimming for points will swim "exhibition" (awards will not be awarded, but times are recorded), coach decides events for each swimmer and will strive to provide variety of stroke and distance, points are awarded for 1st - 6th place, ribbons are awarded for 1st - 6th place (unless swimming exhibition), no fees for swimmers to participate, swimmer will be entered into events unless parent or swimmer signs off on posted "sign off" sheet.
Invitational Meet -Same as other meets except:
Between two or more teams, The number of events offered may vary, points are awarded for 1st - 12th place, ribbons are awarded for 1st - 12th place, swimmer will pay individual entry fees for each event entered, must enter and return paperwork before deadline (NO EXCEPTION), swimmers may pick their events, but should seek the advice of their coach.
Final Meets
Held after the regular season. MTSL Championship Meet will be held on Saturday. Swimmers may enter 3 individual entries and can also swim a relay. A swimmer may not swim any event in which they have qualified with a State Time. State Meet is held on Sunday. A swimmer may only attend this meet if they have qualified with a State Time (posted on the Bulletin Board). Also a swimmer may only swim the events in which they have been qualified. A swimmer must swim 2 MTSL meets to be able to attend.
State times achieved at MTSL Championship Meet will qualify swimmer for that event at the State Meet the next day.