Saturday, August 9, 2014

Swimmer's Team Awards & CHAMPS Medals & Ribbons available for Pick-up

Welch Sharks Swimmers' Team Banquet AWARDS that were not picked up at the banquet as well as CPSL CHAMPIONSHIPS MEDALS & RIBBONS will be available for pick-up at the Welch Pool Main Entry Desk from Parks and Rec. staff until the pool's season closing week. After the season closing, the awards will be available for a limited time at Centre Region Parks & Recreation main office located in the C.O.G. building on Gateway Dr. in Cato Ind. Park.

When picking up items, please sign the staff provided sheet(s) for the items selected. Thank you very much for a fun filled 2014 summer swim season.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Meet Results - 2014 CHAMPS (Ages 10 & Under)

Another great Welch Sharks effort was made by our 10 & under swimmers for their final meet of the season.  Results from Thursday's, July 31 CPSL CHAMPIONSHIPS (Ages 10 & Under) are available at the link below.

Meet Results - 2014 CPSL CHAMPIONSHIPS (Ages 10 & Under) July 31, 2014

A very BIG THANK YOU to the Welch Parents who volunteered and endured the rain and related 30 minute weather delay for the final meet of the season.

Friday, August 1, 2014

Meet Results - 2014 CPSL CHAMPS (Ages 11 & Up)

A great effort was made by all our Shark swimmers for their final meet of the season.  Results from Tuesday's, July 29 CPSL CHAMPIONSHIPS (Ages 11 & Up) are available at the link below.

Meet Results - 2014 CPSL CHAMPIONSHIPS (Ages 11 & Up) July 29, 2014

A very BIG THANK YOU to all the Welch Parents who volunteered for this last home meet of the season.

Meet Results (Welch @ SPRA)

What a fun filled and competitive swim meet!  In the first meeting this season our Welch Sharks won a hard swum (is that really a word?) meet by just 22 points.  Both teams' swimmers did well but this time the pod of dolphins from SPRA edged our Sharks by 12 points.  It was an exciting meet.

Meet Results - Welch @ SPRA July 24, 2014

Thank you to the Welch Parent meet volunteers who assisted at this meet.

Meet Results (Penns Valley @ Welch) online

We had a fun meet with our friends from Penns Valley.  Online meet results for the July 17 Penns Valley at Welch meet are available at the following link. 

Meet Results Penns Valley @ Welch July 17, 2014

Thank you to all our Sharks who swam hard and parents who volunteered to help run this meet.  An additional thank you to those who donated to assist the Penns Valley Penguins Swim Team's.  We raised just over $160 from the donation jar and are awaiting results from our concession sales to further help the Penns Valley Team with the maintenance expenses related to their pool at The Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Park Pool in Millheim.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

THE Welch Sharks Swim Team - The final countdown to season end.

Final Practices, Awards, and general housecleaning:
  1. We will have Ages 10 & Under regular morning practice through THU (July 31).
  2. The FINAL FRIDAY FUNDAY (Aug 1) is for ALL AGES OF SHARKS:-8:00 AM for Ages 11 & Up
    -9:00 AM for ages 10 & Under
    Again all are invited & encouraged to attend FRIDAY (Aug 1) FUNDAY for the last hurrah of the Sharks 2014 Summer Swim League Season.  We will provide snacks. :-D
  3. Sharks who did not receive their Welch Team banquet awards please come to the remaining Welch practice before the close of the season (FRI Aug 1) to receive your awards.  Team availability will be very limited after this week and will be at the Team's convenience.  Swimmer awards will not be carried over to next season.
  4. Ages 11 & Up TUE night Champs swimmers please either stop by THU's (8:00 AM to 9:45 AM) 10 & Under practice, THU CHAMPS Meet at Park Forest, or 2014 FINAL FRIDAY FUNDAY to receive all your earned CHAMPS medals & ribbons from the Team's coaches and staff.
  5. CHAMPIONSHIPS for Ages 10 & Under is THU, July 31 at Park Forest PoolWelch warm-up times are 5:15 PM to 5:35 PM.  Give yourself ample time to check in with coaches upon arrival.  Parking areas include the pool lot, and both school lots at the top of the hill.
  6. CHAMPIONSHIPS 10 & Under Welch Parent Meet Volunteer positions are still available.  Please use our online sign up page to volunteer for the last meet of the season.  Get out the weeds and background grass and get close to the action of your swimmers' meet.  There are a number of 2nd half positions yet to fill.
  7. Like last season, THE Welch Sharks Swim Team will donate any unopened regular (non-snack) foods from our Team's concession supply to The State College Food Bank.  Remaining soft drinks will be donated to the Alpha Fire Company.
  8. Any current Welch Parent who might be interested to assist with the Team's 2015 operations, please send an email to me at the Team Parent Rep email address and place in your subject line:
    SUBJECT:  2015 WELCH Season
    If possible, please identify any particular team areas that you would be interested to serve or coordinate.  The Team Parent Contact email address is:
    Welch[dot]Sharks[dot]Swimteam[at]gmail[dot]com

NIGHT PRACTICE CANCELED WEDNESDAY (7/30)

HEY WELCH SHARKS!!

Night practice is canceled due to incliment weather.  The radar does not look good folks!  Stay dry and dream about your races tomorrow, envision yourself in the pool and reaching out for that wall!
And remember for those swimming breaststroke and butterfly it's a TWO HAND TOUCH. ;-)

~ Coach Boris

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

CHAMPS Warm-up times etc.

In case you might have missed the coaches announcement at practice here is the CHAMPS time schedule.  Please plan accordingly to allow sufficient travel and check in time.

WARM-UP AND STARTING SCHEDULE FOR CHAMPS:


11 & Up Champs at THE Welch Pool, TUESDAY, July 29, 2014

Warm-Ups:
4:35 - 4:55 PM Welch
4:55 - 5:15 PM – SPRA
5:15 - 5:35 PM – Park Forest
5:35 - 5:55 PM – Penns Valley

Scratch Meeting:  5:30 PM
Officials and Timers Meeting:  5:45 PM
Meet starts:  6:00 PM

10 & under at Park Forest Pool, THURSDAY, July 31, 2014


Warm Ups:
4:35 - 4:55 PM – Park Forest
4:55 - 5:15 PM – SPRA
5:15 - 5:35 PM – Welch
5:35 - 5:55 PM – Penns Valley

Scratch Meeting:  5:30 PM
Officials and Timers Meeting:  5:45 PM
Meet starts:  6:00 PM

Monday, July 28, 2014

CHAMPS - Tuesday (BIGS) Meet Volunteers Still Needed!

Good morning Sharks.  We still need to fill a number of CHAMPS meet volunteer positions for TUE, 7/29 CHAMPS (11 & Up) meet AT WELCH POOL.  Please volunteer for this meet to enjoy the last meet of the season at Welch Pool, help our team, and demonstrate to the other CPSL teams that THE Welch Swim Team can continue to run a smooth, fast and efficient meet.

Please go to the meet volunteer link below to sign up for the final home event of the season.

-CHAMPS (11 & Up) Meet Volunteer Sign-up Link - July 29 (TUE) CHAMPS at Welch

Champs meet volunteers needed:
1st half:  scoring/awards = 2, concession grill = 2, concession food sales = 5
2nd half:  timers = 3 4, scoring/awards = 2, concession grill = 2, concession food sales = 9

We also have a concession booth to run for the TUE. CHAMPS (11 & Up) meet at Welch and need your food donations for this meet.  You can sign-up to donate your food items at the following link:

-CHAMPS (11 & Up) Concessions FOOD donation Sign-up Link - July 29 (TUE)

Sunday, July 27, 2014

*UPDATE* BANQUET RESCHEDULED TO MONDAY (tomorrow 7/28) 6:15 PM to 9:15 PM

The title tells the story.  Note the changes in day to Monday, 7/28 and slight push back on time period.  Please adjust your online RSVP if necessary to reflect any changes to entered info.

The online RSVP link is below:

*RESCHEDULED to MON. 7/28 - Welch Sharks Swim Team Awards Banquet online RSVP link

RESCHEDULED BANQUET SUMMARY:
  • What: Welch Sharks Awards Banquet for Welch swimmers, siblings & parents.
  • Date:  MONDAY, July 28
  • Time:  6:15 PM to 9:15 PM
  • Where:  Welch Pool
  • Reminders:  Please bring your side dish or dessert to share with all as originally planned and your own soft beverage.  The team will provide pizza.
Join us to celebrate our Sharks and the season.  All Sharks will receive special attention.  We hope to see all of you at the pool.

PS:  Remember to sign-up to volunteer at this week's CHAMPS

PS PS:  Find us on Facebook under the name Welch-Sharks Swim-Team (note the hyphens)

Saturday, July 26, 2014

**UPDATE** Welch Awards Banquet Postponed

Sorry Sharks, we are postponing Sunday's scheduled Welch Awards Banquet due to the forecasted bad weather for tomorrow evening (Monday does not look much better).
 

We will announce a rescheduled date and time shortly. So be sure to look for updates on FB and the blog and at that time adjust your previously entered RSVP.  Thank you for your understanding.

Also, remember to sign-up to be a meet volunteer for this week's CHAMPS meets.

CHAMPIONSHIPS Sign-Ups - Meet Volunteers & Concessions

Yes, it's that time for the SEASON ENDING CPSL CHAMPIONSHIPS!

Welch is hosting Tuesday night's (11 & Up - BIGS) CHAMPS CPSL Meet and we will need a large number of our Welch Parents to continue to volunteer for this home meet on TUE, July 29.  The meet is scheduled to start promptly at 6:00 PM and will include all four (4) league teams.  Let us provide a good example to the three (3) visiting teams that Welch can run an excellent CHAMPS meet.  Please go to the meet volunteer link below to sign up for the final home event of the season.

-CHAMPS (11 & Up) Meet Volunteer Sign-up Link - July 29 (TUE) CHAMPS at Welch

We also have a concession booth to run for the TUE. CHAMPS (11 & Up) meet at Welch and need your food donations for this meet.  You can sign-up to donate your food items at the following link:

-CHAMPS (11 & Up) Concessions FOOD donation Sign-up Link - July 29 (TUE)

We will close out the 2014 season with the CHAMPS (10 & Under) meet to be held on THU, July 31 at Park Forest Pool.  Like regular season away meets, Welch is required to provide a number of meet volunteer positions.  Please go to the following sign-up to volunteer to help at this last meet of the season.

-CHAMPS (10 & Under) Meet Volunteer Sign-up Link - July 31 (THU) at Park Forest

Thanks and see you all at the pool.

Go Welch Sharks!!!

Friday, July 25, 2014

Welch Sharks Event Photos

Mrs. Witt's photos from THE Welch Sharks Swim Team's

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

2014 SCAY (State College Area YMCA) Stroke Clinic

For all swimmers age 12 and under who do not participate in a year round swim team program (SCAY or USA Swimming (NLAC), Steve Power and The SCAY (State College Area YMCA) Aqualions Swim Team is offering a FREE 4 day stroke clinic that runs SEP 2 through SEP 5 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the State College Area YMCA.

Registration opens AUG 1 at the YMCA front desk.  When registering, please provide your swimmer's shirt size to the front desk staff.

More details are available from this PDF link:  2014 SCAY Stroke Clinic Info Flyer

SUMMARY:
  • Who:  Swimmers 12 & under (not in year round team program - SCAY or USA)
  • What: 2014 SCAY Stroke Clinic
  • Where:  State College Area YMCA
    677 West Whitehall Road
    State College, PA 16801
  • When:  4 day program - SEP 2 - SEP 5 (5pm - 6pm)
  • Registration:  Begins AUG 1 at YMCA front desk
  • Cost:  FREE (free is good!)

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

NO Practice WED (7/23) NIGHT

Sharks, there is no swim practice on WED (7/23) NIGHT due to Parks & Rec's Hawaiian Night activity.

PANCAKES, PANCAKES, PANCAKES!!! - THE Welch Sharks Swim Team Pancake Breakfast 2014

It's Back!  The Annual Welch Sharks Swim Team Pancake Breakfast!

7/24 (THU) Pancake Breakfast for Welch swimmers after each age group's morning swim practice
*Bring your own drink.  We will provide the pancakes, butter, syrup, plates, cutlery, & napkins.*

  • 8:00 AM ages 13-18  (volunteer time 7:40 to 8:25)
  • 9:00 AM ages 9-12  (volunteer time 8:40 to 9:25)
  • 9:45 AM ages 5-8  (volunteer time 9:25 to 10:05)

Parent volunteers are needed to assist with this activity.  We need six (6) griddles and spatulas.  If you have a griddle/spatula to loan, let me know directly via email or in person - I should be at each morning's practice this week.  You can bring your griddle/spatula to the pool ahead of time where we can store them in the team's storage room.  Please place your name on masking tape and attach to your griddle and spatula.

We added a Sign Up Genius link for those that wish to help and/or loan equipment for Thursday, but are unable to sign up at the pool on TUE or WED morning.

Welch Pancake Breakfast Volunteer & Equipment Sign-Up

Please continue to follow the blog and our new Facebook page (Welch-Sharks Swim-Team) for more updates for this event as well as next week's CHAMPS sign-ups and the End Of Season Banquet information.

SPRA Meet (THU, July 24) Swimmer Sign-ups & Parent Volunteer Sign-ups

Our next meet is THU, July 24 AT SPRA and swimmer sign-ups are now being taken on the black & gold board.  SPRA just came off a stunning victory over Park Forest to knock them from the undefeated ranks.  It is very important to note that the sign-up deadline for Welch swimmer entries for this away meet is by the end of practice on WED, July 23.

Welch Parents, thanks again for volunteering for our meets.  Your involvement at these meets was great to see and your efforts were clearly evident through the running of smooth and fast paced meets. Please continue these volunteer efforts with this regular season finale meet, the Welch Team Pancake Breakfast, as well as next week's (TUE & THU) CHAMPIONSHIP meets.  The Welch AT SPRA Parent Volunteer Sign-up link is listed below and also available on the Volunteer Sign-Ups! tab/page located along the navigation bar at the top of the blog.

Meet Volunteer Sign-up Link - July 24 (THU) Welch at SPRA

Welch parents need to supply 28 positions.  Currently, 9 remain to be filled!  Thank you to the 19 who already signed up to volunteer!

This should be an exciting, fun and competitive meet.  Come on out and support our Sharks!

Arrive early in order to get a parking spot in the SPRA lot.  Do NOT park in the daycare/charter school lot.

Look for and friend us on Facebook:  Welch-Sharks Swim-Team

and...GO WELCH SHARKS!!!

Sunday, July 20, 2014

2014 Welch Sharks Swim Team Awards Banquet - RSVP by WED - 7/23

The 2014 Awards Banquet for THE Welch Sharks Swim Team will be held at the Welch Pool on SUN 7/27 from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM for all Welch Sharks Swim Team members and their immediate families (siblings and parents).  We need your online RSVP no later than WED - July 23; the link is provided here:


The team will provide pizza.  At this time, it is BYO-SD (bring your own soft drink).  This requirement is due to the lower level of family drink donations received to date and the amount we will need for our THU, July 17 home meet and also for our Team's hosting of big kid CHAMPS on TUE, July 29.

If you have not yet made your "Team Donation" please do so ASAP.  Those contributions directly fund our activities, awards, coaches' gifts and food purchases.

Like in prior years, we need your help with desserts and side dishes to complete our celebratory feast.

Families with last names beginning with the letters:
  • A through K please bring a dessert item
  • L through Z please bring a side or salad dish
**Please label your dish/item if it is GLUTEN FREE, VEGETARIAN, or CONTAINS NUTS**

You don't need to list what you are bringing to the banquet - simply RSVP no later than WEDNESDAY - July 23 with the total amount of people coming from your immediate family (Welch Shark swimmer(s) plus siblings & parents) so that we can get a head count of how much pizza to provide.

As always, many thanks to all and we hope to see everyone on Sunday night to celebrate our valued swimmers, coaches and parents!

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Weekly Upate: July 20 - July 28

Clear your calendars!!! Lot's of STUFF for last 2 weeks of the summer swim season.
  1. CHAMPS Swimmer Sign-ups - start MON (7/21) look to our blog for more info and updates.
  2. CHAMPS Parent Volunteer Sign-ups - look to our blog for the posting of info.

    -CHAMPS (11 & Up) MEET Volunteer Sign-up Link - July 29 (TUE) at WELCH
    -Concession FOOD Donation sign-up link for CHAMPS (11 & Up) (TUE) JUL 29 at WELCH

    -CHAMPS (10 & Under) Meet Volunteer Sign-up Link - July 31 (THU) at Park Forest
  3. THE Welch Sharks Swim Team Awards Banquet (SUN 7/27) RSVP Sign-ups.
  4. Swimmer sign-ups for the last regular season meet THU (7/24) at SPRA also start at MON practice with a deadline of the end of practice WED (7/23).
  5. Parents, we didn't forget about you! Parent Away Meet Volunteer sign-ups for this meet at Science Park Recreation Association (SPRA) Pool will also be made available.
  6. Team Pancake Breakfast is THU 7/24. Look for sign-ups for needed Parent Volunteers and electric griddles to help prepare & feed a frenzy of hungry Sharks.  The early/extended weather forecast shows rain possible for THU.  If it appears clearly evident that THU's weather will be not good for making or eating pancakes, we will change the date preferably with at least 24 to 48 hrs notice.  So keep checking the weather forecast, the blog and of course, the Team's NEW FACEBOOK PAGE.

Stay tuned for updates and activation of the related sign-up links.

and...  GO WELCH SHARKS!!!

Welch-Sharks Swim-Team is on FACEBOOK

Yes, as the title states... Welch-Sharks Swim-Team is on Facebook.

You can possibly tell my enthusiasm by the lack of emotive punctuation but primarily due to Google's very erratic and slow notification service related to this blog, it became necessary to take the FB plunge for the Team and the many Welch Swim Team Families that use FB and their faster notification setup.

Dependent upon the FB experience we might migrate more team content to FB, but in the meantime will be running both FB and the blog to complement and exploit each platform's strengths.

So search for us (note the included hyphens), Welch-Sharks Swim-Team on FB and send in your "friend" request to receive the updates and access to future information that will not be posted to the more public blog.

Go Welch Sharks!!!

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Welch Swim Team SC FOOD BANK UPDATE

The Team's State College Food Bank donations are growing, but we could still use more of the following items:

  • Sugar
  • Noodles
  • Salad dressing
  • Juice - 100%
We will continue to accept items through FRI, July 18 in the blue & yellow collection bins located in front of the lifeguard's office.  Thank you for your generosity to help others in our community..

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

CHAMPS T-Shirt Orders DUE TODAY (TUE - July 15)!

Reminder that TODAY, (TUE - July 15) is the hard (no-flex) deadline to order your 2014 CHAMPS T-Shirt!!!  Shirts are priced at $12 each.  More info is available at the earlier CHAMPS T-Shirt announcement posting.

2014 CPSL CHAMPS T-Shirt Design


The Sharks, Dolphins, Penguins and Bullfrogs swim together in this event.  Don't be left without one ...and stuck swimming with the fishes. ;-)

ORDER 1, 2, 3 or more TODAY!!!

2014 CHAMPS T-Shirt Online Order Form

Monday, July 14, 2014

2014 CHAMPS T-shirt Orders due TUE, July 15

Below is the link to order the 2014 CPSL CHAMPS T-shirt.  This is a great looking light/sky blue shirt with each team's mascot represented.  Price is $12 each and the ORDER SUBMISSION DEADLINE is TUE, July 15!!!

2014 CPSL CHAMPS T-shirt Order Link 

Please enter your order online and submit your payment payable to Welch Swim Team ASAP to Sean Flynn at practice.  If you have any questions or can not meet the order deadline please see me at practice or email me at welch[dot]sharks[dot]swimteam[at]gmail.com

Shirt orders will be delivered at the TUE (7/27) and THU (7/29) CHAMPS meets.

2014 CPSL CHAMPS T-shirt design

Photos from the Welch @ Park Forest meet - JUL 10, 2014

Mrs. Witt's photos from last THU's meet at Park Forest is available at the following Picasa link:
Lastly, if you have any additional Welch Sharks photos that you wish to share with the team, please email your Team Parent Rep. Sean and/or Marisa Flynn.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

**UPDATE** ICE CREAM POSTPONED! until WED, July 16

Sorry Sharks,

Bad Weather trumped us for SUN night.  Ice Cream/Fun Night POSTPONED and RESCHEDULED to WEDNESDAY, JULY 16.  Same bat time, same bat channel... 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM

RESCHEDULED - Ice Cream/Fun Night WED, July 16 RSVP


Next time we must sing with more feeling and more cowbell. ;-)

I want Ice Cream!!!

A bummed out Shark. :-/

All together now...

LOUDER and with feeling!!!

Rain, rain, go away
Come again another day (except this Thursday)
Welch Sharks want to play and eat ice cream!!!

Weekly Update: July 13 - July 19

Welch Sharks, here's this week's agenda:

  1. SUN - POSTPONED until WED - Team & Family Ice Cream Social/Open Swim/Movie Shorts Fun Night on WED, July 16 from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM at the Welch Pool.  Please add/adjust your R.S.V.P. on our Ice Cream sign-up page via the link below if you plan to attend or provide your regrets so that we can make a guesstimate of how much ice cream and related toppings to purchase.

    Welch Ice Cream & Fun Night R.S.V.P. - WEDNESDAY, July 16

    Remember, this is an "exhibition" meet; there will be NO calorie counting times recorded.  Enjoy!  ;-)
  2. FOOD DRIVE to benefit the The State College Food Bank will begin at our MON. morning practice and runs through FRI, 7/18 practice.
  3. Practices:  Morning practices as scheduled MON to THU (FUN DAY FRIDAY morning??? - Same challenge as our last home meet:  **If our Welch Parents fill all the Meet Volunteer Sign-up positions by NOON THU, 7/17 our swimmers will have a FUN DAY Friday instead of a normal practice.** 
  4. MON:  Swimmer sign-ups on the black & gold board for THU's 7/17 home meet against Penns Valley will continue until end of WED practice.  Please remember to indicate on the sign-up sheet if you can not stay for the entire meet.  If at a meet and you need to leave early, the swimmer/parent must notify your coaches or Parent Rep. ASAP.  Other teammates may be relying on you to stay so that they can swim.  **IMPORTANT - You MUST swim in two (2) regular season meets to be allowed to swim at the League Championships.** 
  5. TUE:  Deadline to order 2014 CHAMPS T-Shirts.  See more below (item 9) and in a dedicated CHAMPS Info Post to follow
  6. Welch Parent Volunteer Meet Sign-Ups - for our THU, 7/17 home meet vs. Penns Valley.  You know the drill; we need approximately 60 Welch Parents to volunteer to run the meet.  Fill the volunteer sign-up by NOON, THU, 7/17 and the Sharks receive a FUN DAY FRIDAY!  Good news is 26 are already signed up!  Don't be left in the grass, there are only few meets remaining.  Sign up NOW!

    *Meet Volunteer Sign-up Link - July 17 (THU) Penns Valley at Welch

  7. THU, 7/17 Home Meet Concession Food Donation Sign-Up.  Please use the following link to sign-up for your concession stand food donations:

    *Concession FOOD Donation Sign-up Link - July 17 (THU)
  8. THU - Team Bagel Breakfast!!!  Bagels for Welch Swimmers after their practice session.
  9. League CHAMPIONSHIPS (A/K/A CHAMPS):
    -Sign-Ups:  Swimmer sign-ups for CHAMPS will start this week.As mentioned above, swimmers must swim in two (2) regular season meets to swim at CHAMPS.  CHAMPS does not permit late entries - Scratches only: once the entry deadline passes swimmers can only scratch from the meet.
    -CHAMPS SHIRT ORDERS: If you wish to purchase a 2014 CPSL CHAMPS T-shirt please see the dedicated CHAMPS info post to follow on how to order this great looking light/sky blue shirt.  Price is $12 each and ORDER DEADLINE is TUE, JULY 15!!!  Please use the following online sign-up ordering link.  Remember the available order time is very limited!

    *2014 CPSL CHAMPS T-shirt Online Order Form
     
2014 CPSL CHAMPS T-shirt Design
SAT: July 19 - Park Forest Day of Joy Fun Relays (swimmers/coaches).  Sign-ups will be taken at all practices this week.  Look for a DOJ info sheet posted online and at the Welch Swim Team display case located between the lifeguard's office and storage room.
More to follow...

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Meet Results (Welch @ PF) are available.

Welch Sharks, I hope everyone had a fun and exciting Thursday night meet with our bullfrog friends from Park Forest.  A CHEER to our swimmers for their hard work and determination.  Another CHEER to our valiant Welch Parents who also swam the post-meet Parent Race and THREE CHEERS to our Welch Coaches for their victory in the Coaches Race.

Results from this meet are available to view at the following link:  MEET RESULTS - Welch @ Park Forest, July 10, 2014.

I wish to acknowledge and thank those Welch Parents who volunteered for this away meet.  I hope you enjoyed the evening.

David U.
Jim C.
Michele R.
Chad R.
Rob U.
Anne C.
Jen E.
Peggy M. (2 halves)
Chris H-K.
Rob G. (2 halves)
Mary B.
Deanna P.
Janet J.
Beth B,
Susan W.
Jen O. (2 halves)
Mary Ellen H.
Jenny K.
Kevin W.
Nick B.
Marcy M.
Yvette W.
Stephanie S.
Catie B.
David O.
Sean F.*

* = not eligible for volunteer end of season awards drawing.

Friday, July 11, 2014

Save the Penguins!

Welch Sharks,

I would like to pass the following link to a Penns Valley Penguins Swim Team fundraiser program that should be of interest to you.

Penns Valley - Save The Penguins

Unlike Welch or Park Forest Pools, the Penns Valley Penguin Swim Team's Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Park Pool in Millheim does not receive local government or authority funding.  They are a self funded organization that is reported to be in need of some financial assistance to cover the costs of operating and maintaining their pool and the Penguin Swim Team.

Please take a moment to look over their fund raising request and if possible, offer to help.

Thank you

Welch Sharks are taking it to the Bank!!!

Welch Sharks swimmers, families & friends,

The Welch Swim Team was recently approached with a wonderful idea to help our local community by conducting a Welch Swim Team food collection drive to assist the State College Food Bank.  As many of you know, the State College Food Bank provides a wonderful and needed service to many in our community.  Helping the State College Food Bank is not new to the Welch Swim Team.  Last year the Welch Swim Team Concessions also donated needed food to our State College Food Bank.

The Food Bank's current requested needs are:
  • Jelly
  • Cereal
  • Tomato products - canned or jarred tomatoes and sauces
  • Canned meats
  • Canned fruits
  • Peanut butter
  • Sugar - 2 lb. or 4 lb. bags
  • 100% Juice

We will start to collect food items at this Sunday's (July  13) Ice Cream Fun Night and continue with collections through Friday, July 18 morning practice.

Let's see if this year we can make a much greater impact by opening this food drive request to everyone.  We will provide a collection bin at each Welch practice, event and meet during the July 13 (SUN) through July 18 (FRI) time period.  Please tell your friends and family of this rewarding challenge and we look forward to seeing everyone participate and take it to the bank!

Credit and thanks to Carson and Lilly.  You made us an offer we could not refuse. :^)

FYI:  To those interested, also in 2013, our end of season surplus of soft drinks and water were fully donated to and accepted with great appreciation by the Alpha Fire Company.

FUN DAY PRACTICE on FRIDAY, July 11th

In case you did not hear the announcement at Thursday night's Park Forest meet, FRIDAY, July 11th is a FUN DAY practice from 8:00 AM until 9:45 AM.

Enjoy the extra Zzzzz's!

And please RSVP for this Sunday's Welch Ice Cream Fun Night.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

I Scream! You Scream! We All Scream for ICE CREAM!!!

SUNDAY!  SUNDAY!!  SUNDAY!!!   July 13th from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
No, it's not Summer Nationals Drag Racing, it's...
I SCREAM!  YOU SCREAM!  WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM, Welch Swim Team's Ice Cream, Swimming and Fun Night!!!
Join us this Sunday, July 13th from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM at the Welch Pool for all Welch Sharks Swim Team Members and their IMMEDIATE family (siblings & parents too!) for fun night of swimming, ice cream and weather/darkness permitting some animated/movie shorts on Parks & Rec's inflatable screen.

Picture yourself floating under the stars, enjoying ice cream and a laugh.

Please R.S.V.P. on our Ice Cream sign-up page via the link below if you plan to attend or provide your regrets so that we can make a guesstimate of how much ice cream and related toppings to purchase.

Welch Ice Cream & Fun Night R.S.V.P. - Sunday, July 13

We designated this meet as an "exhibition", therefore there will be NO calorie counting times recorded.  Enjoy!  ;-)

PS:   Bruce will be at the pool.

**UPDATE** Welch Bagel Breakfast rescheduled to THU, 7/17

**UPDATE**  Welch Swimmers!!!  TUE's postponed Team Bagel Breakfast has been rescheduled to THURSDAY, July 17.  Bagels will be provided to all Welch Swim Team Members after their respective morning practice session on the morning of our next home meet against our Penguin friends from Penns Valley.  **UPDATE**

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

NIGHT PRACTICE CANCELED 7/9/14

Hey Welch Sharks!

Night practice is cancelled tonight so we can focus on staying up late tomorrow night when we take on the Bullfrogs of Park Forest!!

Enjoy your night off, and envision yourself racing tomorrow!

Get hyped!!

~Coach Boris

Parent Volunteers - Welch AT Park Forest - UPDATE

*UPDATE* Welch Parent Volunteers who signed up for TUE's (7/08) Swim Meet that was canceled; please email me/Parent Rep if you can NOT help in your previously selected TUE position for the THURSDAY (7/10) re-scheduled meet.

The email address to send any NOT's ...I hope there are none ;-) is the following after you replace the "[dot]' and "[at]" text with proper symbols:  welch[dot]sharks[dot]swimteam[at]gmail[dot]com

Thanks for your help.

and...
GO WELCH SHARKS!!!

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

WELCH AT PARK FOREST MEET CANCELED & RESCHEDULED

As you should already know (if you were at the pool already), the Welch at Park Forest meet has been postponed until THURSDAY.

We will re-do sign-ups tomorrow at practice for anyone unable or able to make the meet.

The meet sign-ups' deadline will be at 5 O'CLOCK TOMORROW

I understand this is a time crunch so if you are unable to attend practice and want to swim at the meet on Thursday, e-mail me at my current e-mail address:

parabox235[at]gmail[dot]com

make sure to put ENTRIES as the subject title

ANY EMAIL I RECEIVE AFTER 5 TOMORROW WILL BE CONSIDERED BUT YOUR CHILD MIGHT NOT GET TO BE IN RELAYS

PLEASE EMAIL ME ONLY ABOUT ENTRIES, ALL OTHERS WILL BE DELETED!!

Thank you for taking the time to read this!

HAIL WELCH!!

~Coach Boris

Welch Team Apparel Orders Are In!!!

As the title says... Welch Team Apparel Orders Are In!!!

Marcie Rockey will have your items at the swim meet tonight (TUE) as well as at practice tomorrow WED, July 9 and THU, July 10 between 8:00 and 9:30.

If you have any questions, please email her at rockey6[at]comcast[dot]net

CPSL Night at the Spikes Baseball

Last call (reminder) and slight change-up for those interested in the CPSL Night at the Spikes July 22 baseball game.

1) Ticket order requests are due WED, July 9.
  • Provide Family name and ticket quantity.
2) Here's the change...  Since I am unable to be at Welch Pool
  • You will need to EMAIL your ticket order request to me with the same info (name & qty.)
    Payment to Welch Swim Team can be given to me next week.

Don't forget our CPSL's Night With The Spikes orders are due July 9
A night of local baseball with our CPSL friends and families!  Cost is $7 per person and includes game ticket, hot dog and a soda.  Click the link above for more info.  Remember to get your ticket orders (name, ticket quantity) with payment (make checks payable to "Welch Swim Team") to Sean or Marisa Flynn before the July 9 order deadline.  Tickets are required for fans over the age of 2 years old.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Bagel Breakfast TUE, 7/08 *POSTPONED*

The Team Bagel Breakfast scheduled for TUE, July 8 is POSTPONED but will be rescheduled to a later date.  Sorry for any inconvenience.

**UPDATE** The Team Bagel Breakfast has been rescheduled to THU, July 17.  Bagels will be provided to all Welch Swim Team Members after their respective morning practice session.  **UPDATE**

Photos from our recent meets with Park Forest and SPRA available.

Mrs. Witt's photos from the first two meets are available at the following Picasa links:
Lastly, if you have any additional Welch Sharks photos that you wish to share with the team, please email your Team Parent Rep. Sean and/or Marisa Flynn.

Weekly Update: July 7 - July 13

Here's a rundown of this week's Welch Sharks schedule:
  1. Practices: As previously scheduled.  Since we have an away meet and there are two area festivals this week, please keep checking back this week for any practice changes/updates.
  2. MON - The swimmer sign-up deadline for Tuesday night's meet AT Park Forest is by the end of MON. morning practice.
  3. **POSTPONED** TUE morning - Bagel Breakfast for each of our Shark swimmers after their practice session.  **POSTPONED until THU, 7/17 ...sorry for any confusion.
  4. TUE evening - AWAY meet at Park Forest.
    -Welch swimmers should arrive at the Park Forest Pool by 5:20 PM
    -Welch Parent Volunteer meet Sign-Ups:  we currently need to fill 7 open positions.  Keep the full sign-up streak alive.
    -Great job Welch Parents!  Please go to the following link to sign-up to help at this away meet.

    Meet Volunteer Sign-up Link - July 8 (TUE) Welch at Park Forest
     
  5. We anticipate Welch team apparel orders to be in this week based upon our supplier's estimate.
  6. Don't forget our CPSL's Night With The Spikes orders are due July 9
    A night of local baseball with our CPSL friends and families!  Cost is $7 per person and includes game ticket, hot dog and a soda.  Click the link above for more info.  Remember to get your ticket orders (name, ticket quantity) with payment (make checks payable to "Welch Swim Team") to Sean or Marisa Flynn before the July 9 order deadline.  Tickets are required for fans over the age of 2 years old.
  7. SUN, July 13 - Welch Sharks Team Ice Cream Social/Open Swim/Movie shorts night
    Look for a more detailed information post by TUE morning regarding sign-ups for this activity.
  8. LOOKING AHEAD DATES TO NOTE:
    SAT - July 19 Day of Joy fun relay day at Park Forest
    SUN - July 27 Team Awards and Banquet
    TUE - July 29 CPSL Champs (ages 11 & up) at WELCH
    THU - July 31 CPSL Champs (ages 10 & under) at Park Forest
  9. As reminded on 6/28, please remember to bring your designated drink donations to the pool and we are still accepting the family monetary donation in lieu of doing team fund-raising sales.
  10. "Where's Bruce and will he be at practice or the ice cream social?" ;^D
Keep monitoring this blog for any last minute changes.  Thanks and...

GO WELCH SHARKS!!! 
and like last time
I BELIEVE! ...That we will win!   I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!!  I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!!!

but more importantly for summer swim league... Let's have fun! 

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Park Forest Meet (TUE, July 8) Swimmer Sign-ups & Parent Volunteer Sign-ups

Our next meet is TUE, July 8 AT undefeated Park Forest and swimmer sign-ups are now being taken on the black & gold board.  It is very important to note that the sign-up deadline for Welch swimmer entries for this away meet is by the end of practice on MONDAY, July 7.

Welch Parents, thank you again for stepping up to volunteer for our last two meets.  Your turnout at both Penns Valley and our most recent home meet with SPRA was great to see and your efforts were clearly evident through the running of smooth and fast paced meets.  Please continue these volunteer efforts with our remaining meets and activities.  The Welch AT Park Forest Parent Volunteer Sign-up link is listed below and also available on the Volunteer Sign-Ups! tab/page located along the navigation bar at the top of the blog.

Meet Volunteer Sign-up Link - July 8 (TUE) Welch at Park Forest

*UPDATED* We currently need to fill 11 7 positions.  Thank you to the 17 21who already signed up to volunteer. *UPDATED*

This is another big meet and we hope that we have many "Sharks" in the water so that the Bullfrogs might find themselves saying "we're 'going to need a bigger boat.'" ;-)

Go Welch Sharks!!!
I BELIEVE! ...That we will win!   I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!!  I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!!!

but more importantly for summer swim league... Let's have fun!

Meet Results (SPRA @ Welch) are available.

Welch Sharks, we dodged the early T-storms but thankfully not the competitive fun and excitement of Tuesday night's meet with our friends from SPRA.  Swimmers from both teams did well.  Results from this meet are available to view at the following link:  MEET RESULTS - SPRA @ Welch, July 1, 2014.

We wish to thank the large number of Parent Volunteers from both teams, whose help made it possible to finish this meet by 9:10 PM!  Also, Welch Sharks Swimmers please be sure to thank your parents for volunteering for this meet; they earned you a FUN DAY PRACTICE ON THURSDAY, JULY 3. (8:00 AM to 9:45 AM)

Welch Parent Volunteers, we hope that you enjoyed your swim meet volunteer experience and will return to volunteer and convince more to lend a hand at future meets.  Thanks go to the following Welch Parents who volunteered for this meet:

David U.
Jim C.
Chris C.
Chad R.
Rob U.
Rachel T.
Jen E.
Peggy M.
Chris H-K.
Rob G. (2 halves)
Michelle Fo.
Kathryn B.
Janet J.
Robin B.
Susan W.
Jen O. (2 halves)
Mary Ellen H.
Todd R. (2 halves)
Carrie K.
Janene A.
Mi K.
Erin G.
John K.
Stan B.
Cricket H.
Matthew U.
Jennifer R.
Barbara S.
Michelle Fr.
Maureen J. (2 halves)
Christina L.
Lauren U.
Marcie R. (2 halves)
Jenny K.
Dee P.
Nigel W.
Malia H-K.
Catie B.
Phyllis
Tom W.
Paul Bev.
Hannah S.
Kelly M.
Mike J.
Kevin W. (2 halves)
Yvette W. (2 halves)
Kristy W.
Michele R.
Joanie T.
Ryan W. (2 halves)
Diane U.
Beth B.
Suzanne Z.
Jen Mc.
Barry L. (2 halves)
Stephen S.
Jane L.
Don L.
Sean F. (2 halves)*
Marisa F. (2 halves)*
* = not eligible for volunteer end of season awards drawing.