Weekly UPDATE - July 5 - July 11

There are a number of important items for this week that ends on SAT 7/11.  Also take note of the look ahead items for the following week's busy schedule.

1. Away meet on TUE (7/7) at Park Forest:
   (A) Welch Parent meet volunteers are needed (especially 2nd half timers and scoring averagers).  On-line sign-ups can be made on the following Welch Team sign-up genius links:
   
   • Meet Volunteer Sign-up Link - July 7 (TUE) Welch at Park Forest
   (B) Welch Parent & Coaches Relay Race Sign-Ups:
   Welch Parents, each year at the Welch at Park Forest meet we assemble a team of Welch Parents and coaches to swim against Park Forest parents and coaches in a relay race that is held immediately following the team's regular meet.  Please consider signing up for this fun-filled event that caps off an always exciting meet.  You can sign-up for this Parent activity either through the bottom section of the online Meet Volunteer Sign-up Link listed above and below or by seeing Coach Steve, Coach Marion or your Welch Parent Rep,
   
   • Meet Volunteer Sign-up Link - July 7 (TUE) Welch at Park Forest
2. Bagel Breakfast on TUE (7/7) morning after each practice session
3. Welch Team Apparel orders are in and will be available for pick-up at MON (7/6) morning practice from 8:00-9:15am at Welch Pool AND at TUE's Park Forest meet.  Please see Marcie R.
4. Welch Ice Cream Social - THU (July 9) SAT (July 11) 7-9pm at Welch Pool - please click this link or see the Ice Cream Social posting for more information and RSVP instructions.
5. Welch Swim Team Food Drive:
   Our second annual Welch Sharks Swim Team's taking it to the (Food) Bank food collection drive to benefit The State College Area Food Bank is being held from JUL 2 to JUL 17.  More information about this event can be found at the earlier thread or by clicking this Food Drive Link.
6. Looking ahead:  Welch Tie-Dye Day - tentatively July 14th
7. Looking ahead:  HOME MEET - TUE (7/14) vs. SPRA rain make-up meet at Welch.
   
   • Meet Volunteer Sign-up Link - July 14 (TUE) SPRA at Welch
8. Looking ahead:  Team Picture Day at Home meet - TUE (7/14).
9. Looking ahead:  HOME MEET - THU (7/16) vs. Penns Valley at Welch
   
   • Meet Volunteer Sign-up Link - July 16 (THU) Penns Valley at Welch
10. Looking ahead:  Park Forest Day of Joy Relay Meet - SAT (July 18) 8am-12noon
11. Looking ahead:  Welch Team Banquet - SUN (7/26)
12. Looking Ahead: CPSL Champs meet info - TUE (7/28) and THU (7/30)
    
    • We will post swimmer entry information
    • We will post information regarding placing happy/cheer advertising in the Champs program.

Welch Team Apparel orders are IN

Welch team apparel orders are in and will be available for pick-up on:

• MON (7/6) from 8:00-9:15 AM (Welch Pool)
• TUE (7/7) at the evening swim meet (Park Forest)

We also have some limited sizes available for sale (cash & carry) if you did not place a pre-order and now wish to purchase.  Please see Marcie R.

Weekly UPDATE: Jun 22 - Jun 27

Here's your weekly batch of Welch Swim Team News.

1. First up, congratulations to all Welch Sharks Swimmers; the first meet is in the books and you swam well.  The meet results are posted at Welch Pool along the windows in the vending area.and available online through a link provided on our facebook page.
   
   • CONGRATULATIONS to NOAH WITT for breaking the Welch Sharks Swim Team's record in the BOYS 13-14 50 yd Butterfly (Event 58) with his time of 26.64!!!
2. A very BIG Thank you to Welch Swim Parent Volunteers for helping us at our THU meet against Park Forest.  Your help allowed us to start on time and finish the meet by 9:05 and before the T-storm arrived.  We can't do it without YOU.  Again, thank you.
3. Thanks to our Welch Sharks Coaches: Steve, Marion, Susanne, Marie and Fred.  Your hard work in preparing our Sharks shined.
4. We have an AWAY meet THU, 6/25 at Penns Valley (in nearby Millheim).
   
   • Swimmer entry sign-ups should be made immediately by seeing your coaches before the end of WED's (6/24) practice.  
   • Team pictures are tentatively planned to be taken at this meet.
5. Welch Parents:  We still need your support to volunteer to help at away meets.  Please go to the volunteer sign-up link below and select a meet volunteer position.  There are 14 17 Welch Parent volunteer positions available that need to be filled between both the 1st and 2nd half.
   Use the following link to access the online sign-up. Welch Parent Volunteer sign-up - AWAY at Penns Valley
   
   Currently there are still openings for:
   

   	1st Half	2nd Half
   Rooster	0	0 1
   Welch Timers	1 3	4
   Welch Scorers/Avg	2	2
   Welch Seeders	2	2
   Welch Stroke & Turn Officials	0	1
   TOTALS	5	9

6. WED - Swimmer entry sign-ups begin for the TUE 6/30 HOME meet vs. SPRA.
7. WED AND THU - Team swimsuit orders can be picked up WED (6/24) and THU (6/25) between 8-9am at Welch Pool - See Sherrill S.
8. THU - DOUGHNUT Breakfast after practice (1 doughnut per swim team member).
9. THU - Away meet at Penns Valley (Millheim) please arrive before 5:15pm and allow for the 23 mile or 35 min drive time.
10. LOOKING AHEAD: - Next HOME meet is TUE - June 30 vs. SPRA Swimmer entry sign-ups begin WED 6/24.
11. LOOKING AHEAD - The CPSL July 2nd Night with the Spikes baseball game ticket orders have been placed.  Tickets will be made available for pickup by last name to those who ordered and paid at the ballpark's "Will Call" window.

The Penns Valley meet is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM and Welch Sharks Swimmers should be at the pool before 5:15 PM for check-in and warm-ups.  Please allow yourself sufficient time to arrive well before your warm-up time in order to check in and receive any additional information from your coaches.

Directions to Penn's Valley Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Pool in Millheim:

Follow 45 East from State College/Boalsburg. From Centre Hall (intersection of Routes 45 and 144) travel east on Route 45. As you enter Millheim, go straight at the traffic light, take a slight left (after the bridge) onto Park Road. Park Road then turns to the left, follow Park Road until it takes a left into the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park. - Drive time approx. 30 minutes from State College. Please drive carefully.

Penns Valley (Milheim) Pool on Google Maps

Weekly UPDATE - June 15 - June 20

Hey Welch Sharks Swimmers and Parents, here's this week's rundown of Welch Swim Team activities.

1. As previously posted, team swimsuit order pickup will be available on MON, 6/15 from 8:30-9:15 for those that placed and paid for their orders.  Tentatively, the last suit try-on and order date will be next MON, 6/22 and by appointment.
2. Welch Swim Team Apparel (shirts, hoodies and sweats) orders are due MON, 6/15.  Please e-mail your Team Parent Rep ( welch[dot]sharks[dot]swimteam[at]gmail[dot]com or contact Marcie Rockey (contact info is on order form) by 5PM today if you did not hand in your order and payment at practice today and still want your order accepted.  Remember to include the item(s) description and size as listed on the team apparel order form.
3. FIRST WELCH SHARKS HOME SWIM MEET is THU, 6/18
• Swimmer event sign-ups are being taken on the gold & black board located along the glass in the vending machine area of the pool.
• Parent Meet Volunteer and Concession Food Donation online sign-ups are available from the included links or by going to the Volunteer sign-ups tab located along the top banner and selecting from item 2).
• Family drink donations (Gatorade/Water/Soda) are much needed in time for this meet.  Drinks w/ family name should be brought to the Welch storage room doorway located along the left/side gate side of the lifeguard office.  You can bring these items to the pool during all pool hours.  If during non-Welch time periods, please see the pool/lifeguard staff to place your items in the team storage room.
• Swimmer's Rally/Cheer meet posters:  Swimmers remember to finish your WELCH SHARKS SWIM TEAM rally/cheer posters to bring to our first meet against the bullfrogs.
  
  This is our first meet of the season with our friends from Park Forest, so we need a big turnout of swimmers and parents.  Come join the fun of a summer swim meet at Welch. Meet other team parents and swimmers.  Remember with each volunteered half, Welch Parent volunteers earn a chance to win a free 2016 swim team registration/CRPR pool pass or team suit for 2016.
4. CPSL Night with the Spikes baseball ticket orders are due THU, 6/18.  Cost is $6 per person and includes: July 2nd game ticket, drink and food voucher.  Place your orders w/ name, quantity and payment to Welch Swim Team in the Welch dropbox.  Join other Welch, Penns Valley, Park Forest and SPRA families for a fun night of local minor league baseball.
5. We still have a need to fill a number of parent volunteer/management positions for this season and next season.  The Welch Swim Team has a long tradition of providing many additional fun activities for our swimmers.  We can only provide these activities with the valued help of our swim parents.  If you or a group have an interest to help in any of the areas of need please see or email your Team Parent Rep., Sean Flynn.

And of course... GO WELCH SHARKS! :-D
 

Welch Team Swimsuits Order pick-up

Welch team swimsuit orders that have been BOTH placed and paid for will be distributed on MONDAY (6/15) morning from 7:45 to 8:45 *UPDATE* 8:30-9:15 AM  at Welch Pool.  Please see Sherrill S.

Please note the previously announced MON (6/15) suit try-on is rescheduled to the following MON (6/22).  This is the last scheduled try-on for the season.  If needed, other try-ons will be by appointment.

Weekly UPDATE - June 8 - June 13

Hey Welch Sharks Swimmers and Parents, here's a quick rundown of what's going on this week.

1. Welch Swim Team registration is available at:
   
   • Welch Pool's front desk
   • Centre Region Parks & Rec (CRPR) office (8 AM - 5 PM)
   • In person - located in the C.O.G. building (2643 Gateway Dr. - Cato Park)
   • By phone - (814) 231-3071
   • Online registration at CRPR site - CRPR's program Registration by Internet link.
2. THU 6/11 Team swimsuit sizing try-ons
   
   • 6:30 AM - 9:30 AM before practice session.
3. THU 6/11 Practices begin! - Regular morning swim practice begin THU, 6/11 (the morning after the last day of school.  See the Practice Times tab located along the top of the blog for your age group's starting time.  Parents of those age 9 and up, be ready for the inevitable question, "It's summer vacation, why do I have to get up earlier than I did for school?"  Be truthful, creative and if necessary to avoid the endless loop argument use the always handy and effective if not overused, parental trump card response ..."Because I said so." ;-)
   
   • Swimmer Sign-Ups for Saturday's 6/13 Practice/Mock Meet begin
   • Parent Volunteer Practice/Mock Meet online sign-ups - Mock meet parent volunteer sign-up link
4. FRI 6/12 Team swimsuit sizing try-ons:
   • 6:30 AM - 9:30 AM before practice session. *UPDATE* RESCHEDULED to MON 6/15 from 6:30 AM - 9:00 AM before practice session.
5. SAT 6/13 Team swimsuit sizing try-ons:
   • 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM before mock meet
6. SAT, 6/13 Welch Team PRACTICE/MOCK MEET & ALL PARENT MEETING
   • 7:45 AM - ALL Welch Parent meeting.
   • 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Team Practice Meet.
7. SAT 6/13 - Welch Team Apparel samples will be available to see.  Order forms are available for download from the Team Apparel tab located along the top of the blog.  Apparel orders are due by the end of practice MON 6/15.
8. In order to participate in team practices, meets and activities swimmers must be registered with CRPR.  See item 1. ABOVE.

Thanks and we look forward to seeing everyone at Welch Pool.

Welch Mock/Practice Meet & ALL Parent meeting SAT, 6/13

1. We will hold a brief ALL Parent Meeting at 7:45 AM before our Mock/Practice Meet on SAT, 6/13.
2. The mock meet will run from 8 AM to 10 AM and provides a brief but valuable meet experience to new swimmers and parents as well as a refresher for all returning sharks.
3. SAT, 6/13 is also the last day for team swim suit sizing try-ons and order placement.

Swimmer (and volunteer) sign-ups for next SAT's (6/13) Welch-Sharks Swim-Team mock meet will begin at SAT, 6/06's pre-season practice.

Regular season morning practices start bright and early on THU 6/11.

Check the Practice Times tab at the top of this blog page for your age group's practice time.

Welch Sharks Team Swimsuit Try-On Dates and Order Deadline

FYI Welch Sharks; Welch team swimsuit try-on for size will be before practice on the following days:
THU - 6/11
FRI - 6/12
SAT - 6/13

The deadline for placing your team suit order is SAT, 6/13.

As posted on the team's general information page:

The Team will be using a similar swimsuit design (black w/ yellow trim) as in 2014.  The purchase of a team swimsuit is optional and not necessary to participate in the swim meets.  We will provide a suit sizing try-on prior to practice on THU-June 11, FRI-June 12, and SAT-June 13.  Swimmers will only be permitted to try on the sizing sample suits before they enter the water.  The deadline to submit your suit order is Saturday, June 13.

2015 Team Swimwear prices are the same as the 2014 and 2013 prices:

• Female T-splice suit = $47
• Male jammers = $31
• Male racer/brief = $27
• Welch cap = $8 est.

Orders will require payment by either check (payable to “Welch Swim Team”) or providing the exact cash amount.

Thanks and see you at The Welch Pool. 

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

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...

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

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! 

Weekly Update: June 30 - July 4

Welch Sharks, first a quick look back to last week.

• We hope our Sharks enjoyed last Thursday's Welch Doughnut Day breakfast.  In connection with this event, we thank the Management of Giant Food Stores of 255 Northland Ctr. for their community support towards our Centre Region Parks & Rec Welch Sharks Swim Team.  We would appreciate if our Welch Parents would also express their thanks to the store's management team for their community involvement that aided in this team activity.

Here's a summary of this upcoming week's Welch Sharks activities.

1. Practices:
   -Morning practices as scheduled MON to THU (FUN DAY morning possible - We're almost there!  C'mon Welch Parent Volunteers, you can fill Tuesday's SPRA meet volunteer sign-up by noon, Tue.)
   -NO PRACTICE Friday, July 4 - Independence Day
2. MON - Swimmer meet sign-ups for Tuesday's home meet vs. SPRA
3. TUE, July 1 HOME meet vs. SPRA
   -Welch Sharks Swimmers should arrive at Welch Pool no later than 5:00
   -Meet and Concession volunteers are still needed. Please use the links previously posted to fill  these Team needs.
4. *UPDATE* Wednesday NIGHT PRACTICE is CANCELED. *UPDATE*
5. Will we have a morning FUN DAY?  Think positively and make it happen Welch Parents!!
   *UPDATE*  YES Welch Sharks! THURSDAY IS FUN DAY (8 AM to 9:45 AM)!  Enjoy those few extra morning Zzzz's. *UPDATE*
6. Ask the question "Where's Bruce and will he be at practice?" ;^D
7. LOOKING AHEAD - 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.
8. LOOKING AHEAD DATES TO NOTE:
   SUN - July 13 Ice Cream Social/Open Swim/Movie shorts night
   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.

Keep monitoring this blog for any last minute changes.  Thanks and...

GO WELCH SHARKS!

Team Suit Order Pick-up Times Added

Welch Team Swim Suit order pick-up times have been added to the earlier posting.
Please see Sherrill to pick up your order at the Welch Pool Thursday (6/19) morning from 8:45 AM to 9:15 AM and then later Thursday at our home meet.

Welch Swim Suit Orders ARE IN & Ready for Pick-up Monday (6/16)!!!

TEAM SUITS ARE IN!!!
All Welch Team swim suits orders that had been submitted are in and available for pick-up at Welch Pool:

• MONDAY (6/16), from 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
• THURSDAY (6/19) from 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM
• THURSDAY's HOME MEET (6/19)

This also will be the LAST time frame that Welch team suits can be ordered.
**NOTE**  If you still want a Welch Team Suit after the order deadline please see your Team Parent Rep, Sean Flynn who will provide you with direct vendor information.  Please understand that any direct/personal order is subject to a shipping charge and PA sales tax.**

Sherrill will also have various goggles and caps (including Welch) available for purchase (cash/check & carry) at that time.  Also ask about our Welch Sharks Swim Team euro-style car magnet. :^)