CHAMPS: Welch SWIMMER ENTRY REPORTS & MEET PROGRAMS available online!!!

As the thread's title states, WELCH SWIMMER ENTRY REPORTS and MEET PROGRAMS (for both the TUE (7/28) SPRA location and THU (7/30) Penns Valley location 2015 CHAMPS Meet are available for you to view, download and print from the following links:

• 2015 CHAMPS - WELCH Swimmer Entry Report
• 2015 CHAMPS (Ages 11 & Up) at SPRA TUE (7/28) MEET PROGRAM
• 2015 CHAMPS (Ages 10 & Under) at Penns Valley THU (7/30) MEET PROGRAM

Welch Parents, we still need to fill a few more volunteer spots in both the TUE & THU meets.  We need Timers, Seeders/seating, Awards and Stroke & Turn.  If you plan to attend to watch your swimmer, the Welch Swim Team and the other CPSL teams could use your help in staffing these very important meets that serve as the finale for our summer swim league season.  Sign-up links are provided below:

CHAMPS (11 & Older) is TUE, 7/28 at SPRA.

• 2015 CHAMPS Bigs (11 & Up) TUE 7/28 at SPRA - Parent meet volunteer sign-up

CHAMPS (10 & Under) is THU, 7/30 at the Penns Valley - Millheim Pool.

• 2015 CHAMPS Littles (10 & Under) THU 7/30 at Penns Valley - Parent meet volunteer sign-up

CHAMPS - Team Warm-up Times:TUE (7/28) - AT SPRA - BIGS ages 11 & Up:  Team warm-up time = 5:20 to 5:40pm
THU (7/30) - AT PENNS VALLEY - Littles ages 10 & Under:  Team warm-up time = 5:20 to 5:40pm

**Please allow yourself sufficient travel time to arrive and check-in at the meet.**

Some more Yogi-isms to enjoy and ponder...
Might seem strange coming from a Red Sox fan but IMO these Yogi-isms are funny and insightful (I can see my daughter as she starts to roll her eyes).  Enjoy.  ;-D

• “You have to give 100 percent in the first half of the game. If that isn't enough, in the second half, you have to give what's left.”
• “If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else.”
• “Cut my pie into four pieces, I don’t think I could eat eight.”
• “I wish I had an answer to that because I'm tired of answering that question.”
• “You wouldn't have won if we'd beaten you.”
• “We're lost, but we're making good time.”
• “It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” (Especially handy for our meteorologist friends) ;-)

CHAMPS 2015 - Important Info for Parents & Swimmers

With CPSL CHAMPS a little over a week away, we ask that EVERYONE please take a moment to review the "CHAMPS Important Info - Entries, Shirts & Sign-Ups" BANNER PAGE TAB for important CHAMPS MEET information including swimmer sign-ups.

Please contact your coaches if you have any questions.  Thank you.

Weekly UPDATE - July 13 - July 18

A very busy week for our Welch Sharks.

1. *UPDATE POSTPONED until TUE, July 21* Home meet on TUE (July 14) at Welch Pool vs. SPRA
   (A) Welch Parent Volunteer sign-ups for the meet and concessions can be completed by clicking the links below.  We still have a great need for 2nd half timers and concession stand help.  Please continue to support the team and assist the other volunteers by selecting an unfilled volunteer position.  We can not operate either the meet or concessions without volunteers.  So please consider signing up for a position before the season ends.
   
   • Meet Volunteer Sign-up Link - July 14 (TUE) SPRA at Welch
   • Concession FOOD Donation Sign-up Link - July 14 (TUE)
2. Tie-Dye Tuesday (July 14)!  Please see our earlier FRI posting for more information and tie-dye tips.
3. Home meet on THU (July 16) at Welch Pool vs. Penns Valley
   (A) Swimmer entries for this meet will be taken until WED morning practice.
   (B) You know the drill ;-)  Welch Parent Volunteer sign-ups for the meet and concessions can be completed by clicking the links below.  Please continue to support the team and assist the other volunteers by selecting an unfilled volunteer position.
   • Meet Volunteer Sign-up Link - July 16 (THU) Penns Valley at Welch
   • Concession FOOD Donation Sign-up Link - July 16 (THU) 
4. WELCH Team Picture - will be taken prior to the start of the THU (JUL 16) home meet.
5. Day of Joy fun relays at Park Forest Pool is this SAT (JULY 18) 8AM-Noon.  Attendance sign-ups are being taken at practice.  More information about this Park Forest Pool activity for swimmers, siblings and parents is available at the following link:
   
   • SAT 7/20 2015 Day if Joy at Park Forest Pool info sheets
6. The Welch Swim Team's food collection drive continues through this week.  Please bring your items to the pool that will benefit The State College Food Bank.
7. A big thank you to Mr. Joe Meyer of Meyer Dairy for his continued support of our annual Welch Ice Cream Social Fun Night.
8. Welch Coaches' NEW E-mail address -  Swimmers or Parents can contact their Welch Coaches directly through their new email address:  welchcoaches[at]gmail[dot]com
9. We are still accepting Family Donations in lieu of Fund-Raising.  Donations and forms can be placed in the wooden Welch Swim Team lockbox at the pool.
10. Looking ahead: Welch HOME meet TUE (7/21) Rain-makeup meet vs. SPRA
    Swimmer entry sign-ups will begin WED (7/15).
    • Meet Volunteer Sign-up Link - July 23 (TUE) SPRA at Welch RAIN MAKE-UP 3rd Time's A Charm Meet
    • *PENDING* Concession FOOD Donation Sign-up Link - July 23 (TUE) *PENDING*
11. Looking ahead:  Welch Pancake Breakfast THU (7/23) after morning practice sessions.
    (A) We will need parent help and the use of electric griddles to hold this team activity.  Look for more posted information later this week.
    • Welch Pancake Breakfast Volunteer & Equipment Sign-Up
12. Looking ahead:  Welch AWAY meet THU (7/23) at SPRA
13. Looking ahead:  Welch Team Banquet - SUN (7/26)
14. 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.
    
    

LAST DAY FOR REGISTRATION

REMINDER: LAST DAY TO REGISTER

Please be mindful that today is June 30th, which means it is your last chance to register for the swim team for summer 2015. If you do not register by the end today your son or daughter will not be able to score points for the team during Welch this season. You can call CRPR @ 231-3071 or by visiting their website at crpr.org if you cannot physically get to their office. 

Hope to see you all tonight and keep your fingers crossed that this rain passes. Let's go Sharks!!! 

Weekly UPDATE - June 28 - July 4

Here's your Welch Sharks Swim Team update for the week ending July 4th.

1. TUE (6/30) - HOME meet vs. SPRA
   Swimmer entry signups will be taken at MON's practice.
   Parent Swim Meet Volunteer and concession food donations - There are still many open positions and concession needs.  Sign-ups can be completed on our online sign-up pages provided below.
   • Meet Volunteer Sign-up - Welch v. SPRA (6/30)  
   • Concession Food Donation sign-up link - TUE (6/30)
2. THU (7/2) - CPSL Night with the Spikes Baseball Game - 7:05pm start time.
   
   • *UPDATE* Spikes ticket orders will be handed out at morning practices on TUE, WED, & THU.  See Coach Marion U. *UPDATE*
   • Remaining tickets can be picked up by those that ordered at the Spikes "Will Call" window on the day of the game.
3. Family Drink Donations - Drink donations based on last name should be brought to the Welch Pool's storage room area located to the left of the lifeguard's office entrance.
4. Family Donations - Please remember to submit into the Welch Swim Team lock-box your requested family donation and form.
5. CPSL 2015 CHAMPS SHIRT ORDERS - Due this weekend 7/4.  Please complete the order form and submit with your payment to Welch Swim Team into the Welch Swim Team lock-box.  Order forms are available either from the team lock-box or the following online link:
   
   • 2015 CHAMPS T-Shirt Order Form - due by July 4th

   

   2015 CPSL CHAMPS Shirt

6. Doughnut Day - Thank You!  Thank you to Giant Food Stores and their Management team at 255 Northland Center for their support towards our team's annual doughnut day breakfast.  Swimmers of each age group enjoyed a tasty snack after their morning practice lesson.  Brownie batter filled was a very popular choice, followed closely by various glazed and fun filled varieties.

Thank you to everyone who has helped along the way.  Stay tuned here and on facebook, there's more info to come.

FUN DAY FRIDAY (6/25) and thank you

Yes Welch Sharks you earned a FUN DAY FRIDAY!
Practice times are as follows for FRI:

• 8 - 9 AM    Ages 11 & Up
• 9 - 10 AM  Ages 10 & under

Thank you to all our Welch Sharks Swimmers that participated in THU eve's away meet w/ our Penns Valley Penguin friends.  I hope everyone made the most of their opportunity to swim well and continue to work on improving their times.  Thank you also to our Welch Parent Volunteers, who assisted with this meet - without your help these meets are not possible.  Lastly, thanks to the Penns Valley Penguin Swim Team for being a wonderful host with arguably the best concession stand in the CPSL.

So enjoy the extra rest tonight and see you at Welch Pool tomorrow morning.

REMINDER:  We will be taking swimmer entry sign-ups for next TUE's (6/30) HOME meet vs. SPRA.  Please use the swimmer entry sign-up sheets on the Black & Gold sign-up board.

Best wishes to our USA swimmers during their weekend meet at PSU.
Also remember...

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 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.

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!)

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!!!

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!!!

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...

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.

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

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! 

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!

SPRA Meet (TUE, July 1) ---> Sign-Ups! Sign-Ups! Sign-Ups!

SIGN-UP (#1)  Welch Sharks, our next meet is TUESDAY, JULY 01 at HOME against SPRA.  Swimmers need to sign-up for their events on the team's black & gold sign-up board ASAP.  The sign-up board hangs on the fence near the storage room during practice hours.

IMPORTANT NOTE to Swimmers & their PARENTS:  Please indicate on your swimmer signs-up if you are unsure if you will stay for the ENTIRE meet and at what time you might depart.  This is very important.  We had several incidents of swimmers signing up for meets and either not showing up or leaving early without notifying their coaches or Team Parent Reps.  This action not only caused unnecessary difficulty for the coaches at the meet but also for your swimmer's teammates who were also scheduled to be part of their relay team.  The remaining relay teammates (and their families) who stayed, were greatly disappointed when informed just prior to their event, that they were not allowed to swim because their relay team was scratched from the meet due to the missing swimmers.  We understand that unforeseen events can occur to cause someone to miss a meet or require you to depart early.  If you are at the meet and find that you must leave early, please notify your coaches or Team Parent Reps. ASAP so if possible, we have sufficient time to make swimmer line-up adjustments or notify your respective relay teammates that their relay is scratched from the meet.

For Tuesday's HOME meet, swimmers should arrive at Welch Pool by 5 PM.

SIGN-UP (#2)  Parents, this is another large home meet and is only a few days away.  We need more than 60 parent volunteers to sign-up to help run this meet.  Like the prior meets, we need meet volunteers who will directly help with the swim activities in and around the pool.  Filling these positions prior to the meet is crucial for the meet to start on time and run smoothly without the unnecessary delays of stopping the meet until the empty positions are filled.  We would like to see more Welch Parents volunteering than that of the visiting team.  Please go to the Welch Parent Meet Volunteer Sign-Up link below to sign-up for this meet.

We also have Welch Concession volunteer positions to fill.  As previously posted, our concession stand is our main source of team revenue to fund the various fun team activities - doughnut (6/26), bagel (7/08) and pancake (7/24) breakfasts, ice cream social/movie night (7/13), awards and banquet (7/27).  We need your continued volunteer and concession food donation support.  Our last home meet's concession stand had very good sales numbers, but was only staffed by 12 Welch volunteers - some volunteered the entire meet.  Please sign-up to help with this area so that we will not be required to reduce or close its operation.

*Parent Volunteer Sign-up - Welch HOME meet vs. SPRA (TUE 7/01)

**If we can fill all volunteer meet positions by NOON, TUE (7/1) our swimmers will have a FUN DAY instead of normal practice** - open swim (no lane dividers), games and if lifeguard staffing is sufficient, the sprayground, lazy river and slides will be made available to our Sharks.

SIGN-UP (#3) Concession Food Donations.  Your Team also needs a variety of food donations to be sold during the meet at the Team's concession stand.  Please use the following link for food concession donations.

*Concession FOOD Donation Sign-up Link - July 1 (TUE)

Please remember to make your drink donation with your name and bring to the pool ASAP if you have not already donated your designated drinks for our concession sales.  You can place your items near the doorway to the storage room during practice and we will put them away.

• Last Name: A - H – 24 bottle case of water
• Last Name: I - P – 24 cans of soda (Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist)
• Last Name: Q - Z – 12 count (12 oz.) bottle pack of Gatorade

Also, the family money donations to the Welch Swim Team in lieu of fundraising activities are still being accepted.  Please see the Welcome & Family Fundraising tab located at the top of this blog for information.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please see or email your Team Parent Reps. Sean & Marisa Flynn at Welch[dot]Sharks[dot]Swimteam[at]gmail[dot]com
Thank you for your support of the Welch Sharks Swim Team.

See you at the pool!
Remember, only your help can make a swim meet run quickly and smoothly.

Weekly Update: June 23-27

A quick update on what's on tap for the Welch Sharks week of June 23 - June 27.

1. Morning practices as scheduled
2. TUE - Swimmer sign-ups (last chance - MUST see your coach) for Thursday's Penn's Valley meet
3. TUE - Swimmer sign-ups begin (black/gold board) for Tuesday 7/01 HOME meet vs. SPRA
4. WED - Tie Dye day after each practice session
5. WED - NO NIGHT PRACTICE due to Parks & Rec's Sports Night at Welch
6. THU - DOUGHNUT Breakfast after practice session (1 per swim team member)
7. THU - AWAY meet at Penns Valley (arrive by 5:30 PM)
8. FRI - If needed, Tie-Dye tentative rain make-up day.
9. LOOKING AHEAD - Next HOME meet TUE - July 1 vs. SPRA
10. LOOKING AHEAD - No Practice on Independence Day, July 4.
11. LOOKING AHEAD - Don't forget our CPSL's Night With The Spikes orders are due July 9.

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

GO WELCH SHARKS!

Penns Valley Meet (THUR, 6/26)

Hey Welch Sharks,

Just a reminder that we have an AWAY meet at Penns Valley (Milheim).  Swimmer sign-ups were due today, but if you missed practice today (MON) and the sign-up deadline, see your coach immediately prior to the start of Tuesday (6/24) morning's practice.

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 a number of available positions available in both the 1st and 2nd half.

Currently Welch needs to supply:

	1st Half	2nd Half
Rooster	0	1
Welch Timers	2	6
Welch Scorers/Avg	2	2
Welch Seeders	2	2
Welch Stroke & Turn Officials	1	1
TOTALS	7	12

Welch Parent MEET Volunteer Sign-up Link - Welch AT Penns Valley (THU - 6/26)

The meet is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM and Welch Sharks Swimmers should be at the pool by 5:30 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