Meet Results - Welch at SPRA (07.21.2016)

Results from the SPRA meet are available: Meet Results

We were missing a lot of swimmers and families, but we had some good times and and some great races! Every race matters!

On to Champs...

Important Updates for the Week of July 18th

We've got another big meet this week (SPRA) and we are getting ready for Champs and the end of season brunch. Please read through the important updates below.

• Sign-up for Thursday's SPRA Meet - The sign-up boards will be available Monday through Wednesday during practice for Thursday's away meet against SPRA. The sign-up deadline is Wednesday at the end of practice (9:45am).
• Arrive at 5:15pm for warm-ups. Directions available on blog.
• Please signup to volunteer.
• CHAMPIONSHIP SIGN-UPS DUE THIS WEEK - Championships are an opportunity for all swimmers from the league to compete together. They are for everyone! Each swimmer will be placed in heats with other swimmers who are at a similar ability. Big Champs (11 and up) are Tuesday, July 26th at Lewistown. Little Champs (10 and under) are Thursday, July 28th at Welch.
• Each swimmer must sign-up for Champs
• An index card has been created for each swimmer and is available in the family folders.
• Swimmers must write their top five preferred events on their card and return it to the black box at practice. Each swimmer is allowed to swim up to four events -- coaches will determine relays.
• The deadline to sign-up is Thursday, July 21st. The list of swimmers who have signed up will be kept in the black box at practice.
• If you cannot sign-up in person or if you know that you cannot attend Champs, please send an email to our coaches: welchcoaches@gmail.com -- We want to make sure everyone gets a chance to swim at Champs!
• Please sign-up to volunteer and help with concessions at Champs
• Team Awards Brunch - We will be hosting an end-of-season team brunch at Welch on Saturday, July 30th from 9:00am-noon. This is a fun time to celebrate, enjoy some food, and congratulate the team for a great season!
• Please REGISTER if you plan to attend
• Fun swim at 9:00am. Brunch at 10:00am. Awards after brunch.
• Families are asked to bring a dish to share. Details available on the Sign-up Genius page.
• Check Family Folders at Welch - Please check your family folders during practice this week. There are several important announcements in each folder along with the Champs sign-up forms for each of your swimmers.
• Welch Car Magnets Available - New car magnets are available as a fundraiser for the team! They are $5/each. Proceeds help support our swimmers and our team activities.
• Mary will be selling magnets at practice on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 7:45-9:00am
• Magnets can also be purchased at the meet on Thursday

Meet Results - Welch and PV at Lewistown (07.14.2016)

Congratulations on another win! Results have been posted for the joint meet between Penns Valley and Lewistown: Meet Results

One more dual meet to go (SPRA), then Champs! Please sign-up for the SPRA meet and Champs at practice.

See you at the Day of Joy Relays!

Go Sharks!

Important Updates for the Week of July 11th

We're halfway through our season. It's time to start planning for Champs and ending strong!

• Sign-up for Thursday's Lewistown Meet - The sign-up boards will be available Monday through Wednesday during practice for Thursday's away meet against Lewistown. The sign-up deadline is Wednesday at the end of practice (9:45am).
• Arrive at 5:15pm for warm-ups. Allow 35 minutes for travel from State College. Directions available on blog.
• Please signup to volunteer.
• Late Night Pool Party on Tuesday - We will be hosting a pool party from 7:00-9:30pm at Welch Pool on Tuesday, July 12. Please bring a dessert (finger-food only) to share. No sign-up required.
• 7:00-8:00pm - General Swim
• 8:00pm - Dessert time!
• 8:10-9:00pm - Fun Swim in Both Pools
• 9:00-9:30pm - Sharks and Minnows
• 11 & 12 Swimmers Invited to Evening Practice - The age 11 & 12 swimmers are invited to join our 13+ swimmers at Monday and Wednesday evening practice this week. Practice is from 8:00-9:00pm on Monday and Wednesday at Welch Pool.
• Relay Meet: "Day of Joy" on Saturday - Join all of the league teams for a morning of fun relays for all ages. No sign-up required. A headcount will be taken on Tuesday at practice.
• WHAT: A morning full of fun relays
• WHEN: Saturday, July 16th from 8:00am to noon
• WHERE: Park Forest Pool
• Additional details available in the display case at Welch
• Championships Sign-ups are Available - Championships are an opportunity for all swimmers from the league to compete together. They are for everyone! Each swimmer will be placed in heats with other swimmers who are at a similar ability. Big Champs (11 and up) are Tuesday, July 26th at Lewistown. Little Champs (10 and under) are Thursday, July 28th at Welch.
• Each swimmer must sign-up for Champs
• An index card has been created for each swimmer and is available in the family folders.
• Swimmers must write their top five preferred events on their card and return it to the black box at practice. Each swimmer is allowed to swim up to four events -- coaches will determine relays.
• The deadline to sign-up is Thursday, July 21st. The list of swimmers who have signed up will be kept in the black box at practice.
• If you cannot sign-up in person or if you know that you cannot attend Champs, please send an email to our coaches: welchcoaches@gmail.com -- We want to make sure everyone gets a chance to swim at Champs!
• Personal Note - Some of you have asked, so we wanted to let you know that Coach Marion's baby is doing well and keeping up with the busy season! Although, the baby was disappointed that the Park Forest meet ended early because they were looking forward to participating in the coaches' relay!

Meet Results - Park Forest (07.07.2016)

Results have been posted for tonight's meet at Park Forest: Meet Results

Great job swimmers! We were extremely disappointed that we were not allowed to finish out the meet. It was very close, and we had a good chance to gain some big points in the final events.

Every race matters, and we are so proud of our Welch swimmers! We had a lot of new personal bests and dropped times. Results will be posted at practice along with personal improvements.

Go Sharks!

Important Updates for the week of July 4th

We've got a great week planned for the Welch Swim Team! Join us for some fun activities and another away meet.

• Congratulations to Ben Gingher for a new Welch Team Record in the 15-18 year old boys 50 Butterfly with a time of 24.66! He took down the record of 24.82 by Chris Uhlig from 2000. Chris was also at the meet Thursday watching his son, Tyler, swim for Welch - I'm sure he saw Ben swim too! A great Welch Family moment!!
• Practice Schedule Changes
• Monday, July 4th - REGULAR PRACTICE / NO NIGHT PRACTICE
• Regular practice for all age groups
• No night practice for 13-18 year olds
• Tuesday, July 5th - FOURTH OF JULY ACTIVITIES
• 11 and up from 8-9am 
• 10 and under from 9-10am
• Wednesday, July 6th - REGULAR PRACTICE / NO NIGHT PRACTICE
• Regular practice for all age groups
• No night practice for 13-18 year olds (enjoy Sports Night at Welch!) 
• Thursday, July 7th - regular practice times for all age groups
• Friday, July 8th's schedule will be determined after the meet Thursday! 
• Sign-up for Thursday's Park Forest Meet - The sign-up boards will be available Monday and Tuesday during practice for Thursday's away meet against Park Forest. The sign-up deadline is Tuesday at the end of practice (9:45am).
• Arrive at 5:15pm for warm-ups
• Every Race Matters: We need all our swimmers there! It is going to be a close meet with many great races!
• Wear your tie-dye shirt we made at practice on June 17th!
• PARENT RELAYS - We will continue our annual tradition of parent relays between Welch and Park Forest. We will post sign-ups for any interested parents. Swimmers will swim 25 yards freestyle at the end of the meet.
• Parent Volunteer Sign-up - Our parent volunteers help with getting kids ready to swim, timing events, and more. Please sign-up to help with the Park Forest meet using the links below. A description of each volunteer position is available on the blog:
• 07.07.2016 - Welch at Park Forest

• Do you love to take PICTURES? We are looking for a few parents to capture the heart of our team at practice, activities and meets! Hoping for lots of fun shots for our slide show at the end of the year! If you are interested please contact our parent reps Nick and Mary Boyle or Dave Ulmer and they can get you some more details!
• Championships is Coming - Championships are an opportunity for all swimmers from all of the teams to compete together. They are for everyone! Each swimmer will be placed in heats with other swimmers who are at a similar ability. More details will be coming soon. Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, July 26th (11 and up) and Thursday, July 28th (10 and under).
• Welch is responsible for this year's Champ shirts. Order forms are due July 7th.
• Great turn out for the Ice Cream Social! The kids had fun in the creek, and it was wonderful to see the Welch Family talking together and having a great time! 
• Spikes Tickets - We are looking forward to a great turnout for the Spikes game on the 10th! If you ordered tickets, they will be available at Will Call at the Spikes' stadium the day of the game! See you there!

Meet Results Available: SPRA (06.30.2016)

Results for the SPRA meet have been posted: Meet Results

Great win, team! Every race matters, and this meet was a great example of what we can do if we each focus on doing our best in every race. Keep up the good work!