GATOR 2021 SWIM TEAM HANDBOOK - updated June 8, 2021 (updates are in RED) - TeamUnify
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2021 GATOR SWIM TEAM HANDBOOK updated June 8, 2021 (updates are in RED)
WELCOME TO THE 2021
GATOR SEASON!
Welcome Gators! Welcome Gator families, we are so excited to get this season started and to get back in the
pool! This season is going to be full of fun and excitement. We are ecstatic to see your smiling faces at the pool
and are prepared to help your child(ren) develop new skills and techniques. This past year has been pretty crazy,
but we are determined to make this season an unforgettable one! Go Gators!
Safety First! To ensure the continued safety of our team, we have 5 coaches this year. The coaches all meet or
exceed our standards for lifeguarding and water safety certifications. This ensures your child's time in the water is
focused on learning all four strokes in a safe, fun, and upbeat environment.
Parent Liaison! Amy Mattock assists new Gator families by being the point of contact for questions and will share
Gator team information to help navigate Gator waters.
Practice Time and Fun! Please see the calendar for the specific times for each age group. Once school is out,
early morning camp practices will be available in addition to the regularly scheduled age group practices. As usual,
Fun Fridays will be filled with a modified practice, games, relays, and, of course, donuts!
Social Events! Social activities are a big part of the Gator Experience. Our new social chairs are planning some
great events that we hope everyone will attend. One of the best parts of being a Gator is the opportunity to build
friendships with teammates outside of the pool.
Volunteer! It’s “all hands on deck.” Swim meets require a lot of volunteer support. Read more about your
responsibilities in the Gator Family Volunteers section later in this handbook.
Invite a Friend! Do you know someone new to the neighborhood? Do you have a neighbor who has thought
about joining but isn’t sure? Please encourage them to join the Gators. Swim team isn’t just for ultra-competitive
swimmers. The Gators are all about learning and having fun. Every Franklin Glen household should be
encouraged to be part of the team.
Thank you Sponsors! We would like to thank our sponsors. With their help, the Gators are able to purchase
additional equipment needed at swim meets. Please be sure to thank them for their support. Families can be
sponsors, too. You can sign up to be a “Friend of the Gators” when you register to join the team online, or by
contacting our sponsorship lead at any time. Please take the time to look at the sponsor information at the end of
this handbook, and let them know that you saw their ad in the Gator Handbook.
Franklin Glen Gators Board
PHILOSOPHY & GOALS
The philosophy of the Franklin Glen Gators Swim Team is to provide a positive swimming program that
will:
● Develop self-esteem, confidence, and a sense of personal achievement for each swimmer by teaching
sound swimming mechanics and techniques.
● Develop team spirit by teaching discipline, individual responsibility, and commitment.
● Help swimmers learn to gracefully accept both victory and defeat.
● Provide an environment of healthy competition in which each individual can succeed by improving his/her
time and skill level.
● Provide an enjoyable social experience for swimmers and their families within the Franklin Glen
community.
● Provide volunteer opportunities for all Gator families to support our team.
COLONIAL SWIMMING LEAGUE
The Franklin Glen Gators are part of the Colonial Swimming League (CSL), a league of 24 teams divided into four
competitive divisions. The divisions are Red, White, Blue, and Gold. The Franklin Glen Gators are swimming in the
Blue Division for the 2021 swim season.
Information about the CSL, including team and swimmer rankings within the division and the league can be found
on the CSL website: csl.nvblu.com.
WELCOME FROM YOUR COACHES !!! Welcome Gator families, we are so excited to get this season started and to get back in the pool! This season is going to be full of lots of fun and excitement. We are looking forward to seeing your smiling faces in the pool and are prepared to help you learn new skills and techniques. This past year has been pretty crazy, but we are determined to make this season an unforgettable one! Go Gators! Get ready to have a BLAST! Your Coaching Team Chelsea, Zaria, Miranda, Arun, and Simon
MEET THE COACHES HEAD COACH CHELSEA ROWELL Coach Chelsea joins us as head coach for the 2021 swim season. Chelsea was previously the assistant head coach of the Chantilly Highlands Dolphins swim team from 2018-2020 and an assistant coach with the Dolphins from 2014-2017. Chelsea also was an assistant 'peewee' coach with the Herndon Aquatic Club Commanders from 2015-2018. Chelsea currently attends the College of William & Mary. Please welcome Chelsea to the Gator Family! ASSISTANT HEAD COACH ZARIA STOVALL Coach Zaria is a returning assistant coach with the Gators and has also been an assistant coach with Polar Gators and a gatoraide for two years before that. Zaria has been a Gator for ten years, and also swam for the Chantilly High School swim team for three years and the Reston Water Wolves for six years. ASSISTANT COACH MIRANDA SCHUMAN Coach Miranda is a returning assistant coach with the Gators and has also been an assistant coach with Polar Gators and a gatoraide as well. Miranda has been a Gator for 11 years, and also swam for the Chantilly High School swim team for two years and the Potomac Marlins for 9 years. JUNIOR COACH ARUN SHEANH Coach Arun is joining the Gator coaching staff this year as junior coach. Arun has been a Gator for 7 years. HEAD OF GATORAIDES SIMON ROTHLEDER Coach Simon was an assistant coach with the Gators in 2020 and a gatoraide for 2 years before that. Simon has been a Gator for 12 years. Simon is graduating from Chantilly High School in June 2021, where he was captain of the varsity baseball team. GATORAIDES The gatoraides are also an important part of the coaching staff. They are current Gator swimmers who have completed the ninth grade or who are at least 15 years of age and legal in all four strokes. Gatoraides serve as mentors to our swimmers and are the future leaders of our swim team!
ELIGIBILITY FOR THE GATORS
The Franklin Glen Gators swim team is open to all interested swimmers between the ages of 5 and 18 (measured
as of June 15th) who are residents of Franklin Glen. Only those participants comfortable in a group swim setting
and who have the maturity and attention span required to ensure the safety of all swimmers will be admitted to the
program.
Technical Qualifications for Time Trials
● Must be between the ages of 5 and 18 as of June 15, 2021.
● Must pass the Franklin Glen Pool swim test with a certified lifeguard who is not a Gator swim coach prior to
Time Trials. Without support in the water, the swimmer must be able to:
● swim across the pool unassisted
● tread water for 60 seconds
● Coach assessment and approval for readiness/maturity.
● If a swimmer meets these technical qualifications, they may participate in Time Trials for the strokes the
coaches feel they are qualified to swim.
● All 8 and under swimmers are encouraged to swim freestyle and backstroke at Time Trials (see below for
technical qualifications - Gators)
Technical Qualifications – Gators
● Legal in at least freestyle and backstroke at Time Trials.
● Meet the time requirements (either 55 seconds for 25m freestyle, or 1:10 minutes for 25m backstroke) at
Time Trials.
Junior Gator Program
The goal of the Junior Gator program is to keep all Gators safe in the water, manage the developmental needs of
young swimmers, and build confidence in our newest swimmers.
The Junior Gator program is for swimmers who are comfortable in the water, interested in being on the swim team,
but not ready for the competitive team (i.e. 50 minute practices, weekly swim meets, etc.). Only those participants
comfortable in a group swim setting and who have the maturity and attention span required to ensure the safety of
all swimmers will be considered for the program.
Junior Gators must be between the ages of 5 and 8 as of the Colonial Swimming League’s prescribed date (June
15th of the calendar year). They must also have the Head Coach’s approval.
As Junior Gators, swimmers will:
● Be invited to participate in all Gator swim team social activities.
● Practice 5 days per week after school from the day after Memorial Day (June 1st) until the last day of
Fairfax County school (June 11th).
● Practice 3 days per week beginning the first day of summer vacation (June 14th) until the day before
Divisionals (July 23rd).
● Swim in the last home B meet (Wednesday) of the season.
● Have the opportunity at any time of the season to graduate to the Gators with the Head Coach’s approval.
JOIN THE TEAM!
ONLINE REGISTRATION:
fggators.org
1st..Attend the May 10, 2021 Gator Welcome Meeting via Zoom from 7:30pm to 9:00pm and make your
registration payment to Franklin Glen Gators.
2nd..Register On-line registration will open May 11, 2021. The regular registration period ends June 5, 2021; after
this date, a late fee will apply. This will allow you to create your account for 2021. Note: Do not try to
“Sign In” on the home page at this time. Instead, select “Start Registration” beneath the “Sign In”
button to create your account, or click on “Register” on the right hand side of the screen. Your Sign
In will be active only after your payment is received and processed.
3rd..Sign Up for a Meet Volunteer Team. Notice will be emailed to all registered families when the teams are
opened and available for sign-up.
Registration fee of $175 for the first swimmer per household and $160 for any additional swimmers in your
household is due before your swimmer(s) may participate in practice. A late fee of $20 will apply after June
5, 2021.
Checks must be made out to Franklin Glen Swim Team, and mailed or delivered to:
Treasurer: David Lloyd
13508 Springhaven Drive, Fairfax, VA 22033
Any interested swimmers who become residents of Franklin Glen after the late registration date may register
with the Gators during the season and swim as a member of the Gators through the remainder of the current
season. The late registration fee will apply.
GATOR SWIM SUITS AND GEAR
SUIT – It is preferred, but not required, that every swimmer wear an official team suit. We have a new suit this
year, and we chose one that should remain available for years to come with the hope that we can continue to use
the same suit for several years rather than changing it every two years. Official Gator suits have been provided by
Dolfin swimwear and can be purchased at the following web link:
https://t-shirtpeople.com/franklin_glen_swim_apparel/shop/home
Cassel’s
14000 Park Center Road
Herndon, VA 20191
703.435.4446
The link is currently open and will remain so until June 1st. At that time a bulk order will be placed. Items should
arrive on or around June 17th and a swim team representative will pick them up from the store. An email will go
out to the team at that time with instructions about where and when you can pick up your order. If you’d like to try
on suits for size you may go to the Cassel’s store and they can help you with sizing.
To prolong the life of the suit, rinse it in fresh water and let it drip dry. Do not wash or dry it in a machine. Do not sit
on the concrete deck in your suit. Swimmers should wear a suit other than the team suit to practice.
CAP – The coaches prefer that all swimmers wear a swim cap for competition. Caps streamline the swimmer and
keep hair out of their eyes. Caps with names printed from other teams or swim leagues are not permitted at meets.
GOGGLES – Goggles are required for proper practice conditions. They come in many different sizes, designs,
and prices. Once you find the right pair of goggles, purchase more than one pair.
GATOR GEAR STORE – We would love to see everyone decked out in Kelly Green this summer. A new line of
Gator Gear is available for both swimmers and family members. You can order short sleeve t-shirts, long sleeve
tees, hoodies, and flannel pants. A link will be sent out when the season begins. For any questions about Spirit
Wear, feel free to contact Jihoon Shin at jihoon.shin@gmail.com.
A complimentary team t-shirt is provided to each swimmer as a result of registering with the team and is included
in your registration fee. These shirts will be passed out to swimmers as soon as they are available.
COMMUNICATIONS
OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS ARE VIA THE GATOR WEBSITE AND EMAIL- Important communications will
be posted on the fggators.org website and sent to the team member’s email account. The Gator website has
great information such as the Gator Calendar, Swim Ladder (performance), Meet Results, Team Records, and
Links to other local/national swim leagues. Register, check out the website, and stay informed!
MEET RESULTS
All meet results will be posted on the Gators website following the meets. Results for A meets (including relay
results) will also be available on the CSL web site: csl.nvblu.com
OTHER SOURCES FOR GATOR NEWS AND ACTIVITIES:
JOIN THE GATORS FACEBOOK PAGE :
facebook.com/groups/fggators/
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:
@fggators
QUESTIONS & COMMENTS – A list of coaches and board members with links to individual email addresses
can be found on the fggators.org “Coaches” page. You can also use the “Contact Us” button to email the Head
Coach or board members.
If you have a concern or question about your swimmer, please email the Head Coach. You may also request to
schedule a time to speak with her. Please do not attempt to talk to the coach during practices or meets.
If you have a concern about the overall swim team program, please email the Team President, the Team
Representative, or the Parent Liaison.
Never discuss any swim results with a Stroke and Turn Judge or a Referee during a meet. Any concerns about a
swim result must be directed to the Team Representative.
FAMILY FOLDERS – We use the family folder system for hard-copy communication and item delivery
between the Gator coaches and families. The folders are located in a file box at the front desk counter
of the Franklin Glen pool.
The coaches will put any information that needs to go home in each family’s folder. It will be the
responsibility of each family to check their folder every few days. DQ slips and ribbons, if appropriate, will be
placed in family folders within a few days after a meet
THE GABBY – The Gator Absentee Book (GABBY) is a Google spreadsheet that can be accessed
via the Franklin Glen Gator homepage (fggators.org). Use it to indicate all A meets from which
your swimmer will be absent. We ask that EVERY swimmer do this. Even if you don't think your
swimmer will qualify for a competitive (A) meet, add any absences.
Coaches appreciate as much advance notification as possible. For Saturday A meets, notice must
be provided no later than the Monday preceding the meet.
PRACTICE
In order to succeed at anything, one must practice. Swimming is no different. The Gator’s summer season lasts
only eight weeks. In that time, our goal is to teach strokes, build strength and endurance, and inform all our
swimmers about the rules of competitive swimming. To achieve these goals, it is important that all swimmers come
to practice on a regular basis. This will enable the swimmers to improve by allowing the coaches to view their
strengths and help improve upon areas requiring development. It is impossible to plan a successful meet unless
we know what each of our swimmers is capable of doing.
DAILY PRACTICE
● Daily after school practice starts the day after Memorial Day (June 1, 2021) and continues until the last day of
school (June 11, 2021).
● Daily morning practice for Gators starts on June 14, 2021, and continues until July 23, 2021.
● Practice times by age group are listed in the practice schedule.
● Swimmers age 8 and under must have a parent or responsible person 16 years or older present at all times.
CAMP SUMMER PRACTICE
● Camp practice is offered as an alternative practice to accommodate swimmers who will miss their regular
scheduled practice due to camps or parent work schedules.
● Camp practice will be from 7:15am to 8:00am on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays only.
● It begins on June 14, 2021 and ends on July 23, 2021
● It will be open to all ages, with 1 lane dedicated to Junior Gators.
● These will be mixed-age lanes. Swimmers will be put in a lane based on ability, not necessarily age.SWIM TEAM PRACTICE SCHEDULE
DAILY AFTER SCHOOL PRACTICE
begins Tuesday, June 1st – ends Friday, June 11th
13 & over 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
New 8 & Under/Returning Jr. Gators4:45 pm – 5:30 pm
Returning 8 & Under 5:30 pm – 6:15 pm
9 & 10 year-olds 6:15 pm – 7:00 pm
11 & 12 year-olds 7:00 pm – 7:45 pm
GATOR SUMMER DAILY MORNING PRACTICE
begins Monday, June 14th – ends Friday, July 23rd
13 & Over 8:00 am – 9:00 am
11 & 12 year-olds 8:50 am – 9:45 am
9 & 10 year-olds 9:35 am – 10:30 am
8 & Under 10:20 am – 11:15 am
JUNIOR GATOR SUMMER MORNING PRACTICE
(Mon, Tue, Fri only)
begins Monday, June 14th – ends Friday, July 23rd
Junior Gators 11:05 am – 11:45 am
CAMP SUMMER MORNING PRACTICE
(Mon, Tue, Fri only)
begins Monday, June 14th – ends Friday, July 23rd
Camp (all ages). 7:15 am – 8:00 am
● For afterschool practice:
o The pool will be closed to the community, so only swim team swimmers and parents may attend.
o Swimmers must come right before their practice and leave promptly afterwards.
o No person is permitted in the baby pool during swim practices.
● For all morning practices:
o Swimmers must be ON TIME.
o Only swim team members may be in the pool during morning practice. The pool opens to the
community at 11:00am.
o No person is permitted in the baby pool during morning swim practices.
o Swimmers and coaches should not be interrupted during practice.
● For all practices:
o Swimmers ages 8 and under must have a parent or responsible person 16 years or older present
during practice at all times.SWIM MEET PROTOCOL
Swimmers are only permitted in the pool for their heat(s). The entire team may be disqualified if a swimmer is in
the pool and not swimming in a heat.
No person is permitted in the baby pool at any time during the meet.
Swimmers should stay in the water until all swimmers in their heat have reached the
wall and are finished.
All swimmers should stay in the team area during the meet. After swimming their
assigned event, each swimmer must return to the team area. If you wish to congratulate your swimmer, do so in
the spectator area and encourage your swimmer to return promptly to the team area. With the exception of the
designated Team Marshall, parents should not be in the team area during the meet.
If possible, all swimmers should stay until the end of the meet to cheer on their teammates. If
they need to leave the meet early, swimmers must notify a coach, especially at an A meet.
We need to keep our team area clean both at our pool and at other pools. Please ensure that
everyone cleans up before leaving a meet.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
In the event of a thunderstorm, all swimmers and spectators will be instructed to clear the deck
until the appropriate time has elapsed. A swim meet may simply be delayed. Please wait nearby
for the official word, to determine if the meet will occur, continue, or be canceled. Updates will be
posted on the Gator Facebook page and sent via Twitter.
MASK POLICY
Summer 2021
The goal of this policy is to provide guidance on mask usage at swim meets and Franklin Glen Swim Team (“Swim
Team”) events. This policy applies to swimmers, coaches, volunteers, and spectators.
Masks are strongly recommended for all people who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including but not
limited to swimmers, coaches, volunteers, and spectators while at a Swim Team event within the Franklin Glen
community.
For Swim Team meets or events at another team’s pool or location outside of Franklin Glen, the Swim Team will
follow the mask policy in place at that location. For swim meets at locations other than the Franklin Glen pool, the
Team Representative of the Swim Team will be responsible for obtaining the host team’s mask policy and
ensuring that it is communicated to the Franklin Glen Swim Team members in advance of the meet.
NOTES
People are not considered fully vaccinated until 2 weeks after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna
COVID-19 vaccine or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
Please refer to the CDC guidance on mask wearing for fully vaccinated individuals compared to individuals that
are not fully vaccinated.WEDNESDAY DEVELOPMENTAL
SWIM MEETS (B MEETS)
Wednesday night meets are designed for all swimmers and everyone is encouraged to participate. Each swimmer,
with the help of the coaches, can pick the events in which she or he would like to participate. Parents will sign their
swimmers up for those events at www.fggators.org.
● Swimmers that did not swim the previous Saturday may pick any two events.
● Swimmers who swam the previous Saturday may also pick two events, but they cannot swim in an event on
Wednesday for which they had received a ribbon during the previous Saturday meet.
● In addition to the above two events, swimmers may also swim an Individual Medley (IM) if the event is
offered during the meet.
● Swimmers’ event sign-ups are subject to approval by the coaches.
● If you will not be at a Wednesday meet, please indicate that in the meet sign-up system before the meet
registration deadline.
● All meet dates are on the calendar included in this handbook.
● Wednesday meets are conducted in the following order with a number of heats for each event, grouped by
age. Individual Medleys may be held at the discretion of the hosting team, and are always last.
o Meet 1: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly
o Meet 2: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle
o Meet 3: breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle, backstroke
o Meet 4: butterfly, freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke
● Members of the Junior Gators may swim in the final B Meet of the seasonSATURDAY SWIM MEETS (A MEETS)
A limited number of swimmers participate in Saturday morning meets. These swimmers are
selected based on best times, strategy for maximum performance at the meet, and the
coaches’ discretion. The selected swimmers are notified by the coaches, and emails are sent
to the families by noon on the Friday before the meet.
During a Saturday meet, a swimmer can swim up to three individual events, two relays, and
an Individual Medley (IM) if that event is held. There are 52 events plus IMs (if held) in a meet. Odd numbered
events are for boys, and even numbered events are for girls, swum in the following order:
STROKE EVENT #
Freestyle 1 – 10
Backstroke 11 – 20
Breaststroke 21 – 30
Butterfly 31 – 40
Age Group Relay 41 – 50
Mixed Age Relay 51 – 52
Individual Medley
IMs are swum at the discretion of the hosting team, and no points are awarded. Team Points for a meet are
accumulated as follows:
SWIMMERS INDIVIDUAL
RELAYS
PLACE HEAT
1ST 5 POINTS 7 POINTS
2ND 3 POINTS 0
3RD 1 POINT 0
The points earned by the team in A meets count towards the standings in the Division and the League. Meet
results are available on the CSL web site: csl.nvblu.com.
● Even if it is an away meet, all Saturday swimmers should assemble at the Gator pool before the meet and
check in with the coaches.
● If a swimmer will be absent for a Saturday meet, it must be logged in the online GABBY. It is imperative that
the coaches know of all planned absences by the previous Monday.IM TOUGH
The IM Tough meet is a meet dedicated specifically to IM’s, individual medleys. An IM consists of one lap of each
stroke (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle). There are no individual events at this meet. Teams are
limited to how many swimmers they can bring and there is usually an additional cost per person for this meet
(usually ~$5). In order to participate, swimmers must have a legal IM time prior to the meet. Please note that if
your child participates in this meet, you will be required to fulfill an additional volunteer obligation outside of your
regular Gator slots.
DIVISIONALS AND ALL STARS
At the end of each swim season, two additional meets are held for swimmers that have qualifying times in events 1-40
plus Individual Medleys (IM). No relays are swum at Divisionals or All Stars. Neither meet counts towards team
standings for the year.
The Divisional meet is an A meet for all teams in a single Division, and is the qualifying meet for All-Stars. Swimmers
participating in Divisionals have the opportunity to qualify for the All Star meet.
The All Star meet brings together the top 18 swimmers in each event plus IMs across all the divisions in the Colonial
Swimming League.IM POLICY FOR HOME (A MEETS)
The goal of this policy is to provide an allowance for up to 6 non-A meet swimmers to participate in the IM portion
of our HOME A Meets. The following procedures apply only to HOME A Meets:
● Six IM slots (combined boy/girl) will be reserved at each HOME A Meet for non-A Meet participants.
● After the meet sheet for an upcoming HOME A Meet is distributed to the team (usually Wednesday evening
after our B Meet), any swimmer not listed on the meet sheet that is legal in all 4 strokes may email the coach
and formally request to swim an IM in that week's HOME A Meet.
● Requests must be received by 6:00pm Thursday evening. Any requests received after that time will not be
honored.
● Preference for a non-A Meet swimmer to swim an IM at a HOME A Meet will be given to those that have not
yet swum an IM at an A Meet this season.
● The coach will confirm by email the requests that have been accepted.
● On Saturday, those 6 swimmers that have received positive confirmation from the coach should arrive prior
to the IM portion of the meet.
● Each swimmer must also be accompanied by a parent/guardian who will time for the entire IM session.
NOTES
The swimming of IMs at ANY meet is NOT guaranteed. There may be circumstances (weather, meet timing,
etc.) that cause the cancellation of IMs.
This policy only applies for HOME A Meets. IMs at AWAY A Meets are only available to swimmers participating
in the A Meet.GATOR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES NEIGHBORHOOD MOVIE NIGHT Sunday, June 13th, 8:00pm Enjoy a movie with the Gators in the basketball court next to the pool! This event is open to the entire Franklin Glen neighborhood. Bring chairs, blankets, and pillows. Popcorn will be for sale. Kona Ice will be there for purchases before the movie begins. The movie will start at 8:45. PICTURE DAY & FOOD TRUCK NIGHT Sunday, June 27th – 4:30pm to 7:00pm. Individual photos start at 4:30pm and the team photo is at 5:00pm. Food trucks will be there from 5-7pm for purchases. Come hungry!! 4TH OF JULY NEIGHBORHOOD PARTY Sunday, July 4th – 11:00am to 3:00pm Party is put on by the Gator Swim Team. All families who are attending the 4th of July party are asked to help out with this party. Helping does not count as a volunteer obligation. WATERMINE Thursday, July 8th – 3:00pm to 6:00pm Located at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive in Reston. Tickets will be made available for families to purchase on your own through Parktakes two weeks beforehand. KINGS DOMINION Thursday, July 22nd Take the Beltway to 95 South until Exit 98, which is Kings Dominion. The park is approximately 75 miles south of Washington DC. END OF SEASON ICE CREAM PARTY Saturday, July 24th – 5:00pm to 8:00pm Location TBD Enjoy ice cream with the Gators while watching the awards and season highlights video.
GATOR 2021 SCHEDULE
~ June 2021 ~
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
30 31 1 2 3 4 5
MAY JUN
Daily after
school
practice
begins
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Last after
school
8am Time Trials
practice
Swim test
must be
passed
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Daily morning 6pm 8am
Movie Night practice Fun Meet A Meet Home
Donut Day
8pm begins Away vs vs
Chantilly Chase Club
Highlands
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
6pm 8am
B Meet Home Donut Day A Meet Away vs
vs Hayden Village
Barrington
27 28 29 30
Picture Day 6pm
4:30 B Meet Home
vs
Sugarland
Food Trucks Run
5-7pm~ July 2021 ~
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3
Donut Day 8am
A Meet Away vs
Armfield Farm
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
July 4th Pool 6pm Watermine Donut Day 8am
Party B Meet Away 3-6pm
11:00am A Meet Home
vs vs
Chantilly Countryside
Highlands
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
6pm 6pm Donut Day 8am
IM Tough @ B Meet Home A Meet Away vs
Chantilly vs Sequoia Farms
Highlands Franklin Farm
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Donut Day 8am
Kings Divisionals
Dominion @
Franklin Glen
5pm Year End
Ice Cream
Party
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
CSL All-Stars
Meet TBDCOMMON DISQUALIFICATIONS (DQ’S)
AND BRIEF EXPLANATIONS
FREESTYLE
● Walk on the bottom of the pool and push off: This basically states that the swimmer must use their own
ability and not the aid of the bottom and the ropes to get across the pool (walking or pulling).
● No touch at turn or finish: Swimmers must touch the wall (with any part of the body in freestyle) at both the
turn and the finish (no touch).
BACKSTROKE
● Past vertical: While doing backstroke, swimmers are not allowed to turn onto their stomach unless doing a
continuous backstroke flip turn (past vertical).
● Extra stroke on breast at turn: While doing the backstroke flip turn, swimmers are only allowed to take one
stroke on their stomachs (turn).
● Not on back before leaving the wall: When pushing off, swimmers must always be on their back (back at
turn).
BREASTSTROKE
● Handpull beyond hips: Hands must not pull beyond the hips during the arm stroke. This is one of the most
common DQs (pull/hips).
● Two underwater strokes on pullout: Swimmers are allowed to take only one underwater pullout (only at the
start of each length). The underwater pullout is the only time where swimmers can pull down past their hips
(pullout).
● Touch: not simultaneous/one hand: During both breaststroke and butterfly, swimmers must finish each
length (including turns), with a two hand touch (touch).
● Kick: scissor/flutter/dolphin: The breaststroke kick (a.k.a. frog kick) is difficult to get the hang of, initially.
Many times swimmers add a flutter or scissor kick when they get tired (kick).
● Feet turned inward: This is the most common kick DQ in breaststroke (scissor kick).
BUTTERFLY
● Underwater arm recovery: Both arms must break the surface of the water on each pull (under/arm).
● Kick: flutter/scissor/breast: Feet must stay together throughout the whole length of the pool (kick).
● Touch: not simultaneous/one hand: Similar to breaststroke, swimmers must touch with two hands at the
finish of every length of the pool (touch).
● Arm movement not simultaneous: During each pull, both arms must come out of the water at the same
time (simultaneous arms).
FALSE START
● Swimmers must wait until the beeper sounds before leaving the wall.POOL ADDRESSES FOR MEETS
(AWAY MEETS IN BOLD)
In true Gator fashion, we caravan to both away A meets and B meets. Caravanning ensures we all arrive
on time together and promotes team spirit! Gators typically meet at the Franklin Glen pool before away
meets. Please check with the coaches for departure times.
**Saturday meets start at 8:00amand Wednesday meets start at 6:00pm**.
Saturday, June 12th – Time Trials (at Home)
Wednesday, June 16th Fun Meet - at Chantilly Highlands
3225 Kinross Circle, Oak Hill VA 20191
Saturday, June 19th - A Meet vs. Chase Club
Wednesday, June 23rd - B Meet vs. Barrington
Saturday, June 26th - A Meet at Hayden Village
5587 Rockpointe Dr, Clifton
Wednesday, June 30th - B Meet vs. Sugarland Run
Saturday, July 3rd - A Meet at Armfield Farm
3567 Armfield Farm Drive Chantilly VA 20151
Wednesday, July 7th - B Meet at Chantilly Highlands
3225 Kinross Circle, Oak Hill VA 20191
Saturday, July 10th - A Meet vs. Countryside
Monday, July 12th - IM Tough at Chantilly Highlands
3225 Kinross Circle, Oak Hill VA 20191
Wednesday, July 14th - B Meet Home vs. Franklin Farm
Saturday, July 17th - A Meet at Sequoia Farms
5562 Sequoia Farms Dr, Centreville
Saturday, July 24th Divisionals (at Home)
Saturday, July 31st All Stars at TBDGATOR FAMILIES AND VOLUNTEERING Did you know that it takes 80 volunteers to run a B Home meet? We have about 60 Gator families, so if you do the math it means that almost every family needs to work at a B Home meet in order for the swim meet to occur. Luckily, we have the best parent volunteers around! We love to volunteer, we’re good at it, and it’s a lot of fun! VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS How often do you need to volunteer? As a general rule of thumb, if your child is swimming, you should expect to work at least a part of that meet. Depending on which Volunteer Team you are on, you will need to work between 6-8 slots during the season. At a B Meet, the meet is divided into two shifts (usually 5:30pm-7:30pm and 7:30pm- 9:30pm), so it is possible to take care of two slots at one meet. Anyone can work an A meet, which is one slot – we highly recommend working at an A home meet, even if your child isn’t swimming – you’ll be home by 10:30am! If your child is an A swimmer, we’ll need you to work at most of those meets as well. Families with A swimmers are expected to work more than families with only B swimmers. Sounds fair, right? Keep in mind that if you don’t end up working your fair share of volunteer slots, your neighbor is the one who will be picking up your slack – so be nice to your neighbor and help your team out. Volunteer early and often. Go Gators! TIME TRIALS Time Trials is HUGE! A normal meet will split volunteering duties between teams, this is a meet of just Franklin Glen Gators, we will need every parent who can to sign up and work this event. It takes 100 volunteers to run that meet – that means every Gator family needs to sign up. JULY FOURTH PARTY The July Fourth Party is NOT counted as one of your volunteer slots. It’s a special social event that we hope every Gator parent who is attending the event (including Junior Gator parents) will come and work for an hour or two. It’s a ton of fun – really! DIVISIONALS This year Franklin Glen will be hosting Divisionals. We will need to have every possible volunteer from our team and community at this event. Even if your child will not be swimming at Divisionals, you should plan on volunteering. Requests for volunteers will go out the week of the event. VOLUNTEER TEAMS Volunteer Jobs are divided into the seven teams described below. Each team is led by an experienced chairperson. Join a team, and learn how to time, officiate, or manage one aspect of a swim meet. Parents new to the swim team are encouraged to focus their volunteer efforts within one team in order to help them learn about swim team and swim meet functions. More experienced parents are encouraged to take on leadership roles either on the Gator Board, or by serving as a team chairperson. Veteran families who would like to divide their volunteer commitments between two Volunteer Teams may do so via special permission from the Director of Ops (Cristina Dougherty).
GATOR VOLUNTEER TEAMS SET UP/CLEAN UP TEAM – JEREMY LISENBY The Set-Up/Clean Up Team gets the pool “meet ready” for all HOME meets. This includes moving chairs, setting up tables, and performing other tasks to get the pool ready for our swimmers. The team also returns the pool to its normal state at the end of the meet. Set up for Wednesday meets begins at 4:15pm. Clean up begins when the meet ends. Set up for Saturday meets begins Friday night at 7:30pm and Saturday morning at 6:30am. Clean up begins when the meet ends. MEET SUPPORT – CINDY BARKER The Meet Support Team includes the Time Card Managers, DQ Slip Runners, Heat Card Turner, and Announcer for HOME meets. For both HOME and AWAY meets, Team Marshalls escort the swimmers to the Clerks of Course who organize the swimmers into heats. Floaters fill in as needed. **Due to Covid these jobs may look different this summer. For example, we may not have any Clerks of Course so as to prevent large groups of children from gathering and waiting.** TIMERS – DAN TURNER & CHAD CAMPBELL Timers are responsible for ensuring that every swimmer has an official time for each stroke and the Individual Medley. Timers are issued a standard stopwatch supplied by the Head Timer. Timers are needed at both HOME and AWAY meets. OFFICIALS – CATHY LAHR Officials oversee the swim meet and include the Referees, the Administrative Referee, Starters, and Stroke and Turn Officials. All of these officials must be certified by the Colonial Swimming League. Officials are needed at both HOME and AWAY meets. COMPUTERS (GEEK SQUAD) – BRYAN TOPSCHER The Geek Squad enters swimmers’ times in the official database for the Colonial Swim League, and prints meet sheets, ribbon labels, and team results. The Geek Squad works at both HOME and AWAY meets. RIBBONS – SHERRI FRANCESCON The Ribbons Team receives labels from the Geek Squad and attaches them to the swimmers place ribbons. They file, alphabetize, and attach DQ slips to cards. They work both HOME and AWAY meets. GATOR SHACK – MICHELLE DENNY / RITA COLAO OSORIO The Gator Shack Team operates the Gator concession stand, picks up ice, bagels, and donuts, and staffs the grilling and wrapping stations at all HOME meets. OTHER VOLUNTEER POSITIONS In addition to the Volunteer Teams described above, volunteers are also required for Publicity, Sponsorship, Social, Spirit Gear, and Polar Gators.
GATOR OF THE WEEK
At the end of practice on Fridays, the coaches may select a few Gators to be awarded the Gator of the Week.
They receive a Gator of the Week T-shirt and have their picture taken for the Gator website. To be a Gator of the
Week, swimmers must:
● Maintain excellent practice attendance
● Embody the Gator spirit:
o Have a good attitude
o Try his/her best at meets and practices
o Help other Gators
o Be safe and responsible at all times
o Always look for ways to improve
o Come to practice with a smile!
● Listen to all coaches and Gatoraides
● Be a positive role model for others
● Achieve a swimming milestone such as….
o Legal in all 4 strokes
o Dropped a significant amount of time
o Legal IM
o Swim at an A meet for the first time
If becoming Gator of the Week is your goal, tell your coaches!!PROPER NUTRITION AND REST
Proper diet is important to every athlete. The old adage “You are what you eat” is of vital importance to
swimmers.
Here are some dos & don’ts for the Gators:
DO:
● Feed the swimmers pasta or complex carbohydrates 8-12 hours before a meet.
● Limit the amount of junk food your swimmers eat!
● Provide a small cooler with fresh fruit, dry cereal or other healthy foods, and a water bottle for swimmers to
snack on during meets.
DON’T:
● Feed the swimmers heavy meals immediately before a meet.
● Feed the swimmers high sugar foods immediately before or during the meet.
It is important that swimmers get plenty of rest on the day of a Wednesday
evening meet. We would like all swimmers out of the pool and the sun by
1:00 pm before a Wednesday meet.GATOR COACHES AND BOARD MEMBERS
HEAD COACH
POSITION NAME CELL EMAIL
Head Coach Chelsea Rowell 571-926-7037 ccrowell@email.wm.edu
BOARD MEMBERS
POSITION NAME CELL HOME EMAIL
President Benjy Wilhelm 703.867.1678 703.385.2787 benjy.wilhelm@gmail.com
Vice President Dan Hilton 703.328.5234 danhilton13@gmail.com
Treasurer David Lloyd 703.408.7214 703.408.7214 davelloyd8@hotmail.com
Secretary Patsy Deyo 703.568.4509 703.953.3122 patsydeyo@gmail.com
Director of Operations Cristina Dougherty 703.969.0471 703.435.4027 docfam@verizon.net
Head of Officials Cathy Lahr 703.408-2257 703.689.2261 calahr@gmail.com
League Team Rep. Yousif Hassan 617.416.5112 yousif.hassan@outlook.comVOLUNTEER TEAMS AND LEADS
VOLUNTEER TEAMS AND LEADS
WORK
LEAD CELL HOME EMAIL
TEAM
Meet Support Cindy Barker 703.969.5022 cindyraebarker@gmail.com
Sponsorships Paula Gencarelli 757-376-0659 paulagenc@gmail.com
Webmaster Nevin Fry 703.623.3022 nevin.fry@gmail.com
Computers Bryan Topscher 703.652.7194 btopscher@gmail.com
Ribbons Sherri Francescon 910.459.9644 sfrancescon@gmail.com
Gator Shack Michelle Denny 703.472.9107 mdenny468@yahoo.com
Rita Colao Osorio 703.980.3268 703.870.7751 ritinita@hotmail.com
Publicity Patsy Deyo 703.568.4509 703.953.3122 patsydeyo@gmail.com
Quartermaster Jeremy Lisenby 703.864.8773 jmlisenby@gmail.com
(setup/ cleanup) (Liaison to HOA Pool
Committee)
Officials Cathy Lahr 703.408 2257 703.689.2261 calahr@gmail.com
Timers Dan Turner 703.850.4208 danturner@gmail.com
Social Paula Gencarelli 757-376-0659 paulagenc@gmail.com
Cindy Barker 703.969.5022 cindyraebarker@gmail.com
Spirit Gear Jihoon Shin 703.342.6145 jihoon.shin@gmail.com
Polar Gators Mike Copeland 703.209.6693
Parent Liaison Amy Mattock 240.507.2437 amymattock@gmail.comWINTER SWIM PROGRAM
POLAR GATORS
Your kids can stay in the water all year long with Polar Gators, Franklin Glen’s winter swim program. The program
focuses primarily on maintaining swimmers' endurance throughout the off season, but it also incorporates stroke
technique and swimming mechanics, including flip turns, starts, and finishes.
The winter swim practice is different from the summer practices. Practices last for a full hour and involve
swimming somewhere between 1400 to 2100 yards. Unlike summer practice, winter swim practice is not age-
based. Instead, swimmers of all ages practice at the same time. Typically, Polar Gators are assigned two or three
lanes of the pool, and swimmers are divided among the lanes based on ability and endurance. Coaches frequently
manage more than one lane of swimmers and are NOT always in the water with the swimmers. Younger
swimmers need to be fully independent in water that is up to 12 feet deep.
To participate in the Polar Gator program, ALL SWIMMERS must have:
● been on the 2021 Franklin Glen Gators summer swim team
● a legal freestyle time (completed at an official swim meet)
● a legal backstroke time (completed at an official swim meet)
● a familiarity with breaststroke and butterfly strokes
● be able to swim continuously for at least 50 meters at a time
● an enthusiasm for swimming and a willingness to listen to coaches
COST and REGISTRATION: The 9-month program costs approximately $275 per child. Registration takes place
in early August. Limited spaces are available. If demand exceeds availability swimmers will be selected via a
lottery system. A registration date and additional instructions will be announced at the end of the summer season.
PRACTICES: Historically, practices run September through May and take place on Sunday evenings at the Cub
Run Recreation Center in Chantilly. Dates and times will depend on facility availability.
QUESTIONS?? Feel free to contact the Polar Gators Coordinator, the Team President, or the Parent Liaison.GATOR SPONSOR PROGRAM
The Gators are looking for local businesses and individuals to help sponsor our team so that we may continue our
successful program. Annual Sponsorships start at $25 and go up to $500 for Gold level recognition. Sponsorship
level descriptions and benefits are as follows:
Gold ($500)
1. Large color banner with Gold & Silver sponsors logos to be placed on the fence surrounding the Franklin
Glen community pool during home swim meets (logo must be received by May 28th).
2. Company logo or name and link to your website listed on Gator’s website main homepage (this perk for
Gold Sponsors only).
3. Company logo or name and link listed as GOLD sponsor on Gator’s website Sponsor’s page.
4. Promotional pamphlet or business card given to all swim team families. (Materials provided by sponsor)
5. “Thank You” Announcements at each home swim meet.
6. Listed in our Team Handbook, which is distributed to all Gator families (online this season).
7. Shout out on our Gator Facebook page
8. Sponsor listing on our full page ad in the Franklin Glen Gazette (community newsletter reaching over 700
homes; logo must be received by May 28th).
9. Thank You Announcement at the End-of-Season party.
Silver ($250)
1. Large color banner with Gold & Silver sponsors logos to be placed on the fence surrounding the Franklin
Glen community pool during home swim meets.
2. Company logo and link listed as SILVER SPONSOR on Gator’s Sponsor’s page.
3. Promotional pamphlet or business card given to all swim team families. (Materials provided by sponsor)
4. “Thank You” Announcements at each home swim meet.
5. Listed in our Team Handbook, which is distributed to all Gator families (online this season).
6. Thank You Announcement at the End-of-Season party.
Bronze ($75)
1. Color banner with your name placed on the fence surrounding the Franklin Glen community pool at home
swim meets.
2. Company name listed BRONZE SPONSOR on Gator’s website Sponsor’s page.
3. Promotional pamphlet or business card given to all swim team families. (Materials provided by sponsor)
4. Thank You Announcement at the End-of-Season party.
How To Sign Up:
Please contact us to become a sponsor. Email Gator Sponsor Chair Paula Gencarelli (paulagenc@gmail.com).
Mail checks (payable to Franklin Glen Swim Team) to:
Franklin Glen Swim Team, 3404 Cotton Top Court, Fairfax VA 22033.
Friends of Franklin Glen Swim Team ($25 and up)
We hope every Gator family will sign up as a “Friend” this season!
Your name or company name will be listed on the Gator’s website Sponsor’s page. When you register your
swimmer(s) online, you will be asked if you’d like to become a Friend of the Franklin Glen Gators. Select this
option and the $25 fee will be added to your registration total.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO GATOR SPONSORS!
Please support our Gator sponsors.
Make sure you tell them you saw their ad in our handbook!Gold Level Sponsors
Silver Level Sponsors Bronze Level Sponsors
Franklin Glen Pool House
13398 Springhaven Drive
Fairfax, VA 22033
703-435-9840
Visit the GATORS
fggators.org
and on the
Colonial Swimming League Website
csl.nvblu.comYou can also read
