ALL WATER RAT MORNING PRACTICES ARE CANCELLED 12/27/2025 DUE TO THE Y HAVING A DELAYED OPENING. SENIORS WILL HAVE PRACTICE TOMORROW FROM 3:30-5:45PM

**************************************************************************************************************

Click Here for December/Holiday Practice Schedule from December 6, 2025 through January 3, 2026

Senior News for October 20, 2025

Team Administrator Williams

SENIOR NEWS

October 20, 2025

Here we are kicking off Week 7 of practice. Time is flying by in the blink of an eye. Since we started the season, we have accomplished a great deal and still have much more to do. Striving to make changes and adjustments in execution – technique, streamlines, underwaters, starts, etc. – is challenging due to the attention that needs to be given. Rising above mediocrity takes energy. Yes. Yes, it does.

After two weekends, where every Senior I & II swimmer has had an opportunity to race, we have much to do. At the Greenwich, we had a number of swimmers achieve best times. That’s great. We like best times. However, could the times have been better with tighter streamlines, more explosive underwaters and breakouts? Frankly, we were crushed in the underwaters. And, that is something we do every day.

This past weekend, for those that participated in the IMX meet and longer events, there was great improvement from the Greenwich meet. The training across the board improved this past week. Dryland has been ramped up to help in increasing stamina and overall strength. The rest of this month and early November will be focusing on continued technique improvement as well stronger building of the aerobic base. Sox are now being used as the resistance training is a great asset in building more powerful underwaters and overall kicking.

What has been great, is the swimmers understanding the need to raise their level of training, asking for help with specific strokes for more improvement – taking ownership. That is growth.

Additional Information:

I. PINK PLUNGE: ALL Senior I & II swimmers are to compete in this event. This event supports the Norma Pfriem Breast Center. It is an important part of understanding social responsibility and how being a swimmer and member of this team can help others.

High school swimmers need to communicate with high school coaches the importance of participating in this event. If letters are needed, please let me know ASAP. We will have a short workout prior to the start of the event.

Saturday, October 25: Start Time: 730am Estimated Finish Time: 830am

II. DECEMBER MID-SEASON MEETS: We are attending three meets this upcoming December:

Music City Invitational – Nashville: December 5-7

Invitations will be sent out this week.
- Senior I’s invited will travel as team
- Senior II’s travel with families.
Qualifying times are challenging and we are given leeway and that opportunity is taken seriously. Some hard decisions.

Speedo Winter Junior Nationals – Indianapolis: December 10-13

Qualifiers only

Candy Cane Classic – MIT: December 11-14

Swimmers not attending Nashville are encouraged to attend this meet at MIT.
Competition is for all levels and gives everyone an opportunity to participate in trials and finals.

III. EQUIPMENT: Back in September, information was sent on required equipment. As a senior level swimmer, every swimmer is required to have their equipment with them at EVERY PRACTICE. The frustration of swimmers being ill-prepared is off the charts and the blasé attitude is unacceptable. RESPONSIBILITY is a core value of this team.

Here is the required equipment list: Snorkel, Speedo Pull-Kick, Speedo Switchblade Fin or DMC Super Fin or DMC Elite Fin, Speedo Power Paddle Plus and Drag Sox.

The drag sox need to be ordered separately - LINK

IV. WATER RAT TEAM APPAREL – REQUIRED AT ALL SWIM MEETS. Why do I need to ask swimmers where their team apparel is? Should be automatic when packing for a swim meet. Again, as the senior members of the team, you are looked at to lead the way. TEAM PRIDE!!!!!

V. COMMUNICATION is another form of responsibility the swimmers must embrace. As I have said previously, all communications for the 18 & under MUST have an adult or third person on the communication. That is required by SafeSport. That is why you may not get a response or a minimal word reply. Thank you to those that include a parent on the communication.

WATER BOTTLES ARE MANDATORY AT EVERY PRACTICE. ABSOLUTELY NO SHARING OF WATER BOTTLES.

👏 👏 👏 GO WRATS!

Ellen