Seven Locks

Welcome to the Seven Locks Sharks
Swim Team!

  The team suit and team apparel may be purchased at Capital Sport & Swim, 10558 Metropolitan Ave., Kensington, MD 20895. Telephone: (301)949-7366.
 

  Click here to meet our Coaches and read the Questions and Answers from the Coaches!

 View the 2006 Swim Team Calendar!

Our Seven Locks Sharks swim team competes in the Montgomery County Swim League. Seven Locks has been an active member of MCSL since its very early years. You can find more information about MCSL at www.mcsl.org.

Based on a stellar and undefeated season in 2005, our Seven Locks Sharks are part of Division D in 2006. This summer we join Country Glen, Cedarbrook, Northwest Branch, River Falls and Garrett Park for a great season of fun and competition.

Here are the seedings and pool details:

Country Glen - 10055 Glen Rd., Potomac, MD (301) 424-7525

Cedarbrook - Cedar Ln. & Summit Ave., Kensington, MD 20895 (301) 493-9732

Northwest Branch - 10850 Lockwood Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20901 (301) 593-9462

River Falls - 7915 Horseshoe Lane, Potomac, MD 20854 (301) 299-9644

Garrett Park - Cambria & Keswick St., Garrett Park, MD 20896 (301) 946-0175

We are looking forward to another exciting and fun filled summer swim season. The team is a great way to get to know the families and kids at Seven Locks.
 

Seven Locks is a member of the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL). The team focuses on creating a positive family atmosphere where children can develop their swimming skills, build overall confidence, and form lasting friendships.
 

In addition to the competitive swim meets, the team has a number of other activities:

The team is organized into A and B Meet swimmers. There are volunteer reps (team managers) that manage both A and B teams.

Maintaining a swim team requires many diverse skills and can be a lot of work, but at Seven Locks everyone lends a hand making it an enjoyable experience for all.

Come join the fun!

Table of Contents

Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL)

Swim Team Eligibility & Registration

One Big Team – Two Swim Meets

Swim Meets & Meet Schedules

Swim Team Practices

Pre-Team

Reps, Coaches, Officials & Committees

Swimmer & Parent Responsibilities

Team Communication

Swim Lessons

Team Dinners & Pep Rallies

Award Banquet

Meet Your Coaches

Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL)

The Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL) sponsors competitive swimming and other activities among the swimming pools and organizations in Montgomery County, Maryland. The goals of the program include helping young people establish a love for the sport of swimming, advanced aquatic skills, teamwork, and the principles of good sportsmanship. Beginning in the late 1950's with 24 teams, the league was established "to encourage informal, friendly team competition during the summer, within a fair and wholesome environment, in order to develop athletic skills, encourage sportsmanship and teamwork, and foster an appreciation of the relationship between effort and success." (MCSL rule 1). The league now is composed of over 80 teams and 6,000 swimmers. The sport of swimming thrives in Montgomery County. More information is available on their website www.mscl.org

Swim Team Eligibility & Registration

ELIGIBILITY

We encourage all eligible members to join. Team members must be:

Swimmers may join the team at any time during the season once they can swim 25 meters with their face in the water.

Swimmers may compete in B meets once they can legally swim 25 meters of the stroke in one minute or less.

REGISTRATION

  Parent Information Meeting-- June 6, 2006, 6:00 p.m. (immediately after practice) -- All swim team parents are strongly encouraged to attend!

Registration took place May 20, 2006 from 9 a.m. to noon at the pool.

Registration forms are still available:

· At registration Saturday May 20, 2006 at the pool

· At the front desk of the pool.

The fee was $80 per swimmer for the 2005 season.  The fee for the 2006 season will be determined shortly.

Purchase of a team suit not mandatory, however caps and goggles are strongly recommended. The team suit and team apparel can be purchased at the registration on May 20, 2006. This summer a package is available - one suit, one t-shirt and two caps.

After registration, suits may be purchased at Capital Sport & Swim, 10558 Metropolitan Ave., Kensington, MD 20895. Telephone: (301)949-7366.

One Big Team – Two Swim Meets

Saturday Morning "A" Meet Swimmers

The fastest 3 swimmers in each event compete on Saturday morning. Times are evaluated at practice every week to give every swimmer an opportunity to demonstrate improvement and compete in "A" meets. For ages 12 and under, the 6 fastest freestyle swimmers will compete.

Wednesday Night "B" Meet Swimmers

Every swimmer can swim as many events as they want, as long as they are eligible.

Pre-Team

Our Pre-team is a 5-week program where our youngest swimmers can learn the skills necessary to swim 25 meters legally. This year we are offering mini-sharks a group lesson program designed for kids that want to make the pre-team or swim team. The mini-sharks swim daily and class size is limited to five students. The fee is $25 for one week of lessons. Once the swimmer can make the minimum requirements they are transferred to the pre-team at a prorated rate of $16 per week.
 

Meet Eligibility rules:

1.      Swimmers must be able to swim the stroke legally.

2.      Swimmers must be able to complete 25 meters of the stroke in one minute or less.

3.      If you swim in an event in the A meet, you cannot swim that event in the following B meet.

4.      If you swim in 3 events in the A meet (excluding relays), you may not swim in the B meet, however, the coaches can fill lanes or add swimmers as needed, at their discretion

5.      The coaches evaluate all swimmers’ times after every meet to be sure that swimmers are placed correctly for each swim meet and will assign swimmers to particular events.

Lineups

Lineups for Saturday morning A Meets are posted on the bulletin board on Thursday mornings. Please notify the coach immediately if you are unable to attend the meet. Changes in the line up can be made all day Thursday. At noon on Friday the teams exchange computer discs containing the meet line up and the meet entries are final.

Each team is allowed three scratches prior to the start of the meet Saturday morning. A scratch is a swimmer being taken out and a new swimmer entered in their place. For example, Johnny & sister Sue are each scheduled to swim the free, back and breast in the meet (for a total of six events) but they go to visit grandma instead of coming to the meet. The team can then only fill three of their six events with new swimmers.

The other three events will run an empty lane, short one Seven Locks Swimmer. This hurts the team in points and is unfair to the swimmer who could have swum the event. Please be sure to notify the coach if you are unable to attend.

Swimmers will sign up for Wednesday meets with the coaches at practice starting on Thursday evening through Tuesday morning. The coaches will encourage swimmers to do all eligible strokes that the swimmer can legally do.

If you are away, but know you will be back and want to swim on a Wednesday, let the coach or rep know ahead of time. We prefer not to enter a swimmer at the pool just before the meet begins!

 

Swim Meets & Meet Schedule

Wednesday and Saturday Dual Meets

These are competitions between 2 teams within the Division. Wednesday meets are for B Team Swimmers, Saturday meets are for A Team Swimmers. Each meet includes competitions for Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, Individual Medley, and Relays. There are about 50 events in each meet, which typically last 2 to 3 hours.

After home meets, the A meet team has pizza at the pool ($3 per head). After away meets, the team often goes out for lunch at a nearby restaurant. B meet swimmers eat at the meets. Parent must contribute to dinners at each of the home meets.

A Meets

MCSL is organized by divisions of 6 teams, from the most competitive in A division to the least competitive in the O division. Seven Locks Swim Team is in D division, where we will compete in 5 Saturday morning meets, a relay carnival and Divisionals (division championships). Swimmers bettering the all-star qualifying times may compete in the coaches long course meet, all-star relays or all-star individuals.

  Home vs. Northwest Branch Saturday June 17, 2006

  Home vs. Cedarbrook Saturday June 24, 2006

  Away at Country Glen Saturday July 1, 2006

  Away at River Falls Saturday July 8, 2006

  Home vs. Garrett Park Saturday July 15, 2006

  MCSL Division "D" Relay Carnival  Sunday, July 9, 2006 at Cedarbrook (A Team)

  B-Team Relay Carnival Sunday, July 16 at Tally Ho

  MCSL Division "D" Division Championships Saturday, July 22, 2006

  MCSL Relay All –Stars Saturday, July 29, 2006

  MCSL Individual All –Stars at Rockville Sunday, July 30, 2006

B Meets

We have joined 5 local MCSL teams for B meets. We will have 5 Wednesday evening meets and a B relay carnival.

 

Relay Carnivals

There are both A and B Relay Carnivals which consist of 4 person (girls, boys, and mixed) teams, swimming a variety of relay races. The meet consists of 22 relays. It is a blast to watch! Relay teams that win at the division relay carnival earn a place at the all-star relay meet in Rockville on Saturday July 29.

Parents please be aware as fewer swimmers swim in the meets you are needed even more to volunteer & work the meet.

A Relay Carnival - TBA

B Relay Carnival – TBA

 

Division Championship Meet

July 22 (location TBA)

Each of the six teams in Division D may enter two swimmers in each event. The meet will follow a standard Saturday meet format, with two heats of each individual event. Swimmers will be placed in order of times.

Scoring for individual events is as follows:

1st place 16 points 7th place 7 points

2nd place 13 points 8th place 5 points

3rd place 12 points 9th place 4 points

4th place 11 points 10th place 3 points

5th place 10 points 11th place 2 points

6th place 9 points 12th place 1 point

Scoring for relay events at the Divisional Meet:

1st place 28 points 4th place 12 points

2nd place 20 points 5th place 8 points

3rd place 16 points 6th place 4 points

The team’s finish at the relay carnival contributes points to race for division champion. Please check the bulletin board and tell the coaches if you cannot attend.
 

Coaches Invitational Long Course Swim Meet

Tuesday evening July 11, 2006

The top 8 fastest swimmers in MCSL, plus 2 alternates, in each age group and individual event is invited to participate in this swim meet. Times are based on the first 3 dual A meets. The events will be the same as in regular dual meets, but with double the distances they normally swim.

Swimmers can only participate in 2 events. The meet is held at the Rockville pool.
 

Individual All-Star Swim Meet

July 30, 2006 at the Rockville Pool

The top 16 swimmers in MCSL, plus 3 alternates, in each age group and individual event participate in this event. Swimmers can only compete in 3 events.

 

All- Star Relay Meet

July 29, 2006 at the Rockville Pool

The relay team with the fastest official time within each MCSL division, in all relay events, will be invited to attend this meet. These times are determined from the A relay, A meets, and the Divisional Meet.

Ribbons & Scoring

Ribbons are awarded for the top 6 swimmers for the Saturdays, the top 10 swimmers on Wednesdays. Separate ribbons will be given to 6 & under, 7 & under, and 8 & under).

Dual Meets

Dual meet results contribute to the race for Division champion as follows:

· 6 pts for a win

· 0 pts for a loss,

· 3 pts for a tie

Individual Events

Scoring is as follows:

1st place 6 points 4th place 2 points

2nd place 4 points 5th place 1 point

3rd place 3 points 6th place 0 points

In events having more than one heat, results of all heats are combined to determine points and awards.

Relay Events

Relays are scored differently! Relays are in A meets only.

Open Age Medley Relay

1st place 8 points

2nd place 4 points

Graduated Freestyle Relay (notice this event has changed from 150 meters to 175 meters 9-10 – 2 lengths, 11-12 - 2 lengths, 13-14 - 2 lengths, and 8 &U - 1 length)

1st place 8 points

2nd place 4 points

3rd place 2 points

4th place 0 points

Scoring at a Relay Carnival is as follows:

1st place 14 points 4th place 6 points

2nd place 10 points 5th place 4 points

3rd place 8 points 6th place 2 points

The team’s finish at the relay carnival contributes points to race for division champion.

Please check the bulletin board and tell the coaches if you cannot attend.

Scoring for individual events is as follows:

1st place 16 points 7th place 7 points

2nd place 13 points 8th place 5 points

3rd place 12 points 9th place 4 points

4th place 11 points 10th place 3 points

5th place 10 points 11th place 2 points

6th place 9 points 12th place 1 point

Scoring for relay events at the Divisional Meet:

1st place 28 points 4th place 12 points

2nd place 20 points 5th place 8 points

3rd place 16 points 6th place 4 points

The team’s finish at the relay carnival contributes points to race for division champion. Please check the bulletin board and tell the coaches if you cannot attend.
 

  Swim Team Practices

Swim team members are welcome to come to as many practices as possible. Practice helps develop skills, get fit, fast, and have fun! Pre-team members may attend either the morning or evening practices, not both.

May 30 - June 14 Practices

Mon., Tues, Wed., Thurs. and Fri.

Times:

4:00-5:00 pm:  10 & under

5:00-6:00 pm:  11 & over

June 10 Time Trials

Warm-ups:  8:00 am

Time Trials:  9:00 am
 

June 15 - July 14 Practices

Morning practice: Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs & Fri.

Times:

7:30-9:00 am:  Ages 11 & over  (8:00-9:00 am on Fridays)

9:00-10:00 am:  Ages 10 & under

Afternoon practice: Mon., Tues. & Thurs. (No practice Wed. due to B meets)

Times:

3:30 - 4:00 pm:  Pre-Team

4:00- 5:00 pm:   Ages 8 & under

5:00-6:00 pm:   Ages 9-10

6:00-7:00 pm:  Ages 11 & over

Fridays:

4:00 - 5:00 pm:  All Ages! (precedes team dinner and pep rally)

* note: evening practices only have use of three of the six lanes. It is strongly recommended that swimmers attend morning practices. Rumor has it that on some days morning practices includes donuts!
 

July 17 -21 - Divisional practice

8:00 - 9:00 am and 4:00 - 5:00 pm for everyone swimming in divisional meets.
 

July 24 - 28 - All-Star practice

8:00 - 9:00 am and 4:00 -5:00 pm for everyone swimming on an all-star relay or in an individual event.

Pre-Team

For those swimmers who are comfortable with their face in the water and are able to swim one-half a length of the pool in either freestyle or backstroke, we offer the Pre-Team. Lessons are available and encouraged for swimmers working towards swimming half the pool length.

All decisions on Team / Pre-Team eligibility rest with the coaching staff which will conduct evaluations at the beginning of the year. This year we are introducing the mini-sharks, a group lesson designed for kids trying to make the pre-team. The lessons will offered at the pool for a fee of $40 per week.  Once the swimmer can meet pre-team requirements they can transfer to the pre-team on a prorated basis. The fee for the pre-team is $60 per swimmer for the season.

Pre Team Practices

Pre-team practices are in the afternoons this season:

June 19 to July 21 Pre Team Practice

Afternoon Practice Mon, Tues, and Thurs. 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.

 

Reps, Coaches, Officials & Committees

Swimmer & Parent Responsibilities

Swimmer Responsibilities

1. Read this document

2. Check your team calendar

3. Regularly check the bulletin board at the pool and keep your parents informed

4. Be on time for practices

5. Follow coaches instructions at practices and meets.

6. Notify coaches before the line-up is finalized if you cannot swim at a Saturday meet. (You MUST notify the coach by Thursday evening if you are unavailable for that Saturday)

7. Don’t forget the last chance to sign-up for Wednesday meets is no later than the Tuesday morning practice before.

8. Be on time for warm-ups at swim meets

9. Cheer for your teammates

10. It is the responsibility of the swimmer to come to the coaches after they swim in a meet to get feedback

11. Each age group 8 & under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15 & up will host a team dinner.

12. Help Out:

Parent Responsibilities

1. Attend the parent meeting in early June.  This is the best way to have your questions answered and to address any team issues.

2. Know where the swim team box & information notebook is on the front desk at the pool. Keep informed.

3. Read the bulletin board at the pool OFTEN!

4. Make sure that your swimmer(s) are at the pool during their practice time

5. Post the team calendar in your home and know your swimmer(s) schedule

6. Transport your swimmer(s) to and from meets and practices

7. Supervise your children at meets and activities

8. Notify the coaches of swimmer availability for Saturday meets as soon as possible (they must know by Thursday if your child is not available for Saturday’s meet).

9. Help with your swimmer(s)' nutrition

10. Contribute to the team dinners

11. Refer to the MCSL handbook for swimming and meet rules, locations, phone numbers, times, records, etc.

12. Volunteer your time at least four full meets during the season. Please sign up early and often. Sign up sheets are posted on the bulletin board next to the pool office. Help is needed with:

· Snack bar sales

· Ribbon writing

· Timing

· Recording

· Clerk of course

· Automation

13. You can also attend clinics to become a certified official such as the referee, stroke & turn, starter, automation. There are a variety of jobs to suit everyone's interests! For information on this contact the A or B Rep.

14. Do not talk to your child during practice unless there is an emergency.

15. Any question or comments you have for the coaches should be addressed before or after practice or put a note in their folder in the team box.

16. Cheer for all children, not just your own.

 

Team Communication

Pool office (301) 365-4122

www.sevenlocks.net

Swim Lessons

Swim lessons are available for those just learning to swim and for those wishing to improve their strokes & move on to the swim team. Group lessons are coordinated by Erik Taubeneck.

Swimmers first attend a leveling session to be placed in the appropriate group (new to swimming, beginner, advanced beginner and intermediate). Group lessons cost $40 per week.

Private lessons are available from any of the coaches or older swimmers. See the bulletin boards for more information. Prices for private lessons are $30 per half-hour.

Please bear in mind that lifeguards and coaches cannot teach private lessons while coaching / life guarding. All private lessons with coaches and lifeguards must be scheduled for off days/hours.

 

Team Dinners & Pep Rallies

Team dinners and the pep rallies are a favorite activity all swimmers young and old.

PLEASE VOLUNTEER - We can’t run these events without help from parents!

Friday Team Dinners

The Friday before each Saturday meet, one age group will bring dinner for the entire team to enjoy (100+). Please note your child’s age group and when you are expected to bring food and help serve. The sign up sheets are posted on the bulletin board at the pool.

The team provides the paper products, you provide either the meal.  In 2005, the schedule included:

June 24: Pirate Night hosted by the 13/14 year olds swimmers. Chicken drumsticks, side dishes, salads and desserts for the evening. Sign up sheets posted on bulletin board next to the office.

July 1: All Star Cookout hosted by 9-10 swimmers.  Hamburgers, buns, toppings, side dishes or dessert.  Sign up sheet on bulletin board next to pool office.

July 8: Mexican Fiesta hosted by 15-18 year olds.  Tacos, enchiladas or your favorite Mexican dish or sides.  Sign up sheet outside office.

July 15: Noodle Night hosted by 11-12 year-olds.  Pasta dish, side salads and desserts. Sign up sheet posted next to pool office.

July 22: Beach Night hosted by 8 and unders. Hot dogs sides and a sundae bar. Sign up sheet posted next to the pool office.

This is a great time for all parents to support the team and a great time for all the swimmers to enjoy a wonderful dinner buffet after a full week of swimming.

Please bring food by 4:30 pm. The team practices 4:00-5:00 pm and then eats from 5:00 to 6:00. Dinner is followed by a team activity - making posters for the meet, decorating the pool for the meet, tie dying t-shirts, water polo or Beaver in the Well.

Red, White & Blue Breakfast

Traditionally the Red, White and Blue Breakfast takes place at the morning practice closest to the 4th of July. People volunteer to bring waffles, pancakes, strawberries, blueberries and lots of whip cream. Watch the bulletin board for more information.

 

The YOs & HOs Swim Meet and Breakfast

The Friday morning practice before the divisional meet is the annual Seven Locks YOs and HOs meet. The team is divided into two teams - the YOs and the HOs. They compete in wacky events such as the corkscrew, underwater, two-person freestyle, and t-shirt relays.

A breakfast feast and a trip to the movies follow the meet. Food providers and movie drivers are always needed. Check the bulletin board for more information.

Award Banquet

Saturday, July 22, 2006   6:00 pm
at the pool

Our awards banquet is a great night! The evening begins with a potluck dinner. Please bring a dish to feed 20. The team provides drinks, paper products and dessert. The pool is open for swimming. Rafts are allowed in the pool as long as safety is maintained. The coaches take the microphone, sum up the season and hand out team awards both serious and humorous (also known as The Paper Plate Awards). Every swim team member earns an individual participation award. The High Point swimmers in each age group, male and female are recognized, as well as an Overall High Point. Most Improved Swimmer Awards are given as deemed by the coaches. Outstanding dedication, sportsmanship and team spirit are acknowledged with the dedicated swimmer awards, the Paul Phillips Sportsmanship award and