Buckeye Swimming

Small Team/Big Results

We are a small team of about 100 swimmers. For us, this means that every swimmer is important. As a result, our swimmers see improvement in their swimming unmatched by other programs. Swimmers and families that immerse themselves in our program, especially on the competitive side, will find that every teammate will support and get to know them, including those in different age groups. We regularly finish in the top three in Ohio in the small team division at the State Age Group Championships. We regularly finish well ahead of teams that are much larger than ours. We do not do this by being ultra-selective in who we bring into our program, we do this through commitment and coaching.

Winter Season: August 29 through last meet (February/March 2020
Summer Season: April 13 through last meet (July/August 2020)

Training Group Assignments
Swimmers are assigned to training groups based on age, training ability, and competitive experience. It is our goal to move swimmers from our age group program to our senior program the summer or fall that they begin high school.

Program Group Descriptions

Senior Program

NPG

Invitation only group for high achieving Seniors. This group adds two mornings per week during the school year at Planet Fitness. Training fee does not include the cost of the Planet Fitness membership. 95% attendance is required. Senior Program Lead Coach: Lewis Timberman

Senior
This group is designed for those athletes wishing to swim in college and possess a desire to set Sectional and National meet qualifications as their primary goals. Emphasis will be on continued skill development and race strategy, seasonal planning, and increased training loads. This group is designed for athletes who are committed to swimming as their primary sport. Practices are offered 5-6 days per week during the short course season. Additional practices will be offered (and required) during the long course season. The coaches will be planning an optional travel trip after the high school season. Travel expenses and meet fees for this experience are not included in group fees. Minimum age – 14, recommended for swimmers age 16 and over. 90% attendance is required.

Junior
This group is designed for those athletes with quality competitive and training experience who are entering high school or by coach invitation. Emphasis will be on continued skill development, holding specific pace times in training, advanced race strategy, goal-setting, and increased training loads. This group is also available for high school athletes who enjoy competitive swimming but are not yet ready to dedicate themselves to swimming as their primary sport or need more time for a demanding academic schedule. Practices are offered 5-6 days per week during the short course season. Additional practices will be offered during the summer season. Minimum age, 13. Recommended age, 14 -15. 80% attendance is required.

Entry minimums – To enter prior to high school we consider prior training load and experience, plus competitive success. Legally compete in the 4/500 Free, 400 IM & 200 of each stroke; complete 10 x 100 freestyle kick on 2:00; complete 10 x 100 freestyle swim on 1:30; complete 6 x 100 of stroke on assigned intervals; complete timed 2000 yard freestyle swim with bilateral breathing in under 28 minutes; read the pace clock; able to actively listen and ask questions to gain understanding; makes a habit of paying attention to details; properly applies stroke drill to complete stroke technique.

High School Practice Groups
High School swimmers have several options at Buckeye:

Option 1: Join the Senior or Junior program, which is a year-round commitment to the program, with attendance requirements. Senior Program requirements are outlined above.

Option 2: Join the Scarlet program, which is also a seasonal commitment to the program, has a slightly relaxed attendance policy, and is appropriate for less experienced swimmers.

Option 3: Fall High School Prep Program. Participants attend all offered Scarlet or Junior practices (pick one group please) with no attendance requirement. This is a high school preseason group only and ends with participation in the November Senior Meet.

AGE GROUP PROGRAM

Scarlet & Gold Overview

Training groups under Scarlet and Gold are geared towards competitive swimmers age 9-14. Emphasis will be on continued skill development, introduction to race strategy, advancing stroke technique, positive self-talk, taking responsibility for own progress, fitness, and an introduction to training modules. It is acceptable for swimmers in this group to participate in other sports. Multi-sport athletes will have attendance requirements waived during the fall season only. The program is divided into several training groups that are based primarily on age as we believe working within peer groups is an important part of childhood development. Entry minimums (groups within this program may have more demanding prerequisites) – can swim 100 yards of each of the four competitive strokes within USA Swimming stroke rules, can swim a 200 Individual Medley, can swim 500 yards continuously. Swimmers will attend a minimum of three meets and championships each season. Lead Coach Laurie Karr.

Gold 1 & 2, Age 11-14

Goals of achieving Zone and Sectional time standards are discussed frequently within the members of this group. Swimming in High School and beyond is also emphasized. Practices will be offered 6 days a week during the school year with additional practices offered during the summer. 80% attendance is required.

Scarlet 3, Ages 11-14

The Scarlet 3 training group will place a greater emphasis on stroke technique work and less on workload. Swimmers in this group do not hold current National BB time standards but aspire to improve their swimming. This group will take an innovative approach towards to improve performance through quality coaching, training and attainment of improved technical skills.

Scarlet 2, Ages 10-13

This group will emphasize achieving National BB and faster time standards, including Zones and JO’S.

Scarlet 1, age 8-11

Entry level into the Scarlet program.

ENTRY LEVEL GROUPS
8-under swimmers, transition from lessons, new to the sport

Silver Competition Group
The primary focus will be on improving each swimmer’s technique and learning how to work with teammates. This is a terrific group for young swimmers that would like to explore competing in swimming or are new to swimming competitively. Recommended for swimmers age 6-9, maximum age in this group is 10. By the end of the program swimmers should be able to compete in 50 yards of each stroke and a 100 Individual Medley. Entry Prerequisite: Minimum age 6. 25 yards of Freestyle with rotary breathing, 25 yards of Backstroke. Able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of Breaststroke and Butterfly.

Silver Recreation Group
The primary focus will be on improving each swimmer’s technique and endurance in the water. This is a terrific group for youngsters that participate in other sports, are interested in swimming for fitness or are generally uncomfortable in competitive situations. Swimmers will be taught proper technique for Freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke, starts and flip turns. By the end of the season swimmers should be able to swim a continuous 500 freestyle with turns and a breathing pattern. In addition, we will measure progress through a variety of timed 25-yard, 50 yard and 100-yard swims. Entry Prerequisite: 50 yards of continuous freestyle, with face in the water between breaths. 50 yards of continuous backstroke. Minimum age is 9, group is set up for swimmers age 11-14.

Introduction to Competitive Swimming
This is our introductory group for swimmers that are interested in competitive swimming but aren’t sure if they are ready. This group offers two 45-minute practices per week with a focus on stroke development, swimming language and practice rules/etiquette. Swimmers entering this group should be in the advanced stage of swim lessons. Minimum age is 5.

Fall Session 1: September 9- October 27; Fall Session 2: October 28- December 18 (No practice 11/27)
Winter Session: January 6- February 26
Spring Session: April 13 – May 27; Summer Session: June 1 -July 15

FEE STRUCTURE

FEES INCLUDE:

-Current USA Swimming & Ohio Swimming Membership fee (you are registered prior to your first meet).
-Annual Buckeye Swim Club registration fees
-Swim group training fees (includes coaching fees and pool rent)
-Team T-shirt
-General group dryland training
-Team Caps

FEES DO NOT INCLUDE:

-Swim meet entry fee and travel expenses
-Booster fees and fundraising requirement
-Specific Dryland training and facility use fees
-Training and competition uniforms and equipment

FUNDRAISING REQUIREMENT
Each swimmer in our competitive programs will be responsible for either fundraising $250 in proceeds or writing a check to Buckeye Swim Club Boosters for the amount. This will be collected by the boosters which is a separate organization run by a parent board that supports our club.

MEET FEES
Meet fees will be charged on the day that we are admitted into the meet (1-3 weeks prior to the meet). Once entries are finalized and submitted, the meet host does not issue refunds.

DISCOUNTS & REFUNDS
We have family discounts. With 2 siblings, all fees are 5% off, 3 siblings are 9% off and 4 or more siblings are 12% off. This discount does not apply to registration or meet fees.

Scholarships are available to those who qualify for financial reasons.