Gator Tales - May 8
We’re now looking ahead to our first dual meet of the season this Saturday against the Bear Branch Bears. Let’s show up strong, both in the water and in our sportsmanship. Please remind your swimmers to be respectful, positive, and supportive—on deck and in the pool. Gators are known for their kindness, and we want to continue that tradition! Chomp Chomp!
Bear Branch Swim Meet - Saturday, May 10
Circle In: 7:15am (Kirsch Tent)
Warm Ups: 7:45-8:15
Meet Begins: 8:30
Bear Branch Pool:
3315 Cedar Knolls Dr.
Parking:
Parking for everyone is up and down the north (pool side) of Cedar Knolls Drive. There is no parking on the south side (in front of people's front yards). There are "no parking" signs in front of several houses that we would like to ask all families to please respect. Bear Branch has assured their HOA that families will do their best to keep traffic flowing on Cedar Knolls.
There is overflow parking at Kingwood Middle School. The school is about a 5 minute walk. There is no parking in the "Village Falls" subdivision nor in the gated community on either side of the pool. Every other street is free to park and most have a greenbelt that will lead to the pool. There are three reserved handicapped parking spaces on the street in front of the pool first come first served.
Also, there is parking on the several streets just the other side of the greenbelt that are a quick walk through the greenbelt to the pool.
Set Up
Set up is in the parking lot of the pool and the grassy areas surrounding the parking lot, so there are no cars allowed in the pool parking lot. You are welcome to stop at the cones and drop off swimmers and supplies.
Bear Branch will set up the left half of the parking lot towards the greenbelt. The visiting team sets up the right half of the parking lot towards the fence of the homes.
The concrete area right outside the main front gate is reserved for our concessions.
There should be a path marked off for spectators to enter/exit the pool. Please do not set up on that path.
Reminders for Saturday:
- Circle In-All swimmers must check in with the coaches as soon as you arrive at the meet, no later than 7:30 this week. Swimmers will circle in at the Kirsch tent. Swimmers who do not circle in will be scratched from the meet and relays.
- If plans change and you cannot make it to the meet or if you are running late on the morning of the meet, please text Robbie Morrow at (281) 468-3908 by 7:25am.
- Warm ups will be by age group youngest to oldest and move very quickly, so listen and be ready! We will warm up after the Bears.
- Check the posted list and SwimTopia to get your swimmer’s event numbers and listen for when the events are called to the ready bench.
- Volunteers will check in with Reagan Henderson in our team area at the Kirsch tent.
- Let a coach know if a swimmer will be leaving before they have completed all events.
- Help each other out! If you are a new Gator family, find a board member or veteran if you have any questions. If you are returning Gator, please help out any new Gators!
Volunteering - We Need You!
Volunteer Sign Ups:
Volunteer sign ups for this meet is still open! All positions have been filled, but if you are unable to fulfill your sign-up please remove your sign up so another family can sign up. Remember, each family is responsible for 7 shifts throughout the season. Please email Reagan Henderson at [email protected] or text at (713) 724-2472 if you have any questions about volunteering.
Chomp Talk: A Message from the Coaches
The Gators have been doing super well in the swamp! Time trials went extremely well and we’re super impressed with their awesome performance! We’re continuing to work on our technique for this meet against Bear Branch. We are excited to see the Gator’s progress as we continue. Go Gators!
Gators of the Week:
Congratulations to the following Gators of the week for the week of April 28! (announced at Time Trials)
6 and Unders: Sybil Phelps & Sage Duplantis
7-8’s: Emma Shelton & Mac Morrow
9-10’s: Caroline Sagna & Wesley Alva
11-12’s: Noemi Gonzalez & Caden Simmons
13-14’s: Maggie Wakefield & Emilio Aguilar
15-18’s: Debbie Sullivan & Brody Burns
This week’s Gators of the week will be announced at the pep-rally on Friday!
RSVP Swimmers for Meets:
All Gators must RSVP for each meet! This is necessary for coaches to put together line ups and relays. Entries and volunteer sign ups opens on Sunday evenings at 7:00pm. Swimmer RSVP’s close at 9:00pm Tuesday evening. When you RSVP, you can include notes such as stroke preferences. These preferences are not guarantees, but will be considered by the coaches. Our next meet of the season is next Saturday, May 17 at home against “those other Gators!” (Greentree) so don’t forget to sign up starting Sunday night at 7:00pm!
Pep Rally
Our first pep rally of the season is Friday, May 2nd at 6:30 PM outside the pool area. Wear your Gator Green and bring a towel to kick off the swim season. Coaches will announce the swimmers of the week! Pizza, popcorn, and snow cones will be available for purchase. Be on the look at for an email with the RSVP information!
So don’t forget to….
● Wear Gator Green & bring a towel
● Come ready to cheer & get your Gator Raid on!
● Bring Chairs or Blankets, sit back and enjoy the fun!
We will ask for RSVPs for pizza orders next week
Friday Practice Schedule
- 6&U - 4:30-4:50
- 7/8 - 4:50-5:10
- 9/10 - 4:10-5:40
- 11&U - 5:40-6:30
MEET CHECKLIST
Checklist for Parents
★ Tent
★ Chairs
★ Lightweight clothing preferably in Gator Colors
★ Hat
★ Sunglasses
★ Sunscreen
★ Bug repellent
★ Shoes that can get wet
★ Sharpie for writing events on swimmers
★ Snacks and drinks
★ Concession money
★ Book
Checklist for Swimmers
★ Swimsuit (wear it to the pool)
★ Goggles - Extra pair if possible
★ Swim Cap
★ Towels (at least 2 per swimmer)
★ Sunscreen
★ T-Shirt / Shorts
★ Shoes that can get wet
★ Snacks / Water
★ Concession Money
★ Books / Cards / Games / Toys
Why Do You Need a Sharpie/Permanent Marker at a Swim Meet?
Writing your child's events on their arm helps all swimmers, parents and volunteers get the swimmers to their events. Once your swimmer circles in with the coaches at the meet, they need to check their events either on the posted heat sheet or on the Swimtopia app. Write the following information on your swimmer’s upper arm, just below the shoulder: their name and every event they swim (event #, heat #, lane # and event name).
Don't worry! Volunteers are ready to do this for you the first time if you haven't done it before!
GET YOUR GATOR MERCH!
We've got some awesome Gator merchandise this season - silicone swim caps, ball caps, drifit shirts, mom tanks, yard signs and more! Check out our online store to purchase items that will show your Gator Pride!
NEWS & PRACTICE NOTIFICATIONS
We will post news to the team website throughout the season. If there are any practice cancellations or rain delays, we will notify you by email, send alerts using the SwimTopia mobile app, and post notices to the team website. Gators don't mind swimming in the rain, but if there is lightning and thunder at the pool, practice will be delayed or canceled.
GET THE APP
To receive push notifications:
- Download the SwimTopia Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play
- Log in with your SwimTopia (Gator website) login
- Be sure to check your app's notification settings - ensure that it's set to pop up on your screen (Android users: you may need to receive your first notification before you can edit this setting)
Important Dates
May
5/9 - Pep Rally
5/10 - Gators @ Bear Branch
5/16 - Pep Rally - Camo “Battle in the Swamp!” 6:30pm
5/17 - Gators VS Greentree (Trailwood Pool)
5/24 - Gators @ Sand Creek
5/30 - Pep Rally - Hawaiian Luau
5/31 - Gators VS Mills Branch (Trailwood Pool)
GATOR SPIRIT DAYS ARE BACK!
CHOMP CHOMP GATORS!
