Good evening,

Tomorrow we visit Whittington Creek for our first in-league swim meet! Stingray Nation showed up in force at our friendly exhibition meet with North Side Y, but this one will be going on our win-loss record for 2015. Yes, it is an away meet, but don't let that intimidate you or your swimmers. The challenges of going to a new pool (unfamiliar facility, different blocks, backstroke flags, "home advantage") provide an exciting opportunity to grow as athletes. One thing we need to make sure we don't do is let WCST out-cheer us. Team spirit mostly takes care of itself at home meets, but while at another pool we need to keep up our momentum by cheering on our teammates, showing good sportsmanship, and of course wearing some crazy hats for theme night! Let's make sure WCST remembers the day Stingray Nation came to town!

Here are a few more things to help prepare for the meet:
Please help your swimmer be comfortable in their equipment. The last thing we want a swimmer to focus on before a race is whether or not their goggles are going to fall off (for instance). We will gladly help with equipment issues during practice, but if problems persist then it may be time to invest in new equipment!

Stay fueled. The days have been getting noticeably hotter. Please help to ensure your swimmers are staying hydrated at practice and meets, even if you're not around. Click here for some tips from USA Swimming on proper nutrition before and during a meet. Don't forget proteins, carbohydrates, and a balanced breakfast!

Bring warm clothes to each meet just in case. Although it is summertime and the days are hot, evening meets sometime turn a little chilly. Of course we want dry and warm weather throughout our meet, but it's better to pack a few extra towels and hoodies than to be shivering behind the blocks!

Swimmer's ear hurts. Who even knows how many bodies of water a swimmer may enter during the summer? Sugarwood stays on top of its chemicals, but with so many practices, away meets, backyard pools, and lake days we need to face the facts: swimmer's ear can happen to anyone, and it not only hurts our ears but also our training. In my experience, a solution of one part rubbing alcohol (dries out ears) and one part apple cider vinegar (restores pH balance) is a good preventative. OTC options and silicone ear plugs can also help.

That’s it for today! Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

Go Stingrays!