Meet Entry Due Date & Information: SwimStrong Summer Invititational

This is a three day (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) 'faster than' meet, which means that swimmers must have a "B" cut or faster in an event in order to swim that event. Any swimmer who qualifies for the meet with a "B" cut also gets one bonus event per day (for this event they do not need a "B" cut). Please note - 12 & Under swimmers are in the AFTERNOON session for this meet while 13 & Over swimmers are in the MORNING session.

The due date for entries is Sunday May 27th. Please send your entries to neonswimming@gmail.com.

As usual, please provide the name(s) of your swimmer(s) in the e-mail and whether you would like the coaches to pick events or if you have chosen specific events.

If you would like to pick your swimmer's events: Go to http://neonswim.com/neon_005.htm and click on "Swim Strong Invite." It will download the meet information in Word, and the event listings (plus the cut-off times) will be the last pages.

The SWIM HEAT Summer Invitational

June 29 – July 1, 2012

LOCATION:  CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY, Robert F. Busbey Natatorium, 2451 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH (downtown Cleveland – Euclid Avenue at East 24^th Street). 

STARTING TIMES:

Friday session, 4:30 – 5:15 PM warmup, 5:20 PM Meet Start

Saturday & Sunday AM: 7:30 – 8:30 AM warmup, 8:35 AM Meet Start

Saturday & Sunday PM: The 45 minute afternoon Warm-up will begin 15 minutes after the conclusion of the morning session

Saturday FINALS: Saturday Finals will not begin before 6:00 PM after a 45-minute warm-up.  Estimated timelines will be posted on www.lakeerieswiming.com by Wednesday June 26, 2012.

ENTRY FEES: Individual events $5.00, Relays $10.00, and a $2.00 per swimmer surcharge (for Lake Erie). There is a $3.00 team fee.

ENTRY LIMITATIONS: Swimmers may compete in 3 individual events per day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday exclusive of relays. Swimmers must have achieved the listed cut-off time to enter an event where applicable. 

BONUS EVENTS: All swimmers may supplement their entry with bonus events.  The formula is as follows: one bonus for every qualified time.  The 400, 800, and 1500 freestyle, and 400 IM are not eligible bonus events.

QUALIFYING TIMES: Please see the event listings.  Swimmers must be equal to or faster than the cuts listed. (NAG "B" cuts).

ADMISSION: Daily $4.00 per spectator; 10 & under free.

NOTE: Only athletes entered in the meet, working coaches, officials, and meet workers are allowed on deck. Other non-participants are expected to remain in the spectator area. 

Please leave a comment or let one of the coaches know if you have any questions or if you are unsure whether or not your swimmer qualifies for this meet.


See you at the pool!

Meet Entry Due Date & Information: Findlay Flag City Invite

This meet is in Findlay, OH and is run under Ohio Swimming (much like our travel meet to Dayton, OH). These meets give our team a chance to compete against swimmers and teams we do not see at the Lake Erie meets. This is a three day, outdoor meet. Just a reminder, you CAN choose to only swim one of the three days, or two of the three days. There are no qualifying times for this meet - it is open to all swimmers. Please note - 13 & Over swimmers swim in the morning session and 12 & Under will swim in the afternoon session (with the exception of FRIDAY - 14 & Under are in the afternoon).

The due date for entries is this Wednesday May 23rd.  Please send your entries to neonswimming@gmail.com. 

Be sure to provide the name(s) of your swimmer(s) in the e-mail. Coaches are more than happy to select which events are best for your swimmer, but if you would like to choose please specify within the e-mail which events you have chosen.

If you would like to pick your swimmer's events:

 30th Annual FLAG CITY INVITATIONAL 

JUNE 15, 16, & 17, 2012

LOCATION: 

Riverside Park Pool Findlay, Ohio; 

Intersection of Center St. & McManness Ave.

TIMES: Fri. June 15 Warm-up: 9:00 am Start: 10:00 am (Open) Warm-up: 3:00 pm Start: 4:00 pm (12 & Under/13 & Over)

Sat/Sun. June

16 & 17 

Warm-up: 

7:30 am 

Start: 

8:30 am  (13 & Over) Warm-up: 

12:30 pm Start: 1:30 pm  (12 & Under)

ENTRY LIMITATIONS: Swimmers are limited to 5 individual events per day.  

ENTRY FEES:

 Individual events are $5.00 and all relays are $7.00 each.

Entry fees must include the Ohio Swimming, Inc. $2.00 per swimmer surcharge for the 

travel and championship funds. There is a $3.00 team charge.

Please leave a comment or ask one of the coaches before or after practice if you have any questions!

Important Summer Meet Information

Hello NEON families. The summer long course season is a very busy (and short) season and meet due dates seem to come up quickly. Lake Erie Swimming has provided many meets for teams to choose from this long course season, and so this post is going to provide a timeline of meet dates to allow you to 'pencil' any meets of interest into your calendar ahead of time. We will still be posting the meet specifics in separate posts 3-4 days in advance of the entry due date (Information for Solon was just posted).


Please remember, you are not expected to participate in every meet that is available. We like to see swimmers compete in at least one meet per month. During the shorter summer season, two meets per month would be ideal. This allows swimmers (and coaches) the ability to evaluate what progress the swimmers have made and also what areas still need improvement. The swimmers are currently working on goal setting, and meets allow them to continuously evaluate where they are in relation their goals - this also helps the swimmers to stay motivated during practices.


There is one meet this summer that we highly encourage the swimmers to participate in. It is on July 15th, and is in Avon Lake, Ohio. It is an invitational meet with USA teams, YMCA teams, and some summer recreation teams. Last year we had a tent with food and drinks and the kids had a blast (and so did the coaches and parents!). Almost the entire NEON team was able to make the meet last year and we would love to have another great turn-out this summer. Last summer we were able to have several relays in almost all of the various age groups, and the kids really enjoyed the competition (not to mention the ability to enjoy the "fun" parts of the outdoor pool during the break). So please check your calendars, and if the date is open, mark 'NEON swim meet' down!

Meet Date                                                    Entry Due Date

       6/9-6/10                                    Solon                                     5/21

       6/16-6/17                   Findlay Flag City Invite                           5/23

       6/29-7/1                           Swim Strong invite                            5/27

       7/6-7/8                                  Freelander                                 TBD

       7/15                                  Avon Lake Invite                              6/15

      7/27-7/29                      Long Course Champs                            TBD

Meet Entry Due Date & Information: Solon STARS Swimfest

The entry due date for another meet is coming up! This is a two day, outdoor meet. Just a reminder, you CAN choose to only swim one of the two days. There are no qualifying times for this meet - it is open to all swimmers.

The due date for entries is this Monday May 21st.  Please send your entries to neonswimming@gmail.com. 

Be sure to provide the name(s) of your swimmer(s) in the e-mail. Coaches are more than happy to select which events are best for your swimmer, but if you would like to choose please specify within the e-mail which events you have chosen.

If you would like to pick your swimmer's events: To see the event listings, go to http://neonswim.com/neon_005.htm and click on "Solon." It will download the meet file in Word, and the event listings will be one of the last pages.

2012 Solon Stars “Summer Swimfest” Swim Meet

Date: June 9-10, 2012

LOCATION:  Solon Municipal Pool, 33655 Arthur Road, Solon, Ohio 44139.

STARTING TIMES: Saturday and Sunday AM session warm-ups: 7:45-8:30 a.m. with competition starting at 8:35 a.m. Warm-ups for the afternoon session will begin 15 minutes after the conclusion of the morning session and last for 45 minutes. The finalized warm-up plan and estimated PM session starting times will be posted at the LESI website www.Lakeerieswimming or www.solonstars.com by Wednesday, June 6, 2012.

ENTRY FEES: Individual events: $4.50 each; relays: $8.00 each; plus a $2.00 per swimmer LSC surcharge. There is also a $3.00 team charge.

ENTRY LIMITATIONS:  Swimmers may enter up to 4 individual events per day. If time becomes an issue, relays may be limited to 2 per team and the 400 I.M., 400 Free, and 1500 Free may be limited to the fastest 3 heats.  Swimmers closed out of these events may enter another event if space is available or receive a refund.

ADMISSION:  $3.00 at the door.  Psych sheets are $5.00 per day.

As usual, if you have any questions, please leave a comment or ask one of the coaches before or after practice.

See you at the pool!

What You Should Know About IMR and IMX

You've probably heard your swimmer, one of the coaches, or other parents talk about IMX (and if you hadn't before, you just did!), but you may not know exactly what it is or how it works. Not only is IMX a fun challenge for swimmers through USA Swimming, it is also an important aspect of NEON's requirements for group progressions. Keep reading to find out more about the IMX program.

 I.M.X. is a program run by USA Swimming (the governing body of swimming in the United States). According to USA Swimming, "...the IMX series is designed to help various age groups compete in multiple events, rather than specialize in one stroke too early," (USA Swimming). Swimmers are ranked nationally and locally based on their IMX score through USA Swimming. You can learn more about how swimmers are ranked here. 

While USA Swimming uses IMX as a way to rank swimmers, our goal at NEON is to use it to create all-around swimmers who are fully capable of swimming all four strokes and various events. We teach and train all four strokes in each of our groups and this makes our swimmers more versatile while also giving them a better understanding of the sport as a whole. 

I.M.R = IM Ready

The first step in the IMX Challenge is to be IM Ready (IMR). Swimmers compete in a series of five events at shorter distances.

10 & Under: 100 Free, 50 Back, 50 Breast, 50 Fly, 100 IM (SC) or 200 IM (LC)

11-12: 200 Free, 50 Back, 50 Breast, 50 Fly, 100 IM (SC) or 200 IM (LC)


I.M.X. = IM Xtreme

The next step is the IM Xtreme (IMX). This is a series of five or six events at longer distances.

10 & Under: 200 Free, 100 Back, 100 Breast, 100 Fly, 200 IM

11-12: 400 Free (LC) or 500 Free (SC), 100 Back, 100 Breast, 100 Fly, 200 IM

13 & Up: 400 Free (LC) or 500 Free (SC), 200 Back, 200 Breast, 200 Fly, 200 IM, 400 IM

Now that you have a better understanding of what the IMX requirements are, don't forget to read our post  about the goals for each NEON group and the requirements swimmers need to meet in order to advance to the next group! There are requirements that involve IMR and IMX.

See you at the pool!

How to Guide: Progressing to the Next Group

Below is a guide to help parents and swimmers formulate a better understanding of what the goals and expectations are for each of the NEON groups (Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum), and what requirements must be met for a swimmer to advance into the next group.

Bronze:

10 and Under (or by ability/coaches’ discretion)

Bronze group is designed for developmental swimmers. The goal of this group is to develop proper stroke mechanics and a basic understanding of competitive swimming. Swimmers are expected to make three out of four practices every week (75 percent of practices for the season).

Goals:

1.      Proper stroke mechanics

2.      Basic understanding of starts and turns for all four strokes

3.      Basic understanding of swimming terms

4.      Basic understanding of how to read a pace clock

5.      Basic understanding of USA swim meets (check-in, warm-up, start procedure for races)

Requirements for Advancement to Silver:

1.      Must be at least 9 years of age (or coaches’ discretion)

2.      Must have completed I.M.R.

3.      Has to participate in 2 meets and 1 championship meet per season

4.      75 percent practice attendance for the season

5.      Advancement is based on coaches’ discretion

Silver:

13 and under (or by ability/coaches’ discretion)

Silver is designed to continue stroke development and to start refining stroke mechanics. Swimmers will also be introduced to basic interval training and to practices which will build their endurance in preparation for racing. They are introduced to various types of goal setting (time based and technique based). These swimmers will be expected to make a minimum of five practices out of the six they are offered every week (80 percent practice attendance for the season).

Goals:

1.      Refine and perfect stroke mechanics

2.      Learn how to keep proper technique and pace in practice

3.      Complete I.M.X. program (for 11-12 year-old age group)

4.      Qualify for silver and gold champs

Requirements for advancement to Gold:

1.      Completion of I.M.X. program for 11-12 year-old track

2.      Must have 3 "BB" times

3.      Must have 1 "A" time

4.      Must be at least 11 years of age

5.      80 percent of practice attendance for the season

6.      Advancement based on coaches’ discretion

Gold:

11-14 year-old age group (or by ability/coaches’ discretion)

This group is designed for the swimmers with the highest ability and most experience in the 11 to 14 year-old range. Training in this group is higher intensity and focusing on race strategy and refinement. This group will continue their stoke refinement but their goals will be focused on time and meet achievement. This group will be expected to make five out of six practices offered in a week (90 percent practice attendance for the season).

Goals:

1. Refine stroke mechanics

2. Understanding of race strategies

3. Qualify to Gold Champs

4. Qualify to Zones

5. Swim a 1650 or a 400 I.M.

Requirements for advancement to Platinum:

1.      Must have 2 "A" times

2.      Must have either a 1650 or a 400 I.M. completed in a sanctioned meet.

3.      Must be at least 13 years of age

4.      90 percent of practice attendance

5.      Advancement on coaches’ discretion

***All Advancement will be made at the start of the new season***

Meet Entry Due Date: CCS Age Group

Our third meet entry deadline is right around the corner! This meet is a two day meet (Saturday and Sunday). You may sign your swimmer(s) up for one day only, or both days, just be sure to specify within your e-mail if you would like to do both days, only Saturday, or only Sunday. There are no time standards for this meet - it is open to all swimmers. 12 & Under swimmers are in the morning session, and 13 & Over swimmers are in the afternoon session.

The due date for entries is this Friday May 11^th.  Please send your entries to neonswimming@gmail.com. Be sure to provide the name(s) of your swimmer(s) in the e-mail. Coaches are more than happy to select which events are best for your swimmer, but if you would like to choose please specify within the e-mail which events you have chosen.


Also, make sure you check out our How to Guide: Nutrition for Swim Meets to learn about the best fuel for your swimmer before and during a competition!

Canton City Schools Age Group & Open Swim Meet

MEET DATE: June 2 & 3, 2012

LOCATION:  C.T. Branin Natatorium, 1715 Harrison Ave NW, Canton, OH 44708 (Next to the Pro Football Hall of Fame).

STARTING TIMES: Both Saturday and Sunday morning session warm-ups will be 7:45 – 8:30 a.m., with competition starting at 8:35 a.m . Afternoon warm-up will begin 15 minutes after the conclusion of the morning session. The afternoon approximate starting times will be posted on www.lakeerieswimming.com by Wednesday, May 30, 2012.

ENTRY FEES: Individual events $4.00, relays $8.00,  plus a $2.00 per swimmer LESI surcharge. There is also a $3.00 team charge.

ENTRY LIMITATIONS: Swimmers may enter four individual events/day exclusive of relays.

ADMISSION COST: $3.00 per spectator, Psych Sheets $2.00 

If you would like to pick your swimmer's events, go to http://neonswim.com/neon_005.htm, and click on "CCS Age Group." It will download a Word document which will contain all the meet information listed above, in addition to the event listings towards the end of the document.

If you have ANY questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment on here or ask one of the coaches before of after practice.

Hope to see everyone in Canton! Let's go NEON!

Swim Meet Essentials: What's in Your Bag?

It is always important to be prepared for adventures, and a swim meet is certainly not any different. While this post may seem to contain common knowledge to the swimming veterans on the team, newer swimmers and parents may find it very helpful (and you never know, even a more experienced swimmer may find a new helpful tip).

Swimmers should be sure to pack:

• Drinks and snacks to keep hydrated and energized (see our post on nutrition for swim meets)
• Two or more towels - towels quickly become wet, and it is important that swimmers are able to dry off and keep their muscles warm
• Two suits - one is a back up in case of emergency and can be just a practice suit
• Goggles (also good to have a spare pair in case of emergency - or at least a spare strap)
• Clothes for during the meet - pants and a sweatshirt or shorts and a t-shirt - it is imperative to keep your muscles warm between events!
• Sandals
• Blanket or large beach towel to sit on (this is especially useful at outdoor meets)
• Sunblock for outdoor meets

Tips for parents:

• Pool decks are often warm and humid, dress appropriately - in colder months it helps to wear layers
• Drinks and snacks for yourself (or siblings not participating)
• Book, magazine, tablet...something to do when your swimmer is not competing
• Cash to buy a heat sheet (if you would like one) - heat sheets contain the event number for each event and the name of each swimmer participating in that event, which helps you follow the meet and your swimmer(s)
• Supportive words! Make sure your swimmer knows you love them no matter what the outcome of the race, and that you believe in your swimmer's ability to succeed (which could mean swimming an event legally for the first time, dropping time, getting an 'A' cut...). Every race is a learning experience and even if the results were not exactly what we had hoped for, we walk away smarter than when we came in; later races may suffer if we dwell on any one race.

As usual, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to comment here (I receive e-mail notification about comments so I can answer very quickly) or seek out a coach before or after practice. For our veteran swimmers and parents, if you have any additional advice, feel free to leave a comment!

Let's swim smart and have fun!