ALL athletes MUST complete the sign-up link so we have the most current contact information and know who is returning, or is new to the program. Athletes cannot participate in swim and basketball in the same season (but can use the sign-up link below for either sport.)

Deadline to sign-up for SWIM TEAM: Wednesday, November 1, 2023

IMPORTANT SWIM TEAM DETAILS:

• Special Olympics Medina communicates using email. Please be sure to check your email frequently during the season, especially on practice and competition days. (Practices can be canceled b/c of bad weather and driving conditions.)
• Special Olympics provides GENERAL SUPERVISION ONLY. If an athlete requires above general supervision, then a support person must attend practices/competitions in order to make sure the athlete’s supervision level is met. This does not mean that the support person has to swim with the athlete (unless the athlete needs support in the pool.)
• Special Olympics does not administer medication. If an athlete requires support with medication, then a support person must attend practices/competitions in order to make sure the athlete receives needed medications.
• ALL ATHLETES MUST BE ABLE TO SWIM 25 METERS INDEPENDENTLY in order to participate in Special Olympics swim. If an athlete is not able to swim 25 meters and/or needs support of any flotation type equipment – or needs support to get into and out of the pool, then a support person must accompany the athlete to provide assistance during the entire practice and/or competition.

PRACTICE LOCATION: Medina Community Recreation Center
855 Weymouth Road
Medina, OH 44256

PRACTICE TIME: ALL practices are from 5 pm-6 pm. Please arrive early so that you can be sure to be dressed and on the pool deck promptly at 4:45 p.m. When you arrive, athletes can tell the front desk they are with Special Olympics. We also need to leave the pool deck promptly at 6:00 p.m. as other groups use the pool before and after us. (We of course know life happens – if you are going to be late – please be sure to notify the coach!) Sue Detwiler is the head coach this season and her email is redetwiler@aol.com. We have 3 lanes – and possibly 4 if the High School dive team isn’t there. Full locker rooms are available. Bring your own suit and towel for all practices. Team suits will be provided for competitions.

PRACTICE DATES: Days of practice: – 2x’s weekly on Tuesday/Thursdays (with some Wednesdays because of other scheduled swim meets.) Monthly calendars are sent the last week of the month. The full practice schedule will be sent at a later time.

FIRST WEEK OF PRACTICE: 11/7/2023 and 11/9/2023 (other practice dates will be sent at a later time via email.)

STATE SWIM COMPETITIONS: MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

NE Ohio Regional competition: (ALL swim athletes can participate)
DATE: Sunday, 1/21/2024
TIME: to be determined
Location: Canton McKinley Natatorium (C.T. Branin Natatorium)
1715 Harrison Ave NW
Canton, OH 44708

State Winter Games Competition: (not all athletes will be able to attend due to quota requests)
DATE: February 23-25, 2024
TIME: to be determined
Location: Bowling Green State University – is an overnight stay in a hotel

Reminders:

• We will meet near the SHALLOW end of the pool in the bleachers.
• Remember to bring water to drink during practice.
• Before each practice, everyone can enter through the front of the Rec Center, Swimmers do not need to check in, but all coaches and parents will need to have their IDs scanned at the front desk before they can go to the pools.
• If you are going to miss practice – please be sure to notify Head Coach Sue Detwiler (BEFORE 1:00 pm on practice days) via email redetwiler@aol.com
  (Save her email to your contacts.)

ALL RETURNING ATHLETES and NEW ATHLETES MUST COMPLETE:

SWIM SIGN-UP LINK: https://sooh-mc.org/new-athlete-survey-4/