Bethel Park Swimming
Training Groups 2023-24
SENIOR
COACHES
- HEAD COACH: Jeff Gavin
- ASSISTANT COACHES: Kathy Strock
DESCRIPTION
The Senior Group is for our high school age and advanced age group athletes. The focus for this group is stroke refinement, intense aerobic & strength training, and high performance. Athletes are expected to compete monthly in USA Swimming sanctioned swim meets.
SCHEDULE
The practice schedule will vary depending on the time of year. Athletes can expect up to eight practice sessions per week and up to 5 strength training sessions. Check the Practice Calendar for the current practice schedule.
REQUIREMENTS FOR PLACEMENT
- 9th and up/ start spring of 8th grade year
- Below 9th grade: 13-14 A time in any event 100 or longer; maintain 90% attendance
- Swim 3 SC meets/ 2 LC meets
EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
PLATINUM
COACHES
- LEAD COACH: Kathy Strock
- ASSISTANT COACHES: Jeff Gavin, Emily Eiben
DESCRIPTION
The Platinum Team is our advanced age-group training group. This group is for committed and motivated young swimmers looking to make swimming their primary athletic focus. This group focuses on stroke refinement, aerobic training, and strength building. Strength training and yoga are included in this group and swimmers are expected to compete monthly in USA Swimming sanctioned meets.
SCHEDULE
Athletes will train 6 practices per week with additional dryland sessions throughout the year. Please refer to the practice calendar for the current schedule.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR PLACEMENT
- At least 11 years old
- Routinely make sets of 100’s freestyle on 1:25 and IM on 1:40
- Maintain 80% attendance to stay in the group
- Attend a scheduled transition meeting with Gold & Platinum coaches (swimmer and parent)
EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
GOLD
COACHES
- LEAD COACH: Emily Eiben
- ASSISTANT COACHES: Jeff Gavin, Kathy Strock
DESCRIPTION
The Gold Training Group takes all the aspects of stroke development and beginner aerobic training learned in the Bronze and Silver groups and builds upon them. The focus moves from stroke development to stroke refinement and competitive training. The athletes in this group expect an elevated heart rate during each workout. We also begin to implement bodyweight strength training and yoga for athletes in this group. Athletes are expected to compete monthly in local USA Swimming sanctioned competitions.
SCHEDULE
Athletes will train 6 practices per week with additional dryland sessions throughout the year. Please refer to the practice calendar for the current schedule.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR PLACEMENT
- At least 9 years old
- 4 legal strokes (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle)
- Have swum the 200 IM in a meet (legally)
- Have swum the 500 freestyle in a meet
- Able to complete 8 x 100 freestyle on 1:40 (on two separate occasions)
- Able to complete 8 x 100 IM on 2:00 (on two separate occasions)
EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
SILVER
COACHES
- LEAD COACH: Michelle Becker
- ASSISTANT COACHES: Jane Brackett
DESCRIPTION
The Silver Group builds on the stroke development learned in the Bronze practice and begins to develop swimmers’ aerobic capacity. Swimmers will be taught basic race strategies to maximize performance in the water. This group is geared primarily towards athletes ages 8-12. Athletes are recommended to compete monthly in local USA Swimming sanctioned competitions.
SCHEDULE
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR PLACEMENT
- successfully make 8 x 100 freestyle on 2:00
- strong understanding of the 4 legal competitive strokes [butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, & freestyle]
- completed the USA swimming dive/start progression [freestyle & backstroke]
EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
BRONZE
COACHES
- LEAD COACH: Jane Brackett
- ASSISTANT COACHES: Michelle Becker
DESCRIPTION
This group focuses on stroke development. Athletes will develop proper stroke techniques, good practice habits, and beginning aerobic development. Correct techniques and good habits are fundamental to development in more advanced groups. Athletes are recommended to compete monthly in local USA Swimming sanctioned competitions.
SCHEDULE
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR PLACEMENT
- to complete 100 yards freestyle with legal flip turns
- understand the concept of IM – [stroke order, distance, turns, etc.]
EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
SHARKS
COACHES
- LEAD COACH: Kathy Strock and Jeff Gavin
- ASSISTANT COACHES:
DESCRIPTION
The Bethel Park Sharks is Bethel Park Recreation Swim Team’s year-round pre-competitive developmental swim program. The program is geared towards introducing young athletes to competitive swimming without having the stricter training regimen recommended with the Bethel Park Recreation Swim Team’s year-round competitive swimming program. Coaches will work daily with the athletes to help introduce them to all the basics of competitive swimming. This includes but is not limited to the four strokes, legal starts, and turns, reading a clock, practice habits, and what it means to be a good teammate.
* In order to enroll in this group, swimmers must first complete an evaluation by one of our coaches. To set up an evaluation please email us.
SCHEDULE
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR PLACEMENT
- Swim the full length of the pool both freestyle and backstroke with some concept of face-down breathing on freestyle.
