Dear Stingray Nation, 

Here it is, the news you have been waiting for, the complete guide to Championship season, also known as the “Championship Digest.”  Grab a cup of coffee, maybe a snack too, put your feet up, and read this entire email, it contains A LOT of information!

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MEET UPDATE

2026 CGAC ChaseStrong Prelim/Final Invite - January 23-25, 2026

Center Grove High School, Greenwood, Indiana

This is a USA Meet.

2026 OLY Michigan Open - February 6-8, 2026

Oakland University Aquatic Center, Rochester, Michigan

This is a USA Meet.

 Flint 50s - Sunday, February 1, 2026 - Brandon High School 

• This is a YMCA meet.  

• All swimmers should swim this meet!  

• Meet entry closes soon: January 23, 2026

If your swimmer still needs to complete his or her 3 YMCA meet requirement there are a few other upcoming YMCA meets that can help!

Jan 25 - Cadillac Winter Luau - meet packet available;  No Coaches attending, but swimmers can attend.  Contact Sean Smith ASAP at [email protected] if you are interested in attending.

Jan 31 - Sturgis Winter Invite - meet packet available;  No Coaches attending, but swimmers can attend. Contact Sean Smith ASAP at [email protected] if you are interested in attending.

Feb 7 - Benton Harbor St. Joe Invite -  meet packet available;  No Coaches attending, but swimmers can attend. Contact Sean Smith ASAP at [email protected] if you are interested in attending.

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CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON

 YMCA CLUSTERS CHAMPIONSHIP MEET- February 21-22, 2026

• This meet will open soon for Registration.  

• All swimmers who have met or will be meeting the THREE meet minimum requirement are qualified to swim at this Championship Meet! 

• We are hosting this meet!  ALL families are required to volunteer for TWO sessions at this meet WHETHER OR NOT your swimmer is swimming.  

• Location: Waterford Kettering High School

• Meet Packet coming soon!

YMCA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS - March 7-8, 2026 - East Kentwood High School, Kentwood, MI 

• EVERYONE who meets the 3-YMCA-Meet requirement and has achieved at least one YMCA State Cut is SHOULD attend this meet.  

• Check out the time standards: YMCA Time Standards 

• If you have one cut, you can pick two bonus events, if you have 2 cuts you can pick one bonus event. This is for the whole meet, not per day.

• If you are a relay-only swimmer at the state meet, you are permitted one bonus individual event on the day that your relay is swimming.

• There is a hotel block for this meet: hotel block   

• Location: Kentwood, Michigan

YMCA ZONE CHAMPIONSHIPS - March 20-22, 2026

• IMPORTANT - This is a time standard meet open to all swimmers who have met the 3-YMCA meet requirement and who have achieved a YMCA Zones Cut: YMCA Time Standards

• VERY IMPORTANT - EVERYONE who has a YMCA Zones cut MUST attend this meet. This is our Championship Meet that we focus on for the entire season for those swimmers who have cuts.

• We recommend reserving a room in our hotel block. The block expires February 23, 2025.

•  Location: Canton, Ohio

YMCA NATIONALS - Monday, March 30 - Friday, April 3, 2026

• This is a time standard meet:  YMCA Time Standards

• A hotel block will be secured.  Contact Eric Stricher for details.

• More information will come in the weeks ahead.

• Location: Greensboro Aquatic Center, Greensboro, NC

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TEAM EVENTS

Championship Season Spirit Dinner - Wednesday, February 18, 2026

• 7:30 P.M. at the YMCA (Practices will likely be slightly adjusted)

• This is a time for our championship team swimmers and coaches to get together for a carb-filled meal before Championship Season begins!

• No RSVP is required. This event is FREE for all swimmers competing in at least one championship meet! (Please no parents or siblings, unless there are leftovers, but are welcome to come hang out and to take pictures.)

Zone Team Dinner - Wednesday, March 18, 2026

• This is for swimmers attending YMCA Great Lake Zone Championship Meet 

• More information coming soon

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HOTEL INFORMATION

Click here to find hotel information for our upcoming meets: Hotel Information

The team has reserved a block of rooms for YMCA State Championships and YMCA Zones, but they often sell out, so do not delay!

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END of SEASON and MARCH CLINICS

The last day of regular practice for all groups is February 27th.  State Championship Swimmers will continue for one week, March 2-6.  Zone Team* and National Team* swimmers will continue until their respective meets, according to a slightly altered schedule that will be communicated.

But, guess what? Swim does not really end!  

MARCH CLINICS will be offered: 

Monday, Wednesday & Friday evenings at the YMCA - March 2nd-27th, 2026

10 & under - 6:00-6:45pm (cost $115)

11 & older - 6:45-8pm (cost $135)

Registration opens Monday, February 2, 2026, registration links coming soon!

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*ZONE TEAM and NATIONAL TEAM UPDATE

There will be an additional $100 charge for Y Zone Team and an additional $100 charge for Y National Team. This pays for the pool rental and coaching fees for the month of March.  Coach Rich will supply the Y with the roster for Y Zones and Y Nationals, and your credit card on file with the Y will be charged.  Please note, this is a YMCA charge, NOT an FFYS Boosters charge.

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Questions?  Please ask.  We are happy to help!  

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FIRE UP STINGRAYS!  Championship Season approaches!