Willowick Wildkat Newsletter 2025 #6 Pinegate Meet
Willowick Wildkat Newsletter 2025 - #6
July 8, 2025
WWK vs Pinegate Wednesday, July 12th, at Manry Pool
6:45am - Check in with Coach Brian
7:00am - Warm-ups
7:30am - Pinegate Warm Ups
8:00am - Star Spangled Banner
8:00am - Meet Starts
*Very Important Message from Coach Brian-
Please decline the remaining Dual Meets and Champs If not attending ASAP, so we have accurate count for lineups for Champs!
All notifications that your swimmer(s) will not be at the meet on Saturday are DUE BY 6pm Wednesday July 9th. Please decline the meet as soon as possible to ensure that coaches can have lineups made in time. It is the assumption of the coaches that every swimmer will be at every meet. They are marked as such on our team website.
If your swimmer(s) cannot make it Saturday, please sign in to the team website (www.willowickswimteam.com):
· Go to the EVENTS Tab
· Click the EDIT COMMITMENT button for the Red and Black Meet
· Click on the swimmer(s) who will not be at the meet
· Change their Signup Record from Yes to No. Put the reason for missing in the Notes section
· Make sure to Save Changes (bottom right)
Please remember, this is the ONLY WAY to let us know if your swimmer(s) will not be at a meet. The coaches will be generating their lineups right through the TeamUnify system. So, it’s important that if your swimmer(s) cannot make it, they are marked as such. All meets are uploaded, and you can commit/decline them as soon as you are aware of your ability to participate in the meet.
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If it's Saturday morning and you can suddenly not make it to the meet, please call Coach Brian (440-525-4700) as soon as possible.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We are still in need of 19 volunteers for Saturday Morning’s Meet vs Pinegate, please sign up if you are willing and able to go click on the link below and sign up, thank you so much!
7/12 Home Meet vs. Pinegate: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054EA9AC2AA6FCC16-57188265-home#/
In Need Of For This Saturdays Meet VS Pinegate
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13 Times 1st and 2nd Half
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1 Runner 2nd Half
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1 Concessions 2nd Half
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2 Heat Winners 1st and 2nd Half
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1 Back Up Time 2nd Half
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1 Finish Judge 2nd Half
· Swim meets require parent help and participation via volunteerism.
· It is VERY helpful for all volunteer positions to be fulfilled prior to Thursday evening so we don’t have to waste time trying to fill open spots.
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WHAT TO BRING
Here are just some reminders of some things to bring to the meet; for new families, this list is just some suggestions of things we typically see at meets:
· Suit, Team t-shirt, 1-2 towels, goggles, swim cap
· Pop-up tent (if you want)
· Chairs / Blankets
· Cooler with food and/or drinks
· Sharpie marker to write events down
· Cards / Books / Small Games – things to do between events
Swimmers are absolutely not allowed to be on the playground.
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PRACTICE REMINDERS
· We need help from our 8&U and/or 9-10 parents at the end of the 5p practice getting the lane lines out. The lane lines are heavy, especially when wet, and the younger kids often aren't strong enough to get them out. We also need to do it rather quickly so the pool can open by 6p. If you are able to help, we need only 2-3 parents after each practice. Thank you to those of you who have been helping already.
· The practice schedule is:
o 8am-915a Monday-Friday for 11-12, 13-18 age groups
o 5-6p Monday-Friday for 8&Unders, 9-10 age groups
· A few notes about the practices:
o We expect each swimmer to be at as many practices as possible, but a minimum of three days a week
o It is important that each swimmer only attend the practice at which their age group is assigned unless you have spoken to Coach Brian.
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Congratulations to the Swimmers of the Week and Wildkats of the Week
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Swimmers of the Week - someone who had a great week at practice and in the meet.
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Wildkats of the Week - someone who has demonstrated everything we stand for - coachable, helps out at practice, listens well, tries hard, encourages others, etc. Everything that is encompassed with our Wildkat Klass.
Euclid Meet Meet :
RECRUITING
We are still looking for new swimmers. If you know anyone who might be interested, please have them reach out with any questions (all of our contact information is below). Interested families can register their sons/daughters on the team website. This request is VERY IMPORTANT for the long-term vision for the team.
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WILDKAT DUCK BUCKS
We are asking every swimmer to sell 10 tickets each. Tickets are $5 each. The winner, announced at the banquet, will receive $2,500. The seller of the winning ticket wins $250 and the family that sells the most tickets will also win $250. If you need more tickets, let one of our board members know.
Once your tickets are sold, you can turn the tickets and money into Katie Bildstein. Katie also has more tickets if you need more! All tickets and money need to be turned in by the last practice of the season – Friday, July 26.
This is the main fundraiser for the team and we rely on the participation of all families to make it a success.
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COACHES’ Notes
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No walking on or even touching the bottom of the pool during your races
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If your goggles fall off or fill with water – keep swimming! Do not stop to fix them.
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All starts should be long and shallow dives.
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Do not breathe (during freestyle and butterfly) off your start or turn – try to take at least two strokes after your start and turn before breathing.
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Remember that you need a two-hand touch when you turn and finish in butterfly and breaststroke.
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During a turn is the only time you are allowed to flip to your stomach during backstroke. You must be on your back when you leave every wall and at the finish.
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During relays, you must wait until the person in the water hits the wall before leaving the blocks
Important Dates
Saturday, July 12 Home against Pinegate
Saturday, July 19 Away against Chardon
Friday, July 25 Pasta Party / Last practice of the season
Sat. Jul 26 – Sun. Jul 27 Championships at South Euclid Lyndhurst Pool
Thursday, July 31 End-of-Season Banquet, Regovich Catering Eastlake
Stay in Touch with Us
· Website: www.willowickswimteam.com
· Email: [email protected]
· Twitter: @WilloWildkats
· Facebook: facebook.com/willowickwildkats (or search for Willowick Wildlats)
· Mary Tranter, President 440.214.4903
· Katie Bildstein Vice President, 216.526.9068