You must be a member of West Howard Swim Club to be a member of the Swim or Dive Teams.

WEST HOWARD SWIM TEAM OVERVIEW:
     For those new to competitive swimming the West Howard Swim Team)participates in the Central Maryland Swim League (CMSL) in Division Iv. This organization provides us with competition structured by age categories in boys’ and girls’ events, including both individual and relay events. The meets are operated according to CMSL rules.

  • CMSL meets are customarily held on Saturday mornings in June and July.
  • The Novice Meet is a meet in which beginning swimmers compete against other beginning swimmers in the CMSL
  • The Straehle Invitational Meet is held the Wednesday before Divisional Championships.
    • Swimmer participation in this meet is limited to swimmers who achieve league‐established qualifying times in events during the regular meet season.
  • The Divisional Championship Meet is the last meet of the regular season. Swimmer participation in this meet is restricted to the top four swimmers with the best times in each event (at each age group) that are available to swim on that date. This year the Divisional will be held at West Howard!

    The team is supported by several resources including the West Howard Swim Club, annual swim team fees, swim meet concession profits, and most importantly by member volunteers. The active involvement of the coaching staff, all Wahoo team members and their families is essential because swimming is a “people intensive” sport – it requires many people working together so that the team that functions in a sportsmanlike and competitive manner.  

SWIM MEET INFORMATION

    West Howard Swim Team is in CMSL Division IV and will participate in five dual meets. A dual meet is a competition between two swim teams. Swim meets serve as a means for swimmers to evaluate how well they are achieving their individual goals and they also offer parents and friends the opportunity to see how well the swimmers are progressing. Swimmers compete in an age group that is determined by his/her age on May 30 of the current season, with the exception that swimmers in the 15‐18 age group who attain age 18 on or after August 7 of the year prior to the current season (and not have entered college). 

    The meet will be officiated by a Starter/Referee, an impartial paid official who is supplied by the League. Stroke and turn judges also help run the meet. They watch all the swimmers ensure they’re doing regulation strokes and turns. If they spot something incorrect during a race, the judge will raise a hand to indicate a disqualification, or DQ. Coaches will work with the swimmers to correct their strokes so they won’t be disqualified in the next meet.

    Adult volunteers are needed to run both home and away meets. These duties are usually split between the teams (there are more duties for the home team) and parent participation is required. See Parent Volunteer Agreement for more details

     We hope all swim team members will participate in swim meets.  However we understant that families plan vacations and campsIf your child is unable to attend a meet because of vacation or family commitments, it is essential that you update your child's commitment to the meet as early as possible, but no later than the Monday prior to the meet.  You can remove your child from the meet by updating the commitment on the event thru this site.  This is very important! Coaches will determine 8 and under participation in swim meet.

     Swimmers should arrive at the swim meet in time for warm-ups.   Warm-ups usually start one hour before the meet for home meets and 1/2 hour before the meet for away meets.  Upon arrival at the swim meet, swimmers should check in with the coaches.  It is very important that swimmers check in at least 45 minutes prior to the start of a meet.  Lineup changes must be made by that time.

     Swimmers are encouraged to wear their West Howard Wahoo team suit to all swim meets. If swimmers choose to wear a cap, they should wear their West Howard Swim Team Cap if they have one.

SELECTION OF SWIMMERS FOR MEETS:
    Coaches will select events for swimmers by Thursday, requests for changes must be made via email by 10 am Friday. Coaches have the final say in swimmers events.

WHAT SWIMMERS NEED FOR MEETS:

  • Good Sportsmanship, Team Spirit and Cheers
  • West Howard Wahoo Swim Team Swim Suit
  • Swim cap
  • Goggles
  • Swim team T‐Shirt
  • At least one towel. Many swimmers like a towel to sit on and one in which to wrap themselves.
  • Sunscreen
  • Sweatshirt and sweatpants
  • Drink: Water, sports drink or fruit juice
  • Snacks: AVOID JUNK FOOD (i.e. candy, soda, chips, etc.) Suggestions: fruit, granola type bars, trail mix, muffins, and bagels.
  • Activities to keep kids entertained during downtime between meets- Cheering on teammates is encouraged!!

COMPLEMENT OF EVENTS:
    Under CMSL Division IV rules, swimmers may compete in total of 4 events including a relay. Typically swimmers will be told what events they will be swimming at Thursday before the meet. Events and Heat Sheets are posted on the fence by the dive well while at home.


Novice Meet: Also known as the Beach Ball Meet

  • TBD Save the date 7/21/25
  • At Wynnewood Swim Club
  • How to Qualify: Swimmers must have slower than times after our 3rd dual meet.Slower than times will be posted under the meet notice
  • Separate entry fees apply- $5 per swim, max $15

Straehle Championship Meet.  

  • July 23rd Invitational Meet
  • How to Qualify  - For individual events, times submitted must have been swum in a dual meet during the 2023 season, and must be equal to or faster than qualifying times. Competitors must have swum in at least two dual meets during the current season
  • Individuals are limited to entering (3) events and a relay.
  • Individuals entered in a relay must have swum an official relay in a dual meet during the 2023 season, which recorded a time that qualifies for that event.   Each team may enter only 1 relay team in each relay event.
  • Separate entry fees apply $5 per swim, maximum $20

Division IV Championship Meet   

  • Saturday July 26th
  • West Howard
  • How to Qualify
    • Top 4 fastest times in each event swim; we attempt to have as many swimmers from our team to participate.  
    • Each swimmer is limited to entering (4) events (3 individual events plus a relay).  Any swimmer who does not want to swim or cannot swim should declare their swimmer as soon as possible.
  • Separate entry fees apply $5 per swim, maximum $20

Junior Coaches for the 2024 Wahoo Swim Season:   

Roles and Responsibilities: 

  • Assist with practice including set up and clean up
  • Teach novice swimmers stroke technique under guidance of coaches
  • Attend meets
  • MOTIVATE and CHEER for all swimmers at meets.
  • Assist with other duties as assigned