Weekly Update

Erin McCann

Weekly Update

Great job at the SSA Kona Ice Invitational for those who attended! The results are posted on our website now. Login>click events tab>click past events>click Kona Ice Invite>scroll down>click results file.

Announcements

Our new block wedges are up!!

The outdoor pool is going to be closed over Fall break this week, September 30th-October 4th, to install the bubble over the pool. This will result in all MSA practices taking place at the indoor pool during this time. Updates are posted below for this temporary schedule, which will only take place while the bubble is going up. After the bubble is up we will resume the normal MSA schedule.

The MSA Intrasquad Meet sign-ups are now CLOSED.

The Fran Norris Invitational sign ups are open and the deadline to register is October 4th. If your swimmer(s) are attending please begin registering them for this Invite. We WILL NOT be accepting any late entries. All entries are due October 4th and if you fail to sign-up your swimmer(s) then they will not be able to participate.

Practice Schedule Changes

Upcoming Schedule Changes (9/30/24-10/4/24)

This Week’s Practice Schedule:

This week is going to be very crowded in terms of lane space while the bubble is going up over the outdoor pool. Please be patient with coaches and staff while this is taking place.

White: T/TH 3:30-4:30PM Indoor.

Yellow: M/W/F 3:30-4:30PM Indoor.

Blue: M-F 3:30-4:30PM. M-F Indoor.

Bronze: M-F 3:30-4:30PM. M-F Indoor.

Silver: M/W/F 4:30-6:00PM. T/TH 4:30-5:30PM swim followed by 5:30-6:00PM dryland/technique. M-F Indoor. Sat is the Intrasquad Meet so there is no practice.

Gold: M/W/F 4:30-5:00PM activities/shoulders/goal setting followed by 5:00-6:30PM swim. T/TH 4:30-5:30PM activities/shoulders/goal setting followed by 5:30-6:30PM swim. M-F Indoor. Sat is the Intrasquad Meet so there is no practice.

MSA Gear and News

The “swim outlet” link and “apparel lab” link are updated now for the 2024-2025 MSA Season gear. You can click on the links to check out our new merch, the team suits for swim meets, and the gear lists. All of this is also on our website.

This is what each group will need, we recommend purchasing an equipment bag as well.

Yellow & White: Fins/KickBoard/Pull Buoy
Blue & Bronze: Fins/KickBoard/Hand Paddles/Pull Buoy
Silver: Fins/KickBoard/Hand Paddles/Pull Buoy
Gold: Fins/KickBoard/Hand Paddles/Pull Buoy/Snorkel/Tempo Trainer

https://www.swimoutlet.com/collections/msa

Get Involved!!!

Become an Official

MSA regularly needs officials to host meets and run the consistent and high-quality competitions we have become known for. Each MSA Meet must have certified USA-S certified officials conducting the meet for each swimmer to receive official credit for their swims/times.

If you have any questions about the process, please contact our MSA Officials Point of Contact, Heather Koehler at [email protected]

Parent Education

I have been adding a few readings onto the Weekly Updates. Here you will be able to find articles written by coaches, parents, athletes, psychologists, etc., about team sports, importance of parent involvement, and roles that seemingly assist coaches, parents, and athletes in their endeavors through the greatest sport in the world (swimming).

Optimistic Athletes vs Pessimistic Athletes

https://chrismance.com/2020/08/28/optimistic-athletes-vs-pessimistic-athletes-a-mindset-comparison/

Swim Parents: Your Stress & Expectations Are Contagious

https://swimswam.com/swim-parents/

Other:

12 Things All Swim Parents Should Know

MSA Sponsors and Affiliates

Please remember that when you support our sponsors you are also supporting MSA! If you have or know of a business that would like to help a local non-profit organization support young swimmers and growing program, please have them contact Anna Wright at [email protected]

Boars Head

Papa Johns

PJ’s Coffee

Tyler Mann

Vertex Stone

Long Range Planning

Please note the schedule of the following events which will take place several months from now

Signup deadlines are generally 2 weeks before the event.

October 5: MSA Intrasquad Meet (Madison, AL)

October 18-20: Fran Norris Meet (Huntsville, AL)

November 8-10: Veteran’s Day Meet (Madison, AL)

December 6-8: John Servati Memorial Invitational (Tupelo, MS)