COM Group Descriptions

Each group has specific skill and training expectations, and final placement decisions are made by the coaching staff.

Developmental 1 (7-10 year olds) and Splash (5-6 year olds)

At the developmental level, our athletes are new to swimmming and self-dscovery. Practice groups are based on swimmers ages.  Their primary focus is developing skills and stroke technique necessary for success in competitive swimming.  Swimmers are expected to participate in Mini-Prix meets throughout the year and compete in their championship meet. 

In order to be considered for a spot in the Developmental 1 or Splash group, a swimmer must achieve the following two criteria:

  1. Swim 25 yards of freestyle without stopping

  2. Swim 25 yards of backstroke without stopping


Developmental 2 (7-10 year olds) and Developmental 2 (11 and Up)

At the developmental level, our athletes are new to swimmming and self-dscovery. Practice groups are based on swimmers ages.  Their primary focus is developing skills and stroke technique necessary for success in competitive swimming.  Swimmers are expected to participate in Mini-Prix meets throughout the year and compete in their championship meet

In order to be considered for a spot in the Developmental 2 group, coaches will be evaluating the following skills and training capabilities:​

  1. Demonstrate consistent, correct technique in freestyle and backstroke during practice and meets. 

  2. Swim 100 yards continuosly


Age Group White

Age Group White is for 4th grade or younger swimmers that have passed the developmental groups' requirements.  This is the first level of our "Age Group" program. Learning to Train and Race. Swimmers are expected to participate in their scheduled meets throughout the year and in their championship meet. 
In order to be considered for a spot in the Age Group White group, coaches will be evaluating the following performance, technical skills and training capabilities:

  1. Swim legal 25's of each stroke


Age Group Black 1

Age Group Black 1 is for 5-6 graders.  In this group, swimmers continue to improve the way they swim all four strokes and begin to practice swimming longer and with more focus.  Swimmers are expected to participate in their scheduled meets throughout the year and compete in their championship meet. 
In order to be considered for a spot in the Age Group Black 1 group, a swimmer must achieve just one criteria:

  1. Swim legal 25's of each stroke


Age Group Black 2

Age Group Black 2 is for 5-6th graders and have met the minimum requirements of training ability in this group. Swimmers work on sharpening their technique in all four strokes while gradually learning how to swim with more effort and endurance and begin learning what training looks like in our sport.
In order to be considered for a spot in the Age Group Black 2 group, coaches will be evaluating the following performance, technical skills and training capabilities:

  1. Legal 100 IM

  2. Swim 8x75 on 1:20


Age Group Gold 1

Age Group Gold 1 is for 7–8th graders who are proficient in all four strokes and ready to take the next step in their training. While practices continue to focus on developing skills and refining technique, a greater emphasis is placed on building training ability and learning how to work hard on a daily basis. This group helps swimmers strengthen their discipline, endurance, and consistency, preparing them for the higher demands of the next level in our sport.
In order to be considered for a spot in the Age Group Gold 1 group, a swimmer must achieve just one criteria:

  1. Swim legal 25's of each stroke

 

​Age Group Gold 2

Age Group Gold 2 is for 7–8th graders who already have strong skills and understand how to train. The focus of this group is “Training to Compete.” Swimmers begin to connect the work they do in practice with their performance in competition.  We start to really connect the dots of training and competition in this group. Age Group Gold 2 athletes will compete in Midland, out of town and compete at senior level meets if they are qualified.

In order to be considered for a spot in this group, coaches will be evaluating the following performance, technical skills and training capabilities:

  1. 8x100 Freestyle Swim @ 1:30


Senior 1 Black

Senior 1 Black is for new high schoolers, who does not meet requirements for Senior 2 Gold Group. This group provides a bridge between age group swimming and higher-level senior training. The focus is on continued development of stroke technique, building aerobic capacity, and learning how to handle the increased demands of high school swimming. Swimmers are expected to participate in meets throughout the year and compete in their championship meet. 


Senior 2 Gold

Senior Gold is the intermediate group for all high schoolers. Participation in swim meets throughout the season is a key part of this group, and athletes are expected to compete at their championship meet. This racing experience helps swimmers apply their training, build confidence, and prepare for the next level of competition.

In order to be considered for a spot in the Senior Gold group, coaches will be evaluating the following performance, technical skills and training capabilities:

  1. Swim 8x100 on 1:25 
     

Senior Select

The Select group is for high school age athletes striving for the highest level of performance in the sport of swimming.  Training includes instruction in stroke technique, dry land training, energy system training, and race strategy.  Swimmers are expected to compete in all meets on the meet schedule throughout the season, as well as at championship meets assigned by the coaches.  Swimmers are expected to maintain high grades, complete service hours to the team as requested by the coach, be at 7 of 8 practices per week.  This group is the highest level of the COM Swim Team and is expected to be leaders by example in our 7 habits and core values. 

In order to be considered for a spot in the Senior Select group, coaches will be evaluating the following performance, technical skills and training capabilities:

  1. Swim 8x100 on 1:15 (boys) 1:20 (girls) 

  2. Have a USA Swimming 15-16, AA time in 2 or more events

  3. Exemplify the COM habits and core values