Manta Rays News 12.12.25
Happy Friday Manta Rays!
Here's your weekly team news!
Top Times
Have you ever wanted to look up your swimmer’s best times all in one spot, see where they rank within our team, in the state or in the region? Here are some resources so you can look up your swimmer’s times:
Manta Rays Top Rays Page: https://www.gomotionapp.com/team/ymca-2205/page/top-rays
- Top times are listed after each meet with State and Regional qualifier indicators.
- “Top Rays” are the fastest 10 athletes in each event, age group and gender in the history of the team (since 2015-2016 season when we officially became “Manta Rays”).
Iowa YMCA Website: https://www.gomotionapp.com/team/iysec/page/records--rank
- The state committee runs reports for the top 20 fastest times in the state by event, age group and gender. This list is updated weekly (usually on Wednesday or Thursday).
- Times from the last several seasons are also posted here.
Swim Cloud: https://www.swimcloud.com/
- Swim Cloud tracks times submitted across the nation in both USA and YMCA.
- You can refine searches based on league (YMCA or USA), age group, gender, event, or look at overall fastest times.
USA Registered Swimmers: https://www.usaswimming.org/about-usas/resources/swims-database
- USA SWIMS database is for USA registered athletes only
- Times can be found by searching for individual athletes or rankings.
Practice attendance and check in/out reminders
As the holidays approach we know that gatherings, family functions and other holiday activities throw a wrench in our day-to-day routines! A few quick reminders about attendance, and check in/outs:
Check In/Out:
In order to allow coaches to properly supervise athletes at practice locations, spend time building relationships with athletes and meet supervision requirements from all governing agencies (USA Swimming, Safe Sport, Praesidium, YMCA of the USA, etc…) the Manta Rays Swim Team has the following policies for check-in and check-out:
Check-in: all athletes will be checked in for practice, using approved methods, by a PARENT volunteer or other designated person. This is our only method of tracking attendance.
If check in/out is not accurate, we are not able to properly award our swimmers with charms for reaching attendance goals. Please be sure you are helping with check in/out as asked.
Sign up for check in/out slots AND show up!! You should get reminder emails for shifts via SignUp.com.
If for any reason, you are unable to work your check-in/out slot, YOU are responsible for finding a replacement. Post a plea for help in Heja on the main page, reach out to people directly to see if they can trade or cover! Please don’t leave us without a person to check in/out!
Here is the link for January Check in/out shifts:
Arrival Times and Communication
We know that delays happen…weather, forgotten swimsuits, life in general; but when swimmers consistently arrive late for practice they miss critical information, dynamic stretching/warm-up on land and opportunities to connect with coaches and teammates. Here are our team policies and recommendations regarding practice arrivals and communications:
- Swimmers should arrive at their practice locations promptly before practice is scheduled to start. Practice times are limited. Late arrivals cause confusion and interrupt the workout of other swimmers. We understand the occasional delay, but regular tardiness should not be the norm and will be addressed.
- Swimmers are expected to be ready to practice at scheduled times. This refers to physically as well as emotionally and mentally. Swimmers should be in suits with caps, goggles, and other gear ready to go at scheduled start times. We also expect swimmers to focus, listen, and follow the directions from the coaching team. Any swimmer that cannot follow instructions, tries to skip sets repeatedly, or is just not putting their best foot forward, may be asked to leave practice for the day. Coaches should not have to sacrifice safety or the workout of other swimmers to repeatedly coax effort from an unwilling swimmer.
- Communication!!! If your swimmer is unable to attend practice, is struggling, has additional needs that will affect practices, etc… please communicate with the coaches. Lack of communication leads to confusion, disruption of practices, assumptions and other situations that are not beneficial to the swimmer or the team.
- We ask that you create a group chat with ALL the coaches in Heja and post there if your swimmer will not be at practice.
- This ensures that the coaches leading that day are in the loop-we are not all at practice every day.
Strength Training Sessions:
It has come to our attention that attendance at Strength Training sessions has been extremely low (maybe 2-3 swimmers, at the most).
These sessions are an excellent opportunity to learn safe weightlifting, increase strength, flexibility and overall well-being from experienced, certified personal trainers.
The team pays for personal trainers to lead these sessions for our athletes. If these sessions are not beneficial or not well attended, we will stop offering them.
As a reminder, Strength training sessions are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays 5-6 pm at the YMCA for swimmers in Gold Junior & Gold Senior in 6th grade and above. If your swimmer is eligible but has not attended, please try to make an effort to attend or we will stop offering this service.
Quick Reminder: Be sure you are checking the team calendar for holiday practice schedule changes and upcoming meet deadlines!!!
Stay Safe and warm this weekend Manta Rays!
