Manta Rays News 1.9.26

Jocelyn Paxton

Hey there Swim Fans! Here's your weekly team news: 

Gold Check Out Policy Reminder

We are still having issues with Gold Check out.  This policy change was emailed out on 12/30/25:

Effective, Monday, January 5th, 2026, we will be making a temporary adjustment to our Check in/out team policy.

Please note that:

  • There will be no change to Purple practice time check in/out sign ups.  We will still require a parent volunteer to manage check in and out for these groups.
  • For Gold practice times:
    • Athletes will be required to check themselves in daily.  If they do not check themselves in, they will not be eligible for attendance weekly incentives or end of season award recognition.
    • A responsible adult must come into the facility to check out ALL swimmers, regardless of age.
      • Families that carpool will still be permitted to check out multiple swimmers under their supervision and escort them out of the facility.
      • One parent may check out other swimmers not under their supervision, if they are escorting them out of the facility and maintains supervision until they are in the care of their guardian.
      • The only exception to this will be for any Manta Rays swimmer that is legally able to transport themselves to practice (meaning they have a valid driver's license and a working vehicle).
    • On days practice is held at the YMCA, we will only need a check-in person, but we will need them for both Purple and Gold practices.

Here is the updated January Sign Up for check in and check out: https://signup.com/go/rpXyTSk

 

State & Regional Meet Sign Up Information

State & Regional information is now available on the team website (under the calendar/team events tab)!  If your athlete has met a qualification time for State/Regionals, you will need to “Commit to Attend” these events.  You can do this anytime between now and the deadline below.

After you have committed to attend, your TU account will be invoiced for the Championship season fees ($65 for State, $75 for Regionals).  I will do my best to update invoices as often as possible so you can pay these fees when it is convenient for you.  Please note that if you do not pay manually, the fees on your account will automatically be paid on the 1st of the next month.

These fees cover athlete participation fees for these meets, practice time, state/regional qualifier t-shirts & caps, parade materials and more! 

Over the next several weeks, we will be discussing strategies with athletes about their individual events and potential relay options.  The coaching team will communicate with families as we narrow down our choices! 

  • Deadline to register for State: Monday, February 16th, 2026  
  • Deadline to Register for Regionals: Monday, March 9th, 2026.
  • State Parade Theme 2026: The Red Carpet

 

Middle School Swim Team and Meets:

Middle School Swim Team practices begin January 22nd.  Middle School Swim Team is open to any 7th & 8th grader in the MSCD or surrounding schools.  If you haven’t signed up for middle school swim and are interested, please contact Coach Susan immediately!

On the nights of middle school home meets (2/12 & 2/24), there will be NO practice held for Purple practice time, but GOLD practice will have practice following the conclusion of the meet (Start time may vary and will be communicated via Heja).  We will be ordering pizza for the Manta Rays that compete in the meet so our swimmers can eat something and stay for practice that night (no need to skip ;)). 

Gold Practice will only last an hour (and will not be an intense workout) following middle school meets If your athlete can’t stay after the home meet, please communicate that with the coaching team.

Please be sure to double check your swim meet commitments!

We have had reports of technical issues and would hate for a swimmer to miss a swim meet because you thought you’d signed up but had a technical malfunction during that process. Please ensure you are signed up for any future meets you want to attend!

Upcoming Deadlines & Important Dates

  • January 12th: Sign Up Deadline for YMCA meet at Cedar Rapids (MACR)
  • January 22nd: Practice at the YMCA (MHS Boys Home Swim meet)
  • January 23rd: Practice at YMCA (MHS Basketball double header)
  • January 26th: Home Swim Meet Sign Up Deadline: February Invitational (2/7)
  • January 30th: Practice at the YMCA (MHS Basketball double header)
  • January 31st: Sign Up Deadline for USA IASI 8u Regional/8u Champs Meet @ Linn-Mar.

Last Day of Practice for non-State/Regional Qualifiers (aka: TEAM FUN DAY/END OF SEASON AWARDS): Monday, February 16th: 5:45-7:15 pm

Our final day of practices for swimmers not qualified for state/regionals is Monday, February 16th.  

This will be our annual team fun day and end of season awards!

Parents are encouraged to come watch the fun (chaos)!  If your swimmer will not be swimming at State or Regionals gear bags will need to be taken home this day and ribbon folders should be cleaned out as well.

 

Thanks & Go Manta Rays!