Manta Rays Team News 1.30.26

Jocelyn Paxton

Good Morning Manta Rays!  Here's your weekly Team News!

Last Day of Practice for non-State/Regional Qualifiers: 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.

 

Iowa Games

Good luck to all our Manta Rays participating in Iowa Games this weekend! If you have not communicated that your athlete is participating in this optional swim meet, please let me know ASAP.  The electronic results file is difficult to navigate and adjust, it’s helpful to know ahead which swimmers and events to look for, since times achieved at Iowa Games can be used for both YMCA and USA Championship qualification times!

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!  T-shirt order forms will be available soon for any non-athletes that wish to show their support, athletes will automatically receive a championship team t-shirt.

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 order State T-shirts: Friday, February 20th, 2026 (by end of practice) 
  • State Parade Theme 2026: The Red Carpet
  • Deadline to Register for Regionals: Monday, March 9th, 2026.
  • Deadline to Order Regional T-Shirt: Monday, March 9th, 2026 (by end of practice)

 

End of Season Deadlines & Important Dates:

  • 1/30/26: Practice at MHS (originally scheduled for the YMCA)
  • 1/31/26: IASI Regionals & 8U Champs Sign Up deadline: USA athletes only!
  • 2/3/26: Practices at the YMCA
  • 2/3/26: YMCA Sectional Meet sign Up deadline
  • 2/7/26: Manta Rays Home Swim Meet at MHS
  • 2/8/26: IASI Age Group Champs Meet Sign Up Deadline: USA athletes only!
  • 2/12/26: SCJH Home Swim Meet at MHS: No Purple Practice, Gold Practice will be held following the meet.  Pizza will be provided for SCJH Manta Rays that STAY for practice!
  • 2/13/26: Practices at YMCA
  • 2/14/26: IASI Senior Champs Meet Sign Up Deadline: USA Athletes only!
  • 2/14/26: IASI Regionals & 8u Champs Meet at Linn-Mar
  • 2/15/26: Manta Rays Host Sectionals at MHS
  • 2/16/26: Last Day of practice for all swimmers-Team Award & Fun Day 5:45-7:15 pm
  • 2/17/26: Practices for State & Regional Qualifiers only!  Practice Times TBD!

Stay Safe and Warm & Have a wonderful weekend!

Go Manta Rays!