| Who may compete on the team?
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Any student enrolled in District 200, grades 9 - 12, who is carrying and passing a full load of classes. This team is a cooperative venture between Wheaton North High School and Wheaton Warrenville South High School.
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| When and where does the team practice? |
Girls practice in the fall; boys practice in the winter. Please see our practice schedule pages (boys or girls) for the full details on practice times. All swim practices and dryland are at Wheaton College; weights, dryland, and running (two to three days per week) are at Wheaton College and/or the High Schools.
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| What do I have to do to sign up? |
Be sure to register with your High School Guidance Counselor in the spring. Girls will need early release first semester. Boys will need early release for both semesters.
You will also need to sign up in the athletic office by filling out a registration form, physical, and parental release form. Team dues must be paid with these forms. Do not give any of these forms or money to your coach. Return them to the athletic office only.
Finally, please fill out a new swimmer form and a team conduct form (see our handouts page) and return it to a coach.
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| How many people make the team? |
We are a non-cut sport, so any one who is safe in the water will be allowed to participate. Generally, the girls team has had around 60-70 athletes and the boys team has had about 30-40 athletes with the following breakdown
| |
girls |
boys |
| Varsity |
30 |
20 |
| Junior Varsity |
20 |
15 |
| Diving |
10 |
5 |
| TOTAL |
60 |
40 |
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| What are the requirements for making the team? |
New swimmers and divers should be confident swimmers, but need not have competitive swimming or diving backgrounds. If you come each day, are willing to learn, and give 100% effort, you will succeed on this team.
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| How will I get to practice each day? |
We carpool from WWSHS and WNHS each day. Athletes with cars usually take the bulk of the students, but parents' help is also required each year. A carpool assignment will be made before school starts (girls) and at the beginning of the season (boys). Please e-mail a coach if you are willing to help drive.
Each athlete is responsible for his / her own transportation on Saturdays and Holidays, and for transportation home after practices and meets. All van / bus trips to meets will start and end at Wheaton College. Do not hesitate to ask if you need help finding someone to carpool with.
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| How will I get to away meets? |
We will take a van or bus to all away meets. Athletes may not transport themselves to a meet under any circumstances. Athletes may ride to a meet with a parent (your own) under dire circumstances and with written permission only.
Everyone will travel to all meets (with the exception of Sectionals and State), even if they are not competing. This helps create an atmosphere of team unity and support. For some meets, diving will occur on Friday night, while swimming occurs on Saturday. Swimmers are encouraged to attend these diving sessions after practice on Friday; divers are encouraged to travel with the swimmers on Saturday.
All van or bus rides will begin and end at Wheaton College. On meet days during the week, we will come to the College as usual and have a few minutes for homework before leaving. Student will have access to a telephone after meets, but parents should try to be at the College when the bus returns (for the coaches' sake!)
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| What events occur at a High School Meet? How will I know what I am swimming? |
At some meets (invitationals, relay meets, etc.), a non-traditional order of events will be followed. However, at nearly every meet we swim, the IHSA published event order will be used (see below). If there is more than one level being swum at a meet, the heats will run from slow to fast (i.e. Junior Varsity 200 medley relay followed by Varsity 200 medley relay). At most meets, diving will be held after the fourth event of the meet (the 50 free). At some meets, it may be held instead as the first event of the meet.
The coaching staff chooses each swimmers' events based on both the individual's needs and the team needs. Our team focuses on creating well rounded swimmers. Therefore, you should expect to swim most events offered at least once during the year. Most swimmers will swim two or three events per meet. However, some meet hosts place limitations on the number of swimmers allowed per team. You will be notified during the days leading up to a meet what you will be swimming.
IHSA Official Order of Events
200 medley relay
200 freestyle
200 Individual medley
50 freestyle
1-meter diving
100 butterfly
100 freestyle
500 freestyle
200 free relay
100 backstroke
100 breaststroke
400 free relay
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| What should I bring to meets and practice? |
For meets, bring your team suit and caps (always bring an extra), several pairs of goggles, and a few towels. Wear your team warm-ups (or team shirt if you were not given warm-ups). Bring plenty to drink (water or gatorade) and something to munch on (fruit, bagel, etc). Do not bring candy, pop, or junkfood. Do not bring anything in a glass bottle.
For practice, you should bring your suit(s), 2 or 3 caps (in case one breaks), several pairs of goggles, your water bottle, and a towel. For dryland workouts, bring workout clothes (t-shirt, shorts, running shoes).
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| Can I do both swimming and diving? |
New athletes may have a 2-week trial to experience both activities. However, after 2 weeks, athletes are asked to choose one sport or the other.
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