After missing two outdoor seasons, we are beyond thrilled to announce that Waves Summer Recreational League is back for 2021!
The summer season will run from June 1 through June 28 at the West Plains Aquatic Center Outdoor Pool. Meets are currently scheduled for June 12th in Mtn View, June 19th at West Plains, and June 26th at Houston. Meet dates and locations are subject to change. An end of season Awards & Pool Party is scheduled for June 28th at the West Plains Aquatic Center. Registration information and practice times will be announced soon. Join us on Facebook for the most up to date information. #GoWaves
The Waves traveled to Benton, Arkansas for the 2021 Battle for the Belt February 19-21. Point-earning finals swims included:
Brylee Barnes – 22nd Place in the 200 Breast with a 3:31.70; 22nd Place in the 50 Fly with a 41.30; 25th Place in the 100 Fly with a 1:34.86 Jake Bramwell – 4th Place in the 50 Free with a 23.83; 22nd Place in the 100 Breast with a 1:19.92 Elias Curtis – 12th Place in the 50 Free with a 25.42; 8th Place in the 100 Fly with a 1:02.00 Dawson Fiorino – 14th Place in the 100 Fly with a 1:06.24 Roslyn Fiorino – 24th Place in the 200 Free with a 2:29.16 Isaac Kammerer – 8th Place in the 50 Free with a 24.81; 5th Place in the 100 Fly with a 1:00.55 Brock Larsen – 19th Place in the 100 Breast with a 1:19.32 Avery Miller – 6th Place in the 100 Free with a 53.95; 6th Place in the 200 Free with a 2:00.82; 7th Place in the 50 Back with a 31.08; 11th Place in the 100 Back with a 1:02.45; 8th Place in the 100 Breast with a 1:13.22; 4th Place in the 50 Fly with a 26.99; 7th Place in the 100IM with a 1:05.61 Isaac Miller – 6th Place in the 25 Free with a 17.73; 7th Place in the 50 Free with a 41.32; 9th Place in the 100 free with a 1:35.01; 8th Place in the 200 Free with a 3:32.52; 7th Place in the 50 Back with a 47.28; 7th Place in 50 Breast with a 54.24; 4th Place in the 100 Breast with a 1:54.86; 6th Place in the 100IM with a 1:49.19 Ethan Squires – 17th Place in the 50 Free with a 26.26; 21st Place in the 100 Breast with a 1:19.55
USA SWIMMING REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL SWIMMERS
*Annual $20 flex (2 USA meets a year) or $70 premium (unlimited meets) USA registration is for every swimmer is required.
Registration covers pool access for practice time only between Tuesday January 5th to May 15th, 2021. If pool is closed due to COVID-19 we will attempt to make up sessions if possible. No refunds will be given.
Email completed forms to wpwavesswimclub@gmail.com or bring to the first practice. Payment is due at registration.
Tidal Waves 1: 6:00-6:45 pm Tuesday and Thursday. Rate: $200.00. Focus will be strictly on technique and acquiring 4 legal strokes. Practices will be on Tuesday and Thursdays only at this time. If we have room on Saturdays or if our capacity guidelines change we will make this available.
Tidal Wave 2: 6:00- 7:00 pm Tuesday and Thursday. Rate: $200.00. Focus will be on technique, acquiring strong head/body alignment and breathing to prevent injuries and learning new drills needed to move into Age Group 1. Practices will be on Tuesday and Thursdays only at this time. If we have room on Saturdays or if our capacity guidelines change we will make this available.
Age Group 1: 6:00- 7:00 pm on Tuesday and Thursday. Saturday 10:00am-12:00pm. Rate: $200.00. Focus will be on technique as well as aerobic development. Training sets are introduced with time intervals. Swimmers learn to use the pace clock, learn lane etiquette and complete basic sets.
Age Group 2: 7:00 pm- 8:30 pm on Tuesday and Thursday. Saturday 10:00am-12:00pm. Rate: $225.00. Continued focus on technique, drills, turns and finishes. Swimmers complete various types of sets and conditioning to increase performance. Time intervals used throughout practice.
Varsity: 6:45 pm- 8:30 pm on Tuesday and Thursday. Saturday 10:00am-12:00 pm. Rate: $225.00 Continued focus on technique, drills, turns and finishes. Swimmers complete various types of sets to increase performance. Faster time intervals used throughout practice with increased yardage without stopping. One lane only is available in the fall.
COVID-19 Safety Guidelines:
1. All swimmers must have a signed COVID-19 liability waiver which is in the registration packet. Please print the registration packet and bring to practice with payment. We understand that not all families feel comfortable returning to swim practice. While your participation is welcome, we understand and support any decisions to postpone your return to the water. It is ultimately up to parents to determine if they want their child to resume practice.
2. Civic Center workers will take temperatures. Temps of over 100 will not be allowed entry to the facility. Please continue to be respectful. If you feel sick, have a fever, and/or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 please stay home. Continue good hand hygiene.
3. No parents on deck (unless the swimmer has a medical condition) to help us adhere to the Civic Center occupancy guidelines. We are allowed 10 people on deck including coaches and guards. Coaches will try to increase communication on how your child is doing in practice. Please feel free to contact me or your swimmer’s coach about progress or concerns.
4. Swimmers can now bring bags into the civic center when the weather starts to change. They will need to wipe down the chairs after use. Swimmers may bring a kick board, fins, paddles, cap and goggles on the pool deck. No sharing equipment. Water bottles and equipment must be clearly labeled. Fill water bottles at home.5. Swimmers will come dressed for practice. No locker room changing or showers before/after practice. Deck coats will work great as the temperature changes. Swimmers will enter and exit the facility using social distancing and/or can wear a mask if they choose.6. No more than 4 people in bathrooms at a time per Civic Center rules.
7. Lane set-up will be different for social distancing. Some swimmers will do walk backs and stand on deck spread apart. Number of athletes in a lane will be reduced and/or lanes widened. Lap swimming lanes will have different stop/start points to keep swimmers distanced. Please advise your kids that practice will have new rules that we have to follow. If swimmers do not follow the rules, they will sit out.
8. We will need to wipe down any chairs we use as well as handles after use. The Civic Center has provided wipe stations, hand sanitizer, and have installed foot door openers in bathrooms to reduce surface contamination.
9. Currently, USA meets are not available. When restarting USA competitions we will be limited to meets within our LSC. Apparently we can receive permission to compete in other adjacent LSCs from Ozark Swimming (i.e. Arkansas and Missouri Valley). Non-sanctioned meets at area pools may be considered as local health guidance allows.
These rules/regulations are changing as guidelines change. Join our West Plains Waves Facebook group for the most up to date information.
This is ONLY for swimmers who have paid for the Winter Session (January through May). Unfortunately, we are unable to take any new swimmers AT THIS TIME due to facility number restrictions. Coaches are looking at the possibility of Summer League in July, based on pool availability and federal, state, and local COVID-19 restrictions.
Interim Practice Schedule (subject to change):
Group 1 (swimmers usually in lanes 1,2,3): 7:00-7:45pm Swim Practice
Group 2 (swimmers usually in lanes 4,5,6): 7:00 -7:45pm Outside Dryland (weather permitting; back cement patio or parking lot). Bring a yoga mat or towel, running shoes, shorts, and shirt over swimsuit.
Groups 1&2: 7:45-8:00 pm Transition time (maintain 6-ft distance).
Practice Guidelines to ensure the safety of our swimmers:
1. All swimmers must have a signed COVID-19 Liability Waiver. Please print and bring to practice. We understand that not all families feel comfortable returning to swim practice. While your participation is welcome, we understand and support any decisions to postpone your return to the water. It is ultimately up to parents to determine if they want their child to resume practice.
2. Civic Center workers will take temperatures. Temps of over 100o will not be allowed entry to the facility. Please continue to be respectful. If you feel sick, have a fever, and/or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please stay home. Continue good hand hygiene.
3. No parents on deck (unless the swimmer has a medical condition) to help us adhere to the Civic Center occupancy guidelines. Coaches will try to increase communication on how your child is doing in practice.
4. Swimmers will keep swim and gear bags in the car (unless needing inhalers, etc). Swimmers may bring a kick board, fins, paddles, cap and goggles on the pool deck. No sharing equipment. Water bottles and equipment must be clearly labeled. Fill water bottles at home.
5. Swimmers will come dressed for practice. No locker room changing or showers before/after practice. We prefer swimmers to dry off outside curbside if weather permits. Swimmers will enter and exit the facility using social distancing.
6. No more than 2 people in bathrooms at a time per Civic Center rules.
7. Lane set-up will be different for social distancing. Some swimmers will do walk backs and stand on deck spread apart. Lap swimming lanes may be widened with swimmer stop/start points distanced from others. Parents, please advise your swimmers that practice will have new rules that we have to follow. If swimmers do not follow the rules, they will sit out.
8. We will need to wipe down any chairs we use as well as handles after use. The Civic Center has provided wipe stations, hand sanitizer, and have installed foot door openers in bathrooms to reduce surface contamination.
Coach Kristi Sheridan says, “Things are going to look a bit different fora while. Please be patient during this transition. We are fortunate to get water time even if kids don’t practice for a full two hours.”
4/16/2020 Updated Bulletin to all Ozark USA Swimming members: Due to the continued concerns of contracting and/or passing on the COVID-19 virus, we must adhere to the USA Swimming mandate. No meets, practices, training are to be held during the banned period (currently through April 30, 2020), period. Additionally, an extension of the ban on sanctioned meets has been extended till May 31, 2020.
Waves coaching staff is closely monitoring local, state, and federal guidance to determine when practices can safely resume. Information regarding practices and summer swim league will be posted as soon as it is available. Please be patient during this tough time. The health of our athletes and their families is paramount.
Parents: Click Here for tips from USA Swimming on talking to your kids about COVID-19.
The Waves coaching staff met this evening to discuss the practice schedule for the next 2 weeks. In the best interest of our community, families, coaches, and athletes, we have made the difficult decision to suspend all water workouts for the next 2 weeks.
We are all being asked to do our part to slow the spread the coronavirus. Effective 3/16/20, the CDC is recommending avoiding gathering in groups of more than 10 people for the next 15 days. Even if you are young and otherwise healthy, your activities can increase the risk for others. Visit 15 DAYS TO SLOW THE SPREAD for more information at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/…/03.16.20_coronavirus-guidance_…
Visit West Plains Waves Swim Team Facebook group for a 2-week coaches dry-land challenge which will provide a safe option to stay fit and healthy at home.
Effective March 16, 2020, Waves will move from organized swim practices to “Open Swim Sessions” during regular practice times.
Waves Swim Club is committed to the safety and well-being of our swimmers, families, and coaches. Our coaching staff has been closely monitoring guidance from local and state health departments and the CDC regarding the rapidly developing COVID-19 situation.
As of March 15, 2020, the CDC is recommending that for the next 8 weeks, organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the U.S. For more information on mass events visit: CDC Large Events
We are blessed to have so many registered swimmers this winter season and most practices have between 30-40 swimmers attending. For the safety of others, effective March 16, 2020 Waves will move from organized swim practices to “Open Swim Sessions” during regular practice times at the West Plains Civic Center. As with other group events, parents are encouraged to use their judgement for whether their child should attend. Swimmers are encouraged to change and shower at home to limit locker room time.
The coaching staff will continue to monitor the situation and make determinations for suspending practice on a day-by-day basis. If West Plains Civic Center closes to the public, we will suspend practice. For the most up to date cancellation list, visit us on Facebook.
March 12, 2020 – Waves Swim Club is committed to the safety and well-being of our swimmers, families, and coaching staff.
To reduce the potential risks of COVID-19 transmission, please DO NOT come to swim practice if your swimmer and/ OR a household member: 1) Have signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat. 2) In the last 14 days, they have had contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID19, or under investigation for COVID-19, OR are ill with respiratory illness. 3) Have traveled internationally within the last 14 days to countries with sustained community transmission. Affected country list: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
We appreciate your efforts in helping our team stay safe!
As of March 12, USA Swimming has made the decision to suspend all events, camps, conferences, or any occasion that requires athletes to travel and gather for the next 30 days. Additionally, they are recommending all LSCs and clubs suspend all USA Swimming sanctioned competitions that require athletes to travel for the next 30 days. For more information visit: https://www.usaswimming.org/news-landing-page/2020/03/12/coronavirus-(covid-19)-update
Waves swimmer Avery Miller wins two events at the Ozark D1 Championships
The Waves competed in the Division 1 Ozark LSC Championships in St. Peters, MO February 28 – March 1. Nine athletes participated in the USA swim meet with Avery Miller winning two individual events for the first time in the program’s history.
Miller placed first in 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard individual medley, second in 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle events, and third in 200-yard individual medley. He also finished 11th in 500-yard freestyle and 14th in the 50-yard breaststroke.
“It was inspiring to see Avery step up and compete with athletes from larger teams from around the state of Missouri and Illinois,” said Waves head coach Kristi Sheridan. “Avery had a perfect race in the 50-yard freestyle, out touching his competitor by 0.01 [one one-hundredth of a second]. It is very satisfying as a coach to see what you practice every week come together for a big win under tremendous pressure. This was our first swimmer in Wave history to win an event at the Ozark Championships. Avery is a very coachable athlete and always wants to find a way to be faster. These young athletes have significantly benefited from year-round training, and we are excited to be noticed on the state level. Two years ago we had one athlete qualify for this high-level meet. This year we had 11 qualifiers. This shows tremendous progress in a short amount of time with limited time in the pool compared to larger, big city programs. Swimming is another great activity for the youth in our community and we are excited to see our program succeed on the state level.”
Other finalists in the division championship meet included Josiah Spurling who finished 13th in 50-yard butterfly and 15th in 100-yard butterfly and Gwen Fiorino who finished 13th in the 50-yard butterfly finals. The Waves qualified their first relay to a division meet. The team of Paige Sheridan, Evie Niesen, Riley Spurling and Audrey Land finished 13th in the 200-yard medley relay and 15th in the 400-yard freestyle relay.
“It is encouraging to see these young athletes compete at this level with such determination and sportsmanship,” said Coach John Niesen. “We have a promising group of swimmers that have tremendous potential in high school and even as collegiate athletes. Some of them are already close to making state high school qualifying times at these young ages.”
Athletes qualifying for the meet included: Gwendolyn Fiorino, Roslyn Fiorino, Savannah Holt, Audrey Land, Avery Miller, Evie Niesen, Josiah Spurling, Riley Spurling, Paige Sheridan, Emma Tugwell, and Austin Young. These 14-year-old and younger athletes qualified for the Ozark Championship meet by achieving a USA swimming BB time cut or faster.
The following swimmers helped break 13 Waves team records in their age division reflecting significant growth and development of the Waves program: Avery Miller broke the 11-12 year old boys Wave record in 50-yard freestyle, 200-yard freestyle, and 100-yard individual medley; Pagie Sheridan broke the 13-14 year old girls Wave record in 500-yard freestyle and 100-yard breaststroke; Gwen Fiorino broke the 9-10 year old girls Wave record in the 200-yard individual medley and 50-yard butterfly; Josiah Spurling broke the 9-10 year old boys Wave record in 100-yard freestyle, 50-yard butterfly, and 100-yard butterfly.
“Winning events at the Ozark Championships is just icing on the cake,” said Coach Joe Fiorino. “The Waves Swim Club is passionate about teaching our area youth how to swim while developing their character in and outside of the pool.”
wavesswimclub.com 