Hilton Area Swim Team (HAST)

Our team swim-a-thon is scheduled for Thursday night, 5:30 - 7:30. Swimmers should be gathering pledges and getting ready to swim laps for the full 2 hours. The goal is 200 laps! We are looking for parents to volunteer to stay and be lap counters.

Just a reminder to everyone that swam at the McDonalds championship meet, there is a flat fee of $6 per swimmer. Please put this fee in the Avery folder ASAP.

Congratulations to all our girls. The 9-10 group received the 2nd place team trophy for division 2. The following age groups received the 1st place team trophy for division 2: 11-12 girls, 13-14 girls, and 15 and over. Coach Snow and Coach John would like everyone to come to practice on Monday wearing their team suits to be photographed with their trophies. Individual trophies and ribbons will also be given out on Monday.

Good luck to all the boys!

Be sure to sign up for the end of season banquet ASAP. We need an approximate head count for purchasing meat. Each family is being asked to bring their own beverages, a dish to pass, and a gift for the Chinese auction. See sign up sheets located in display case of Merton Williams.

All HAST dues should have been paid in full by now. The club is still waiting on over$1800 in outstanding entry meet fees. The club has bills to pay and our season is quickly coming to a close. PLEASE - be sure your account is up to date. Remember all swimmers planning to swim the Spring and/or Summer session need to pay in full for the session before being allowed in the pool. If you have any questions about your account please check your folder for a current bill or contact Janet Avery. Thank you for your prompt attention!

McDonalds championships are coming up. Saturday March 29th is the girls meet and Sunday March 30th is the boys meet. Warm ups for both days are at 8:00 am with the meet starting at 9:00 am. Finals for the girls are warm ups at 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm start and the boys finals are warm ups at 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm start. There is not a meet file on the Niagara site. I have printed a copy of what I was forwarded and placed it in the glass case. I will have the computer at swim practice this week everyday except Wednesday. Please see me to sign up for this meet. Remember you must have swam in two dual/senior meets and must have qualifying times. Any questions please email me at dlajuett@hiltonswimteam.org.

Thank you,
Denise

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the date of our Swim-a-thon and Banquet have had to be changed. The Swim-a-thon will take place on Thursday, 4/3/08 and the Banquet will be on Sunday, 4/6/08. Info and pledge envelopes for the Swim-a-thon have been placed in family folders. Be sure to check folders regularly. Many people have pictures, bills, and awards that haven't been retrieved. Mark your calendars with these NEW DATES!

Thank you to all parents who attended the Parent Meeting tonight! For those unable to attend - here is what happened...

* Finances - Janet has prepared current bills for all families. When reading bill, you do not need to pay fundraising balance until after swim-a-thon. That will be last opportunity to fundraise for the season. Anything not credited toward $100 fundraisung will be due at end of season. Any questions about bills should be directed to Janet Avery. Payments can be put in Avery folder.

* Swim-a-thon - It will take place on 4/4/08. Information and pledge envelopes will be placed in folders next week. All pledges collected will go toward family fundraising obligation. Swimmers have 2 hours to swim a maximum of 200 laps.

* Banquet - End of season banquet will be on Saturday 4/5/08. Club will purchase meat/rolls. Each family asked to bring dish to pass. Looking for individuals to volunteer to organize banquet efforts. Place has been secured - same location as last year - VFW in Hilton. Would like to do Chinese auction as done last year. Each family brings a gift/prize. Lottery tickets sold at banquet to raffle off the prizes. Guaranteed to be lots of fun!

*Spring/Summer sessions - Spring session (4/21-6/6), Summer session (6/30-8/15), Three week dry land training (6/9-6/27) while pool is closed for maintenance. Cost - $100/session or $150 for both. Payment for these sessions must be paid in full at start of session.

* Volunteers are needed to time at Gold's and at McDonald's Championships. Sign up sheets will be in glass case next week.

* Go the Distance, Versatile Swimmer applications - be sure to complete these and turn them in to coach prior to end of regular swim season. Awards are freebies - all you have to do is fill out the application.

* Elections - if interested in a board position please make intentions known.

* Words from Coach Snow - Parents need to love, hug, encourage their kids but leave the "coaching" to the coaches. Kids who didn't make the times they hoped for this year need to try, try again! Celebrate the gains you've made this season! Swimmers are doing great - lots of improvement! New device called tempo trainer is helping swimmers get FASTER! Challenge was made - win 1250 points at Gold's next weekend and team can shave Coach Snow's head. Congrats to Cory Zorsch - he's headed to Orlando Florida to compete at Jr. Nationals. He is VERY CLOSE to an Olympic trial cut time. GOOD LUCK, CORY!!!