The mission of Sarpy County Swim Club is to provide the youth of our community with a USA competitive swimming club. SCSC provides training and competitive opportunities for swimmers of all abilities to reach their individual and team goals. We are dependent on committed swimmers, family participation, a dedicated board, and a well-qualified coaching staff. We strive to provide an enjoyable environment to build sportsmanship and strength of character, helping the individual swimmer to reach their full potential in and out of the water. The goal of our team is to provide every member an opportunity to improve swimming skills and achieve success at his or her level of ability, while promoting safety, perseverance, and integrity from novice to international competitors

Our vision is to inspire and enable our members to achieve excellence in the sport of swimming and in life. We support and value all swimmers whatever their level from novice to nationals.

Sarpy County Swim Club is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and a member club of USA Swimming, the national governing body for the sport of swimming. We serve the Omaha metropolitan area with families from Papillion, La Vista, Gretna, Bellevue and Offutt Air Force Base. SCSC was founded in 1994 as the Monarch Swim Club and has continued our standard of excellence. Today, SCSC has over 120 active members, while many of our alumni have become successful collegiate swimmers. Our coaches, staff and leadership bring over 200 years of combined swimming experience. Our team is led by Head Coach Nick Baker and Associate Head Coach Eric Rees, while being supported by administrative staff and an executive board of directors.

Papillion La Vista High School - 303 E. Cary St. Papillion, NE

Enter through the south pool doors in the alley. Click here for a map.

Parking is located in the south and north parking lots - DO NOT PARK IN FIRE LANES

Papio Bay Aquatic Center- 815 E. Halleck St. Papillion, NE

Senior group swimmers only — summer only

Nick Baker — Head Coach & CEO

Janet Cho — Team Administrator

Eric Rees — Associate Head Coach

Aidan Cho — Director, Business Operations & Masters Team

Trish Higby — Bookkeeper & Billing

To contact the SCSC board of directors, email bod@sarpycountyswimclub.com

Jeanie Taake — Board President

Aidan Cho — Board Treasurer

Lisa Click — Board Secretary

Nick Baker — Board Chairman, Head Coach & CEO

Janet Cho — Team Administrator & CAO

Trish Higby — Bookkeeper & CFO (ex-officio, non-voting)

Click on the coaches name to contact them or view their bio

Nick Baker — Head Coach & CEO, Senior Group Lead Coach

Eric Rees — Associate Head Coach

Jeff Daniels — Junior Group Lead Coach

Barb Anderson —  Seawolves Group Lead Coach

Riley Olson — Senior Group Assistant Coach

Paige Knight — Senior Group Assistant Coach

Billy Salber — Junior & Seawolves Group Assistant Coach

Danielle Barrera-Bojanski — Junior Coach/Seawolves Bronze

USA Swimming is committed to providing a healthy and positive environment free from abuse for all its members.  USA Swimming’s Safe Sport program, a comprehensive abuse prevention program, consists of a multi-layered approach to keep kids safe, including: required policies and best practice guidelines; mandatory screening, including criminal background checks and employment screening; training and education; monitoring, supervision and mandatory reporting.  These measures are informed by experts in the field of child safety and are among the strongest safeguards found in youth-serving organizations.

Sarpy County Swim Club is proud to be the first Safe Sport Recognized Club in the Midwestern Swimming LSC. 

The USA Swimming Safe Sport Club Recognition program allows a USA Swimming member club to demonstrate its commitment to creating a healthy and positive environment free from abuse for all its members through the development and implementation of club governance measures, Safe Sport policies and reporting mechanisms, Safe Sport best practices and training to athletes and parents.

• Clubs will be asked to share their Athlete Protection Policies and other measures they have in place to safeguard athletes.

• They will also demonstrate how they screen and select staff and volunteers as getting the right people involved is a big part of successfully implementing Safe Sport.

• Additionally, clubs will be awarded points when minor athletes and parents complete the Safe Sport online courses, as well as hosting in-person Safe Sport related training.

• They will also detail communication to members about how to report misconduct to USA Swimming Safe Sport and the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

Safe Sport Resources

• SCSC Safe Sport Page: Click here

• USA Swimming Safe Sport Page: Click here

• US Center for Safe Sport: Click here

SCSC Safe Sport Coordinator:

Janet Cho

janet@sarpycountyswimclub.com

All policies, procedures and guidelines of Sarpy County Swim Club are available on the TeamUnify website, or click here. 

Simple — For everyone's safety

There are many reasons for this...

• The Athletes

  • Having parents, siblings, grandparents, friends, etc on the pool deck distracts the swimmers from their practice

• The Coaches

  • If you come down on the pool deck to talk to a coach (which is against this policy) it distracts the athletes and takes attention away from coaches

  • Being on deck puts coaches in a uncomfortable situation - our coaches know that parents/spectators are not allowed on deck and help to enforce the policy, but it makes a uncomfortable situation for everyone

• Insurance

  • If an injury, accident or incident were to occur while a non-coach/non-administrator is on deck, USA Swimming insurance can become voided and the parent/spectator that is unauthorized to be on the pool deck will be held liable. 

• When can I be on the Pool Deck?

  • Volunteering at swim meets

  • Volunteering at practice when approved by an administrator

  • Bringing a donation (ex. pop for home meets) to the drop-off location

  • A medical emergency outlined in MAAPP 2.0

• When Can I NOT be on the Pool Deck?

  • To talk to a coach or staff member

    • Exception: When walking to/from the pool office

  • To help your swimmer tie their suit, etc...

Repeat violations of this can include disciplinary action from SCSC administrators/board of directors. 

As mentioned above - athlete safety is a top priority at SCSC

We do not allow parents/siblings/specators in the locker rooms at practice and meets. This creates many possible concerns, but most importantly, makes athletes uncomfortable. 

Restrooms are available near the choir room/auditorium in the hallway at PLHS. SCSC coaches make every effort before practice to ensure the restrooms are unlocked, but if they are locked, let a coach know and they can be unlocked.

If a swimmer needs help changing into/out of their swimsuit, this should be done at home or in the restrooms near the choir room/hallway. 

This also applies at away swim meets - some locker rooms may be accessible to parents, but all SCSC parents are expected to refrain from entering. 

Repeat violations of this can include disciplinary action from SCSC administrators/board of directors. 

Simple — For everyone's safety

There are many reasons for this

• The Athletes

  • Having parents, siblings, grandparents, friends, etc on the pool deck distracts the swimmers from their practice

• Insurance

  • Our insura

• When Can I be on the Pool Deck?

As mentioned above - athlete safety is a top priority at SCSC

We do not allow parents/siblings/specators in the locker rooms at practice and meets. This creates many possible concerns, but most importantly, makes athletes uncomfortable. 

Restrooms are available near the choir room/auditorium in the hallway at PLHS. SCSC coaches make every effort before practice to ensure the restrooms are unlocked, but if they are locked, let a coach know and they can be unlocked.

If a swimmer needs help changing into/out of their swimsuit, this should be done at home or in the restrooms near the choir room/hallway. 

This also applies at away swim meets - some locker rooms may be accessible to parents, but all SCSC parents are expected to refrain from entering. 

Repeat violations of this can include disciplinary action from SCSC administrators/board of directors. 

The purpose of a code of conduct for parents is to establish consistent expectations for behavior by parents. As a parent/guardian, I understand the important growth and developmental support that my child’s participation fosters. I also understand that it is essential to provide the coaching staff with respect and the authority to coach the team. I agree with the following statements:

• • • Parents will set the right example for our children by demonstrating sportsmanship and showing respect and common courtesy at all times to the team members, coaches, competitors, officials, parents, and all facilities.

• • • Parents will get involved by volunteering, observing practices, cheering at meets, and talking with their child and their coach about their progress.

• • • Parents will refrain from coaching their child from the stands during practices or meets.

• • • Parents understand that criticizing, name-calling, use of abusive language or gestures directed toward coaches, officials, volunteers, swimmers, parents, or members of the board of directors will not be tolerated.

• • • Parents will respect the integrity of the officials.

• • • Parents will direct my concerns to first to my child’s primary coach then, if not satisfied, to the head coach or board of directors.

• • • Parents will adhere to all policies implemented by SCSC, Midwestern Swimming, and USA Swimming. These include, but are not limited to the MAAPP policies found on the Safe Sport page of the SCSC website.

Sarpy County Swim Club members and parents are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior always in both formal and informal settings. This includes, but not limited to, practices, during meets, in the bullpen, in the locker rooms, and at all team activities.

1. Swimmers are expected to follow the direction of the coaching staff. At no time will disrespectful attitudes, inappropriate language (swearing or derogatory comments) or lying be tolerated toward the coaching staff, fellow teammates, competitors, meet officials, or the public. The coaching staff has the discretion to ask swimmers to leave workout or impose other disciplinary actions.

2. Swimmers must display proper respect for swim facilities, equipment, persons, and person’s personal property. Vandalism or destruction of facility and/or personal property during swim practice, swim meets and/or other team activities will result in disciplinary action.

3. Swimmers are expected to refrain from alcohol, tobacco or any non-prescribed drug while participating in any team functions, including swim practice, swim meets and/or any social functions.

4. Swimmers will NOT use cell phones or other electronic recording devices in the locker rooms/changing areas at the high school and/or other practice and/or meet locations.

5. Swimmers will adhere to the USA Swimming Safe Sport Policies & Procedures posted on the team website.

6. As a member of the Sarpy County Swim Club, swimmers will remember that everything they do reflects their team, it's coaches, and members, and that their actions either credit or discredit their team, its coaches and members at all times. Thus, they will conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner always to better both the team and themselves. 

Throughout the year there will be several opportunities to volunteer time to support your swimmers and the club.

• There may be a club imposed minimum requirement of hours per year per swimmer. 

• These can be met by any household member 18+. (13+ for Timers) 

• Each month, Coach Nick will randomly select an active volunteer to receive a $25.00 credit towards their practice dues.

Volunteer requirements and policies can be found on the SCSC volunteer page by clicking here.

Parents are a necessity for swim meets to commence. 

Home Meets

• At all home meets where a family has a swimmer participating, families will be required 1-2 time slots per swimmer, or the swimmer will not be able to participate in the meet.

  • This includes arriving to your shift at the listed start time

• Ex: Timer, Runner, Safety Marshal, Place Judge, Concessions, etc.

• Click here to view SCSC home meet volunteer positions and descriptions

Midwestern Swimming Meets

• Each club is required to provide timers for the MWS championship and MWS championship challenge meets. 

• SCSC will create a job sign up in addition to sending an email out to families asking for timers.

  • If there are no volunteers signed up to time or unfilled slots for these meets at 10:00am the Wednesday prior to the meet, unless otherwise noted, remaining slots will be filled through a lottery system. Please see the SCSC volunteer policy/guidelines for more information.

• We ask that families sign up for a shift as needed in order to ensure the team is not fined.

Each year, SCSC operates a firework tent fundraiser to help offset costs of operations, equipment and social events.

• In the months prior to each fundraiser, the SCSC Executive Board will determine the amount of shifts that each family is required to cover. This is typically two, four-hour timeslots during the 11 days of operation (1 setup day/10 sales days)

• If a family is unable to fulfill their fundraising shifts, a buyout option is available.

• In 2022, we raised over $18,000 for the team, and in 2023, we raised over $19,000 - so it is crucial that we have the support of everyone!

• Additional small fundraisers may also be held throughout the year as needed.

Occasionally, the SCSC board or staff may ask families for donations such as pop or bottles of water to be used at home meets and events. This helps us keep costs low.

SCSC provides practice equipment such as kickboards, pull buoys, paddles, fins and equipment that is needed during our practices.

Swimmers are welcome to purchase their own equipment if desired, but is not neccessary. 

• There are two types of swim caps: Latex and Silicone. Latex caps are thinner than silicone and typically cheaper to purchase, while silicone are thicker and more expensive. Every swimmer will have their own preference as to which they like better. 

• We recommend having 2+ swim caps, as they can rip easily 

• Younger swimmers will need help, here is a video on how to put on a swim cap 

  • • The logo goes on the sides of the cap

• SCSC has latex and silicone team caps available for purchase through coaches - these can be picked up at the pool and will be billed to your account

We recommend 2-3 towels to start off and add more as needed. Your swimmer will only need 1 towel at practice, but it is recommended you bring multiple to swim meets as they get used often and will be soaked by the end of the session

Our website is powered by TeamUnify and is our primary form of communication and contains the resources and information you will need throughout each season. Team registration, meet entries, billing and account management can all be managed through our website.

The team website is updated weekly, and team emails are distributed through TeamUnify. 

www.sarpycountyswimclub.com

SCSC has two website platforms:

• Main Website - www.sarpycountyswimclub.com

  • This has relevant information and links for all programs offered at SCSC

• TeamUnify/GoMotion - https://www.gomotionapp.com/team/mwscsc/page/home

  • This site is our main "hub" for all club team members - ex. not for our Masters team

  • Each member will receive an account and login

  • Meet entries/event declarations, billing, volunteer sign-up, etc are done in TeamUnify

  • Be sure to checkout the news sections for the latest club updates

• • Email is our primary form of communication - please make sure you do not block or unsubscribe from emails from TeamUnify or you will miss important information. Please also ensure emails are not going to your junk/spam folder.

  • Your 'login' email is the primary email on your account, but you can add up to three alternate emails to receive team communication. 

    • • If your swimmer has an email account, you are more than welcome to add them as a alternate email address to receive emails. Note: all emails sent via TeamUnify to your account will also get sent to the listed alternate emails.

At the beginning of each month, SCSC sends a monthly newsletter update, ‘The Pack’, with upcoming events and deadlines, messages from the coaches, swimmer of the month recognition, team updates, information and photos. 

These newsletters are important to read!

SCSC can be found on Facebook, Instagram and X! We recommend all parents and swimmers follow our accounts to stay up-to-date with the team! 

Weather & practice cancellations will also be posted on all social media and communicated via email.

Facebook - Click here

Instagram - Click here

X (formerly Twitter) - Click here

USA Swimming - www.usaswimming.org

Midwestern Swimming - www.mwswim.org

SwimSwam (Swimming news)- www.swimswam.com

SwimmingWorld Magazine (Swimming news) - www.swimmingworldmagazine.com

Thanks to our team sponsors, our coaches are able to use team iPads to provide instant video feedback to swimmers. From time to time, you may see a coach recording swimmers on an iPad and showing them or using a TV to show them. This helps swimmers see what they can improve on in their technique and is a incredibly valuable asset we are fortunate to have. 

What is dryland?

Dryland is the time during practice when swimmers train outside of the pool. Typically, this workout is done around the pool deck or other areas of the school.

When is dryland?

Dryland practices happen before or after practice - see the monthly practice schedule for more information

What should swimmers wear to dryland?

All swimmers MUST wear TENNIS/WORKOUT SHOES AND APPROPRIATE WORKOUT CLOTHES. Swimmers not wearing one or both of these may be sent back to sit inside the pool area for the duration of the dryland session.

• Flip flops, crocs, boots, jeans, dresses, etc. are not appropriate dryland attire

What do swimmers do at dryland?

For the Seawolves groups, swimmers work on different things including core strength (ex. planks, crunches, flutter kicking, etc), light cardio, stretching and other bodyweight exercises. SCSC swimmers do not use weight until moving up to the junior and senior groups.

What is weights?

Weights is the time during practice when swimmers train outside of the pool. Typically, this workout is done in the weight room or around the pool deck. This can also be some form of cardio, such as running stadiums or biking. 

Should my swimmer attend weights practices? What if my swimmer lifts weights on their own or with a trainer?

YES! All junior and senior group swimmers should attend weights everyday. Swimmers who regualarly attend our weight program see better competition and performance results. Unlike many other teams, SCSC does not charge an additional fee for our weights program.

Coach Eric Rees, Associate Head Coach, leads our weights program. Coach Eric has led weightlifting in a competitive swim team environment for many, many years and is extremely knowledgeable in using weightlifting to help swimmers in the water. Swimmers who lift weights on their own or with a trainer most likely will not see the same results as they would participating in the SCSC weights program, please contact Coach Eric if you have questions or concerns. 

When is weights?

Weights happens before or after practice, or as scheduled - see the monthly practice schedule for more information

What should swimmers wear to weights?

All swimmers MUST wear TENNIS/WORKOUT SHOES AND APPROPRIATE WORKOUT CLOTHES. Swimmers not wearing one or both of these may be sent back to sit inside the pool area for the duration of the weights session.

• Flip flops, crocs, boots, jeans, dresses, etc. are not appropriate weights attire

Again, what your swimmer puts into swimming directly correlates to what they get out of the sport. 

Weights (juniors & seniors) and dryland (Seawolves) are not a substitution for in-water practices, they help better your swimmers' in-water performance.

Swimmers who attend weights and dryland on a frequent basis will see far better results in their performance and overall health. Swimmers are encouraged to attend weights/dryland every night it is offered.

Don't forget your swimmer is still a child and needs those core memories such as vacations!

If you are traveling out of town, simply let your swimmers' coach know. Unless your swimmer is competing at the collegiate or national level, a few days off from swimming will not hurt. However, many swimmers want to continue swimming over vacation. If your swimmer wants to continue swimming while on vacation, and you have access to a pool/have time, here are some options:

• Checkout our 'Workouts on the Go'

  1. Go to the TeamUnify website

  2. Log in

  3. Go to the 'Team Resources' tab and select 'Workouts'

  4. You can download/print workouts for your swimmer

• If you're traveling for an extended period of time, some USA Swimming clubs will allow you to practice with them

  1. Talk to or email Coach Nick or Coach Eric about this first

  2. They may be able to help you find a club in the area you are traveling to

  3. If asked, they may be able to introduce you to a coach from that team and help find a practice group that your swimmer could participate in

  4. If you do practice with another team, some teams will ask for a donation, either way don't forget you are representing SCSC and it is always appreciated to get that coach/coaches a small gift.

Tip: Many families, not just at SCSC, but across the country, base their vacation times around swimming/swim meets. Good times to go include after the short course championship in mid-march, or after the long course championship at the end of July, before the first day of school. 

The head coach, associate head coach and team administrator create a swim meet schedule for each season. SCSC attends a variety of swim meets, with most in the Omaha or Lincoln metro areas. 

The meet schedule will be sent out around the start of each season (short course/long course) and is also posted on the team website. 

While it is not encouraged, some families choose to attend meets outside of the SCSC meet schedule. If you choose to do this, you are 1.) expected to discuss this with your swimmers' coach and 2.) responsible for all duties, fees and requirements relating to entering this meet. This includes contacting the meet director, arranging supervision with a USAS certified swim coach from another team, and entering your swimmer. Most meets will require the swimmers' team to submit the entries in a certain file type. If this is required by the host team, a $10 fee will be assessed to your account if the SCSC meet entries chair is need to submit entries. See 'Entering a non-SCSC scheduled meet' policy. 

All swimmers should swim at a minimum, all SCSC home meets (including intrasquads, duals, larger meets). As a competitive swim team, we expect all swimmers to swim in meets throughout the year.

What should I sign my swimmer up for?

Everything! Well, within event limits. Every swimmer should swim each stroke at least once per season. Most swimmers have a stroke that they don't like, but not entering them in the stroke at meets will only hurt them. 

Below are what swimmers should swim at least once each season; if you would like more guidance when signing up your swimmer a.) talk to your swimmers' coach; b.) talk to the team administrator; c.) don't select any events when signing up and leave a note that says 'coach pick' and your swimmers' coach will select appropriate events for your swimmer. 

• 8 & Under Swimmers - at a minimum should swim (each season)

  • 25 Free

  • 25 Back

  • 25 Breast

  • 25 Fly

  • 100 IM

  • 100 Free

• 9-10 Swimmers - at a minimum should swim (each season)

  • 50 of each stroke

  • 100 of each stroke

  • 200 IM

  • 200 Free

• 11-12 Swimmers - at a minimum should swim (each season)

  • 50 of each stroke

  • 100 of each stroke

  • 200 IM

  • 200 Free

  • 500 Free

• 13 & Over Swimmers - at a minimum should swim (each season)

  • 50 of each stroke

  • 100 of each stroke

  • 200 of each stroke

  • 400 IM

  • 500 Free

This list is by no means an all-inclusive list of what to bring to swim meets. We believe this is a great starting point, and will help guide you through your first couple of meets, until you and your swimmer finds what works best.

• Swimsuit

  • • Bring at least two, a backup is a must

    • Swimmers should wear an all black swimsuit or the team suit from our apparel vendor (preferred)

• Goggles

  • • Bring at least two, a backup is a must

• Swim Caps

  • • Bring at least two in case one rips

      • SCSC coaches may occasionally have extra caps for purchase with them at meets

    • At all swim meets, we ask that swimmers wear a black SCSC cap or a SCSC championship/sectionals team cap.

• Towels

  • • Swimmers will be getting in and out of the water often - towels will get soaked quickly!

    • Bring at least two or three

• Sweatshirt, Sweatpants, Parka

  • • Something to keep warm between warmups and events

    • Staying warm will keep muscles loose

• Cash

  • • For admission, meet programs and concessions

    • Most meets only accept cash

    • SCSC accepts cash and card at home meets

• Blankets

  • • For the floor in the crash/seating area

• Folding/Camping Chairs

  • • At a minimum - for the adults

    • Most crash/seating areas do not provide seating

• Entertainment

  • • Cards, books, games, etc to keep your swimmer and kids busy between warm-ups and events

    • Use common sense when bringing electronics - also make sure your swimmer does not let tablets, phones, etc become a distraction at the meet

• Food & Drink

  • • Snacks, sandwiches, fruits, veggies, sports drinks, water, etc.

    • Most meets will have concessions, and we welcome you to purchase from them, but you are also encouraged to bring healthy snacks and drinks to stay fueled between races.

• Water Bottle

  • • It is important for your athlete to stay hydrated between events

• Bleacher Seat/Back

  • • At some meets, you will be able to sit in the pool area the whole session and after a couple of hours, bleachers may become uncomfortable

      • • Better solution: become a meet official! You'll be out of the bleachers and on the pool deck, click here to learn more.

• Sharpies/Markers

  • • To write your swimmer's events, heats and lanes on their arm

      • See "Your First Swim Meet" guide further down on this page.

• Outdoor Swim Meets

  • • Sunscreen

    • Bug Spray

    • Coolers with drinks

    • Optional: Pop-up tent

      • • SCSC has multiple pop-up canopy tents for our team area at outdoor meets, parents are welcome to bring a tent as well. 

        • Please note, swimmers have priority seating under tents in the team area 

        • We ask that parents help with setting up and taking down tents each day. 

        • Typically a coach will transport all team tents to/from the meet.

SCSC and the SCSC coaching staff expects that swimmers:

• Wear an all black swimsuit or black SCSC team suit

• Wear an all black SCSC swim cap, or a SCSC championship/sectionals team cap (only if they've qualified)

• Wear SCSC apparel at ALL sessions

Parents are strongly encouraged to:

• Dress in layers - it may be extremely hot/humid or sometimes colder in seating areas/crash rooms 

  • After you visit pools a couple times, you will get an idea of what to expect at those teams' meets

• Show your team spirit by wearing SCSC apparel!

The technical rules of swimming are designed to provide fair and equitable conditions of competition and to promote uniformity in the sport. Each swimming stroke has specific rules designed to ensure that no swimmer gets an unfair competitive advantage over another swimmer. 

Trained officials observe the swimmers during each event to ensure compliance with these technical rules. If a swimmer commits an infraction of the rules that is observed by an official, a disqualification (DQ) will result. This means that the swimmer will not receive an official time and will not be eligible for an award in that event. A disqualification may result from actions such as not getting to the starting blocks on time, false starting, performing strokes in an illegal manner, or unsportsmanlike conduct. DQs are also a result of technical rules violations. They include but are not limited to: 

• Freestyle: Walking on the bottom, pulling on the lane rope, not touching the wall on a turn, or not completing the distance. 

• Backstroke: Pulling or kicking into the wall once a swimmer has turned passed the vertical onto the breast. Turning onto the stomach before touching the wall with the hand at the finish of the race. 

• Breaststroke: An illegal kick such as flutter (freestyle), dolphin (butterfly - except for one during the pullout), or scissors (side stroke); not on the breast; alternating movements of the arms; taking two arm strokes or two leg kicks while the head is under water; touching with only one hand at the turns or finish. 

• Butterfly: Alternating movements of the arms or legs; pushing the arms forward under instead of over the water surface (underwater recovery); a breaststroke style of kick; touching with only one hand at the turns or finish.

Tech Suits are a special kind of suit designed to be worn in competitions to help you swim your best. Men’s tech suits tend to look like traditional swim briefs, but instead of being loose around your thighs, they are tight to compress the muscles there. Tech Suits for women are of a similar idea, though they wrap around the shoulders as well and provide full body compression, rather than just leg compression. Tech suits are not designed for everyday use, and should only be worn at competitions. The material is not meant to withstand hundreds of swims. For swimmers who are just starting out, a tech suit is not neccesary. Please talk to your swimmers' coach if you have questions regarding tech suits. 

Beginning September 1, 2020, USA Swimming implemented a new rule restricting the use and types of tech suits that 12 and under athletes are allowed to wear. Click here for a link to the USA Swimming ruling and more information on which tech suits are and are not allowed.

• Short Course

  • 25yd pool swam during the short course season (August - March)

  • PLHS is a 25yd pool, expandable to 25 meters by moving the bulkhead

  • All high school pools in the area are 25yd

• Long Course

  • 50m pool swam during the long course season (April - July)

  • Many local meets may swim short course yards during the long course season

  • Tip: at most long course meets with a 50m pool, most of the 50m events (ex. 50 free) will start/lineup from the side opposite of the timers

  • Local 50m/long course pools

    • Hitchcock Pool - Omaha

    • University of Nebraska - Omaha

    • Woods Pool - Lincoln

    • Fremont YMCA/Dillon Family Aquatic Center - Fremont

The Midwestern Swimming LSC establishes short course and long course Qualifying Time Standards. SCSC swimmers who meet these time standards are expected to participate in the MWS Championship Meet. Qualifying times must have been swum within 365 days prior to the starting date of the meet. MWS Qualifying times may be found on the team website. USA Swimming has separate competition by age, sex, and ability. For each age group, it has also established standard times to help promote competition among swimmers with similar abilities. These standards are known as National Age Group Motivational Times. Out-of-state swim meets and special meets may require swimmers to meet a specified minimum time standard to be entered. These requirements will be specified on the meet flyer. Questions about qualifying times for a specific meet should be directed to the coaching staff or the team administrator

• Intrasquad Meet - SCSC swimmers only

• Dual Meet - Two teams competing against each other (SCSC and one other team)

• Invitational/Classic/Non-Intrasquad/Non-Dual - Multiple teams, some will have high point awards and prelims/finals; these meets run much longer than intrasquad or dual meets

• Qualifying Time Meets - Some meets have minimum and maximum qualifying times, and the swimmer must have those times to participate

Swim meets are often categorized by the time standards required to compete in the meet. 

Click here to view the SCSC time standards page

Click here to view the MWS time standards page

• USA Swimming Age Group Motivational Time Standards

  • AAAA, AAA, AA, A, BB, B

  • Many local meets are categorized as B+ or B- meets. "B+" meets mean that a swimmer must have achieved at least a B time or faster in an event to enter that meet. A "B-" meet means that a swimmer's best time in an event must be slower than the B time standard to enter that meet. This type of meet might also be called a "B maximum" meet.

  • Some meets may be categorized as BB+, or BB-, A+, etc. It works the same way as the B+ or B- meets, just using different age group motivational time standards.

• MW Championship Challenge (sometimes referred to as "D2s")

  • This meet has a maximum time requirement; swimmers cannot have a championship "cut"/time standard in that event, and the Championship Challenge is the last chance meet for swimmers to qualify for the championship meet.

• MW Championships (sometimes referred to as "D1s")

  • Swimmers are required to have a Midwestern Swimming "Automatic" or "Secondary" championship qualifying time.

    • • Automatic Time: The swimmer will be guaranteed to swim in the meet

      • Secondary Time: These times are to allow more swimmers to participate in the meet. If your swimmer achieves a secondary time, they will be entered into the event. Midwestern Swimming and the host team may limit the amount of secondary time swimmers allowed to participate in an event, so even though an athlete gets entered in an event with a secondary time, there is no guarantee they will get to swim.

        • • Example: If an event allows 40 swimmers, and 29 of those swimmers have a automatic time, the next fastest 11 swimmers with a secondary time will get to swim in the event.

  • Swimmers may also participate in this meet without a championship cut if they are invited to swim on a relay.

Swim meet sessions can vary on time. These can range from an hour and a half to four hours, excluding warmup. Intrasquads and dual meets are typically shorter while invites/multi-team meets are longer.

At some meets, SCSC may participate in various relays. Typically, SCSC only participates in relays at MWS Championship meets and the WFF Summer Explosion Meet.

• Relays are selected by the coaches, on a variety of criteria including, but not limited to: times, attendance, character and more. Parents and swimmers will be notified ahead of time. 

• If age group numbers allow, we will select relay alternates or create additional relays ("A", "B", & "C" relays")

• Alternates will be asked to swim if any of the first four swimmers cannot swim. 

The medley relay order differs from the individual medley: back, breast, fly and free. Relays are a privilege to swim, and are at the full discretion of the SCSC coaching staff.

Coming Soon!

Check the warm-up time listed in the pre-meet email from Janet Cho and arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the warmup time to give your athlete(s) the opportunity to prepare for warm-ups and find their coach. Coaches will be wearing SCSC gear. 

In the meet flyer, a warmup time will be listed. PLEASE FOLLOW THE WARMUP TIME LISTED IN THE PRE-MEET EMAIL FROM JANET CHO. The meet flyer is created months in event, and many times meets will change warmup times/schedules. 

At most meets there will be a crash room for swimmers and their families. We encourage our swimmers and families to sit in the same area, whether it is in a gym or at an outdoor pool. We are a team, and we encourage our team to sit together, this helps our swimmers and parents get to know each other better. 

Some meets will have an announcer/live stream in the crash room to assist getting athletes to their events on time. Not all meets will have this, so be sure your swimmer is paying attention to when their next event is. It is the swimmer’s responsibility to talk to their coach and be behind the blocks for their race.

Heat sheets, also known as meet programs can be purchased at the meet, or is sometimes published online or to the meet mobile app. Programs can cost anywhere between $2 to $15, sometimes less, sometimes more, depending on the meet. 

Heat sheets contain all of the information regarding when your swimmer is competing, the heat and lane. 

Some events will require positive check-in at the beginning of the meet from coaches (ex. 400 IM, 500 free, 100 free, etc) and will not be published in the meet program. Coaches and swimmers will receive their heat/lane from the meet host once positive check-in is completed. 

In meet programs, we are SCSC-MW 

Tip: Highlight your swimmer’s events in the meet program to keep track of when they swim

It is ultimately the swimmers’ responsibility to get to their event on time. The SCSC coaches will make their best effort to locate your child but it is not always possible. If your swimmer misses their event, they need to talk to their coach immediately. Sometimes it is possible for them to swim in a following heat, but it is not always possible as it is up to the meet referee.

• After you mark your swimmer, wait for your swimmers’ warmup time. The latest/correct warmup time is sent prior to the meet in a pre-meet information email from Janet Cho. 

• Swimmers should find their coach at least five to ten minutes prior to warmup, and get ready to warmup with the team.

• During this time, swimmers will complete a meet warmup to get ready for the meet

• After the last warmup session, there will be at least 10 minutes before the meet starts; during this time,

  • • Swimmers should:

1. get ready for their race if they are in one of the first events, or;

2. dry off, stay warm and get ready for their later races. This includes hydrating and a light snack if needed

• Most pools will have a scoreboard that displays the current event and heat

• Swimmers need to talk to their coach prior to their race. This is not a suggestion, it is a requirement.

  • • Swimmers should do this at a minimum of (10) minutes prior to their race. This also ensures that they are on the pool deck and reduces the chances of missing their race.

• After talking to their coach, swimmers will report to their lane behind the blocks and wait for their event/heat.

  1. • Some timers will ‘check-in’ swimmers to their lane, meaning, they make sure the swimmer is in the correct lane and knows when to swim. Not all meets/time do this. Again, it is the swimmers’ responsibility to be in the correct lane/heat.

     • At SCSC home meets, we will typically have ‘bullpen shepherds’ who help your swimmer get to the blocks on time and in the right place.

• After getting behind the blocks:

  • The meet referee will blow their whistle in multiple short blasts, this means swimmers should be ready for their race behind the blocks. This includes having goggles on, cap on, and suit tied

• Shortly after, their will be a long whistle, this is when swimmers step up on the blocks

• If your swimmer is not diving from the blocks – they can dive from the side

• The starter will say ‘take your marks’ – swimmers should assume the starting position. Any forward movement (like rocking) from this point to the ‘beep’ can result in a “DQ” (disqualification) for a false start.

  • • Tip: False starts require dual confirmation from both the referee and starter

• Sometimes starters may say ‘stand up’ or ‘stand please’ meaning they will have all swimmers restart the ‘take your marks’ process.

• Next comes the ‘beep’ (horn) and strobe light, this is when swimmers dive in.

• After diving in, swimmers will complete the event distance and stroke.

• Timers, touchpads, and backup buttons (also known as 'pickles' or 'plungers' record your swimmers' time

Your swimmer may be ‘DQ’d’ at some point. This happens to every swimmer and is nothing to be upset about. Your swimmer is learning, even Olympians still get disqualified.

• A certified meet official will raise their hand to signal a DQ - at most meets, one official may be observing multiple lanes so it is not always possible to tell if the DQ is for your swimmer.

• If this happens, your swimmers’ coach may notify your swimmer or you will see it listed in meet mobile.

  • Processing a DQ can take a little bit of time - sometimes their time will show before the DQ is entered in meet mobile.

• Again - this is nothing to be upset about, it happens to everyone!

• Make it a learning experience and take your swimmer to Dairy Queen :) (DQ=DQ)

  • Your swimmers' coaches will work with them at practice to address the DQ

  • It may take time to fix the problem, and there may be multiple DQ's in the same stroke at multiple meets.

    • Don't let this be discouraging - keep encouraging your swimmer, push them to keep swimming that stroke.

    • Consider not entering them in that stroke for one meet, and then enter them in that stroke at the next.

    • Not entering your swimmer in a stroke will only hurt them in the long term

There are many ‘technical rules’ of swimming. Certified meet officials know these rules through a training clinic, test, apprenticing with an experienced official and continuing education. Officials are volunteers, and always give the swimmer the benefit of the doubt.

Common ways swimmers may be disqualified: 

• Freestyle: Not touching the wall on the turn (50s & above), grabbing the lane rope and pushing off, pushing off the bottom of the pool and making forward progress

• Backstroke: Not touching the wall at the finish/turn on their back, flipping on to their front

• Breaststroke: Alternating kick, not touching with two hands

• Butterfly: Alternating kick, not touching with two hands, non-simultaneous arms

• Once your swimmer touches the wall, most meets will have them stay in the water until the next heat starts. These are called ‘fly over starts’.

• During backstroke swimmers will get out of the pool immediately so the next heat can get in.

• Swimmers must go talk to their coach immediately after the race. Again this is a requirement, not a suggestion. Even our oldest swimmers do this, help your swimmer get in this habit before/after races.

• Once your swimmer returns to the crash area/seating area/comes to see you – be positive!

  • • Not all races are going to be their best race, but is is important to support them.

• Your swimmer should dry off, rehydrate and get ready for their next event.

•  Unless otherwise noted/communicated, swimmers may leave the meet after their last race. 

• Download the Meet Mobile App

  • Available on Apple App Store & Google Play

    • Monthly or annual subscription required (annual subscription is cheaper)

  • Most swim meets will upload results instantly or almost instantly to Meet Mobile.

  • Sometimes meet names will not always be the same - so try searching by the host teams abberviation.

    • Example: The SCSC Cup meet will not be called SCSC Cup in Meet Mobile, so try searching for 'SCSC' or 'SCSC Intrasquad'.

    • You can also find a meet by location under the 'near me' tab.

Coaches can answer most questions, please begin with your child’s coach and if they are unable to answer your questions please contact the Associate Head Coach or Head Coach.

Administrative questions can be answered by the Team Administrator.

As a competitive swim team, we encourage all swimmers to compete at meets. Please discuss any concerns with your child’s coach. 

Not a problem! Please inform your child’s coach.

Email is the best way to contact the coaches. All coaches and their emails are listed on the coaches page on the website. Additionally, coaches are typically available before and after practice to discuss any questions, but please do not interrupt or chat with them at practice, as this is their time to work with swimmers. At no time should you go on to the pool deck to discuss with coaches. 

At all meets we expect that swimmers wear a black suit (plain or with the SCSC logo- available from the team apparel store), a black or championship/sectional SCSC cap and a SCSC apparel. Parents are also encouraged to wear SCSC apparel at meets. 

SCSC practices Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend practices as scheduled by your child’s coaches. Practice schedules are sent at the beginning of the season and are posted on the team website. Changes and cancellations to practices will be communicated as soon as possible to parents through email and team social media accounts. 

Please refer to the group guidelines under ‘Swimmer Resources’ on the website and discuss with your coach.

As swimmers continue to grow, and get better and faster, they will move up throughout our practice groups. Coaches have full discretion and final say in moving up their swimmers to the next group, however they utilize the criteria available on the website under ‘Swimmer Resources’.

Some swimmers may be at a performance/competitive level of a group above their current placement, but may not be at a maturity level for the next group. 

Any cancellations for practice will be emailed to all parents, posted to the team website and posted on social media in a timely manner. SCSC does not practice on any days that are called as snow days/inclement weather days by the Papillion La Vista Community Schools.

YES! We encourage all parents to attend and watch their child’s practice. Please remember that practice is when the coaches spend time with the swimmers, coaching them. Please refrain from talking to coaches during this time, and refrain from coaching your swimmer from the stands (see parent code of conduct and practice viewing section above).

Swimmers, parents, siblings and spectators should enter the pool from the southeast pool doors. Parents should remain in the bleachers. Restrooms are located by the PLHS auditorium which can be accessed by going through the doors on the left when you walk into the pool foyer. Parents are not permitted on the pool deck or locker rooms at any practice or meet. The only times it is permitted for parents to be on the pool deck is 1. Any emergency circumstance exists (see MAAPP emergency circumstance definition); 2. A parent is depositing a check into the dropbox underneath the scoreboard and; 3. The parent is actively volunteering in an approved capacity. 

Parents who repeatedly violate this USA Swimming policy will be referred to the Executive Board. 

No - parents/siblings/spectators cannot be on the pool deck or in the locker rooms. Swimmers needing help changing should do so before they arrive to the pool

See 'Swim Meets' section above.

Swim meets are typically on weekends, some meets may take place during the week. SCSC typically hosts some meets during the weekdays in lieu of practice. 

Your child should swim a variety of distances and all strokes throughout the season. Freestyle might be the only stroke your swimmer wants to swim, but by swimming all strokes it well help them improve. When registering for a swim meet, you can select the events your child wants to swim, or you can declare them available for the meet and enter ‘coach pick’ in the comments, and the coaches will pick their events. Coaches review all entries before meets and have the final decision in what events are best for your swimmer. 

For younger swimmers, teams may operate a bullpen to get all swimmers lined up and ready to go to the blocks for their event. It is a way for meet hosts to efficiently serve dozens of young swimmers without delaying the meet.