Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the requirements for joining the team?

You do not need to try out for the swim team. 

However, there are some basic requirements:

• Team practices will swim over 1500 yards a day even the beginners.

• Everyone should be able to swim all four strokes (Free Style, Breast, Fly and Back).

• Side breathing is critical. 

Q: What does it take to stay on the team?

NEWPORT HIGH SCHOOL TEAM REQUIREMENTS :

Newport Swimming and Diving is a no-cut interscholastic sports program. As such, team members are required to commit to the following requirements in order to maintain team membership.

• All swimmers are expected to attend practice every day.  If your attendance drops below 75 % you will not be able to participate in a meet until in returns to 75%. Five unexcused absences and you will cut yourself from the team.  If you are going to miss practice, you must let a coach know 24 hours prior to missing the practice or it becomes an unexcused absence. Exception to missing practice without prior notice: 1) personal health/safety, 02) family, 3) School/Teacher requirement.

• Follow the Newport High School substance abuse policy.

• All team members are required to attend all classes the day of a practice or meet to be eligible to swim that day.  Remember: you are at Student first and an Athlete second.  

• All team members are required to practice with the team the day before any meet to be eligible to swim in that meet.  If you don’t get in the water, you will not swim in the meet. 

• All team members must ride the bus to the meets unless you have prior permission from the coaches.  This is the time for us to get psyched up to swim, and we need everyone together.  Please see Meet Info for bus departure times.

• While at the meets, our behavior should reflect pride in and respect for Newport High School, our teammates, our opponents, and ourselves.  Everyone stays for the entire meet.  We sit as a team through the entire meet and when you are not competing.  Your energy should stay focused on the meet and cheering for your teammates.   

• At home meets, it is our responsibility to put in lane ropes and to set up chairs in the deep end of the pool.  After the meet, we need to pick up all garbage, put away all chairs, and the lane ropes.  Just like our practice pool, our impact on our meet facility needs to be a minimum.

BELLEVUE SCHOOL DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS:

• Student-athletes below a 2.0 cumulative G.P.A. are ineligible to compete in all competitions for three (3) weeks.

• A grade check will be done at the end of the 3rd week to determine if the student-athlete has a 2.0 average in their current classes.

• If not, they remain ineligible until they are earning a 2.0 average in current classes.

Q: How to sign up to join?

• Register for NHS Boys Swim & Dive prior to the first practice on FinalForms used by Newport High School.

• All athletic participants must have current Physical on file (valid for 2 years) upload to FinalForms ,or turned into Mr. Brakkeb, Athletics & Activities Director: brakkeb@bsd405.org

• Pay $75 ASB Membership, $200 Athletic Participation, and $150 Transportation fees to Newport High School at BSD Touchbase Online Payment before the first meet.

• If you attend International or Big Picture, please contact Ms. Poad at poadp@bsd405.org

Q: When do practices start?

 November 17, 2025 

Q: Where are practices held?

• Swim practices are held outdoor at Edgebrook Swim and Tennis Club.

• Dive practices are held at the Bellevue Aquatics Center. 

Q: How long are the swim practices?

• Generally 60 - 90 minutes, and it's run by weekly Training Schedule except on special occasions such as holidays.

• Team swim practices will be divided into 2 groups -- Varsity & JV.  

• Practice groups will be assigned after the first day of practice based on experience and the ability to keep up in sets. 

Q: Where is the team home pool?

The Mercer Island Mary Wayte Pool 

Q: How many practices do you need to attend before participating in a meet?

10 

Q: How long does a high school meet usually last?

2-3 hours

Q: Does every team member participate in swim meets?

Yes

Q: How to be eligible to participate in a meet?

You Must be at the team practice the day before.

Q: How does the team travel to the meets?

By bus. All swimmers will ride to the meet together.  If you are leaving with your parents after the meet is over, please inform your coach in advance.

Q: How many events will participants generally swim in a meet?

Usually between 2 to 4 events, depending on the meet.  4 is the maximum.

Q: How to qualify for postseason meets?

Please refer to Time Standards for details.