Allatoona High School Buccaneers

Swim and Dive Team Handbook 2019-2020

2019-2020 Swim & Dive Handbook

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Table of Contents

Note from Coach Dorrough…………………………………………………….………..3

High School Swimming / Events ……………………………………………...……….4

Practice Schedule……………………………………………………………………………..5-6

Meet Schedule………………………………………………………………………………….6

Cobb County and State Championships Information ………………….…….7

Lettering Requirements……………………………………………………………………8

Academic and Discipline Policy……….………………………………………………..9-10

Fundraising……………………………………………………………….……………………..11

Volunteering…………………………………………………………………………………….11

Booster Club Officers…….……………………………………………….………………..11

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A Note from Coach Dorrough

I want to welcome you all to the Allatoona High School Swim and Dive Team. I also want to thank the returning athletes for a great season last year. The enthusiasm and spirit are outstanding, and I look

forward to an exciting and successful season. My goal for the team is simple; we will focus on technique and endurance at practice, so we can send the maximum number of swimmers and divers to Cobb

County Championships and State Championships. This Swim and Dive Team Handbook is designed to answer any questions about policies, practices times, lettering, etc.

Swimmer Information

Team Coaches Head Coach: Jennifer Dorrough jennifer.dorrough@cobbk12.org

Asst. Coach: Teresa Kwiatowski

Team Website: http://allatoonabucs.com/swim-and-dive/

This website will be used as a method of communication between coaches, swimmers, divers and the booster club. It includes practice times; meet schedules, team events and directions to pools and other important dates.

State Website: http://www.ghssca.com/

This website includes state records, state qualifying times, state championship information and other

information for coaches.

County Website: https://www.cobblearning.net/csca/

This website houses information for colleges to recruit swimmers and divers. The county website includes

meet results, county records and highlights seniors.

High School Swimming For those of you who are new to high school swimming and diving, here are some facts about the meets.

The order of events, listed below, may be different than you are used to. There are twelve total events for

each gender, including diving. Males and females alternate events. Each swimmer is allowed to swim in a

maximum of four events; no more than two of which may be individual events. The fastest swimmers on

the team will be scheduled in four events to give the team the greatest chance of winning the meet.

Slower swimmers are then used to fill any heats in the other events, again based on the swimmer’s times

in a particular event. Usually, all swimmers compete in 4 events. The coaching staff will always fill heats

with swimmers and divers that give the team the BEST chance of winning.

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Events

200 yard medley relay

200 yard freestyle

200 yard individual medley

50 yard freestyle

Diving

100 yard butterfly

100 yard freestyle

500 yard freestyle

200 yard freestyle relay

100 yard backstroke

100 yard breaststroke

400 Yard freestyle relay

Required Equipment

➢ Team Competition suit: Speedo Splice. (Team suits should NOT be worn at practice.)

➢ ➢ Practice suits

➢ Fins

➢ AHS Team Swim Cap (men and women)

➢ Team warm-up jacket to be worn the day of meets (provided after dues are paid)

➢ Team T-Shirt (to be worn the day of meets)

➢ Goggles

➢ Water bottle for practices

PRACTICE Information: Swimming practices are held at the West Cobb Aquatic Center. Diving practices are held at Central Aquatic Center.

There are no buses or other school transportation to or from practices. Parents will need to make arrangements to

ensure their child has a means of getting to and from practice. This is usually done through carpooling, arranging

rides with upperclassmen, or by allowing them to drive themselves. Please keep in mind that being a member of

the Swim & Dive Team does not guarantee a parking place at school.

Swimmers are expected to attend all scheduled practices. Every athlete should arrive at the pool at least 10 minutes

before practice in order to stretch and be in the water on time for warm-up. An absence from practice will only be

excused when it would be considered an excused absence from school (it is best to notify Coach Dorrough if you

are going to be absent due to illness, etc. ahead of time). If an athlete was present at school, he/she is expected to

be at practice. Excessive absences or tardies from practice will result in an athlete losing his/her varsity letter or

being dismissed from the team. See lettering requirements.

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USS swimmers are required to submit a weekly practice attendance form signed by your USS team coach. USS

swimmers are expected to attend a minimum of 2 Allatoona practices each week (level of USS team can adjust this

requirement with Coach Dorrough’s approval). By attending high school practices, the USS swimmers are able to

develop a stronger relationship with their teammates.

Parents should be waiting to pick swimmers up at the end of practice. Practice

will end on time and all rides should be at the pool at the end of practice. Since we practice in the winter,

it is very cold, and the athletes are wet. Swimmers will not be permitted to wait for their rides in their wet

suits and/or towels. It is not good for swimmers to have to wait to be picked up under these conditions.

The aquatic center will close promptly and there will be no place for athletes to wait for rides.

Absences from Meets Swimmers & Divers MUST give at least 10 days notice in writing if they are going to miss a meet (in writing

to the head coach). Failure to inform the Head Coach of missing a meet and “no-showing” could result in

the athlete failing to earn a Varsity Letter. The second “no show” offense will result in dismissal from the

team.

Absences from Practices Swimmers & Divers MUST provide a written excuse for an absence. Lettering points can be earned back

by attending “Optional Conditioning” on specified days or practicing during the holiday breaks. Any

combination of leaving early or starting late that adds up to 4 will be considered an absence. A tardy is

defined as any swimmer who is not in the water swimming at the designated start time below. Getting

dressed and putting on your caps after this time will be considered a tardy. Leaving early from practice

will count as a tardy. If you are unable to attend a practice, you should contact Coach Dorrough ahead of

time.

Swim Practice Schedule West Cobb Aquatic Center 3675 Macland Road Powder Springs, GA 770-222-6700

Monday

(5:00-6:00)

Wednesday

(5:15-6:30)

Tuesday

(7:00-8:00)

&Thursday

(6:00-7:00)

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2019-2020 Meet Schedule

AHS SWIM & DIVE MEET SCHEDULE

2019-2020 HOST DATE TIME VENUE

Cobb Time Trials

Friday

November

1st

6 PM Mountain View

Cobb Relays

Saturday

November

2nd

9 AM Mountain View

Sprayberry Invite Friday

November

8th

6:30 PM CAC

(diving as well)

North Cobb HS Friday

November

15th

6:30 PM CAC

(diving as well)

Campbell

Saturday

November

16th

12:30 PM CAC

(diving as well)

Campbell Saturday

December

7th

2 PM Mountain View

SWAB

December 13th-14th

NO MEET

SWAB

NO MEET

SWAB

NO MEET

SWAB

Wheeler Diving

Challenge

Friday,

December

20th

TBA CAC

DIVING ONLY

Cobb Divisional Meet Saturday

December

21st

4:30 PM CAC

(diving as well)

KMHS Dive Challenge Friday

January 3rd

TBA CAC

DIVING ONLY

Greyhound Invite Saturday

January 4th

2 PM Mountain View

Indian Invite

Saturday

January 11th

2 PM Mountain

View

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Campbell Meet Friday

January 17th

6:30 PM CAC

(diving as well)

CSCA Diving

CHAMPIONSHIP

Thursday

January 23rd

5PM CAC

(dive only)

CSCA Swimming

Prelims

Friday

January 24th

5 PM

(Prelims)

Mtn. View

CSCA COUNTY

CHAMPIONSHIP

Saturday

January 25th

6 PM

(Finals)

Mtn. View

CSCA Last Chance Dive

Meet

Tuesday

January 28th

During

Dive

Practice

CAC

DIVING ONLY

STATE FEBRUARY 6-

8th

(Diving,

Thurs. 2/6

Swimming,

Friday 2/7-

Saturday

2/8)

TBD Georgia Tech

ALL MEETS ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO FINAL APPROVAL BY THE COACHING STAFF. Check the website regularly for updates on meet information. **ALL CAC meets

will have diving unless otherwise specified

MEETS We consider any meet that is held at the Central Aquatic Center (CAC) or Mountain View Aquatic Center (MVAC) to

be a “home” meet. Both of these facilities are located in Marietta. Athletes are expected to arrive promptly at the

designated time. For all other “away” meets, transportation MAY be provided and will be announced ahead of time.

Parents are encouraged to attend and cheer on the BUCS! The entry fee is $5.00 for adults (with HEAT sheet). The

cost helps cover overhead for the Cobb Relays and County Championships.

During the meet, swimmers are expected to stay with the team, and no one is allowed to leave until the last event

is over and the area is CLEAN. I expect everyone to stay and cheer for his/her teammates. If a swimmer is leaving

with a parent, they must let me know when they are leaving. Swimmers should bring snack food and drinks with

them to all meets. They should also have enough money with them to buy a meal at concessions if necessary. Some

meets are long, and we need keep our energy up.

Cobb County and State Championships Qualifying Times All team members are expected to be available for both Friday AND Saturday. No one is excused from this

meet for any reason. Every qualifying member of the team will be scheduled to swim in the County

Championships. This meet is one of the biggest of the year. Preliminary events will be on Friday evening.

Swim finals will be on Saturday evening. You will notice that participation in this meet is one of the specific

requirements for earning a varsity letter.

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County Championship Qualifying Times

MEN EVENT WOMEN

2:22.50 200 Yard Freestyle 2:32.00

2:45.00 200 Yard Individual Medley 2:55.00

26.00 50 Yard Freestyle 29.00

1:15.50 100 Yard Butterfly 1:25.00

1:00.00 100 Yard Freestyle 1:05.50

6:25.00 500 Yard Freestyle 6:45.00

1:15.00 100 Yard Backstroke 1:18.00

1:16.50

100 Yard Breaststroke 1:26.00

State Championship Qualifying Times MEN EVENT WOMEN

1:51.00 200 Yard Medley Relay 2:07.00

1:55.00 200 Yard Freestyle 2:07.00

2:12.00 200 Yard Individual Medley 2:24.00

23.50 50 Yard Freestyle 26.50

58.00 100 Yard Butterfly 1:05.00

52.00 100 Yard Freestyle 58.50

5:20.00 500 Yard Freestyle 5:40.00

1:40.00 200 Yard Freestyle Relay 1:53.00

1:00.00 100 Yard Backstroke 1:06.00

1:07.00 100 Yard Breaststroke 1:15.00

3:44.00 400 Yard Freestyle Relay 4:12.00

➢ If a swimmer qualifies for a relay event, he/she must also be one of the 4 fastest swimmers in that

relay. We will usually have more than one group qualify for each relay, but we are only allowed to

have ONE entry in each relay event at the State Championships.

➢ The Head Coach has the final say about events in which swimmers are entered. This is

nonnegotiable. The events entered will be based on the swimmers available to give us the best

chance at scoring highest and placing in the finals.

➢ You must QUALIFY to attend the State Meet with the Team. Senior status does not ensure

attendance at the State Meet.

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Swimming & Diving Lettering Requirements

Automatic Varsity Letter County/State Qualification in an at least two individual events

School / County Record Placing in the top 10 at the County Championship Meet Placing in the top 20 at the State Championship Meet

NISCA All-American Qualifying Time

Additional Methods of Consideration to earn a Varsity Letter in Swim & Dive:

**All must be met for consideration**

1) Attend 90% of scheduled practices (you can miss 5 practices throughout the season; if absent, inform Coach Dorrough ahead of time – there will be

opportunities to make up for missed practices)

Practice Attendance 1 missed swim practice can be made up by attending 2 optional dry land practices/other offered practice make-

ups 4 tardies to practice or early dismissal from practice will result in one absence.

2) Participate in 100% of events scheduled to swim/dive in a minimum of 8 Varsity meets

Meet Attendance Athletes must attend every scheduled meet. (Athletes who miss meets may be given consideration for a letter by

the coaching staff based on the criteria listed below.)

Coach’s Consideration Swimmers will be awarded consideration by the coaching staff according to the following:

attitude, number of county qualifications, dedication, practice habits, team spirit, and overall improvement in technique and endurance.

County Championships ***In the event that a swimmer/diver qualifies for County Championships in a minimum of ONE INDIVIDUAL

event, he or she MUST also Swim/Dive in the County Championship Meet

Meet Performance Points

(Points are calculated after each meet and used for recognition at the end of the season) Each 1st place = 10 points Each 6th place = 5 points Each 2nd place = 9 points Each 7th place = 4 points Each 3rd place = 8 points Each 8th place = 3 points Each 4th place = 7 points Each 9th-place = 2 points Each 5th place = 6 points Each 10th –16th = 1 point

Loss of a Varsity Letter The following will result in the automatic loss of a varsity letter:

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(Even if you have met the criteria earn a varsity letter) Out-of-school suspension. Two “No shows” at any meet. Refusing to swim an event.

Disqualification for any Sportsmanship issue.

Academic Policy The AHS Swim and Dive Team have historically had some of the best students in the school. This is very

important in our sport because our season occupies both semesters. Any athlete that does not maintain

the minimum grade requirement during fall semester cannot return after Winter Break. Athletes not

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maintaining grades spring semester are not permitted to even try out the following year. The AHS Swim

& Dive Team recognizes Scholar Athletes (3.5 cumulative GPA, 10th-12th, and letterman). Since our athletes

are in school for academics first, the swim team has a very strict academic policy. Athletes are required to

pass ALL classes during the semester. If an athlete fails ONE class, they are placed on academic probation

and will be required to bring in weekly progress reports. Two failing grades would make them ineligible

for competition until the following report semester.

***Remember, it is GHSA policy that if a student fails two classes at the end of the semester, they are

INELIGIBLE for the next semester. ***

Discipline Policies

The discipline policies are listed below. Please make yourself aware of all policies. All decisions made by

the Coaching Staff concerning discipline issues will be handled privately on a case-to-case basis and will

be final. There is no appeal process. The coaching staff will enforce the following consequences for school-

related and Team related discipline problems.

School Related Discipline

➢ ALL ATHLETES AND PARENTS MUST SIGN THE COBB COUNTY JD DISCIPLINE POLICY which is located

on the school physical form.

➢ ISS- Suspension from the next scheduled swim meet. You will also not be allowed to participate in

any practices or activities during the time assigned.

Second Offense- 2 or more day’s results in dismissal from the team.

1 day will result in a one meet suspension. ANY

Third Offense- Dismissal from the team.

➢ Saturday School– You will not be allowed to participate in a swim meet if Saturday school is

scheduled on that day. ANY Second Offense- Dismissal from the team.

➢ Suspension– Any out-of-school suspension during the school year will be grounds for dismissal

from the team. Any athlete who is suspended during the school year may not earn a varsity letter

during that school year in any sport.

➢ Alcohol, Drugs, or Tobacco– Any swimmers caught at ANY time with Alcohol, Drugs, or Tobacco

will be referred to the Administration and dismissed from the Team. This includes before, during,

after practice, and even if you’re caught on the weekend by a police officer or someone else.

➢ Arrest- Any arrest will result in immediate dismissal from the Team.

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Team/Meet Related Discipline ➢ Driving – Athletes are not allowed to leave the facility at any point during a meet. If the team has

plans to carpool to the meet together (Cobb Champs), all athletes must drive directly to the pool

without additional stops and remain at the pool until the conclusion of the meet. All athletes are

under the direct supervision of the coaching staff and should abide by team rules. Failure to follow

rules will result in discipline referral to administration and 2 days ISS and suspension from the next

meet.

➢ No Show– Failure to attend a meet for any reason that has not been previously cleared by the Head

Coach will be considered a No Show. Conflicts with scheduled meets must be given to Coach

Dorrough in writing 10 days prior to the meet. This includes USS meets.

First Offense- 2 meet suspension and loss of Varsity Letter. Second

Offense- Dismissal from the Team.

➢ Insubordination– Failure to comply with a Coach’s instructions. Insubordination WILL NOT be

tolerated and will result in a 1 meet suspension.

Second Offense- 2 meet suspension and loss of Varsity Letter. Third

Offense- Dismissal from the Team.

➢ Disqualification- Being disqualified for ANYTHING other than a starting violation is a serious

offense. The GHSA sets the rules and regulations for our sport and we are ALL expected to abide

by them whether you agree with the rule or not. All actions are in addition to the normal

disqualification consequences stated by GHSA.

DQ for Jewelry- absolutely NO jewelry is allowed on deck. Do not even wear it to a meet. The Coaching Staff will not hold it for you. You can be disqualified for wearing jewelry on the pool deck at ANY time, not just during your heat.

DQ for Sportsmanship- At no time will ANY member of the AHS Swimming & Diving Team argue

with an official for any reason. In addition, any DQ involving sportsmanship including profanity,

fighting, disrespect to officials or other swimmers, etc. will result in:

First offense-2 meet suspension and loss of Varsity Letter. Second

offense- Dismissal from the Team.

NOTE: Please remember that extreme cases will be handled by the Coaching Staff on a private individual

basis. All decisions will be final and there is no appeal process. Infractions not covered by the AHS

Swimming & Diving Handbook will be dealt with using the Allatoona High School Student Handbook.

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Page

Cobb County “JD” Policy PLEASE READ AND BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING COBB COUNTY JD POLICY

(This policy may be found on the Cobb County School Web site under (J) Policy at www.cobbk12.org)

(1) Maintaining proper student conduct shall be the joint responsibility of the school principal, the

faculty, and the other school employees in charge of groups of students from time to time.

(2) When in good faith, reasonable force may be exercised by school personnel in order to restrain

rebellious or out of control students.

THIS SIMPLY MEANS THAT IF YOUR SON/DAUGHTER BECOMES COMBATIVE AND DISRESPECTFUL, UNRULY

AND / OR OUT OF CONTROL AND THE COACHING STAFF FEELS THAT OTHERS MAY BE IN DANGER, A COACH

MAY TOUCH THEM, IN GOOD FAITH (GOOD FAITH REFERS TO NOT TRYING TO HARM AN ATHLETE), TO

TRY TO REDIRECT THEM AND GET THEM REFOCUSED AND UNDER CONTROL. Fundraising

VOLUNTEERING Our organization cannot run a successful program without parent volunteers. We need a minimum of four parent volunteers per meet to time events. A volunteer list will be sent out in advance of the first swim meet. If a parent is unable to work the meet they are assigned, that parent is responsible for contacting another parent to work out a switch of duty. Parents may be assigned to volunteer for more than one meet, depending on the number of swimmers we have.

Additional volunteering opportunities include, but are not limited to: (1) chairing a committee; (2) banquet

organizer; (3) snack table organizer

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AHS SWIM & DIVE TEAM BOOSTER CLUB

OFFICERS President – Stephanie Lawler

Vice-President –

Secretary –

Treasurer – Michele Nettles