Join the Team | Kettle Run Swimming

How joining works

The first week is when everyone decides

There’s no tryout. With the size of our team, we don’t need to make cuts, so there’s no one-day or multi-day tryout process. Instead, the first week of practice is for each swimmer to decide for themselves. High school swimmers can come to a practice or a few, get a feel for the team, the training, and the environment, and see if it’s for them. Club swimmers can use the week to come to their one required practice. The roster is set at the end of the week.

High school swimmers (VHSL-primary athletes): Use the first week to try it out: the team, the training, and the environment. Decide by the end of the week whether you’re continuing.
Club swimmers (USA Swimming athletes): Come to one practice during the first week. That declares your intent to be on the team this season. After that, most club swimmers stick with their club training, which is completely fine.

1. Interest meeting

Announced each fall, in October

Meet the coach and hear what the season looks like.
2. Forms

Turn in all four required forms

Practice once they’re in. All are due by the end of the first week.
3. First week

Declare your intent

Club swimmers come to one practice. High school swimmers try it out and decide.
4. Roster

The roster is set

Fees go on student accounts, and gear comes at the first meet.

Required forms

All due by the end of the first week of practice

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Swimmers can practice once their forms are in, and every form has to be approved by the school. If a swimmer’s forms aren’t complete, the coach will email the family.

Two ways to be on the team

For high school swimmers and for year-round club swimmers

VHSL-primary athlete

High school swimming is your main swimming

Aim to take part in everything: every practice and every meet.

If you have an absence or a conflict for any reason, tell the coach ahead of time. Otherwise it counts as unexcused and toward lettering.

USA Swimming athlete

You train with a club at least 6 hours a week

Keep training with your club. High school practice isn’t required.

Swim in as many team meets as you can, and tell the coach about any meet absence ahead of time.

How to report an absence, and the lettering rules, are on Resources.

Costs

What families pay, and what the team provides

Fees: An activity fee and a T-shirt fee (which covers your team T-shirt). The school adds both to student accounts once the roster is final.
Fundraising: The team fundraises during the season to help cover senior gifts, Senior Night, apparel for state qualifiers, and other team needs.
From the team: Swim caps, and a team jacket that’s signed out for the season (return it at the end, or buy it).
Optional: A team suit and spirit wear. Neither is required. Apparel & gear →

Rides to practice, the team bus, and signing out after away meets: Getting there →

Common questions

Tap a question to see the answer

Does my swimmer need meet experience?

No. High school swimmers use the first week to try it out and decide if the team is a good fit.

I swim for a club. Can I still swim for Kettle Run?

Yes. Come to one practice during the first week to declare your intent, then keep training with your club and swim in as many team meets as you can.

What if a swimmer misses a practice or meet?

Tell the coach ahead of time, or it counts as unexcused. See how to report an absence.

How can swimmers contact the coach?

In the team GroupMe chat, in a GroupMe message that includes a parent, or by email with a parent copied. Swimmers can’t call or text the coach. Parents can use any of these, including a call or text.

How do swimmers get to away meets?

On the team bus. Any meet that isn’t at WARF is an away meet.

Can my swimmer ride home with another family?

Yes, after an away meet, as long as a parent or guardian signs them out and notes who they’re leaving with.

What does it cost?

An activity fee and a T-shirt fee, added to student accounts, plus team fundraising. See Costs.

Who do we contact with questions?

Coach Dalton Regenbogen at coachdtr@gmail.com.