Wells Branch Armada

Summer is heating up, and so is the season for our incredible Armada swimmers! With five meets behind us and just a few to go, we're entering the final stretch filled with exciting races, new personal bests, and memorable team moments.

This past week, our swimmers showed grit and enthusiasm at the Cedar Park Typhoons meet. We're especially proud of the sportsmanship and team spirit on display. Whether you were breaking records, shaving seconds off your time, or cheering in the tent, you are making this season one to remember.

Be sure to read on for:

• Important updates on Divisionals and Invitationals
• Details about our next meet at Brushy Creek
• Highlights from the Swim-A-Thon
• A preview of the 3rd Annual Meat Raffle
• Volunteer shoutouts and open opportunities
• Record breakers, Fast Fishies, Triple Drops, and more!

We are so proud of the progress our team is making and thankful for the energy each family brings. Let’s finish strong and keep supporting one another every splash of the way!

by Genevieve Bales, President

What a Season So Far!

As we pass the halfway point of our summer swim season, I want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate what makes this team so special: you. Thank you to every swimmer, parent, and volunteer who has helped create such a positive, encouraging, and fun environment. Watching our swimmers grow in confidence, character, and connection with one another has truly been the highlight of the season.

A huge thank you to all who participated in our Swim-A-Thon—whether you swam, donated, volunteered, or helped organize. Your energy and generosity are helping us get closer to our fundraising goal, and we're already seeing the impact with a stronger sense of team unity and support.

We also want to extend a special thanks to the volunteers who dedicated time at Austin FC events. Your efforts directly helped us secure important sponsorship funds that keep our costs low and our program thriving. Your willingness to show up and contribute behind the scenes is a big part of what keeps Armada moving forward.

As we look ahead to Divisionals and Invitationals, let’s remember that every race is more than a chance to compete—it’s an opportunity to cheer each other on, show great sportsmanship, and celebrate how far we’ve come together. Please be sure to review eligibility guidelines and encourage your swimmer to take part in these exciting meets.

Let’s finish the season strong with enthusiasm, encouragement, and true Armada pride. Whether it’s your first season or your last, let’s make every meet count.

Go Armada! 💙💚

by Maddie Wright, Head Coach

Swimmers, awesome job this past weekend at our meet against the Cedar Park Typhoons. I can see the determination you each have in working towards your goals as our season comes to a close. If you can believe it, we only have a few weeks left, so please let the coaches know how we can help you in achieving those personal goals you have. Let’s put in our best effort into practicing hard this week so we can continue earning those time improvements as we take on the Brushy Creek Marlins this Saturday!

This week, we will continue to work on understanding our race pace as well as a few other focused skills:

• Finishing strong
• Relay exchanges
• Breath control
• Streamline and breakouts

Next week‘s theme: Camo!🟢🟤

Bring your camouflage shirts, hats, bandanas, and face paint to show your team spirit and unity.

A request from your fellow swim team parent(s)...

We all know meet days can be long—but they’re also some of the most fun and social parts of swim season. That’s why as a fellow swim parent I would like to encourage families, especially those with swimmers 13 and under, to consider leaving devices at home.

When screens come out, kids tend to disconnect—from teammates, from cheering, and from the fun. We’ve seen firsthand how phones and tablets can quickly shift the vibe in the Pit from playful and social to silent and zoned out.

For some swimmers—especially those with ADHD, sensory challenges, or anxiety—screens can make it even harder to focus, regulate, or enjoy the meet.

Let’s give our kids the chance to engage, cheer each other on, and make real memories. When devices stay away, the magic of summer league shows up—friendships grow, swimmers stay present, and the team can become stronger.

Thanks for helping to build a culture of connection, focus, and fun!

by Tricia Hughes

Swim-a-Thon exceeded our expectations on all fronts.  We are so proud of our swimmers and their efforts in the water.  Big shout out to our coaches in the water helping the little ones throughout the 2 hours, and our volunteers for getting the food, music, ice and working a station. We hope all of our families felt the love and enjoyed themselves.  We are currently still raising money from the event.  Families are able to download the Raise365 App and use your Team Code: 46545775, or use Venmo: @wbaswim (businesses).

Stats Breakdown:  GOAL: $10,000 with 3 Days to GO!!

Total Raised on App: $7,435 (we get 80%) which comes out to $5,948  

Total Raised on Venmo: $1,577 

Total Raised so far: $7,525

Join us for one of our most fun and flavorful traditions, the Armada Meat Raffle! It is a relaxed, adults-only evening where you can win great prizes, enjoy good company, and support the team at the same time.

📍 Location: Hanover's Draught Haus, 108 E Main St, Pflugerville, TX 78660
🕕 Date & Time: June 26th 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

🎟 How It Works:

• Purchase $2 raffle tickets (valid for multiple rounds)
• Each round features a selection of meats — from classic ground beef and chicken to steaks and pork ribs
• If your ticket is drawn, you choose from the available cuts in that round
• We’ll wrap up the night with a Super-Deluxe Final Drawing:
  $5 tickets for a shot at premium selections like bacon-wrapped filets and a whole brisket

💬 Why Attend?

• Support the team while having a blast
• Bring friends and make it a fun midweek outing
• Leave with dinner — and maybe even a week's worth of it!

Questions? Reach out to our Meat Director, Aaron Bartlet, for details.

Let’s pack the house and raise some steaks for the Armada!

by Juli Thatcher, Volunteer Coordinator

Thank you to everyone who volunteered in at our Cedar Park meet! Your helped made it a success.

A few notes to make the last few meets run even more smoothly:

If your swimmer(s) are in a meet, you must volunteer! Our team is small compared to most of the teams that we meet with. We have over 100 jobs to fill at every meet and just over 100 swim families registered. This means that most meets I'm scrambling to fill spots. I can help you find the spot that best suits you and your family's needs. Not sure if you'll make it this week? Text Juli at 940-453-8343 to let me know.

We need stroke judges and corner judges! Stroke judges are the people who make sure that our swimmer are completing legal movements while they're swimming. Were you ever a competitive swimmer? Are you fascinated by your swimmer's abilities? You could be a stroke judge! Corner judges are only needed during the relays at the beginning and end of each meet. This leaves you free for the rest of the meet! Corner judges make sure that one teammate's hand is touching the wall before the next teammate dives. Ta da! You're trained! Talk to me or Jennifer Christmas (our head judge) for more details on either of these jobs.

Set up and tear down crews: THANK YOU!! These jobs are so needed. We set up the evening before and on the morning of each meet. We tear down at beginning with the last few relays of each meet and head back at our home pool to pack everything away. We have started to use group text threads to stay organized. If you really hate group texts please find the lead set up/tear down volunteers to coordinate in advance.

We still have open slots for this Saturday’s meet, please sign up ASAP to help us ensure a smooth and timely event. Thank you again for all that you do! We literally cannot participate or host a swim meet without you. Keep showing up on time for your shift, and volunteering. Our meets have been running beautifully. ❤️

🗓️ Mark Your Calendars

Volunteer signups for our sixth meet go live on Tuesday at 12:00 PM (Noon). Set a reminder and grab your favorite job early!

If something urgent comes up (illness, emergency), please notify Juli Thatcher immediately at 940-453-8343 so we can adjust accordingly. Last minute scratches are very hard to fill volunteer roles and it's even more challenging to rearrange heat sheets or disappoint the kids when a relay is cancelled.. Every extra minute of notice is appreciated!

by DJ Loberg, Meet Director

Get ready for our 5th official meet of the season and our 3rd away meet! This one takes us to Sendero Springs, where the Brushy Creek Marlins are ready to host us.

📍 Key Details:

• Location: Brushy Creek Marlins - Sendero Springs Pool 4203 Pasada Ln, Round Rock, TX 78683
• Arrival Time: 6:15 AM – Be on time and check in right away
• Brushy Creek Marlins Warm-ups: 6:30 - 7:00 AM
• WBA Warm-ups: 7:05 - 7:35 AM
• Meet Start: 7:45 AM
• Events: Swimmers may compete in up to 3 individual events
• Spirit Theme: Camo 🟢🟤

❗ Attendance

If your swimmer cannot attend or needs to scratch from an event, please notify DJ Loberg and/or the coaches by email or text as soon as possible.

🏊 Pool Notes

• 8-lane saltwater pool

🚻 Restrooms

• Limited restrooms available inside the pool area
• Additional facilities located at the pavilion outside the pool fence

🍴 Concessions and Gear

• Full concession stand with breakfast tacos, grill items, and drinks
• Stand is located at the pavilion outside of the pool fence
• Merchandise available (goggles, bungee cords, etc.)
• Cash preferred, but credit cards accepted

🚗 Parking – Please Follow All Instructions

Parking is strictly controlled by the HOA and MUD. Improper parking may lead to citations or towing by Williamson County. Please drive carefully, as families will be walking nearby.

Parking Order:

1. Sendero Springs Pool lot & angle parking on Sendero Springs Drive
2. Hatch House parking lot (3-minute walk)
3. Designated neighborhood areas (only if needed)

🔹 DO NOT park on grass or in the traffic circle
🔹 Unload gear at the pool before parking, if needed
🔹 One vehicle per family is encouraged
🔹 Follow the BC_Marlins_Parking_Plan.pdf for all details
🔹 Parking volunteers and Sheriff's deputies will monitor the area

⛺ Tent Setup

• WBA team tents go on the grassy area across from the main pool entrance
• Only team tents allowed inside the fence
• Family tents must stay outside
• Do not stake tents inside the fence, there is an underground sprinkler system that we do not want to damage with stakes

Let’s bring great energy, strong swims, and team spirit in camo! Go Armada!

by Summer Smith, Armada FC Coordinator

Support the team AND earn credit toward your WBA sponsorship!

How it Works:

• Volunteer at Austin FC home games
• Earn $50+ per shift toward your sponsorship fee
• Credit can be earned by you, a family member, or a friend (age 18+)
• Multiple shifts = more credit

Volunteer Perks:

• Free WBA volunteer shirt and hat
• Free lunch at check-in
• Free parking and shuttle to Q2 Stadium
• Enjoy the electric game-day atmosphere!

📢 Get signed up and start volunteering at the next game!

Austin FC 2025 Home Schedule:

📋 Important:

• Must be 18+ years old
• Training certificates must be uploaded 10 days before game day
• Learn more or sign up here: https://wellsbranch.swimtopia.com/Austin-FC-Volunteer

Don’t forget to visit our 2025 Armada Photo Album to relive all the great moments from this season!

A huge thank you to the parents who are capturing photos at meets and team events. your time and effort are truly appreciated. New photos are added regularly, usually within a week after each meet. Please check back periodically to see what’s new, as organizing and uploading the pictures takes time.

📷 Important Reminder:
If you post swim team photos online, please only share images of your own child, unless you have permission from the other child’s parents.

🎞 End-of-Season Slideshow Contributions:
Have pictures to share? We’d love to include them in our end-of-year slideshow!
Please email your best snapshots to [email protected].

We want to highlight a few important requirements for swimmers participating in the Divisional and Invitational meets.

🏆 Divisional Meet Eligibility

To compete in the Divisional Meet, each swimmer must:

• Participate in at least two meets during the season
• Have a legal time recorded in each event they wish to swim at Divisionals

This is a key team event, and we encourage all eligible swimmers to participate. Every swimmer can make a difference!
Points and placements will be awarded for finishes 1st through 8th, so bring your best effort!

⭐ Invitational Meet Requirement

It is an Armada team rule that any swimmer who wishes to participate in the Invitational Meet must also swim in the Divisional Meet.

We appreciate your support in meeting these requirements. They reflect our team's values and commitment to fostering a spirit of participation and sportsmanship in what is often viewed as an individual sport. Together, we finish strong!

Let us know if you have any questions.

As we move into the second half of the season, we want to remind swimmers and families about the High Point Award criteria for this year.

🚨 Requirements for High Point Eligibility:

To be eligible for the Regular Season High Point Award, swimmers must:

• Compete in every individual event available for their age group (excluding events where they would have to "swim up").
• Participate in regular season meets only.
  • Red, White, and Blue Meet and Divisionals do not count toward High Point eligibility.
• Simply attempting an event qualifies, even if the swimmer was disqualified (DQ’d).
  • The event still counts if it was officially entered in a meet that was later rained out, as long as the swimmer appears on the official attendance report.

📚 More Information

This policy is explained in greater detail in the FAQ section of our website. If your swimmer is aiming for the High Point Award, please ensure they are meeting all of these requirements.

Let’s finish strong and keep up the great work!

Congratulations to all swimmers who earned top finishes at our fourth official meet on June 7, 2025!

Way to go, Armada relay teams! These swimmers helped lead their teams to first-place finishes in the Medley and/or Freestyle Relays this past Saturday.

Each week, we recognize the swimmers who made the biggest splash by improving their times the most in each age group and category. These Fast Fishies worked hard and it showed in the pool—great job!

Top Time Drops – Cedar Park Typhoons Meet

* Swimmer repeated Fast Fishy

🐟 Fast Fishy Caps Are Here!

We’re excited to announce that the Fast Fishy swim caps have arrived! All pending caps will be delivered at practices this week, so keep an eye out if your swimmer earned one. Congratulations again to our time-dropping swimmers!

We’re thrilled to celebrate some incredible swims that have etched their way into the Armada record books! Breaking a club record is no small feat, it takes dedication, grit, and serious speed. Please join us in congratulating the following swimmers who broke an Armada Swim Team record at our most recent meet:

🏆 Ayme Leos Trevino - Girls 11-12 50yd Backstroke - 36.68 Old: 37.31 set by Emilia Helgesen in 2025

🏆 Ayme Leos Trevino - Girls 11-12 100yd Freestyle - 1:07.94 Old: 1:09.95 set by Ayme Leos Trevino in 2025

🏆 Emilia Helgesen - Girls 11-12 50yd Breaststroke - 39.84 Old: 40.30 set by Emilia Helgesen in 2025

These swimmers crushed it at our last meet, improving their personal bests in three separate events, an impressive display of hard work, focus, and determination!

🎉 Please join us in congratulating this meet’s Triple Drop Swimmers:

We are proud to announce the swimmers who have achieved this weekend the time standards required to qualify for the 2025 Northwest Swim Circuit (NWSC) Invitational!
Please join us in congratulating our Armada qualifiers: