Wells Branch Armada

by Paul Wadehra, Meet Director

Thanks to everyone for a very smooth meet on Saturday. The swimmers and parents have gotten this swim meet thing down to a well-oiled machine now!  

Our swimmers swam very well and narrowly defeated the Sharks, a divisional opponent. There were many time improvements, new Invitational Qualifiers. and several records broken!  See below for details.

Next week we go on the road for the last time this season, to visit the Tidal Waves of Block House Creek. See below for meet details.

Just a reminder, whether you are participating in the meet or not, you still need to register on line to let us know. Thanks!

by Gina Zayas, Head Coach

by Jeannie Boylan, Volunteer Coordinator

Be sure to enter by noon Monday - June 17 using our OME system.

Our fifth dual meet is away versus the Tidal Waves of Block House Creek in Leander. This is our last meet away at another pool and is a great chance for the swimmers to practice swimming at another pool prior to the end of season meets. 

Relays are chosen by the coaches and we try to have as many swimmers as possible participate. Please recognize that if a swimmers signs up for a meet and then does not participate on Saturday, it may result in our having to scratch that relay team from the meet.

Please arrive on time. Late arrival could result in your swimmer being scratched from their relay.

Scratch: Once we close the meet online, email paul.wadehra@gmail.com, or text to 512-659-1373 if you have to scratch.

Key Information Location Block House Creek Apache Pool  Arrive 6:30 am WBA Warm Ups 6:50 am Meet Starts 7:30 am Theme Mix and Match Day

Tent Set-up Saturday morning -  We will need volunteers to show up around 6:15 am to help us set up our tents and tarps for our pit areas. Please help us when you arrive with getting everyone settled.  During the Meet Please note that there will be a playscape near our pits that is off-limits during the meet.  Parents please inform your children, and pit parents please take note. Clean Up We ask everyone to clean up the pit area, take down tents, fold tarps and help us pack them in the transportation trucks. Pit parents should not release swimmers until their area is clean.    Parking Park along Block House Dr. Do NOT park on bridge or at fire hydrants or stop signs.  The sheriff WILL ticket cars parked on the bridge or too close to fire hydrants and stop signs. Avoid parking on side streets. Avoid parking too close to intersections. No parking on cul-de-sac directly adjacent to the pool. Parking Plan

The Wells Branch Armada Board has positions that need to be filled for the 2014 swim season.  Anyone willing to put in the time and effort may run for the Board.  In an effort to maintain a good balance of interests and strengths among Board members, an independent committee will make recommendations for 2014; however, positions are open and anyone may run.

The Board Selection Committee will consist of one non-returning Board member and two other parents that do not serve on the Board.  No person that serves on the Board Selection Committee is eligible to recommend themselves or a family member for the 2014 Board. If you would like to serve on the committee, please email board@wbarmada.org or contact Beth Gavin at gavinfamily99@yahoo.com.

The Wells Branch Armada offers up to three annual scholarships to swimmers who apply in their "age-out" year.

A scholarship committee will review applications. No senior parent will serve on the committee and we would like non-board members to volunteer. If you would like to serve on the committee, please email board@wbarmada.org

For information, please contact Mindy Lewis at mindy@wbarmada.org.

The Swim-a-Thon is this coming Tuesday, June 18, from 6:00-8:30 p.m. at the Willow Bend pool. We could sure use your help to make things run smoothly. Below is a list of positions that need to be filled.

Popcorn machine (concessions) (need one person per shift)

Sno-Cone machine (concessions) (need one person per shift)

Concessions – hot dogs, etc. (need 2 people per shift)

Set up 5:00-6:00 (need 4 people)

Clean-up 8:30-9:00 (need 4 people)

We’re planning to have three shifts so everyone has ample opportunity to enjoy the festivities. The shifts are as follows:

First shift - 5:30-6:40

Second shift - 6:40-7:50

Third shift - 7:50-9:00

Please let Jeannie Boylan know how you’re interested in helping and which shift you’d prefer. Once the schedule is finalized, Jeannie will send it out.

Our annual Swim-A-Thon & Silent Auction will be held from 6 to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, June 18. This is our primary fundraiser and a huge party for our swimmers and families!

Swimmers received donation envelopes in their family folders last week. We ask that each swimmer collect pledges per length of the pool or flat donations. This fundraiser keeps us from having to raise registration prices significantly. Each family has committed to get donations of at least $50.

During the Swim-A-Thon, swimmers will be swimming laps and parents will bring chairs and sit by the pool to count your swimmer's laps. Only team members are allowed in the pool. Each team member will be entered in drawings for great door prizes - and there is one for everyone!. We will also have special prizes you can purchase raffle tickets for.

We will offer free food and drinks for all family members. Sno-cones, popcorn, and hot dogs...No charge for any of this!

Parents are encouraged to visit our Silent Auction tables. We have restaurant certificates, tickets to local attractions, and items donated by local businesses - great for gifts or just to treat yourself!

See you at the pool Tuesday evening!

The Northwest Swim Circuit is hosting a National Anthem competition.  The winner will be chosen to sing the National Anthem at The University of Texas Swim Center at our Invitational Meet on Sunday, July 7, 2013.

Contestants must be a swim team member of the Northwest Swim Circuit and must submit a recorded audition.  Solo performances only, no duets or groups. 

All entries must be received by Tuesday, July 2, 2013.

For entry details, please view the NWSC website  http://nwsc-swimming.org/national_anthem.html

Each week the WBA honors the swimmers in each age group that record the largest time improvement. In swimming, the goal is to try to beat yourself each week by recording a personal best.

These swimmers will receive a special "Fast Fishy" cap from the coaches.

Girls	6&U	7-8	9-10	11-12	13-14	15-17
Name	Mya Marquez	Maia Munoz	Isabella Bashara	Hannah Huang	Laura Vargas	Hannah Lehman
Improvement	-13.39	-12.35	-14.50	-18.10	-3.74	-3.28
Boys	6&U	7-8	9-10	11-12	13-14	15-17
Name	Jackson Nydegger	Samarveer Panag	Joshua Huang	Varun Saravanabavan	Omeed Tehrani	Nathan Thompson
Improvement	-17.48	-24.69	-7.33	-3.99	-6.18	-6.05

Note: Fast Fishy is based on current year times only.

These WBA swimmers excelled by placing first in one, two, or three individual events at the Balcones Country Club Meet on June 15.

Single Winners	Double Winners	Triple Winners
Alex Shamblin	Caleb Jahnke	Courtney Black
Amy Taffinder	Christine Gozdalski	Demi Waworuntu
Andrew Taffinder	Faith Larimore	Jacob Tolfa
Bella Herold	Joshua Trunick
Christina Liew	Justin Good
Coe Scruggs	Kayla Good
Jenna Stabler	Vincent Liew
Keegan Gavin
Logan O'Reilly
Mason Freeman
Miranda Wadehra
Reza Jamalabad
Zack Casper
Zina Sator

Boys 7-8	Justin Good, Beck Wadehra, Colton Bennett, Joshua Stabler
Boys 9-10	Keegan Gavin, Vincent Liew, Jake Tolfa, Ephraim Freeman
Girls 11-12	Kayla Good, Christina Liew, Demi Waworuntu, Vicki Trunick
Boys 11-12	Austine Do, Ethan Wu, Caleb Jahnke, Andrew Taffinder
Girls 13-14	Courtney Black, Miranda Wadehra, Alex Shamblin, Heather Wu
Girls 15-17	Alix Gavin, Zina Sator, Christine Gozdalski, Delaney Quinn
Boys 15-17	Logan O'Reilly, Kyle Hammack, Coe Scruggs, Zack Casper

Boys 9-10	Jake Tolfa, Ephraim Freeman, Vincent Liew, Keegan Gavin
Girls 11-12	Kayla Good, Vicki Trunick, Ashley McQuoid, Demi Waworuntu
Boys 11-12	Andrew Taffinder, Ethan Wu, Austine Do, Caleb Jahnke
Girls 13-14	Alex Shamblin, Miranda Wadehra, Amy Taffinder, Courtney Black
Girls 15-17	Delaney Quinn, Alix Gavin, Zina Sator, Christine Gozdalski
Boys 15-17	Logan O'Reilly, Coe Scruggs, Robby Hale, Zack Casper

The Northwest Swim Circuit holds a Championship Meet at the end of the season for qualifying swimmers. Congratulations to our swimmers who have already qualified in the following events. (Each swimmer will only be able to swim in 3 events at the meet.)

Name	Age Grp	Short Free	IM	Back	Breast	Long Free	Fly
Bella Herold	6-U			X
Reza Jamalabad	6-U			X
Abbey Hrovatin	7-8					X
Daeni Scott	7-8			X			X
Colton Bennett	7-8						X
Justin Good	7-8			X	X	X	X
Beck Wadehra	7-8				X
Isabella Bashara	9-10		X
Jennifer Kane	9-10		X	X
Ephraim Freeman	9-10	X				X
Keegan Gavin	9-10	X	X	X		X
Vincent Liew	9-10		X	X	X		X
Jacob Tolfa	9-10	X			X	X	X
Darren Waworuntu	9-10		X
Kayla Good	11-12	X	X	X		X	X
Christina Liew	11-12		X		X
Victoria Trunick	11-12		X	X		X
Demi Waworuntu	11-12	X	X		X	X	X
Caleb Jahnke	11-12		X	X		X	X
Ethan Wu	11-12				X
Courtney Black	13-14	X	X	X		X	X
Alex Shamblin	13-14	X	X	X		X	X
Miranda Wadehra	13-14	X	X	X	X	X	X
Heather Wu	13-14	X	X				X
Mason Freeman	13-14	X	X		X	X	X
Hardy Prosper	13-14		X	X
Joshua Trunick	13-14	X	X		X	X	X
Alix Gavin	15-17		X	X	X	X
Christine Gozdalski	15-17	X	X	X	X	X	X
Delaney Quinn	15-17	X	X	X		X	X
Zina Sator	15-17				X
Zack Casper	15-17	X	X	X		X
Robby Hale	15-17				X
Kyle Hammack	15-17				X
Logan O'Reilly	15-17	X	X	X	X	X	X
Coe Scruggs	15-17		X	X	X		X

Four individual team records and two relay team records were broken Saturday:

Name	Event	Old Record	New Record
Justin Good	Boys 7-8 25 Breast	21.33 Set in 1996 by Adam Mayer	21.08
Jake Tolfa	Boys 9-10 25 Free	13.98 Set in 2013 by Jake Tolfa	13.94
Vincent Liew	Boys 9-10 25 Back	17.36 Set in 1993 by Andre Arrieta	17.25
Jake Tolfa	Boys 9-10 25 Fly	15.61 Set in 2013 by Vincent Liew	15.46

The Boys 9-10 Free Relay consisting of Jake Tolfa, Ephraim Freeman, Vincent Liew, and Keegan Gavin broke the record they set at the Cedar Park Meet.

The Girls 15-17 Medley Relay consisting of Alix Gavin, Zina Sator, Christine Gozdalski, and Delaney Quinn broke a record set in 2007.

Way to go Armada!

See all team records.

On June 29 we will "travel" to our own Willow Bend pool to take on the Stingrays of Forest North. Details will be in next week's newsletter, but you can sign your swimmers up and register for volunteer jobs now.

Our annual award's night will be held at the Wells Branch Recreation Center on Sunday, July 7.

Each swimmer on the team will be recognized with an award. Additionally, swimmers will be recognized for perfect attendance at meets, the age group high-point winners, record breakers, coach's choice and most improved in each age group.

We will be selling raffle tickets at the beginning of the ceremony and will have the final drawing at the conclusion of the night.

• Basket 1 : Night on the Town
• Basket 2: Colt McCoy signed UT Football

Please contact Mary Hale with questions.

Swim Shop - open during home swim meets

• Team swim bags - $12
• WBA Embroidered Resort Towels - $20
• WBA Printed Resort Towels - $15
• 2013 WBA Shirts - $15 (only a few left)
• 2012 WBA Shirts - $5 (only a few left)
• Team Silicone caps - $10
• Team Vinyl caps - $4
• Assorted TYR and Speedo Goggles – prices vary

Morning practices are in full swim!

We may make changes to this schedule after practice starts if we have too many swimmers in the pool at one time. Our goal is to make each practice as even as possible so the swimmers have the best experience possible.

If you have any questions please contact Marcynda Verdicchio.

Practice Schedule: June 5 - July 5 -- Monday-Friday

Practice 1:	Ages 12 & Up	7:15 - 8:45 AM
Practice 2:	Ages 6 and Under	8:45 - 9:30 AM
Practice 3:	Ages 7-8	9:30 - 10:30 AM
Practice 4:	Ages 9-11	10:30 - 11:30 AM

Rain/Bad Weather:
In case of weather changes, please have a back-up plan for your swimmer (bike riders, walkers, etc). Everyone must be out of the water during a thunderstorm and if lightning is seen. Swim practice may continue if it is only raining and the coaches feel practice will be beneficial. If in doubt, you can call the pool and ask the lifeguard if swim practice is on. If the weather changes quickly, and the swimmers must get out of the pool, a coach will remain with them until everyone is picked up. The telephone number to the pool office is 512-310-1833.

Here are a few important tips to make your swim meet experience successful:

	Be on time. At the beginning of the meet the coaches will make changes to relay events if there are swimmers that are absent or missing. It is important that swimmers check-in with their pit parent to avoid being scratched from any relay event.
	Bring nutritious snacks. The swim meets begin very early in the morning and last until noon or later. Please pack healthy snacks for your swimmers to eat such as, fresh fruit, bagels, crackers, water, sports drinks etc. We make an attempt to offer healthy items at the concession stand.
	Pack appropriate supplies.Towels, sunscreen, goggles, etc - See checklist below...
	Swimmers should stay in their pit areas The Pit Parents are responsible for watching the swimmers in the pit area and getting them to the ready bench when it is time for their event. If your child is going somewhere with you, please let the pit parents know.
	MARK EVERYTHING! Please write your child's name on ALL belongings. At the meet, you will be dozens of identical t-shirts, caps, goggles - plus similar towels, flip flips, sunscreen. Don't forget to mark any electronic games - they get mixed up!

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Checklist:

	2 towels		water or sport's drinks
	blanket to sit on in pit area		nutritious snacks
	warm clothes for after warm-up in early a.m.		Quiet activities to keep them occupied in the pit area between races
	Swim cap		sunblock
	goggles		Parents: Bring a chair, wear a hat, apply sunblock!

For every swim meet on our schedule, EVERY family MUST login to our website and register your swimmer for the meet. If your swimmer is not able to swim across the pool or you will be out-of-town and cannot participate, you should still login and and complete the form.

Please login to https://wellsbranch.swimtopia.com/swim_meets. You should see the name(s) of your swimmer(s) and the events for their age group(s).

You will be able to tell us if your swimmer(s) will not attend the meet or if they will not be available to swim either the early or the late relays for that meet.

We need each registered swimmer to fill out this form for each meet.

Massage+Yoga, located at the intersection of Bratton and Merrilltown, is offering 50% off massages for Armada families through July. Please schedule online at www.massageplusyoga.com.  Use promotion 'armada'