Issue 8: May 25, 2025
Welcome to Issue 8 of the Wells Branch Armada newsletter! We have amazing meet performances, fast time drops, record-breaking swims, and a whole lot of team spirit. As we transition into morning practices, we’re also gearing up for some exciting events including our MOD Pizza fundraiser, Swim-A-Thon, and our first away meet of the season. This issue is packed with important updates from coaches and coordinators, recognition for our incredible swimmers, and all the details you need to stay in the loop.
Let’s keep the energy high and continue showing up strong — in the pool and as a team!
🧢 Captain's Log
by Genevieve Bales, President
No Practice – Monday, May 26
In observance of Memorial Day, there will be no swim practice on Monday, May 26. We encourage all Armada families to take a moment to honor the courage and sacrifice of our military heroes. If you're able, consider attending a local remembrance ceremony to pay tribute to those who served.
🚨 Practice Schedule Update – Morning Practices Begin!
Starting Tuesday, May 27, we transition to our morning practice schedule. Please make note of the updated times based on age groups:
| Practice Time | Age Group |
|---|---|
| 7:15 – 8:45 AM | 11 & older |
| 8:45 – 9:30 AM | 6 & under |
| 9:30 – 10:30 AM | 7–8s and beginner 9–10s |
| 10:30 – 11:30 AM | Intermediate/advanced 9–10s, beginner 11–12s |
Let’s keep the momentum going as we dive into the summer season!
🍕 MOD Pizza Fundraiser – Tuesday, May 27
Fuel up after practice and support the Armada at the same time! Join us Tuesday, May 27 at:
📍 MOD Pizza
119 Louis Henna Blvd, Suite #101
Round Rock, TX 78664
🕐 All day long!
Every bite counts — a portion of the day's sales will go directly to supporting our team. Whether it’s lunch, dinner, or both, your meal makes a difference. Be sure to tell your friends, neighbors, and extended family to stop by too!
➡️ For more info, visit: https://wellsbranch.swimtopia.com/swim_meets
💦 Save the Date: Swim-A-Thon Fundraiser – June 3
We’re thrilled to announce one of the most exciting and meaningful events of the season — the 2025 Armada Swim-A-Thon!
📅 Date: Tuesday, June 3
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Location: Willow Bend Pool
This fun-filled evening brings the whole team together as swimmers of all ages swim as many laps as they can to raise funds for the Armada. It’s all about team spirit, determination, and celebration!
🌟 Why Join In?
- All funds support team equipment, pool time, and swimmer development
- Prizes and recognition for top lap swimmers and fundraisers
- Music, cheers, and high energy fun for everyone
Stay tuned — lap count sheets, donation links, and more info will be coming your way soon. Start spreading the word and gathering sponsors. Let’s make a splash for the Armada! 🏊
🏊♀️ Coaches' Corner
by Maddie Wright, Head Coach
Armada swimmers, what an incredible performance this weekend! You all showed up with determination and an unstoppable spirit that truly made a statement. I hope each of you is feeling proud of the hard work and focus you brought to the pool. Let’s keep the momentum and use it at our first away meet of the season against Blockhouse Tidal Waves on the 31st.
Morning Practices:
Starting on Tuesday, May 27th, we will be transitioning to morning practices. I understand that several families have reached out regarding schedule conflicts due to school still being in session. For this week, swimmers who miss practice due to school obligations are still eligible to compete in the meet on May 31st.
Meet Entries:
By the end of the season, I’d love for every swimmer to have tried each event at least once. Challenging ourselves and stepping outside our comfort zones is an important part of growing as an athlete. I truly believe that every swimmer on this team is capable of tackling every stroke and distance. Who knows, you might discover a new favorite event you never expected!
With that in mind, as we move forward, you may notice your swimmer's events changing slightly from what you originally signed them up for. This is intentional and serves two purposes:
1. To encourage personal growth by trying new things
2. To help us distribute entries across all events. Having adequate representation in each category is key to competing as a team
Thanks for your continued support—we’re excited to see how everyone rises to the challenge!
Swim Caps:
Every swimmer with long hair is required to wear a swim cap at both practices and meets.
Wearing a swim cap provides many important benefits for our swimmers:
- It keeps hair out of the face, which allows for better focus and visibility.
- It reduces drag, which allows swimmers to effectively glide through the water
- It helps goggles stay in place
- It protects hair from chlorine and helps keep hair out of the pool
If your swimmer struggles with their swim cap, a coach is always happy to help out. After practices, be sure to dry your cap off. You can also add a little bit of baby powder to keep the cap from sticking to itself and help make it easier to put on next time.
If your swimmer doesn’t already have a cap, please let a coach know. We can help you find one or provide a team cap if you haven’t already received one. Thank you for helping us set up all swimmers for success in the pool!
🎉 Spirit Theme: Back to the 80's! 🎶
Get ready to crank up the neon and bring out the big hair—this week’s spirit theme is Back to the 80’s! Let’s channel those rad vibes with bright colors, leg warmers, scrunchies, and anything retro. Swimmers and families are encouraged to show off their best 80’s style at practice and on meet day. It’s going to be totally tubular!
🙌 Volunteer Spot
by Juli Thatcher, Volunteer Coordinator
Thank you to everyone who pitched in at our second meet! Your help made it a success.
We still have open slots for this Saturday’s meet— please sign up ASAP so we can ensure a smooth and timely event.
🗓️ Mark Your Calendars
Volunteer signups for our fourth 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 so we can adjust accordingly.
👨👩👧👦 Volunteer Reminder
A quick but important reminder for all Armada families:
🔔 If your swimmer is registered to attend a meet, at least one parent or guardian is expected to sign up for a volunteer role.
Swim meets only run smoothly when we have full support from our families. From timers to pit parents, every position plays a vital role in making the day a success—for your swimmer and the entire team.
We understand that things come up! If you’re unable to volunteer for a particular meet, please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator Juli Thatcher as soon as possible to discuss options.
Thank you for being an essential part of what makes the Armada experience so strong, supportive, and successful! 💙💛
Wells Branch Armada at Blockhouse Tidal Waves
by DJ Loberg, Meet Director
Our third official meet and our 1st Away Meet!
📍 Key Details:
-
Location: Blockhouse Tidal Waves -
Apache Pool, 3100 N Block House Creek Dr, Leander, TX 78642 - Arrival Time: 6:00 AM – Be on time and check in right away
- Tidal Waves Warm-ups: 6:25–6:55 AM
- WBA Warm-ups: 6:55–7:25 AM
- Meet Start: 7:30 AM
- Events: Swimmers may compete in up to 3 individual events
- Spirit Theme Back to the 80's 🎸
📝
If your swimmer cannot attend or needs to scratch, please text and/or email us ASAP!
Directions:
- Leverage Google Maps or other maps/direction apps/tools for best results!
- Coming from 183A heading North, take exit for Scottsdale Dr. Turn left onto Scottsdale Dr. Turn right onto Blockhouse Dr. Pool is on the left.
- Coming 183 heading north, turn right on Blockhouse Dr. At the Y stay to the left. Pool will be on the right.
🚘 Parking Reminder
Parking is allowed on Block House Drive. Please abide by no parking signs and cones. No parking is available on any side streets nor in the cul-de-sac directly adjacent to the pool.
No parking per state law on the bridge, within 15ft of fire hydrants, within 30ft from a stop sign, WILCO Sheriff’s office will ticket anyone parked in these areas and are frequently patrolling the streets, please be careful to avoid these areas.
NOTE - They understand that they do not have the best parking situation. They ask the following: Absolutely no drop off IN the parking lot, in the street, or at the bridge. Thank you in advance for understanding.
Other Blockhouse Meet Info
Restrooms:
They have restrooms inside the pool gate, near the ready benches, and a port-a potty and hand
washing station near visiting pits.
Playground:
The playground in the middle of the parking lot is strictly off limits. We need to keep this open
for their neighborhood residents.
Sales:
Their concession stand will be located inside the gated area near the entrance closest to our pits. They accept cash and credit cards. They will have a merchandise sales area near the restrooms.
Kahuna Tent Raffle / Scholarship Fund:
Each meet they raffle off a VIP tent (open to home or away team to participate) with AC, tent, 1 reserved
parking spot, prime viewing of races, goodie basket, concession stand vouchers and more! 100% of the
money raised supports their newly-founded swimmer higher-education scholarship fund. The highest bid
wins!
- To participate: https://paybee.io/@tidalwaves@5
Chicken Heats:
They draw random heats and they are considered chicken heats. Chicken heats are not announced until that
heat of swimmers have started and are already in the water. The winner of that heat gets a rubber chicken
along with their heat winner ribbon. It is random and crazy, but the kids love it!
Coaches/Parent Relays:
They will plan to have one if time allows. 3 lanes per team
Pool and Pit Layout:
⚽ Austin FC Volunteer Opportunity
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:
| Day | Date | Check-In | Game Time | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | June 14 | 4:30 PM | 7:30 PM | New York |
| Saturday | July 5 | 4:30 PM | 7:30 PM | Los Angeles |
| Saturday | July 12 | 4:30 PM | 7:30 PM | New England |
| Saturday | August 9 | 4:30 PM | 7:30 PM | Houston |
| Saturday | August 16 | 4:30 PM | 7:30 PM | Dallas |
| Saturday | August 30 | 4:30 PM | 7:30 PM | San Jose |
| Saturday | Sept 20 | 4:30 PM | 7:30 PM | Seattle |
| Saturday | Oct 4 | 4:30 PM | 7:30 PM | St. Louis |
📋 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
Rattan Creek Hurricanes Meet Wrap-up
🏅 Gold Medal Individual Winners
Congratulations to all swimmers who earned top finishes at our second meet on May 24, 2025!
| Single Winners | Double Winners | Triple Winners |
| Bales, Mia | Hekman, Sylvia | Helgesen, Emilia |
| Booker-Thompson, D'Zion | Johnson, Carra | Lunsford, Sarah |
| Carreon, Sloan | Leos Trevino, Ayme | Wu, Hayden |
| Davis-Thompson, Phearce | Loberg, Olivia | |
| Loberg, Anthony | McGuire, Lucas | |
| Malone, Greyson | ||
| Melling, Everleigh | ||
| Nguyen, Alyssa | ||
| Valentino, Avery | ||
| Young, Ty |
🏆 Relay Champions
Way to go, Armada relay teams! These swimmers helped lead their teams to first-place finishes in the Freestyle Relay:
| Event | Time | Relay Winners |
| Event #1 Mixed 06 & Under 100 Free Relay | 2:23.80 | Mia Bales, Liam Nehme, Rye Jacobs, Sylvia Hekman |
| Event #2 Girls 07-08 100 Medley Relay | 1:39.29 | Millie Brown, Leah Christensen, Genoveva Christmas, Avery Valentino |
| Event #5 Boys 09-10 100 Medley Relay | 1:14.98 | Phearce Davis-Thompson, Evan McGuire, Hayden Wu, Anthony Loberg |
| Event #6 Girls 11-12 100 Medley Relay | 1:08.70 | Audrey Ricci, Olivia Loberg, Ayme Leos Trevino, Emilia Helgesen |
| Event #9 Boys 13-14 200 Medley Relay | 2:16.71 | Ian Harris, Caleb Myung, John Foster, Greyson Malone |
| Event #10 Girls 15-17 200 Medley Relay | 2:09.38 | Carra Johnson, Sloan Carreon, Eva Moon, Sarah Lunsford |
| Event #85 Boys 09-10 100 Free Relay | 1:06.26 | Hayden Wu, Phearce Davis-Thompson, Ezra Hekman, Anthony Loberg |
| Event #86 Girls 11-12 100 Free Relay | 59.70 | Alyssa Nguyen, Olivia Loberg, Ayme Leos Trevino, Emilia Helgesen |
| Event #89 Boys 13-14 200 Free Relay | 1:56.27 | Ian Harris, Ty Young, Greyson Malone, Caleb Myung |
| Event #90 Girls 15-17 200 Free Relay | 1:57.70 | Sarah Lunsford, Alizee Spindola Oviedo, Hannah Dowie, Carra Johnson |
🐠 Fast Fishies
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 – Rattan Creek Hurricanes Meet
| Name | Age Group | Tot Imp |
| Stewart, Davis | 6U Boys | -10.45s |
| Handy, Jade | 6U Girls | -22.07s |
| McRae, Elias | 7-8 Boys | -11.20s |
| Echegaray, Francesca | 7-8 Girls | -37.43s |
| Stewart, Kent | 9-10 Boys | -13.26s |
| Melling, Shyla | 9-10 Girls | -11.27s |
| Nafius, Jonathan | 11-12 Boys | -10.89s |
| Thatcher, Simon | 11-12 Boys | -9.21s |
| Young, Sage | 11-12 Girls | -8.70s |
| Young, Tarek | 13-14 Boys | -3.16s |
| Kamenicky, Inara | 13-14 Girls | -9.33s |
| Johnson, Richard | 15-17 Men | -2.47s |
| Cox, Luke | 15-17 Men | -0.70s |
| Miles, Cailyn | 15-17 Women | -2.32s |
🚨 Record Breakers!
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 100yd Freestyle - 1:09.95 Old: 1:13.69 set by Ayme Leos Trevino in 2024
🏆 Emilia Helgesen - Girls 11-12 50yd Butterfly - 36.11 Old: 36.16 set by Audrey Ricci in 2025
🏆 Emilia Helgesen - Girls 11-12 50yd Breaststroke - 40.30 Old: 40.67 set by Emilia Helgesen in 2025
🏆 Lucas McGuire - Boys 11-12 50yd Breaststroke - 43.10 Old: 43.49 set by Lucas McGuire in 2025
🏆 D'Zion Booker-Thompson - Boys 11-12 50yd Butterfly - 41.78 Old: 42.23 set by Lucas McGuire in 2025
🔥 Triple Drop Club!
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:
| Name | Category | Event |
| Christensen, Levi | 9-10 Boys | Rattan Creek Hurricanes at Wells Branch Armada |
| Elliott, Joanna | 11-12 Girls | Rattan Creek Hurricanes at Wells Branch Armada |
| Esparza, Maverick | 7-8 Boys | Rattan Creek Hurricanes at Wells Branch Armada |
| Huetter, Adiella | 7-8 Girls | Rattan Creek Hurricanes at Wells Branch Armada |
| Kamenicky, Inara | 13-14 Girls | Rattan Creek Hurricanes at Wells Branch Armada |
| McGuire, Evan | 9-10 Boys | Rattan Creek Hurricanes at Wells Branch Armada |
| McRae, Eli | 7-8 Boys | Rattan Creek Hurricanes at Wells Branch Armada |
| Nafius, Johnny | 11-12 Boys | Rattan Creek Hurricanes at Wells Branch Armada |
| Waldo, Melissa | 11-12 Girls | Rattan Creek Hurricanes at Wells Branch Armada |
🎯 2025 NWSC Invitational Qualifiers
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:
| Category | Name | Time | Event |
| #22 Women 15-17 50yd Freestyle | Lunsford, Sarah | 28.45 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #25 Boys 9-10 100yd IM | Wu, Hayden | 25.81 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #25 Boys 9-10 100yd IM | McGuire, Evan | 34.46 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #25 Boys 9-10 100yd IM | Loberg, Anthony | 37.78 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #26 Girls 11-12 100yd IM | Nguyen, Alyssa | 23.35 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #26 Girls 11-12 100yd IM | Loberg, Olivia | 23.55 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #30 Women 15-17 100yd IM | Johnson, Carra | 13.62 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #30 Women 15-17 100yd IM | Moon, Eva | 14.78 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #34 Girls 7-8 25yd Backstroke | Valentino, Avery | 23.98 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #37 Boys 9-10 25yd Backstroke | Wu, Hayden | 18.86 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #37 Boys 9-10 25yd Backstroke | Davis-Thompson, Phearce | 20.00 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #38 Girls 11-12 50yd Backstroke | Leos Trevino, Ayme | 37.42 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #38 Girls 11-12 50yd Backstroke | Ricci, Audrey | 38.27 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #44 Girls 6&U 25yd Butterfly | Bales, Mia | 34.72 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #46 Girls 7-8 25yd Breaststroke | Christensen, Leah | 26.98 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #48 Girls 9-10 25yd Breaststroke | Loberg, Vivian | 21.82 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #49 Boys 9-10 25yd Breaststroke | Davis-Thompson, Phearce | 20.55 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #49 Boys 9-10 25yd Breaststroke | Loberg, Anthony | 21.41 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #50 Girls 11-12 25yd Breaststroke | Loberg, Olivia | 18.71 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #51 Boys 11-12 25yd Breaststroke | McGuire, Lucas | 19.40 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #54 Girls 11-12 50yd Breaststroke | Helgesen, Emilia | 40.30 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #54 Girls 11-12 50yd Breaststroke | Nguyen, Alyssa | 40.84 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #55 Boys 11-12 50yd Breaststroke | McGuire, Lucas | 43.10 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #58 Women 15-17 50yd Breaststroke | Carreon, Sloan | 38.71 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #60 Girls 7-8 50yd Freestyle | Valentino, Avery | 46.55 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #63 Boys 9-10 50yd Freestyle | Loberg, Anthony | 37.13 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #64 Girls 11-12 100yd Freestyle | Leos Trevino, Ayme | 09.95 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #68 Women 15-17 100yd Freestyle | Johnson, Carra | 00.21 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #68 Women 15-17 100yd Freestyle | Spindola Oviedo, Alizee | 04.57 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #69 Men 15-17 100yd Freestyle | Cox, Luke | 56.18 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #73 Boys 9-10 25yd Butterfly | Wu, Hayden | 17.54 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #76 Girls 11-12 50yd Butterfly | Helgesen, Emilia | 36.11 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #76 Girls 11-12 50yd Butterfly | Ricci, Audrey | 36.73 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #80 Women 15-17 50yd Butterfly | Lunsford, Sarah | 31.35 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
| #80 Women 15-17 50yd Butterfly | Spindola Oviedo, Alizee | 31.43 | Wells Branch – May 24, 2025 |
View the complete list of Armada swimmers who qualified for the 2025 NWSC Invitational at:
https://wellsbranch.swimtopia.com/2025-invitationals
