Happy Thursday Stingrays!

First off, I hope this email finds everyone safe after the storm this evening.

Spring Cypress vs Shenandoah meet will be this Saturday. Please read through this entire email. It has all the information you will need for Saturday. Heat and Psych Sheets are attached.

INDIVIDUAL PICTURES

Individual pictures will be taken on Tuesday May 21st during practice times. Please be sure to wear your team suit that day. See order form attached.

VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK WINNER

We received several great nominations, but the individual with the most nominations was Tom Lightfoot. Here are just a few of the reasons why Tom Lightfoot exemplifies the Stingray’s spirit -

●Volunteered to be meet ref when FAST did not have one. Dedicated a Saturday to support the league and team when he didn't have to.

●He did a great job with managing the meet, especially during the Breaststroke, when kids missed the event and he managed to fit them into empty lanes. He also had to deal with the fact that not all officials had working radios, making calling DQs and writing them down far more difficult.

●Despite not having a volunteer requirement, Tom accepted the position of meet referee at an away meet, for a team that's not even in our division, AND at a pool we've not been at for several seasons. This was a huge task requiring lots of prep work in advance of the meet and left Tom on his feet the entirety of the meet doing his part (and then some) to run a great meet.

●Generally a super-supporter of this team and specifically that he served as Meet Ref at the Fairfield meet because they didn’t have anyone available to do it, so Tom took on the responsibility, which included a race featuring two swimmers in the same lane at the same time as well as many ordinary challenges in running a whole meet. He and all of our NWAL officials make stingrays look good!

●Being a superstar volunteer is nothing new to Tom. The Lightfoots have not been required to volunteer for the last three seasons but they both continue to regardless and are a major asset to the team. Fairfield did not have anyone to serve as Meet Referee this Saturday, so Tom stepped up to fill the role. This required Tom work during the week leading up to gather needed information, build an Official schedule and work with the Fairfield team on logistics. Tom was one of the first Stingray volunteers at the pool Saturday, he worked on-deck the entire Meet and WAS the last one to leave due to his duty as Meet Referee.

Please be sure to fill out the google form if you would like to nominate someone for next week - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScIPUT2HFRSOP4OWf4o2TaZdnozXTgMyPrm1z8rSolfYqZJ9Q/viewform

THIS WEEKS SPONSOR

Carroll Insurance has been an integral partner with the Stingrays over the years. Their generosity has allowed us to recruit more coaches, refresh our equipment, and provide scholarships to our Senior Stingrays.

Carroll Insurance was founded in 1980, providing specialized risk management and employee benefits services across Manufacturing and Construction industries. Over the years, they have expanded their expertise to Oil & Gas, Technology, Professional Services, Restaurants, and Retail.

We are grateful for our partnership with Carroll Insurance.

MEET LOCATION INFORMATION

1619 Wellman Rd. Shenandoah, TX 77384

SHENANDOAH INFORMATION & PARKING MAP

The entrance to the parking lot for the pool is located across the road from Christ Community School (1619 Wellman Rd, Shenandoah, TX 77384). DO NOT park on Wellman or in the neighborhoods. See below for parking instructions.

From The Woodlands (west of Grogan’s Mill): Take either Woodlands Parkway or Research Forest east. Make a left on Grogan’s Mill Road heading north. Follow this road (pay attention to the speed limit) to Wellman Road. Make a right on Wellman. Go straight through stop sign. Parking lot and pool are on your right.

From I-45: Take either the Woodlands Parkway exit or Research Forest exit and head west. Make a right on Grogan’s Mill Road heading north. Follow this road (pay attention to the speed limit) to Wellman Road. Make a right on Wellman. Go straight through stop sign. Parking lot and pool are on your right.

***It is very important that we park only in those spaces designated for swim team families to park in. Below is a map showing where parking is available. Please note that the areas in RED are NO PARKING ZONES Thank you in advance for your help in this matter.

THIS WEEKS TENT BREAKDOWN FAMILIES

18-May Spring Cypress @ Fairfield - Setup: D&E Breakdown: C

*** Morning tent parents (last name D&E) will need to arrive at 6:00am to help the roadies

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

All positions have been filled!! Great job Stingrays!!

TIMELINE FOR SATURDAY

It is VERY IMPORTANT that you arrive on time for your volunteer shift. Especially Tent Parents so kids can get checked in and be ready for warm-ups.

Parents are not allowed to sit in their kids tents due to not enough room for all the swimmers to sit and have space. Some of the age group tents are very packed. Please bring items to sit on your own.

Upon arrival if you are volunteering, check in at the Volunteer table. ALL volunteers must check in at the volunteer table before the swim meet begins. Once checked in, take your swimmer to his/her designated tent and check him/her in with the Tent Parent.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are not signed up for a shift but want to volunteer to take over a shift for someone that may not have shown please be sure to check in at the volunteer table first. We need to make sure we have you as the designated volunteer for that specific shift.

If you are not able to fulfill your volunteer shift please email the Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected]

Swimmer Timeline

7:15am Swimmers check in at your tents

7:40am-7:48am 9/10 warm up

7:48am-7:55am 11 & up warm up

7:55am-8:03am 7/8 warm up

8:03am-8:10am 6 & Under warm up

Volunteer Timeline

5:45am Roadies arrive / Tent Set up begins

6:00am Tent letter parents (D&E) will need to arrive to help roadies

7:00am Volunteer check-in

8:00am Officials meeting

8:00am Ready Bench Meeting

8:00am Timers and Scribes meeting

8:15am National Anthem

8:20am Load the ready bench

8:30am Meet Starts

Based on the meet schedule it is scheduled to end about 2:40pm.

BIG RAY LITTLE RAY

It has been awesome seeing the bigs and littles cheer each other on! Some pairs have wanted to hang out a little during the down time of the meet…let’s make sure that Big rays come to Little ray tents (not vice versa) if they want to visit to make sure it’s easy on the tent parents to keep tabs on littles. And bigs remember to always ask tent parents before leaving the tent (as they are making sure everyone is safe and to their races on time). Keep it up, Stingrays!!!

CONCESSIONS

Opens at 7:30am. Cash and Venmo only.

Coffee, donuts, breakfast tacos, fruit, chips, candy, sodas, water, Gatorade, Canes, hot dogs & pizza

QUALIFYING TIMES FOR INVITATIONALS

Please visit this link for more information regarding Invitationals -

Qualifying Time for Invitations - Google Docs

If you have any questions please text Jennifer Milano at 832-428-5455

We strongly encourage that you and your swimmers begin hydrating Friday and continue to do so throughout the meet.

If you have any questions regarding this email please contact the board at [email protected]

The Board