Bexley Marlins Swimming

With a 70-degree day this week, it’s almost warm enough to start thinking about the Marlins 2023 swim season. 

Highlights are below… and more information will be available in the Summer Bexley Recreation and Parks Guide (delivered in home and online on 4/10) and at our Parent Information meeting on 4/10.

But, for now, here’s everything you need to know to get started:

First off, mark your calendars with these important dates

• Pre-Season Virtual Parent Meeting: Monday, April 10th
• Registration for Residents: Monday, April 17th (via Bexley Recreation and Parks)
• Registration for Non-Residents: Monday, May 1st (space available basis)
• Registration Deadline: Monday, May 8th
• Season Duration: Tuesday, May 30th – Saturday, July 15th

For 2023, we will again offer a “meet-only” registration option. To be eligible for this option, swimmers must be registered with a USA Swimming club team during the 2023 Summer long course season and attend 1 Bexley Marlins practice per week. We *highly* encourage club and High School swimmers to join the team!

2023 Season Details
The Marlins will compete in the Suburban Swim Club League (SSCL) and participate in five league meets during the season, plus the Jenny Nicol meet, and SSCL Champs meet. The current meet schedule is as follows:

• Saturday, June 10 (Morning), Developmental Meet @ Grandview (12 & U)
• Tuesday, June 13 (Evening), Bexley @ Hilliard
• Tuesday, June 20 (Evening), Grandview @ Bexley
• Saturday, June 24. (Morning), Developmental Meet @ Hilliard (12 & U)
• Tuesday, June 27 (Evening), Swim & Racquet @ Bexley
• Saturday, July 1. (Morning), Jenny Nicol Meet @ Bexley
• Monday, July 10. (1/2 Day), SSCL Champs @ Swim and Racquet

Note: Champs will likely move indoors to the UA High School Natatorium, but this is not 100% confirmed.

Other Key Dates:

• Officials and Computer Training – Early May, Date TBD
• Fourth Of July Parade – July 4th
• Marlins End of Season Party – July 15th

Note: Dates and times may change as the season approaches.

Team Information Sharing

Before (and during) the season, we will share information in three key places:

• Website — http://www.bexleymarlins.com/ (This site! Not yet updated for 2023)
• Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/groups/253243638949886 (a private Facebook group for families only; you will be asked to provide the name of your swimmer before being granted access)
• Email List — Please email bexleymarlinsswimteam@gmail.com to be added to the list.

Please share all with those families who may be interested. Please have grace as we’re volunteer-organized, and responses in these channels may not happen quickly.

2023 Coaching Opportunities

Individuals interested in joining the Marlins as a coach, don’t hesitate to contact Coach Taylor at bexmarlin.coach@gmail.com. The deadline is 3/15 for interested applicants.

2023 Parent Board Opportunities

While all families are expected to volunteer at meets where their swimmers are participating, individuals interested in the Parent Board should contact the Parent Board at bexleymarlinsswimteam@gmail.com. 

Sponsorship Opportunities (Due By May 8th)

Please contact the Parent Board at bexleymarlinsswimteam@gmail.com to secure your Marlins sponsorship.

• Olympic Sponsor $400 (Main sponsor, large logo)
• Relay Sponsor $200 (Medium logo)
• Freestyle Sponsor $125 (Small logo)
• Starting Block Sponsor $75 (Name listed, no logo)

Thanks, and Let’s Go Marlins!

Marlins — We’re getting close to the end of the season… Key dates and updates are below. 

Ribbons!

• Ribbons are in your swimmer’s folders for the Hilliard, and Jenny Nicol meets. 
• In putting ribbons in, we noticed many from prior meets still waiting to be collected. There are even a few from 2021!
• Note: We will put ribbons from Canal and Champs in the folders after Champs
• The LAST CALL for ribbons will be the year-end party on 7/23

Canal Winchester Meet On Saturday, July 16

• Entries are being finalized! Please have a look at your email for a list of swimmers who have opted in.
• A reminder from the coaches that this is the last regular season meet, and your swimmer’s last opportunity to get a third meet in and/or get a time for an event. 
• LAST CALL — Let us know ASAP (as in today) if you would like your swimmer added. Please complete the form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIMY1UMsfqHfBG9VdhW_70vAQmBBT6TTcgCzAzoeW680Z4dA/viewform) and respond to this email.
• Time: Warmup 7:30 AM (on deck 7:15 AM); meet starts at 8:00 AM
• Location: Village Park, 180 Groveport Rd, Canal Winchester, OH 43110
• Look for volunteer assignments in the next couple of days. Thank you!

TCAL League Championships (Champs!) Meet on Wednesday, July 20 [Rain Date 7/21]

• Swimmer / Volunteer Signup went out yesterday and closes on Wednesday (tomorrow) at 5 PM — there are no late entries, and this is a hard deadline.
• Signup Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNqYUfPhhgQgIM12jKlGcbilDZi6w7g0G1jX2cdIFa5eODPQ/viewform?usp=send_form
• Time: Session 1 — Ages 11 and up. First warmups are at 6:30 AM but are staggered. We will get our specific warmup time closer to the event date. The meet beings at 7:45 AM.
• Time: Session 2 — Ages 10 and under. Warmups to begin at 2:00 PM or as soon as the first session is over and are also staggered. The meet starts at 3:00 PM, or as quickly as possible.
• Location: Dresden Swim Center, 1330 Main St, Dresden, OH 43821. It’s a decent drive, so please plan accordingly. We shared hotels (if interested) in a previous email.
• Look for volunteer assignments a few days before the meet. Thank you!

End of Season Party on Saturday, July 23

• Clifton Shelter (behind Jeffrey Mansion), starting at 5:00 PM, with Bexley Pool swimming to follow.
• A chance for coaches to recognize the swimmers on a season well done!
• An opportunity for parents and families to thank the coaches.
• This event will likely be potluck snacks/drinks — look for a signup, soon!
• Coaches’ gifts — please watch for an email or social post.

Team Photo

• Unfortunately, we cannot pull off a team photo this year. As the season winds down and camps, activities, and vacations creep in, there’s no window where most/all of the team is in one place. We’ll schedule it earlier in the season next year.

LET’S GO MARLINS!

Given the weather situation (and what is projected to be significant rain hitting us at 530), we have made the decision with the Pickerington team to cancel tonight’s meet.

Given tight timing as we approach the end of the season. I don’t believe we will have the opportunity to reschedule it. However… if your swimmer was on the heat sheet/roster for tonight, they will get credit for a TCAL meet (as a reminder — 3 are needed to swim in Champs).

First… Please stay safe and dry,

Second… Take a moment to make sure you are signed up for the Jenny Nicol meet on Saturday — that’s always a fun event!

First and foremost, watch TeamSnap for last-minute updates throughout the day

Tonight’s Meet details…

> Warmups start at 4:30 pm (swimmers on deck at 4:15); the meet begins at 5:30 pm.

> Heat sheets were just sent via email — please Event-Heat-Lane your swimmer’s arm! This PDF shows how events are being combined — so we can move the meet efficiently. If you have questions about why your swimmer is swimming (or not swimming) in an event, please talk to the coaches.

> Please review your volunteer assignment — these were distributed via email and posted here on Facebook — We need everyone’s help to make the meet go smoothly! Thank you, Thank you!

> Volunteers — please listen for announcements… timers, officials, bullpen, etc… Generally speaking, please check in with Adriane Baylis at the scorers/officials’ table to ask where to go.

> Reminder — Swimmers in the meet are not permitted to be in the other pool during the meet.

Key Dates and Notes…

(Tomorrow) Wednesday, July 6 – Home Meet vs. Pickerington

• Swimmer signup is complete and final. Please be sure to look for entry lists and heat sheets today and tomorrow (with the holiday, everything is a little last minute with seeding the meet)
• Volunteer assignments went out via email and to Facebook — please be sure to confirm your spot, and thank you for helping make the meet go smoothly.
• Warmups start at 4:30 pm (on deck at 4:15); Meet starts at 5:30 pm.
• It will be hot — so please plan appropriately (water, food, shade, sunblock, etc.)

(This Weekend) Saturday, July 9 – Annual Jenny Nicol Meet and Fundraiser

• NEW TIME: Warmups are at 8:30 (on deck by 8:15); the Meet starts at 9:00 am. (This is one hour later than previously noted)
• An essential annual tradition — a Marlins-only meet and “bring a little bit of cash” fundraiser where we honor Jenny Nicol (please look for the donation box!)
• Jenny was a 1998 graduate of Bexley High School and a former Bexley Marlins coach, lifeguard, and swim instructor. Jenny went missing on New Year’s Day in 2003 while diving on the coast of Andros Island in the Bahamas.
• The meet raises money to provide books and educational materials for libraries serving the children of Andros and other islands in the Bahamas. A cause near and dear to Jenny’s heart.
• We’re joined by Jenny’s parents and family, who start the races and hand out candy and heat-winner ribbons.
• Swimmer/Volunteer signup emails are coming out today!

Saturday, July 16 — Away Meet AT Canal Winchester

• FINAL REGULAR-SEASON MEET!
• Time: Warmup 7:30 AM (on deck 7:15 AM); meet starts at 8:00 AM
• Watch for Swimmer/Volunteer signup emails during the week prior.

Wednesday, July 20, All Day — TCAL League Championships (Champs) 

• The meet is at Dresden Swim Center in Dresden, Ohio; Specific times are TBD, but age groups will separate into 2-3 sessions.
• To participate in Champs, your swimmer must have competed in 3 TCAL League meets and have a legal time.
• This meet is outdoors — so please plan appropriately (water, food, shade, sunblock, etc.)
• Watch for Swimmer/Volunteer signup emails the week prior — all teams must supply timers, officials, and bullpen resources for all sessions of Champs. Note: Parent Volunteers are usually the only non swimmer/coach individuals allowed close to the pool at Champs… so this is a great way to be accessible and be able to give a quick hug and words of encouragement to your swimmer

Thursday, July 21, All Day — Rain Date for TCAL Champs

Saturday, July 23 — Marlins End of Season Banquet and Swim Party

• A chance for coaches to recognize the swimmers on a season well done!
• An opportunity for parents and families to thank the coaches.
• Where: Clifton Shelter (behind Jeffrey Mansion), starting at 5:00 pm, with Bexley Pool swimming to follow.

Misc Notes…

Food Trucks for the end-of-year party… We are still looking for food trucks for our end-of-season party. Unfortunately, everyone we have reached out to is unavailable… If you have a favorite truck or know someone who has a truck, don’t hesitate to contact Lauren Hanna at LAH269@aol.com.

Last call for Shirts… This week is your last chance to pick up your team shirt.

Spirit Wear… It should be delivered this week. Look for a separate message from Lauren Hanna on getting your items.

Ribbons… We know everyone loves their ribbons! So we wanted to give you some information on ribbons so you can manage your swimmer’s expectations.

Timing… Ribbons are the hosting home team’s responsibility. The larger the swim meet with more participants, the longer it takes to print labels, put them on ribbons, and then sort them into the swimmer folders. Ribbons usually take 2 to 3 days to complete depending on how many volunteers there are. Ribbons from the Hilliard and Granville meets will be mailed to our team and then put in your swimmer’s folder.

Places… Place ribbons are typically awarded through 12th place (for non-DQd swims). Our team also provides participation ribbons for places beyond 12th for the JV swimmers. Other teams may or may not offer participation ribbons.

Missing Ribbons… If your swimmer is missing a ribbon or would like a participation ribbon for an event they swam, please contact Sarah at schoppe-sullivan.1@osu.edu, and she can produce a replacement.

Goal Busters… Also, at the end of the season, each swimmer will receive a report of all the events they swam throughout the year, their times, and any time drops during the season. In addition, for each time drop, they will receive a “goal buster” tag for their swim bag. These will be distributed at the end of the season party.

Thanks!

Marlins Families… We’re approaching the halfway point in the season — with a lot going on and a lot left to do! This is a relatively comprehensive list of upcoming dates and info, so dig in!

Monday, June 27 — 4th of July / Spirit Poster Making Opportunity #1

• Visit the picnic tables to make posters after Varisty and JV Practice — art supplies provided!

Tuesday, June 28 – Away Meet AT Hilliard

• Warmups start at 5:00 pm (swimmers on deck at 4:45); the meet starts at 6:00 pm
• Location: 3850 Veterans Memorial Dr., Hilliard, 43026.
• Please be sure to look for entry lists and heat sheets on Monday or Tuesday via email. Coaches will also have them upon arrival.
• Please be sure to look for volunteer assignments via email.
• Hilliard is a new pool for us… The pool is open during the meet, so let the staff at the entrance know you are there for a swim meet, and there is no fee to get in. It will be a lovely evening, so it will likely be busy!
• The competition pool is located to the right when entering the pool. You and your swimmer can set up anywhere on the grass or under umbrellas (bring chairs, etc.). The concession stand is open, but you are free to bring coolers, etc. Please clean up your area before leaving the pool that evening.
• This outing is a friendly, non-league meet — so it will be relaxed and fun!

Wednesday, June 29 – Home Meet vs. Groveport

• Warmups start at 4:30 pm (swimmers on deck at 4:15); the meet starts at 5:30 pm.
• Swimmer signup is complete and final. Please be sure to look for entry lists and heat sheets over the next few days via email.
• Please be sure to look for volunteer assignments via email — Thank you for helping make the meet go smoothly!

Friday, July 1 — 4th of July / Spirit Poster Making Opportunity #2

• Visit the picnic tables to make posters after Varisty and JV Practice — art supplies provided!

Monday, July 4 — Bexley Fourth Of July Parade

• Swimmers and parents must arrive at float location #36 at 8:30 am. While the location will be near Maryland elementary, We will also share the exact location via Team Snap on the morning of the parade. Please don’t just ring and run with your swimmer — We need coaches and parents to assist by walking alongside the float.
• Streets will be closed and blocked — so leave yourself enough time to arrive.
• At 9:00 am, the float will start to move, and the parade starts at 9:30 am sharp!
• The parade ends at the High School, and Swimmers must be picked up there promptly.
• When the Bexley Marlin float crosses into South Bexley, another Team Snap will go out so parents can gauge when they can expect their swimmers to arrive at the final destination. As we approach the high school, another Team Snap notification will be made.
• EVERY swimmer should design an awesome poster to help decorate our Bexley Marlins float. Even if your swimmer is not riding the parade float, we still need them to decorate a prideful Marlin poster. Swimmers can drop off posters at the front porch of 79 S. Ardmore Rd if you don’t take advantage of one of the sessions after practice this week (Monday and Friday)
• Float riders should bring four bags of candy (save some for South Bexley), a water bottle, and sunblock. Float riders should wear a Marlins T-Shirt and bring their Marlin spirit!
• If your swimmer plans on riding the float, RSVP to Lauren Hanna at LAH269@aol.com, so we have somewhat of a headcount.
• Parade route FYI — https://bexleygis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/imageryviewer/index.html?appid=bf1f258971d649a9aac34049f0211af9&center=-82.9316;39.9579&level=14&hiddenLayers=centerlines_shapefile_2401

Wednesday, July 6 – Home Meet vs. Pickerington

• Warmups start at 4:30 pm (on deck at 4:15); Meet starts at 5:30 pm.
• Watch for Swimmer/Volunteer signup emails in the coming days.

Saturday, July 9 – Jenny Nicol Meet and Fundraiser

• An essential annual tradition — a Marlins-only meet and “bring your cash” fundraiser where we honor Jenny Nicol
• Warmups are at 7:30 (on deck by 7:15); the Meet starts at 8:00 am.
• Jenny was a 1998 graduate of Bexley High School and a former Bexley Marlins coach, lifeguard, and swim instructor. Jenny went missing on New Year’s Day in 2003 while diving on the coast of Andros Island in the Bahamas.
• The meet raises money to provide books and educational materials for libraries serving the children of Andros and other islands in the Bahamas. A cause near and dear to Jenny’s heart.
• We’re joined by Jenny’s parents and family, who start the races, and hand out candy and heat-winner ribbons.
• Watch for Swimmer/Volunteer signup emails in the coming days.

Saturday, July 16 — Away Meet AT Canal Winchester

• Warmup 5:00 PM (on deck 4:45 PM); meet starts at 5:30 PM
• Watch for Swimmer/Volunteer signup emails the week prior.

Wednesday, July 20, All Day — TCAL League Championships (Champs) 

• The meet is at Dresden Swim Center in Dresden, Ohio; Specific times are TBD, but age groups will separate into 2-3 sessions.
• To participate in Champs, your swimmer must have competed in 3 TCAL League meets.
• This meet is outdoors — so please plan appropriately (water, food, shade, sunblock, etc.)
• Watch for Swimmer/Volunteer signup emails the week prior — all teams must supply timers, officials, and bullpen resources for all sessions of Champs. Note: Parent Volunteers are usually the only non swimmer/coach individuals allowed close to the pool at Champs… so this is a great way to be accessible and be able to give a quick hug and words of encouragement to your swimmer

Thursday, July 21, All Day — Rain Date for TCAL Champs

Saturday, July 23 — Marlins End of Season Banquet and Swim, Clifton Shelter (behind Jeffrey Mansion), starting at 5″00 pm, with Bexley Pool swimming to follow.

• A chance for coaches to recognize the swimmers on a season well done!
• An opportunity for parents and families to thank the coaches.
• FUN, FUN, FUN for all — food trucks, private pool access, and a DJ!

Swim Meet Signups For Next Week’s Meets — Please read carefully.

Sign-up surveys for BOTH the AWAY meet at Hilliard on Tues 6/28 AND the home meet vs. Groveport on Wed 6/29 are linked below. We have made two important changes to the meet surveys:

(1) You now only need to complete a survey if one or more of your children plans to swim in the given meet. If you have no swimmers in a meet, you can skip the survey!

(2) In lieu of volunteer sign-ups for every meet, we are now including in the Swimmer Sign Up Survey a question regarding support roles each family is interested in assisting with at the meet. It is critical that every family who has a swimmer participating in the meet attempt to have at least one adult parent/caregiver/friend help at every meet. This helps ensure we have the people and resources to run the meet efficiently. If we have enough families participating in the meet, we will make every effort to split the Timer and Bullpen roles into First Half and Second Half options (vs the entire meet).

For parents who cannot attend the meet with their swimmer, or families with extenuating circumstances, there is a Comments box to add a note for the coach regarding why you are unable to assist at the meet. After responses are received, the team will send out a Meet Support Roles grid to show who is assigned to which role for the meet. If roles remain unfilled or individuals do not show up for their assigned role at the meet, we will solicit volunteers at the meet and potentially delay the start of the meet until critical roles are filled.

Meet #1 Details: Tues 6/28 AWAY at Hilliard 3850 Veterans Memorial Dr, Hilliard, OH 43026; warm-ups at 5:00pm, meet start at 6:00pm; swimmers should arrive by 4:45pm.

Meet #1 Signup: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSf…/viewform

Meet #2 Details: Wed 6/29 HOME vs. Groveport, warm-ups at 4:30pm, meet starts at 5:30pm, swimmers should arrive by 4:15pm.

Meet #2 Signup: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSeZCmdSO7ttD…/viewform

The deadline to sign up for these two meets is Saturday 6/25 at 12 NOON. You will receive a confirmation email indicating when you have completed a survey. If you need to, you can still go back and complete the survey a second time if anything changes prior to the entry deadline. We will use the most recent survey entries. We will also send out a list of confirmed swimmers for these meets after the survey window closes.

Thank you!

TIMING / WARM-UPS for Bexley start at 7:30 AM (on deck at 7:20!) with a meet starting at 8 AM. The bullpen will call the first relays at about 7:45 AM.

LOCATION: 1287 Hebron Rd, Heath, OH 43056. Please note that while the address is Hebron Rd., there is a turn-off from Hebron Rd. onto Sergeant Simpson Parkway. Look for the signs! https://tcalstingrays.swimtopia.com/location Note: the pool is open after the meet for paid-entry swimming if anyone wants to stay!

EVENTS AND HEAT SHEETS: Those will be distributed on Friday. Stay tuned!

FOOD AND DRINK: Granville does not offer a bake sale, but everyone is free to bring coolers, etc

WATER STARTS: Just a heads up or a reminder to coaches that this is a water-start-only pool (no blocks). Please remember that in our league the hand must remain on the wall (not just the feet) for a legal start.

SAFETY: Only the Olympic pool is open during the meet. Children and adults are not permitted to use the other pools, swing sets, or other recreational areas during the meets as they are not at full staff.

VOLUNTEERS: Thank you again — and listen for announcements!

Marlins Families — Lots is going on in the next couple of weeks. Take note!

Schedule: There are 3 Meets In The Next 10 Days

• Saturday, AWAY at Granville. 730 am Warmups, 800 am Start
• Tuesday, June 28th – AWAY at Hilliard (note: this is not a league meet) 
• Wednesday, June 29th – HOME vs. Groveport

ASAP: Entries for Saturday’s Meet

Entry requests for Saturday’s meet at Granville were due over the weekend. Please respond ASAP to the “[Bexley Marlins] Confirmed swimmers” email for last-minute adds. Unfortunately, no additions can be guaranteed after 5 PM today (Monday).

Be On The Lookout: Volunteer Signups

Volunteer signups will be coming out for the upcoming meets — We will need everyone to pitch in! Even as a volunteer, you can see your swimmer in action!

Mark Your Calendar: Fourth of July Parade!

The Marlins will be in the parade on a float again this year! Always lots of fun, lots of candy, and Bexley turns out big for the parade.

Every Marlin should make a spirit poster regardless of parade participation. Posters can be dropped off at the front porch of 79 S. Ardmore Rd in central Bexley by Saturday, July 1st at noon. We will have two poster-making days starting after the varsity practice at the picnic benches on Monday, June 27th, and Friday, July 1st.

*More details regarding riding on the awesome parade float will be emailed this week.*

Coaches Note: Finishing Practice

We understand that there is often a lot going on in the Summer months, and sometimes schedules compete or are tight, but it’s important that swimmers finish their entire practice as often as possible. 

When swimmers exit the pool early, it can distract the coaches and other swimmers.

See you in the pool! Let’s Go Marlins!

This is an AWAY meet. Warm-ups will be at 7:30 am and swimmers are expected to arrive at least 15 min prior to warm-ups. Meet starts at 8:00 am.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScAO-Io_aW7XL4xUtPIlcVrMLwqrc2D6r0lErtF-YbUD04leg/viewform

Please use the Google survey to indicate whether or not your swimmer(s) will participate in this meet; responses are due by this Sunday, June 19th at 5:00 pm.

The coaches need swimmer participation information well before each meet in order to prepare the meet entries in a timely manner.

You should receive a confirmation email indicating when you have completed the survey.

We will also send out a list of confirmed swimmers for this meet after the survey window closes.

Reminder: responses are due by this Sunday, June 19th at 5:00 pm.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScAO-Io_aW7XL4xUtPIlcVrMLwqrc2D6r0lErtF-YbUD04leg/viewform