So, my granddaughter is a freshman in HS. She is swimming on a USA team and her HS team. The HS team has about 60 swimmers--walk on, no try outs. Of those 60 only 4 girls (3 seniors & my DGD) are truly competitive. There are some who can not yet swim a complete lap(pull self along on lane ropes). Some team members haven't paid their booster fees.
The coach insists on taking the WHOLE team to every meet so everyone can have the "meet" experience. Because some members haven't paid booster fees there isn't enough money for the WHOLE team to go to large/competitive meets and the coach refuses to leave the 'non swimmers' or deadbeats at home. He has cancelled every out of town large/competitive meet that requires an over night stay. I don't believe this is fair to the few competitive swimmers on the team who are hoping to be seen by colleges.
Any thoughts on how to approach the situation?
Thanks!
Parents
Former Member
Or, embrace the envious position of being among the best on the team as a mere freshman and that your talent is so valuable to the team that it needs to be spread across three relays, capture an opportunity to take on a leadership role for older peers (builds character/college essay), stick around and become captain (builds character/college essay), mentor a classmate and watch her go from novice to point-scorer by sr. year (builds character/college essay), give technique advice (appropriately) to the less experienced girls...and so on.
Splits aren't official times for meet qualification but college coaches care about them. The racing experience she will get trying to Lezak opponents in relays is at least as valuable as being in heat 17 lane 6 of a giant USS meet.
College coaches are interested in times for sure, but also want young women who've demonstrated that they're good teammates and leaders regardless of the circumstances. Unless it requires a big tradeoff with the more valuable club training and competition, or the coach is mean in addition to having a "no swimmer left behind" approach, why not stick with it and see if there's some fun and value in the experience.
Or, embrace the envious position of being among the best on the team as a mere freshman and that your talent is so valuable to the team that it needs to be spread across three relays, capture an opportunity to take on a leadership role for older peers (builds character/college essay), stick around and become captain (builds character/college essay), mentor a classmate and watch her go from novice to point-scorer by sr. year (builds character/college essay), give technique advice (appropriately) to the less experienced girls...and so on.
Splits aren't official times for meet qualification but college coaches care about them. The racing experience she will get trying to Lezak opponents in relays is at least as valuable as being in heat 17 lane 6 of a giant USS meet.
College coaches are interested in times for sure, but also want young women who've demonstrated that they're good teammates and leaders regardless of the circumstances. Unless it requires a big tradeoff with the more valuable club training and competition, or the coach is mean in addition to having a "no swimmer left behind" approach, why not stick with it and see if there's some fun and value in the experience.
