1. Every swimmer counts. The team’s strength comes from raising the standards of all team members. We will work together, cheer for everyone, and keep everyone excited and positive about our school and our sport!
2. Winning is not just being #1. Winning can come in many forms and we will look at winning as a process. For example: Did you reach a particular goal? Did you swim a faster or a more technically accurate race? Did you make a true effort and substantially improve? The team wins when everyone gives 100%.
3. Responsibility is required. When a swimmer chooses to be on the team, they get the benefits that come with representing the school through the team. Therefore, it is essential that swimmers are responsible for contributing to the overall success of the team. For example: On time for practice everyday, on time to the bus for our meets, making a honest effort to become a better athlete and swimmer. Continuously improving your interpersonal skills through academics and athletics at BHS.
4. No substitute for hard work. Be consistent and be persistent, give your best effort. You have heard it all before, now its time to put it to practice.

Blanchet Swimming is in itsfourth season. Our swimmers have participated at the state level. Our men’s team finished in the top 10 at state every year since the team was started. It is our team’s main goal to place both the women’s and the men’s teams in the top three at state championships. To achieve this goal all swimmers must be dedicated to giving their best athletic performance each day. On that note, swimmers need support from friends and family to reach that goal on a daily basis. 

Attendance goals:  

1. All swimmers to avoid unexcused absence from practice or meets.  

2. All swimmers to attend 90% for all practices.  

Lettering criteria:  

Swimmers need to earn 16 points to receive a varsity letter. The varsity letter is a prestigious award that confirms outstanding commitment and performance in your sport.  While this is the standard the coaches will use to grant letters, there may be unforeseen circumstances the require coaches either grant or not grant a varsity letter.

1. How do you earn the points?  

a. One point will be given every time a swimmer attends a meet.  

b.Points may also be earned by placing 1 - 3 in dual meets, and 1 - 12 in championship meets.  Relay points are worth double individual points so being on A and B relays is a good way to earn points.

2. Practice attendance and meet participation are both necessary to achieve the best possible performances at championship meets. The following outlines how both are linked:

Practices from November 5 to December 3:  

a. If a swimmer has 2 or more missed practices during this period they will not be able to swim at the first meet. 

Practice from December 3 to February 18: 

a. If a swimmer misses 1 or more practices during a week that we have a meet, they will miss the next meet on the schedule.  

3. Excused absences: Swimmers can miss practice for the following reasons: 

a. There is another school activity that conflicts with the team's schedule. The swimmer must give prior notice to the coach. Students at Blanchet must give 20 hours of community service each year and we ask that this commitment be made at times other than practice or meets. 

b. Family emergency. (Special note to Parents: Please be proactive in looking ahead to this season and rescheduling any routine doctor/dentist appointments, hair cuts, and family events that start during practice. Please allow your high school student to miss their sibling’s after-school activities/performances that conflict with practice and meets as well.  

c. Club Swimmers. Please see a coach todiscuss your workout schedule.

1. Team first! We compete to show support and promote our school in the community. We must always work together as one. -You get the idea- Our goal is to get everyone across the finish line feeling proud to be a member of the team!
2. Build on success by example. The team’s long term success depends on you! Younger generations will look to your experience and decide if they want to be part of the team in the future. We must lead by example and build a great foundation for future teams.
3. Become a premier swimming team in 3A competition. By doing the above things we will be successful in the 3A competitive ranks and it will be our goal to build a successful record of achievement in 3A Swimming.

TEAM CONDUCT

1. Be respectful and caring of all individuals. I think this is an obvious one.
2. Dress in team attire or by the BHS dress code standards. On meet days or when representing the team we will have opportunity show our spirit and solidarity by wearing our school colors. We will order warm-ups during our first week of training and you will be expected to wear them to and from meets and during other team activities. Team unity and identity are important first steps to building team pride and success! Team members who choose not to purchase the warm-up will be expected to comply with BHS Dress code during these times.
3. Team members are always positive role models. At school and in the community.