Announcements
Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
Boys Swim and Dive
2022 – 2023
Head Coach: Tory Hartwig
(563) 449 - 6094
Assistant Coach: Drew Bond
(913) 251 – 1247
Assistant Coach: Jared Nigrin
(402) 237 - 5060
Dive Coach: Jeannette Giangrosso
(816) 419 – 5311
The season begins November 14, 2022 and ends after the state meet in early February, 2023
Team Requirements:
- Physical on file with STA
- Concussion form on file with STA
- Emergency medical form
- Transportation form
All forms need to be turned in to the Saint Thomas Aquinas High School Student Life Office prior to the first practice.
Swimsuits and Caps:
SwimQuik will provide a fitting at practice on November 15 at 3:30 PM at Pioneer Trail Middle School. For those swimmers who already know their suit size, you can order directly from SwimQuik. You will need to choose between a Jammer (long suit) or a traditional “speedo” styled suit. Additionally, STA swim caps will also be available via SwimQuik. Here is the link: https://swimquik.com/collections/st-thomas-aquinas
Other Equipment:
STA will provide fins, paddles, power socks, pull buoy, kickboard, center-mount snorkel (swimmer will be charged for snorkel and will keep), and mesh bag this season. Swimmers will need to provide their own goggles and suit.
If you are interested in purchasing a parka, please click this link:
https://swimquik.com/
Participation Fee:
As part of being on the STA Swim Team, each swimmer's family will be billed $100 if you own a center-mount snorkel or $135 if you do not own a center-mount snorkel. Included in this fee is a high quality t-shirt and snorkel (if necessary), plus covers unforeseen operating expenses such as events, food, and other "pop up" operating expenses during the season.
Spirit Wear:
Available STA Spirit Wear options:
https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/kansas/shawneemission/saint-thomas-aquinas-high-school
https://stastore22.itemorder.com/shop/sale/
Communication:
Swimmer and Diver only communication will happen via GroupMe.
Parent/Swimmer/Diver communication will happen via TeamSnap.
Basic information regarding the Swim and Dive program will be available on the STA athletics site.
More detailed information regarding our program will be available on the Shutterfly site (results, photos, etc.):
https://stasaintsswimdive.shutterfly.com/
Practices:
Weekday - All week day afternoon practices are held at PIONEER TRAIL (PT) Middle School from 3:30 – 5:45 p.m. unless otherwise specified. All afternoon practices are mandatory. The pool is located at the NW corner of 127th and Blackbob, 15100 West 127th St. Olathe, Ks. 66062.
Boys will need to carpool over to PT and get changed before the start of practice. PLEASE BE ON TIME.
Saturday – We will practice on all Saturdays when we do not have a meet. Saturday practice is mandatory and will take place from 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM at a Blue Valley Northwest. This is the most important practice of the week as we will have a strong focus on starts, turns, relay exchanges, and finishes.
Weights/Conditioning – We will hold weights/conditioning on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM in the STA weight room. While not mandatory, morning weights are highly encouraged for all and are a necessary part of having a successful team and 2022_23 season. Keep in mind that many competitive schools are swimming in the AM and PM as well as weights and therefore makes it even more important that the boys attend our conditioning program in the mornings. A locker room is available for showers and to change prior to the start of school.
Dive Practice schedule will be posted on the team calendar and are currently scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 PM - 9:30pm at Blue Valley High School and Saturdays from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM at UMKC (need verification for Saturday practice).
Meets:
Meet schedule will be posted on the main STA home page under “Athletic Schedule” and on our Shutterfly site.
Expectations:
The expectation for the Swim and Dive team is that we are just that…a team. We train together, we condition together, and we race together. We will humbly celebrate our victories together and graciously accept and learn from our defeats together. To be a team, we need everyone who joins the team to be at all practices as described above. Certainly, there are appointments, illnesses, etc. that will prevent a swimmer or diver from missing a practice. However, these should be few and far between. We respectfully request that all athletes understand and agree to the policy prior to joining the 2022_23 swim and dive team.
All swimmers and divers will follow the guidelines outlined in the STA handbook.
Finally, we will develop your swimmer or diver into a respectful athlete who will be coached to swim or dive at their highest potential. Swimming is a difficult and grueling sport, but it will instill a strong work ethic and high tolerance for stress in your athlete that will be of benefit throughout their lives.
Volunteers:
We will have a sign-up on Shutterfly for parents to assist with website entries, Shutterfly, Spirit Wear, snack bags, and Gatorade/Water for meets.
