For a smaller, neighborhood pool, with two other pools very close by, the Maniacs have a long and distinguished swim team tradition, dating back decades.

Every summer, we have "A" and "B" Meets for the kids. Parent volunteers run the meets, time the kids, and keep things organized. Usually, we fire up barbeques and sell food and drinks with the funds going to the team. These events are a big moneymaker during the season.

"A" Meets are with the fastest kids in each age group and stroke. They are held on Saturday mornings, at home and away. In "B" Meets, on Wednesday evenings, all team members that meet the criteria in the swim handbook are invited to participate. They are a great time for all the kids. We also have an end of the season “fun” meet, with dog paddles, race the coaches, and other wacky events.


ALL KIDS ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE MANIACS!

All members ages 6-18 who can swim one length of the pool are invited to join the Merrimack Maniacs! We're in a competitive swim division and we need all the swimmers we can get. It's lots of fun, and the camaraderie is great for kids and parents.


REGISTRATION WILL BE ONLINE THIS YEAR! CLICK LINK ABOVE.


SWIM SUIT PURCHASE/MEET COACHES
Swim Suit purchases and meet the coaches will be held on May 15th at the pool. Contact the swim team rep or any of the coaches with questions. (see below)


COACHES & CONTACTS:
Swim Team Reps:
Maura Burke (A Rep)
Phone: (301) 654-4821
Email: merleyfamily@verizon.net
5509 Charlcote Road Bethesda, MD 20817

Sue Crow (B Rep)
secrowmail@yahoo.com
Phone: (301) 320-0928

2011 Head Coach:
Scott Thiede
scott.thiede@villanova.edu

2011 Assistant Head Coach:
Caitlin Merley
cmerley@middlebury.edu

2011 Assistant Coach:
Jenna Mahaffie
jamahaff@mac.com

2011 Pre-Team/Mini Maniacs Coaches:
Ruthie Levine
ruthiell@hotmail.com

Allie Lake
allie_lake@verizon.com


PRACTICES SCHEDULE BEGINS MAY 31, 2011

Before Montgomery County schools there will only be evening practices. Once school is out, follow the schedule below.

Please note all eight and unders will come to the first practice on May 31^st at 6:15 pm. At this time they wil be assigned to pre-team, gold or black.

Mini Maniacs
Tuesday/Thursday or Monday/Wednesday: 9:30-10:00am

Pre team
Monday through Friday: 9:00-9:30am or 5:15-6:15pm

8 and unders
Gold
Monday through Thursday: 9:00-9:30am and 6:15-6:45pm
Friday-8:00-8:30am
Black
Monday through Thursday- 9:00-9:30 am and 6:45-7:15 pm Friday 8:00-8:30 am

9 and 10: Monday through Thursday: 9:00-9:30am and 7:15-8:00pm
Friday 8:00-8:30am

11 and over: Monday through Thursday 7:30-8:45am and 8:00-9:00pm
Friday 7:30-8:30 am

Practice begins in late May, followed by time trials soon afterward. Attendance at morning practice is strongly encouraged (there are donuts on Friday!).

The complete practice schedule will also be available at registration. Please call Maura Burke for more information, 301-654-4821, or email: merleyfamily@verizon.net


Download Swim Team Handbook Here


VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS NEEDED
The Swim Team is almost completely volunteer-driven. Only the coaches are paid (and not much!). As such, parents and siblings are expected to kick in help – as lane timers, officials, snack bar coordinators, meet management and administration and more. You will be called upon to help, or you can always volunteer.

We especially need stroke and turn, starters and other volunteer officials to run the meets. MCSL is offering the following training clinics for volunteer officials:
June 5, 8am, Olney Swim Center
June 7, 8pm, Georgetown Prep Pool
June 12, 8am, Olney Swim Center
June 21, 7pm, Martin Luther King Pool (Stroke and Turn training only)

Click here to download a pdf of the volunteer descriptions.


OTHER DETAILS:

• The yearly team registration fee is $70.
  
  
• The team season runs from soon after the pool opens until the County All-Star meets in late July or early August.
  
  
• Merrimack coaches are all swimmers for the team that have graduated and have returned to teach new kids.
  
  
• The team is part of the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL www.mcsl.org). Their goals include helping young people establish a love for the sport of swimming, advanced aquatic skills, teamwork, and the principles of good sportsmanship.
  
  
• Directions to all MCSL pools can be found at www.merrimackpool.org/directions.html

2011 SWIM TEAM CALENDAR