Oakwood Stingrays

Here's what you need to know to prepare for meet day:

Before the meet:

• Attendance: Swimmers must RSVP as attending or not attending via the SwimTopia app by the coach’s deadline (usually 24 hours before the meet).
• Event Selection: Each swimmer can participate in up to three individual events—consult with the coach if you’re unsure which strokes your swimmer has mastered. Coaches will assign events if left blank and they may change parent selected events if they feel the swimmer is not ready to swim the event legally.
• Relays: Mark availability for relays—these vary by club and may be at the start or end of the meet. Coaches handle relay assignments.
• Meet Worker Sign-Up: Remember to sign up for your required 5 shifts—and aim for that end-of-season prize!
• Heat Sheets: Finalized the day of the meet, heat sheets list event numbers, heat numbers, and lane assignments. Print or keep a digital copy handy. (Note: Jr Ray events aren’t included on the heat sheet—they always swim before the first event.)
• Detailed Instructions: Coaches send meet instructions via email a day prior, with any last-minute updates shared through the Remind app.

Meet day basics:

• Most meets are held on Tuesdays or Thursdays and start at 5 PM, with warm-ups beforehand. The Jackson Swim Team hosts Saturday meets, and the season culminates with the Mobile County Aquatic League Championships (MCAL) City Meet, held on Friday and Saturday (and sometimes a short session on Thursday night depending on the number of athletes) at the end of the season.
• Packing Checklist:
  • Folding chairs
  • Heat sheets & Sharpies
  • Snacks and drinks (or plan for concessions, if available)
  • Water for your swimmer
  • Sunscreen
  • Oakwood swimsuit & team t-shirt
  • Goggles & swim cap
  • Towel
  • Dry clothes for your swimmer

Meet Day Essentials:

Here’s what to expect when meet days rolls around:

• Arrival: Plan to arrive 10 minutes prior to warm-ups to find a spot and settle in.
• What to Bring: Don’t forget chairs, towels, drinks, and snacks. Not all clubs offer concessions, so it’s always good to be prepared.
• Meet Worker Check-In: If you’ve signed up to work the meet, check in with the team mom upon arrival to sign in. Listen for the call for workers 15 minutes before the meet starts and attend the meet worker meeting. Then, be sure to show up for your shift!
• Swimmer Check-In: Swimmers should check in with their coach upon arrival and stay nearby to know when to head to the Clerk of Course for event line-ups.
• Marking Events: Many parents bring Sharpies to write event details on their swimmer's arm or leg in a grid pattern for easy reference.
• Format: Event # (E), Heat # (H), Lane # (L). Here is an example:

  

• Listen for Announcements: The announcer will call event numbers to the Clerk of Course. Make sure swimmers understand to pay attention and follow all instructions while in this area.
• Clerk of Course Process: Parent workers will line up swimmers in heat and lane order. Swimmers will then move through a series of benches toward the pool deck. As their turn approaches, meet workers/coaches will guide them to the starting blocks, verify their name with the timers, and ensure they’re ready to race. After their event, swimmers return to the team area.
• Early Departures: If you need to leave early:
  • Let the coach know if your swimmer can’t complete all events.
  • Inform the Swim Volunteer Moms (Kelly or Kristina) if you’re unable to finish your volunteer shift.
• Behavior Reminder: We always represent Oakwood with pride! Swimmers, parents, siblings, and guests should demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times. Let’s keep our team area clean and pick up belongings before heading home.

After the Meet

• Results: Meet results will be updated in SwimTopia and emailed within 3 days. These include:
  • Individual performance (placement and points scored).
  • Team results (overall points and placement).
• Ribbons: Distributed for 1st-12th places and placed in family folders once available