Team Outlook

Skyline had a great inaugural season last year with 16 team member posting over 500 personal best times throughout the season. This year we expect twice as many swimmers and over 1000 personal best time throughout the season.

Many of the current and incoming team members have put in a lot of preparation during the summer and water polo seasons, which will allow the team to be much more competitive that last year. We are looking forward to continuing to build Skyline Swim and Dive Tradition!

Skyline has a new state-of-the-art swimming and diving facility, and committed and enthusiastic coaches. This is a GREAT opportunity for 9^th grade athletes to earn a VARSITY LETTER and be part of a team that is improving rapidly.

The Skyline swimming and diving team is going to be fun. We are going to work hard to develop a strong team and establish a tradition of athletic and academic excellence.

Practice Schedule

Swim season begins on Monday, November 30th and runs through February 27^th for most. The state meet is March 12^th & 13^th for those who qualify.

There are no “cuts” during tryouts. Any swimmer or diver who is willing to put in the necessary time and effort will be allowed to be a member or our team and represent Skyline in competition.

Afternoon practices are held Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Skyline High School Pool. There are some Saturday morning practices from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., also at the Skyline Pool.

There are two optional Morning practices each week that start later in the season from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Weight training will be held before afternoon practice at 3:00 p.m.

Christmas Training

Christmas training is expected to be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the break. This is the most intense training period of the season and an all-out participation is expected from everyone. A detailed schedule will follow that will allow swimmers to spend an appropriate amount of time with their family during this time.

Meet Schedule

Swim meets are typically held on Thursdays, usually start at 6:00 p.m. and run about 2 hours. There is no afternoon practice on meet days. The Bus and setup schedule will be forthcoming.

Varsity Letters

There are several ways to earn a swimming varsity letter. #1) Swim or dive an automatic varsity time / score. #2) Score individually in the top 16 (top 8 divers) at the SEC championships. #4) Score 40 pts in the SEC dual meets.

A swimmer wishing to earn a varsity letter must attend at least 90% of all morning and evening practices, maintain above a 2.0 g.p.a. and accomplish one of the above criteria.

It is not easy to earn a varsity swimming or diving letter, but it is definitely possible. Those swimmers and divers who receive them know what it means to work for and earn something important. Freshman may earn a letter if the above criteria is met.

A physical must be on file with the athletic department in order to start practice. There is a participation fee of $30 to join the team. Team Information is available at www.annarborswim.com

Coaching

Head Coach Sean Hickman brings a 25+ year competitive swimming career along with high expectations for the team. Coach Sean competed at the age group and high school level in Battle Creek and the college level at Michigan State University. He has coached several large age group teams including the St. Joseph Aquatics Club and the Brighton Eels Swim Team, as well as several high school teams including Brighton, St. Joseph, Bridgman and Saline.

Coach Sean’s swimming philosophy is simple. 1) Have Fun. 2) Do things correctly. 3) Swim Fast. If you are doing #1 and #2, #3 will automatically occur.

Skyline’s swimming program has one overriding philosophy:

Make the TEAM better because you are on it.

****SEE YOU AT THE POOL****