General Meet Info

When participating in meets (except the Coho Conference League) all Coho swimmers must wear a COHO team suit and cap. All swimmers who qualify for state, regional, or national championship meets are expected to compete. Meet entries for these swimmers will be handled on an individual basis by the coaches. If you foresee a conflict with of these dates, please inform the coach as soon as possible at the beginning of the season. When signing up your child for a swim meet, please note that all swimmers, regardless of their practice group, should sign up for the session in which their age group competes.

PARENT JOBS AT MEETS

HOME MEETS: There are several different Parent Jobs to choose from at Coho hosted meets. Click on the Job Signup button to choose your Parent Job. Please note: Every Coho family who signs a swimmer up for a home meet will be assigned a Parent Job. If you do not select a job, you will be assigned one. An effort will be made to assign you to one of the preferred jobs you listed on your contact sheet, but to be sure you should select your job when you sign your swimmer up for any Coho home meet.

AWAY MEETS: Visiting clubs are often asked to supply timers. Timing assignments for away meets will be made by the Coho Officials Director and posted on the website prior to each away meet.  Every effort will be made to rotate assignments.  Please click here to read about timing at away meets. 

TYPES OF MEETS

Coho Conference League Meets –All swimmers in the Minnow, AG1, AG2 and AG3 groups are divided into three teams: “Spirit, Character, and Pride”. These teams compete against each other in three tri meets. Team scores from all three meets will determine the Conference League Champions who get to push their coaches in the pool. These meets are a great way for our swimmers to get to know their teammates, have fun competing in the pool, and show some Spirit, Character, and Pride! At the final meet ribbons are handed out and the club hosts a pizza party for everyone.

Developmental Meets – These are non-sanctioned (unofficial) meets, which we swim with other local clubs. Emphasis is placed on FUN and learning the “who, what, where, when, why and how’s” of competition. Swimmers in the Minnow, AG1, and AG2 groups may participate. We recommend these meets for new swimmers.

Dual/Tri Meets – A meet where 2/3 teams compete which usually last approximately 3 hours. Open to all groups except Minnows; swimmers compete in individual events and relays are sometimes offered. These meets are smaller compared to USA meets and are great for newer competitors.

Coho Classic – Coho hosts three annual meets from which we raise much of the money needed to run the club. The fall and winter meets are held at Deerfield High School and the summer meet is held at Deerspring Pool. All three meets require a great deal of work from everyone. If your child is signed up, you are expected to volunteer in some capacity. Swimmers in all groups except Minnows may participate.

USA Meets – These are multiple team meets that run 1-3 days. Each age group competes in one session per day, which usually lasts about 4 hours. Friday sessions usually offer distance events, which are for experienced swimmers only. Swimmers need to sign up for these meets well in advance. Swimmers in all groups except Minnows may participate.   

NWISC Conference Meet –  A six team conference championship style meet is held at the end of each season. It is strongly encouraged for all Coho swimmers, including Minnows, to compete. This meet is held Friday through Sunday at the end of the winter and summer seasons. This is our team championship meet for all swimmers.

Travel Meets – Travel meets are usually coach chaperoned and swimmers are expected to stay with the team for the duration of the trip. A coach bus, hotel accommodations, and team activities are arranged by the coaching staff. Parents may attend (they are required to attend if the swimmer is 8 years old or younger), but must make separate travel and hotel arrangements. Group recommendations will depend on the specific meet.

Regional Champs – This meet is for all swimmers who have achieved a Regional qualifying time, but have not surpassed the Age Group or Senior State qualifying time. This is usually the “last chance” meet for swimmers who are close to qualifying for state meets. Regionals are held at the end of each winter season.

Age Group State Champs – This is the state championship meet for swimmers 14 and under. Swimmers that achieve at least one individual qualifying time or are on a qualifying relay are expected to compete. This meet is held at the end of the winter and summer seasons.

Senior State Champs – This is the state championship meet typically for swimmers age 14 and over, although younger swimmers may also compete if they qualify. All swimmers with at least one individual qualifying time or are on a qualifying relay are expected to compete. This meet is held at the end of the winter and summer seasons.

Central Zones Champs – Swimmers with at least one “AAA” time may swim in this meet at the end of the summer season in August. They will compete as part of Team Illinois against teams fielded by the rest of the Midwest.

Speedo Sectionals – This is a regional championship meet with no age restrictions. All swimmers with at least one individual qualifying time or are on a qualifying relay are expected to compete. This meet is held at the end of the winter and summer seasons.

OTHER INFORMATION ON MEETS

Missed Meets – If you know in advance that your child will miss a meet that he/she is signed up for contact the Coho office as soon as possible. If it is a last minute emergency and it is after 3pm on Friday, please notify another swimmer/parent that will be at the meet. This is important because other swimmers depend on their teammates in order to compete in relay events. 

Away Meets – Parents must provide their own transportation for away meets.

Events – Each coach follows the same basic philosophy when selecting events. First, swimmers compete only in the strokes that their coaches feel they can legally swim. Second, swimmers compete only in the distances that they are physically and mentally ready to handle. However, coaches regularly challenge swimmers to attain greater levels of performance. Finally, swimmers are placed in a wide variety of events (not just their best/favorites!) to gain experience in every stroke and distance.

Relays – The coaches make the final decision at the meet as to which swimmers will swim on which relay, and in what order. In general, the four fastest swimmers in each age group will make up the “A” relay; the next four will make up the “B” relay, etc. Coaches may take into account how individuals are performing on that day to make final relay decisions. If you sign up for a meet you should plan to be there for the entire session. If a swimmer is not scheduled to participate on a relay, he or she may leave after the last individual swim, provided they have been given the ok from their coach. In regards to championship meets, coaches will make every effort to give as much notice as possible to “relay only” swimmers. Final relay selections will be decided by the final USA meet.

Positive Check-in – Swimmers must check-in with their coach at least 15 minutes prior to warm-up. Some meets require a Positive Check-in. When this is the case, swimmers must check in at the Positive Check-in table near the entrance or locker rooms (by high lighting their name). When positive check-in closes (usually during the warm-ups), all swimmers who have not checked in are taken out of the meet. The meet is then seeded with only the athletes in attendance. This eliminates empty lanes due to swimmers who were entered in a meet but not there the day of for whatever reason which saves time.

Stretching/Meet Warm-up – All swimmers will participate in stretching and warm-up before all meets. This warm-up may last from 30 min. to 1 hr. The reason for stretching and warm-up is to allow all swimmers to loosen up their muscles and to make final preparations before competition. The warm-up is mandatory for all Coho swimmers. All Coho swimmers must be on deck ready for stretching 15 minutes before warm-ups begin.

Reporting to Coaches –Coho swimmers are expected to see their coach before and after each race. This is important so that before a race their coach can give them reminders to help ensure a successful swim. Swimmers should go see their coach first after each race so that the swim can be discussed while it is still fresh in the swimmer and coach’s mind.

EQUIPMENT FOR SWIMMERS AT ALL MEETS

ü      Team Suit – Required at meets for everyone!

ü      Goggles – Always have an extra pair of goggles available in case the first pair breaks.

ü      Team Caps – Always have an extra team cap in case one breaks.

ü      Towels – Bring 2-3 towels, they get wet fast!

ü      Deck Shoes or Sandals – Pool decks are not kind to bare feet.

ü      Water Bottle – It is very important for swimmers to remain hydrated at meets.

ü      Extra Clothing – Swimmers must remain warm between races, so shirts, pants, parkas, gloves, hats, shoes and socks are recommended for meets. Bring more than one set since items will get wet. Swimmers should not plan to wear the same clothes to a meet, during a meet, and on the way home from a meet. Everything gets wet!

ü      Healthy food to re-fuel, or $ for concessions (please note that at most dual/tri meets concessions is not offered).