GCSTO's Mansfield Swim Team

Welcome to GCSTO's
MANSFIELD PROGRAM
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Important Notes
NEW SWIMMER ACCEPTANCE FROM OTHER TEAMS: The topic of athletes
switching from one team to another has always been a delicate issue in, not only this sport, but in youth sports in general. It has become an even greater issue in the recent years as more and more teams spring up. The more teams there are in an area the easier it becomes for team jumping to occur. The "greener grass" syndrome becomes easier to succumb to it seems. Until such time as our national governing body begins to control how many teams they allow to operate in a given area swimming will continue to have this problem. We are not helpless as a result of there being no control at that level. We can take control of this ourselves. While we have followed this policy in the past we have not published it so we are taking the time to do so now and have chosen to tighten up our requirements on this even more. Yes, there is a time when a team switch is needed or is simply inevitable. As such, it is important to understand how this should be done. Whether this is reciprocated by another club or not this is our policy:

Any athlete wishing to switch to GCSTO from another USA Swimming OR Y Swimming must first contact the head coach of the current club to discuss the situation with that coach. Communicating your concerns or reasoning for your desire to switch with that coach in the form of direct, two-way communication is simply the right thing to do. If you can talk to us about what it is you want in the form of a program you should be able to speak with them about that. No athlete will knowingly be permitted to participate in any form of practice with GCSTO until that is done. Once that is done you should contact GCSTO's head coach, Steve Nye. Coach Nye reserves the rights to then contact that coach concerning the issue. Only after these 2 coaches have communicated will the athlete be allowed to participate in practices with GCSTO if any training positions are open at that swimmer's level on our team. No current GCSTO member will be passed up to move through the ranks on our team as a result of a swimmer from another team wanting to switch teams to GCSTO.

GCSTO STRONG... GCSTO PROUD!

Important Team Documents

Document Type	Updated	Size	Download
GCSTO 2011/2012 Mansfield Team Fall/Winter Informational Brochure - NEW	8/25/11	72.00	Download
GCSTO Mansfield Fall/Winter Team Application - NEW	8/25/11	34.50	Download
GCSTO Mansfield Ontario High School Waiver - Mandatory For ALL Members	8/24/11	30.30	Download
2012 USA Swimming Application - Mandatory For ALL New Members (but Novice & Pre-Season Middle School athletes)	8/24/11	45.60	Download
GCSTO 2012 Mansfield Team Spring/Summer Informational Brochure			TBA
*REC PROGRAM INFORMATION IS BELOW*
2012 Spring Rec Program Brochure			TBA
2012 Spring Rec Program Application			TBA
2012 Spring/Summer Swimming Lesson Informational Brochure	2/16/2012		Download
2012 Spring/Summer Swimming Lesson Application	2/16/2012		Download

2011-2012 Coaches Bios

Coach	Position	Bio	Contact
JB Ballenger	Associate Head Coach	JB	jballengerhsd@earthlink.net
Austin Burkhart	Assistant Coach	TBA	mrburkhart321@aim.com
Nayumi Furukawa	Senior Coach	Nayumi	nayumi121@hotmail.com
Lauren Risacher	Advanced Junior Coach	Lauren	risacherlauren@yahoo.com
Brock Spurling	Assistant Coach	TBA	bspurlin@ashland.edu

2011.2012	CURRENT SEASON COMMUNICATIONS
Date	Name
8/24/11	Season Start Email
9/7/11	From The GCSTO Offices
9/9/11	From The GCSTO Offices
9/27/11	From The GCSTO Offices
9/27/11	Junior Training Equipment Order Form
9/27/11	Senior Training Equipment Order Form
9/28/11	October Practice Schedule
10/6/11	From The GCSTO Offices
10/21/11	Entering Swimming Meets
10/25/11	From The GCSTO Offices
10/31/11	November Practice Schedule
11/2/11	2011 Summer Round-Up
11/4/11	From The GCSTO Offices
11/11/11	From The GCSTO Offices
11/17/11	From The GCSTO Offices
11/23/11	From The GCSTO Offices
11/29/11	From The GCSTO Offices
12/16/11	From The GCSTO Offices
1/5/12	From The GCSTO Offices
1/13/12	From The GCSTO Offices
1/19/12	From The GCSTO Offices
1/27/12	From The GCSTO Offices
2/1/12	February Practice Schedule
2/11/12	From The GCSTO Offices

Important Fall/Winter Information

Our 2011.2012 Fall/Winter season is upon us. If you could help spread the word to fellow summer league swimmers, fellow high school swimmers and anyone else you know that might have an interest we would VERY much appreciate it. Please refrain from recruitment of swimmers already affiliated with another like entity (USA Swimming or Y) if you would to help us ensure the integrity of the program. One of our goals will be to bring swimming to the forefront in this community so that the health of all local programs (summer league, middle-school, high school and local club teams) benefits from the heightened interest in this sport. If you are interested in trying out the team please feel free to do so for 2 full weeks before deciding whether or not to join us. All you need do is fill out a team applciation marked with "2 Week Trial" across the top and send that in to us at GCSTO, PO Box 30483, Gahanna, OH 43230 or scan it as a pdf file and send it to stevenye@sbcglobal.net. THIS MUST BE DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO ENSURE YOUR ATHLETE HAS A SPOT ON THE TEAM FOR THE FALL/WINTER. You may download and informational brochure and a team application from the box above.
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Fall/Winter Swim Team 2012

Fall Swim Team Meeting

An Initial Information Meeting for fall/winter swimming will be held Thursday, September 1, 2011 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the Middle School Commons Room at Ontario Middle School. This meeting should be a “must” for everyone interested in swimming with us this fall, both old and new.

New Swimmer Try-out Weeks

Week #1 is Monday, Wednesday & Friday 5:30-6:45 p.m. September 12-16, 2011 at Ontario High School. Please note that practices may also incorporate dry land work so please plan accordingly in terms of shoes, shorts, t-shirts and such. This way, new athletes get a flavor for all aspects of our program. Week #2 is the following week and is with the level in which the new athlete best fits into within our program structure as determined during the first trial week. This tryout structure is to be followed by all Novice, Junior, Junior Advanced & Senior athletes. If any vacancies remain on the team after the initial tryout period, athletes missing that tryout period who desire to join the team late will be given their 2-week trial period commencing the first day it is that they are able to start practicing with the team. After December 1, this trial period will be only 1 week in length. If a new athlete joins the team the charge for those 2 weeks will be included in their team fees. If they choose not to join the team there will be no charge for the trial week(s). New swimmers are actually allowed to participate in our pre-season dry land routine (see below) if they are interested. Initially, all 12 & under athletes shall be considered Junior or Junior Advanced athletes while all 13 & over athletes will be considered senior athletes. We do reserve the right to move our most advanced 12 & under swimmers to the senior practice group if that group would best fit their needs for practice. Each new athlete should come to their appropriately assigned practice times for their 2 week trial period. All 8 & under athletes should start with the Novice group unless otherwise cleared to swim with the Junior group beforehand.

Fall/Winter Practice Schedules & Financial Information

Note:An Ontario High School Waiver and a GCSTO Team Application MUST be completed and signed prior to any athlete’s participation in any team sponsored practices, dry land and water, included.

Age Group Development & Senior Swimmer Team Development Dry Land Practices

Tuesday & Thursday 5:30-7:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:30-10:00 a.m. from September 13-17, 2011. No cost to participate. These are not meant for our Novice swimmers so these athletes should not be at these practices. New swimmers are welcomed to participate. All returning swimmers from previous years are encouraged to come.

Age Group Introductory Practice Options (8 & under unless otherwise classified by the staff)

Novice Team (Ages 6-8) – Tuesday & Thursday 5:30-6:45 p.m. and Saturday 8:45-10:00 a.m. from September 20, 2011 to March 5, 2012. Note that Saturday practices are from 8:45-10:00 a.m. on Dec. 24 & 31, 2011. Cost is $190. Corporation/Re-association fee of $10 is waived this year for all new members. Booster and fundraising fees are not applicable.

Age Group Development Practice Options (12 & under unless otherwise classified by the staff)

Junior – Monday 5:30-7:00 p.m., Wednesday 6:30-8:00 p.m., Friday 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. & Sunday 2:30-4:00 p.m. from September 19 to October 30, 2011. From October 31 to December 18 this will be Monday 5:45-7:15 p.m., Wednesday 6:30-8:00 p.m., Friday 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. & Sunday 2:30-4:00 p.m. then from December 19, 2011 to March 5, 2012 this will be Monday 5:45-7:15 p.m., Wednesday 5:45-7:00 p.m., Friday 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. & Sunday 2:30-4:00 p.m.! Cost is $380. Corporation/Re-association fee of $20 is waived this year for all new members. $65 USA Swimming fee applies. Booster club & fundraising fees apply.

Junior Advanced – Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 5:30-7:30 p.m. (Mondays till 7:15, only) and Sundays 3:45-5:30 p.m. from September 19 to October 31, 2011. From October 31, 2011 to March 5, 2012 this will be Monday 5:45-7:30 p.m., Tuesday & Thursday 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Sundays 3:45-5:30 p.m.! Cost is $510. Corporation/Re-association fee of $25 is waived this year for all new members. $65 USA Swimming fee applies. Booster club & fundraising fees apply.

Middle School Practice Options (ages 11 & above)

Middle School Pre-Season Group – Middle school swimmers will be assigned to either the Junior or Junior Advanced practice groups based upon their ability. Once this is done by a member of the staff, please follow the appropriate training group's practice schedule. Practices will go from September 12 (practicing with the dry-land group and/or the try-out week swimmers) to October 2, 2011. Cost is $80. $10 insurance fee applies. Corporation, booster club & fundraising fees are not applicable. The trial period for this group is just 1 week (Sept. 12-18).

Post-Middle School Season Group – Middle school swimmers will be assigned to either the Junior or Junior Advanced practice groups based upon their ability. Once this is done by a member of the staff, please follow the appropriate training group's practice schedule. Practices will go from January 1 to March 5, 2012. Cost is $300. $65 USA Swimming fee applies. Corporation/Re-association fee of $20 is waived this year for all new members. Booster club fee is optional. Fundraising fee is not applicable. Athletes wishing to start earlier will be charged $30 per week to do so.

Senior Practice Options (ages 13 & above)

High School Pre-Season Group – Monday & Wednesday 5:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday 7:00-8:00 p.m. (after the dry land) and Sunday 5:30-7:30 p.m. from September 12-18, 2011 then from September 19 to October 30, 2011 this will be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 6:30-9:00 p.m. and Sunday 5:15-7:30 p.m.! From October 31 to November 3, 2011 this will be Tuesday 6:45-9:15 p.m., Wednesday 6:30-9:00 p.m. & Thursday 6:45-9:15 p.m. that week. Cost is $230. $65 USA Swimming fee applies. Corporation, booster club & fundraising fees are not applicable. Athletes wanting this training group are allotted a 1-week trial period, only.

Post-High School Season Group – This group will practice with the Senior Group from when they are done with their high school season until March 5, 2012. Cost is $30 per week. $65 USA Swimming fee applies. Corporation, booster club & fundraising fees are not applicable.

Senior Group – Monday & Wednesday 5:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday 7:00-8:00 p.m. (after the dry land) and Sunday 5:30-7:30 p.m. from September 12-18, 2011 then from September 19 to October 30, 2011 this will be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 6:30-9:00 p.m. and Sunday 5:15-7:30 p.m.! From October 31 to December 18, 2011 this will be Tuesday 6:45-9:15 p.m., Wednesday 6:30-9:00 p.m., Thursday 6:45-9:15 p.m., Friday 6:45-9:00 p.m. and Sunday 5:15-7:30 p.m. then from December 19, 2011 to March 5, 2012 this will be Tuesday 6:45-9:15 p.m., Wednesday 5:30-8:00 p.m., Thursday 6:45-9:15 p.m., Friday 6:45-9:00 p.m. and Sunday 5:15-7:30 p.m.! Cost is $695. Corporation/Re-association fee of $30 is waived this year for all new members. $65 USA Swimming fee applies. Booster club & fundraising fees apply.

Sibling Practice Options

This free option is available to those with multiple swimmers who are in back to back levels on the team… it allows them to take the “upper” level athlete to the practice of their “lower” level athlete once per week AND allows the reverse to also occur once per week (with coaches permission in both cases). This is done when it’s available to help families consolidate their schedule into a more convenient arrangement.

Note: All fall/winter full-season fees cover the cost of a team t-shirt for Junior, Advanced Junior & Senior athletes, only).

Additional Fall/Winter Financial Information

Additional Mandatory Fees

USS/Ohio/Central Ohio Swimming Fees - This once-a-year $65 fee is mandatory for each and every swimmer joining the team in the fall or winter (exclusive of Middle School pre-season swimmers who must only pay the $10 Insurance Fee) whether they compete in swimming meets or not. This membership fee will be added to your team fees and is payable to GCSTO.

Booster Club Fee – This fee is due from each family as a once a year fee due to the GCSTO Booster Club. The fee is simply $30 for Junior, Junior Advanced and Senior athletes for the first child that they have on the team. A second child in one of these levels on the team is only $20. A third or fourth is only $15 each. Novice swimmers, pre-season middle school and pre-season high school athletes are exempt from this Booster Club Fee. This fee will be transferred, in its entirety, to our 501(C)3 Booster Club entity and all athletes paying this will be given a team spirit package inclusive of another team t-shirt.

Corporate Fees - This fee is due from each family the first fall/winter season that they become members of the team. If you have more than 1 athlete starting with the team, pay the corporate fee of your "highest" level athlete.

Re-Association Fees - This fee is due from any swimmer who has left GCSTO to go to another Ohio USA Swimming team and then returns. If you have more than 1 athlete coming back to the team, pay the corporate fee of your "highest" level athlete.

Multiple Swimmer Discounts

For all families with more than one swimmer in the Novice, Junior, Junior Advanced or Senior groups GCSTO will provide you with an approximate 15% discount for each subsequent child that you have swimming on the team within the same level on the team or a less expensive level ($105 for a senior swimmer, $80 for a junior advanced swimmer, $60 for a junior swimmer and $30 for a novice swimmer). This discount IS additive (i.e. a third swimmer would be approximately 30% discounted and a fourth swimmer approximately 45% discounted). Pre-season middle school athletes are exempt from any discounts.

Fall/Winter Payment Due Dates – Old Team Members

Aug. 31, 2011 - $150 minimum deposit per swimmer due to avoid a $15 late fee.

Oct. 11, 2011 - $275 total due in the account of each swimmer (i.e. another $125 payment) or the remaining amount due if the swimmer owes less than $275 total to avoid a $15 late fee.

Nov. 22, 2011 - $400 total due in the account of each swimmer (i.e. another $125 payment) or the remaining amount due if the swimmer owes less than $400 total to avoid a $15 late fee.

Jan. 10, 2012 - All remaining team fees must be paid, in full, to avoid a $15 late fee.

Fall/Winter Payment Due Dates – New Team Members

Sept. 27, 2011 - $150 minimum deposit per swimmer due to avoid a $15 late fee.

All remaining due dates are the same as those for old team members.

Note Concerning Team Fee Payments

GCSTO reserves the right at any point in time within the season to disallow an athlete from participating in practices for failure to pay their appropriate team fees, entry fees, fundraising fees, Booster Club fees and/or missed meet session fees in a timely manner. GCSTO maintains a $15 return check charge for checks returned as non-sufficient funds (NSF). As well, anyone signing up for a program and then requesting a refund before the start of the season will be charged a 10% administrative fee for their refund if it is deemed that a refund is warranted. There will be no refunds for anyone signing up for GCSTO and then deciding to quit swimming once the season has started. Special payment arrangements for team fees may be made as long as the family adheres to those arrangements.

Fundraising Requirement

All swimmers practicing with the team in the Junior, Junior Advanced & Senior groups will be required to participate in our team fundraiser. This fundraiser obligation amount ranges from $25 for Junior and Junior Advanced swimmers to $35 for the Senior swimmers. Novice, Middle-School Pre-Season & High School Pre-Season, only, swimmers are exempt from this requirement.

Fall/Winter Volunteer Requirement

GCSTO requires that all Mansfield division families participating in GCSTO sponsored meets, except for Novice swimmers families, provide 1 volunteer for each session that their athlete swims up to a maximum of 6 sessions per season.