Swimming (Girls)
Overview
There's a place for your daughter (grade 7-12) on our swim team - whether they have ever swam competitively or not. We train at Central Square Community Center in South St Paul. If you are considering joining the team, feel free to contact the coach before the season begins. She's happy to answer any questions you may have.
Minnehaha Swim Team Culture
Our swim team works hard and has fun. We are a small team (we co-op with South St Paul), with athletes that genuinely enjoy each others' company. We cheer for each other in practices and celebrate every success that is achieved, whether that is someone's first dive, flip turn, race finish, or a faster lap time or placement at sections. We enjoy team dinners and give shout outs after every meet. Our parents show up and work wholeheartedly at our hosted meets to make our fans and visitors feel welcome.
Growing as a Swimmer
Swimming is a lifelong sport and we have many athletes that join our team who have never swam competitively. We love this! Sticking with our sport from seventh grade to twelfth grade gives our athletes the opportunity to develop their skills and speed as they move from being junior varsity athletes to being varsity athletes. Some of our seventh and eighth graders compete at the varsity level.
Coaching Emphasis
Most of our athletes are multisport/activity athletes so we work hard to accomplish the goals our swimmers set at the start of the season in the three months that we have them in the water. We work on technique building and having a positive mental attitude. Time drops are great - we ALSO love celebrating and recognizing sportsmanship and hard work. Our goal is for every athlete to have at least one season/lifetime best individual swim at their championship meet and we often exceed that.
Competition Level
Our JV and Varsity athletes train together in training groups adjusted by ability. Those that are brand new to swimming will do basic stroke and turn work with the assistant coach for the first few weeks. Our goal is that they are racing in freestyle and backstroke by the end of the season. Those that are returning to the team will also start the season doing stroke and turn work but through all four of the competitive strokes as our first meet is the second week of the season. Because we are a smaller team, some athletes will go between competing varsity and junior varsity based on who the meet is against and what the team needs in order to compete well and score points. Lettering happens when a swimmer scores 16 points across the conference duel meets.
Swimming & Faith Integration
Because we co-op with a public school, our faith is by action. We love people the way that Jesus loves people and hold grace and mercy hand in hand. We are coaches that value relationship building between coaches, coaches and athletes, and the athletes.
Swim Team Traditions
There are many ways we build community on the swim team. We serve at Feed My Starving Children, we also tie-dye shirts each season, and the captains honor our 'swimmer of the week' by passing on a loon stuffy to have in their possession until the next swimmer is honored with the title.
More Details
- Season: Fall (mid-August and runs through mid-November)
- Grade Levels: 7-12
- Competition Levels: JV or Varsity, no prior competitive experience is necessary
- Practice Location: Central Square Pool in South St. Paul
- Team Communication: Once you register for this sport, the coach will communicate with student-athletes and parents via email.
- Equipment Requirements & Transportation: Detailed information can be found in the Athletic Team Info document.
How to Join
Coach
- Emily Firkus, Head Coach
- Began Coaching: 2000