Euclid Panthers Summer Swim League

Welcome to the online home of the Euclid Panthers Summer Swim Team. The purpose of this site is to provide information to those interested in Euclid's summer swim team while serving as a resource to our swimmers and their parents. If you have any questions, please email us at euclidpantersssl@gmail.com. You can also call our Board President, Megan Jones at 216-289-5280.

Our 2011 Summer Swim team photo.  Look for a picture of this year's team once the season starts - and the water warms up!

Our Season

Summer swim team operates once Memorial Pool opens. Swimmers meet for the first practice Tuesday, June 12 at 8 AM with the first evening practice Tuesday June 19.  Evening practices are held Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:30-7:45 PM. Swimmers will practice together as a team for the week, followed by a family swim party on a Friday evening. Things kick off with Candy Bar Relays - a practice meet among our team to get the kids ready for the season and a fun way to get started.  The first meet is June 23 when Euclid faces Willowick.

There are 10 neighboring communities in the Suburban Swim League (http://sslohio.net/default.aspx). We will swim in head-to-head (dual) meets against six of these teams. Each meet takes place Saturday morning, at Memorial Pool if there is a home meet, or at the neighboring community pool. Swimmers usually arrive at the pool by 7:30 AM to warm up. The meets are generally over by Noon.

After all the dual meets are over, there is a big championship weekend hosted at two of the community pools. The championship swim meet is both Saturday (8 AM - 5 PM) and Sunday (8 AM - 5 PM). For those new to swimming, all meets start on time. Ending times may vary. In 2011, championships will be Saturay, August 4 (hosted by Richmond Hts.) and Sunday, August 5 (hosted by South Euclid Lyndhurst).

The season ends with a banquet celebration on the Tuesday following championships.

How Swim Team Operates

Summer Panthers is a City of Euclid Recreation Department Program and a member of the Suburban Swim League. The parent board supports the team with volunteerism and fundraising. This year's coaches are:

Kelsey Saywell
Kelsy competed on the Panther's summer team since the age of 4! Kelsey helped support the coaches last year and became an official coach this year as she works mostly with swimmers age 9-12. She currently attends Wilminton College where she is a member of the swim team. She is majoring in Education.

Jack Joyce
Jack's name can be found on the Euclid record board where he swam for years on the summer swim team.  He also competes as a member of the Benedictine High swim team and specializes in the breast stroke.

Dan Essel
Another Euclid swimmer whose name appears on the record board, Dan swam for Euclid High and competed in several sports.  He is a proud member of the graduating class of 2012.

Emilie Sweet
Emilie's name is familiar to anyone who reads the sports page as her track and cross country accomplishments are many.  As a member of the Euclid summer swim team and the Euclid High swim team, she is known as an outstanding swimmer who graduates in the class of 2012.

Who is on the Team

Swimmers up to the age of 15 participate. While boys and girls train together, swimmers compete against those of the same gender. The age groups are as follows:

• 8 and Under
• 9-10
• 11-12
• 13-15

As a summer swim team, this is designed to be a recreational activity. However, the swimmers do compete. Many swimmers train year round.

What Should I Expect

Summer swim team is NOT swimming lessons. If your child is not comfortable swimming a length of the pool unassisted (25 yards), swimming with their head under water or competing, they may want to try the Ready-Set-Swim program run by the City of Euclid's Recreation Department at Memorial Pool. Swimmers must come to practice at least three times a week. There are morning and evening times to accommodate different schedules.

The swimmers do work hard, but they also have a great deal of fun. The focus of instruction will be on improving the swimmer's stroke, technique and fitness. This is accomplished in many ways beyond just swimming freestyle laps. Swimmers must work on all of the strokes (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle).

Our Volunteer Board

The Panther Swim Team is run by the City of Euclid as part of the recreation department.  However, a group of parents coordinate many aspects of the program. They work with the City of Euclid and our coaches to ensure a successful season. Our Board for 2012 is:

President: Megan Jones
Co-Vice-Presidents: Karyn Ross and Tim Bowman
Treasurer: Kristi Ward
Secretary: Angie Lisy
SSL Representative: Kevin Meaney