Swim Team
Richland Swim Team Summer 2010
Richland is excited to welcome new coach Dona McIlvain (Coach Mac) to our team this summer! We will update you soon about her assistants as she is currently looking to add to her coaching staff and is excited to begin a new era at Richland. The team will hold its annual kickoff on May 26th from 5 to 8. The first practice will begin on May 27th.
Coach Mac’s Bio
Dona McIlvain has been coaching swimmers for over 15 years. After swimming competitively and collegiately she began coaching age group swimming in Barrington, Illinois for the Barrington Swim Club. She has also served as head swim coach for the Temecula Swim Club in California and coached for the Nashville Aquatic Club. In addition she was head coach for the Chenoweth summer league team for the past 7 years. She is currently the Literacy Specialist at Edmondson Elementary and is also an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt University.
She thrives on creating an environment that focuses on hard work yet encourages a love of athletics. She also believes that leading by example is a powerful way to motivate young athletes. She grew up in Winter Park, Florida, received her bachelor’s degree from Furman University in Greenville, SC and master’s degree from Chapman University in Orange, CA. Some of her hobbies include reading and exercising with friends. She has competed in over 10 Ironman triathlons.
She spends most of her free time with her family: husband Andy, daughters, Ashley and Lindsay and son, Drew. They have two labs: Tate and Bailey. They like to hike, camp and boat in the summer.
Message from Coach Mac
Looking ahead to the summer swim season I wanted to share a few thoughts about what’s ahead. One of the prerequisites for joining the team is to be able to swim the length of the pool unassisted. Because we will expect swimmers to gain expertise and stamina we feel that to be able to achieve this step is important. In that way we can focus on perfecting stroke technique and building endurance.
MOST IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT SUMMER SWIMMING
Emphasis will be placed on:
• Working hard
• Contributing to team
• Learning good sportsmanship
• Setting goals
• Having FUN!
FAQs about the Richland Gators
Q: Who can participate on the swim team?
A: Any member who is 18 or younger may be on the swim team if they are able to swim the length of the pool unassisted with minimal stopping.
Q: If my child is unable to swim the length of the pool, how can I help them so that they may be a part of the team?
A: Swim lessons are offered throughout the winter and spring at various locations in town. NAC offers a Swim America program; Excel has a swim school; and all of the area YMCA’s offer both group and private lessons. Also, the coaches offer swim lessons for any member throughout the summer swim season. If your child learns to swim, they may join at any time during the summer.
Q: What are the practice times?
A: Mornings (M-F):
8:30-10:00: 11 and older
10:00-11:15: 7-10 year olds
11:15-12:00: 6 and unders
Afternoons (M-Th):
5:00-6:00: All Ages
Q: When are the meets?
A: Meets are every Tuesday from June 8th until July 13th with one BYE in the schedule. They are broken into two sessions with the younger swimmers swimming first. There is a City Meet at the end of the season that has been tentatively been set for July 16th-18th.
June 15
Richland-BYE
Whitworth @ Belle Meade
West Meade @ Indian Lake
June 22
Belle Meade- BYE
Indian Lake @ Whitworth
Richland @ West Meade
June 29
West Meade-BYE
Belle Meade @ Indian Lake
Whitworth @ Richland
July 6
Whitworth-BYE
Belle Meade @ West Meade
Indian Lake @ Richland
July 13
Indian Lake-BYE
West Meade @ Whitworth
Richland @ Belle Meade
July 16, 17 & 18
City Meet