We encourage swimmers to attend as many practices and swim meets as they can, however there is no attendance requirement*. Every swimmer signed up for a meet will be assigned at least 1 event; assignment of additional events may be determined by attendance at practices. Like any sport, they more you put in, the more you will get out. *League rules require participation in at least 2 swim meets during the season to be eligible for the Championship Meet.

Yes, if your swimmer has swam in all their events you can leave...unless you're volunteering at that meet, and are still needed at your position.

The Westview Sharks swim team is open to children, ages 5 - 18 years old*, in the Olmsted Falls school district. League rules allow us to accept swimmers outside of Olmsted Falls in certain situations, please reach out for more information. Children must be able to swim at least 25 meters unassisted. * Children must be between 5 and 18 years old as of June 1st.

That depends on the type of meet. ​ The 4 Dual Meets (head-to-head against one other team) have 64 events. Swimmers may swim in up to 2 Individual and 2 Relay events. These meets generally start at 5:20 pm and go until all events are completed or it gets too dark to continue (plan on being there at least 4 hours). ​ The 1 Relay meet (all SWSL teams) has 29 events. Swimmers may swim in up to 2 regular and 2 crescendo relays. This event generally starts at 8:00 am and lasts until about noon. ​ The 1 Championship meet (all SWSL teams compete) has 64 events, just like the Dual Meets. Swimmers must have swam in 2 other meets to be eligible for participation in the Championship meet. Swimmers may swim in up to 2 Individual events and 1 Relay event. This event starts at 7:45 am and goes until 1:00 pm.

Each type of meet is scored a bit differently: Dual Meets, Relay Meet, and Championship The four Dual Meets are scored as such: Individual events First place = 4 points​ Second place = 2 points Third place = 1 point Relay events First place = 6 points​ Second place = 3 points The one Relay Meet is scored as such: First place = 8 points Second place = 6 points Third place = 4 points Fifth place = 2 points Sixth place = 1 point ​ The Championship Meet is scored as such: Individual events First place = 8 points Second place = 6 points Third place = 4 points Fifth place = 2 points Sixth place = 1 point Relay events First place = 12 points Second place = 10 points Third place = 8 points Fifth place = 4 points Sixth place = 2 points

Yes! Ribbons are given for places 1 - 6 in individual events and 1 - 4 in relay events. For the Championship meet, medals will be given for places 1 - 6 in all events and ribbons for places 7 - 12 for all events.

We participate in Individual and Relay events. Individual events are 25 meters (one pool length) or 50 meters (down and back). Swimmers will swim one of the 4-strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, or butterfly). Relay events consist of a team of 4 swimmers. The event is 100 meters (each swimmer swims one pool length...25 meters) or 200 meters (each swimmer does a down and back...50 meters). The types of relay races are: Medley - each team member swims 1 of the 4 strokes (backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle) Freestyle - all team members swim freestyle Crescendo - the team will consist of 1 swimmer from the following four age groups: 10 and under, 11-12, 13-14, and 15-18

We compete in the Southwest Swim League (SWSL). There are 5 teams in the league: Westview Sharks (Olmsted Falls) - that's us! Falls Pointe Piranhas (Olmsted Falls) Berea Rec Titan Sharks (Berea) Oakridge Dolphins (North Royalton) Falling Oaks Racing Raccoons (Medina)

The Sharks swim team is a parent-run swim team and a successful season relies on volunteer participation from all Westview Shark families. Each family is expected to volunteer a minimum of 2 times throughout the season, as well as sign up for 1 make-up meet. Find more information on the Volunteers page of this website.

Please don't be intimidated by meets! True, they can be a little chaotic especially if you have never attended one before. There will be Board members at all of the meets and we will tell you where to find us if you have any questions or problems. You will be a pro after the first one!

Children must be able to swim at least 25 meters unassisted (one length of the pool). While there are not traditional 'try-outs', the coaches will perform a skills assessment on new swimmers during the first practice. This ensures children can swim the 25 meters so that they can have a more positive swim team experience.

We generally swim in 6 meets each year. There are four Dual Meets (head-to-head against one of the other SWSL teams), one Relay Meet (all SWSL teams compete), and one Championship Meet (all SWSL teams compete). Make sure you sign up for the Game Changer app to let the team know which meets your swimmer(s) will participate in!

Meets can be many hours long and that provides ample time to get to know your neighbors! It also means you'll want to do a little planning and packing to make your and your swimmer's life at meets more comfortable: - Towels: extra ones are a good idea since swimmers will be in and out of the pool a few times - Team swim suit: not required (navy blue works) but the again, the team looks cooler - Swim goggles: reflective goggles can be helpful on sunny days but are not necessary, regular goggles are fine - Swim cap: not required but the team looks way cooler if everyone wears them and it helps protect hair from chlorine damage - Water bottle - Sunscreen - Dry clothes to change into - Lawn chairs: for you and your swimmer since everyone will have downtime between events at the meets - Food: there are generally concessions available but you'll want to consider bringing food to sustain you all for a few hours if you don't want to purchase concessions - Black or Blue Sharpie: used to write swimmer's events on their hand / back as well as fun words of wisdom like 'Eat My Bubbles!' - Blanket: some meets are chilly early in the morning or late in the evening

The Westview Sharks do not offer swim lessons, only a swim team. Kids that can swim 25m unassisted and are between the ages of 5 and 18 (as of June 1st) are welcome to join the swim team.

Practices require less planning than meets, but we suggest: - Towel - Swimsuit: ideally a one-piece suit for girls, boys are welcome to wear jammers or trunks - Swim goggles - Swim cap - Water bottle - Sunscreen

Age group placement is determined by the swimmer's age on June 1st. The age groups are: - 6 and under* - 7-8 years old - 9-10 years old - 11-12 years old - 13-14 years old - 15-18 years old Swimmers may swim up one age group at meets. In the absence of boys, girls may swim on a boy's relay team but not in a boy's individual event. The Coaches have the final say regarding meet line-ups. * All 6 and under are considered 8 and under for relay events.

Nope, but you're of course welcome to hang out.

The swim team season runs from the beginning of June to the third or fourth week of July.

You can find our most recent registration costs on the Register page of this website. A swim cap and team t-shirt is included in the registration cost. Additional costs include a team swim suit and swim goggles.