Welcome, Stingrays!

Firstly, we are so excited to meet everyone, and would like to briefly introduce ourselves to those who may not know us yet. Maia has been swimming for over 10 years, and has been a part of Hunt Valley for the past 5. She currently swims at CLU, and is pursuing a degree in sport psychology! JP has been with Hunt Valley since he was a Lil’ Ray, and currently is pursuing his degree in entrepreneurship and corporate innovation at the IU Kelley School of Business. Hunt Valley is very dear to both of us, and we are super excited to be a part of this team again!

We’re so excited to kick off another great summer at the pool. Our season officially begins this week, and we can’t wait to see all of our swimmers—new and returning—back in the water. Our first practice is this Tuesday afternoon. It will be chilly during our first week, so bring extra towels, warm clothes, and a positive attitude! Please be aware the first practice (Tuesday May 27th) we are leaning towards just a dry and/icebreaker session out of the water, because of cold weather/rain, but we will keep you updated.

Please do your best to attend as many practices as possible—we know end-of-school chaos is intense! To be eligible for Saturday A meets (June 14, 21, 28; July 5, 12), swimmers must attend at least 2 practices per week.

Team Priorities for the Season 

This summer, we’re emphasizing sportsmanship and team spirit—in and out of the pool. We’ll be focusing a lot on cheering each other on, showing respect to teammates and competitors, and making this season fun for everyone. We plan to show up every day energized and excited, and we hope we can encourage your swimmers to do the same!

Pep Rally Themes

Friday night pep rallies are a big part of our team spirit, and we love seeing creative costumes and team energy. This year’s themes are:

• June 13 – Western
• June 20 – Hawaiian
• June 27 – Celebrity/Singer Costume
• July 3 – Red, White & Blue
• July 11 – Onesie/PJ Night

More details and reminders will go out each week.

Coaches Corner – New This Year!

We’re introducing “Coaches Corner” every Monday morning (after practices) and Friday evening (before pep rallies) during the regular season– beginning before the first pep rally. Monday morning will be after the conclusion of the 13/18s practice at 11am until 12pm, and Friday will be starting at 5pm up until the beginning of the pep rally. This will be a quick opportunity for parents (and swimmers!) to check in with us, ask questions, and hear updates about the upcoming week of practices. It’s an easy way for you to gain insight on your swimmers and for us to address any questions/concerns you may have!

Communication & Questions

We’re always happy to talk with you—but not during practice (unless it’s urgent). The same goes for our lane coaches, please avoid distracting them from their primary responsibilities- your swimmers' progress and safety. If you need to connect, please reach out by email or catch us before or after practice. You can reach us at: @[email protected]

More Info? 

You should have received an earlier email from the team reps that includes lots of helpful information. If you missed it, check your inbox or reach out to them at: [email protected].

We're looking forward to a fun, fast, and spirited season with all of you. Let’s go, Stingrays!

See you on deck, 

Maia & JP 

Co-Head Coaches 

Hunt Valley Stingrays