News

Chanute Sharks 2025       

• The Chanute Sharks compete in two separate Leagues.  SEK competes on Wednesdays, Tri-State competes on the weekends.  In order to compete at SEK League, you must compete in 2 SEK meets.  In order to compete at Tri-State Conference A and B Champs, you must compete in 3 Tri-State Conference meets and have a current year race time.

• Tri-State Conference meets are CLOSED deck meets - this means that parents and spectators are not allowed on the pool deck during the meet UNLESS you are working as a volunteer (timer, stroke judge, kid coordinator, etc.) (good motivation to volunteer!)

• Our HOME Tri-State Conference meet on JUNE 21st will be a BIG deal for us.  Please try to make this a priority.  This meet, even though it is here at home, is also CLOSED DECK.  All spectators must be outside the fence.

• Tri-State meets also have event and pool use fees.  Typically, this is a $7 facility fee, and $3 for individual events per swimmer.  Relays are typically $8 (split four ways).

• VOLUNTEERING.  The expectation is that one parent/grown-up from every family sign-up to volunteer at each meet your child participates in (We understand there are a few exceptions to this). It takes a minimum of 28 volunteer workers to run a swim meet so it is imperative to volunteer - use the Sign-Up Genius link on our website to learn more about this. www.chanutesharks.com PLUS, it is the best seat in the house.  No official training for most volunteer positions. We will need ALL HANDS on deck for our June 21st meet - look for lots of opportunities to contribute, even outside of the normal volunteer worker jobs. Even if your child is unable to swim on June 21st, we are in need of food donations, coolers, etc. Please check Sign-Up Genius to contribute.

• SIGN-UPS Every swimmer must have responded “Swimming” or “not swimming” for EVERY MEET.  If you fail to respond, your child WILL NOT be entered in the meet.  All responses are due Sunday evening for that week’s meets. Remember - a response is needed from all swimmers for every meet.

• SAFETY CONCERNS

1.  During swim practice - parents, grandparents, babysitters must not approach the coaches for discussion.  A sports practice in the water poses much higher risks than a sports practice on a gym floor. Our first and highest priority is to keep your kids safe - several of us are trained lifeguards.  If you need to discuss a matter with a coach, you may contact them through our FB page or remind, or set up a meeting.  Please encourage your kiddos to listen and follow directions during practice.

2. 2 week cut-off - typically, younger swimmers’ abilities will have regressed a bit from the end of the previous season. We give our swimmers the first 2 weeks of the season to become proficient. The level required and strokes required vary based on age. Please direct these specific questions to Coach Betsy. If they are unable to meet the requirements at the two-week mark, we will re-direct you to swimming lessons and reimburse you for the remainder of the season - then try again next year! 

3. During a swim meet, the swimmer and family are responsible to know their swimmer’s events, to keep track of the pace of the meet and to send the swimmer to the ready bench 5 events PRIOR to their event.  Listen for announcements, “First call for event 31” and observe the swimmers in the water to determine pace of meet. 

• MEETS  Most swimmers write the event and heat number as well as lane assignment on their arm or leg in sharpie before they arrive at the meet.  Check FB for a refresher video of how to prepare for meets. Warm-ups are important and will typically be 45 minutes before start time of home meets and a little later for away meets.  Swimmers need to have their own goggles and swim cap (for long hair) for the meet.  For those who prefer, a nose plug might also be helpful for backstroke. 

• Fun facts - The Chanute Sharks have been competing for 53 years.

• We have won SEK League for the past 10 years

• A handful of our athletes have gone on to swim in college

• Several of our athletes have competed at State

• We boast around 100 swimmers every year!

• Our athletes compete well in the Tri-State Conference, bringing home hardware from every meet.  

Your Coaches - Betsy Olson, Kellie King DeNoon, Heather Haworth, Dhani Rubow, The Legendary Linda Rubow, Nick Kays, Emma B' Hymer and several committed junior coaches.

We are so thankful for you, love the opportunity to train and know your competitive, fierce and funny kids and can’t wait for this 2025 Swim Season. Thank you for trusting them to us for this time.  We adore them.