Swim Team

2026 Glendale Gators Swim Team
Go Gators!

GATOR GUIDE – 2026

The Glendale Gators will swim in the White Division of Greater Peninsula Swimming Association (GPSA) for the 2026 season. Glendale Pool membership is required to become a member of the swim team. Team membership includes all practices and meets, a team t-shirt, City Meet fees, as well as the Team Banquet, at which each swimmer receives a trophy.

Registration and Fees

The 2026 registration form is available on-line at https://glendalegators.swimtopia.com. Swim team fees are $75 per swimmer ($30 for third or fourth swimmer from same family). Team t-shirts will have all swimmer’s names listed on the back. All swimmers on the team must be able to swim the length of the pool without stopping (25 meters). The Strive for 25 program is available for swimmers that currently cannot swim 25 meters without stopping. See below for more details.

Strive for 25

This program lasts for 7 days (starting Tuesday May 26 – through June 4; no Fridays). The goal is for swimmers to qualify for the Gator Swim Team. Coaches will help swimmers build the skill and confidence to swim 25 meters without stopping with additional focus on stroke development. The fee is $75 per swimmer (or $30 for third or fourth swimmer from same family), all of which will be applied to regular swim team fees if and when the swimmer qualifies and registers for the swim team.

Team Suits/Caps/Merchandise

The official team swimsuit is a custom Q Swimwear suit available only through our team store using this link:

https://qteamstore.com/collections/glendale-gators?ls=yt4FeWPzg-9TZPJzLok0d

Information about sizing and fit is available on our SwimTopia site.

https://glendalegators.swimtopia.com/team-swimsuits

Custom Suits cannot be returned. WE HAVE PURCHASED “FIT KITS” SO THAT YOUR SWIMMER CAN TRY ON THE SUITS BEFORE ORDERING. Fit Kits will be available after Meet the Coaches, and after practices. Look for announcements.

Custom suits must be ordered between May 23 and June 8.

The official alternate suit is all black.

Other team items such as t-shirts, towels, cinch bags, car magnets, etc. can be purchased through the TEAM STORE on the SwimTopia website or purchased at practice. Our official supplier for team sweatshirts and visors is SwimOutlet.com. Visit the team SwimTopia website to find the TEAM STORE link. Gator swim caps are available for purchase ($10) in the TEAM STORE or at practice.

Swimmer / Parent Conduct

All swimmers are expected to attend and participate in practice and meets regularly (arriving on time). It is expected that all swimmers will exhibit good behavior and cooperation at all times. All swimmers and parents must sign the code of conduct (https://glendalegators.swimtopia.com) before being eligible to swim in any meets. Team spirit and good sportsmanship are required at all times.

It is very important that children and parents (especially for the younger ones) pay attention to the order of the events and when their swimmer’s event is coming up. Swim meets typically last 2-1/2 to 3 hours. It is a good idea to bring an extra towel or blanket for your child to sit on during the meets. Make sure to label all bags, goggles, caps, towels, bathing suits, etc. with your child’s name – things always get left behind.

Please remember that during a meet, our coaches need to be focused on the events and the swimmers in those events. If you have questions or would like to speak with the coach about your child, please do so after the meet, after practice or contact the coach directly. Please try to avoid these conversations during a meet.

Per GPSA rules, NO tobacco products or alcohol are allowed on the pool deck during swim meets or the team will be disqualified. Firearms are also not permitted.

Cheer on other swimmers! We love showing GATOR SPIRIT for all swimmers!

Glendale Swim Team Booster Club Executive Committee

President – Harry Grau

Vice-President – Marc Peterson

Treasurer/Secretary – Ryann MacLuskie

Coach Liaison – Tina Peterson

Members-at-Large – Kevin MacLuskie, Christa & Carl Hanson, Jerome Fletcher, John Presgraves

GPSA Representative – Josh Raines (alt. Jerome Fletcher)

Coordinators

New Member Orientation/Gator Crew Coordinators – Brynna Diggs, Wendi Rawls

Recreation & Events Coordinator – Melody Baber

Team Photographer – Brittany Lapiska

Team Banquet Coordinator – Jessica Allen

Gator Grill Manager – OPEN

Swimathon – Celeste Agett

Pool Board Liaison – Jessica Allen

Coaching Staff

Head Coach – Havana Grau

Assistant Coaches – Andrey Radkevich, Andrew Rummel, Nathan Rummel

Practice Schedule

PLEASE ATTEND “MEET THE COACHES” ON SATURDAY, MAY 23 @ NOON (at the pool) TO GET FULL DETAILS ON PRACTICE SCHEDULES AND OTHER TEAM INFO.

Exact times for practices will be announced by the coaching staff.

Tentative Schedule (subject to change as the season approaches):

Tuesday, May 26 – June 9: Practices will be held in the late afternoon

Wednesday, June 10: “Day Off”

Thursday, June 11: Morning practices begin

7:30 – 8:15 Open (all ages)

8:15 – 9:00 (8 and under)

9:00 – 9:45 (ages 9-12)

9:45 – 10:45 (ages 13-18)

Please have your child attend practice regularly. This will only help your child develop and improve their swimming abilities. Any swimmer who is practicing with a USA Swim team should be attending those practices regularly. However, on the mornings that there is a meet it is important for all swimmers to attend Glendale practice!

In the event of bad weather, please make sure someone is available to pick your child up from practice early. Children 8 and under must have an adult and/or babysitter present (on pool grounds or parking lot) during all practice times.

Meet Information

There are six teams in the White Division. Each team swims against the others one time. We will host time trials for Glendale swimmers, two Division meets and one “friendly” meet vs. Wythe at our home pool. We will compete in three away meets. The Summer Splash Invitational will be July 25 @ Brittingham-Midtown Community Center. City Meet will be on August 1 @ the Hampton Aquaplex.

See schedule information at https://glendalegators.swimtopia.com.

Should there be a last-minute emergency, and your swimmer can’t swim in a meet for which they have been slated, please contact (call or text) the Coach as soon as possible. This will allow her to plan accordingly so your swimmer can be removed from the line-up and another swimmer can be chosen to swim.

For home meets, swimmers need to be at Glendale by 4:30 pm. Please be at the host pool for away meets by 5:00 pm, unless otherwise instructed by the coaching staff. All meets begin at 6:00 pm sharp.

Weather Cancellations

GPSA Representatives will make all final decisions regarding weather cancellations. These decisions are typically made at the very last minute in hopes that the storm will pass over and the meet can continue. Typically, rain alone will not cause a meet to be cancelled. Any sign of lightning or thunder will temporarily stop the meet, and representatives will make the decision as to postpone or cancel/reschedule, based on the safety of the team.

Swim-a-thon

The swim team holds a swim-a-thon every season (during practice). This is our primary fundraising tool. EVERY SWIMMER IS EXPECTED TO RAISE AT LEAST $25 FOR THE SWIM-A-THON, either through pledges or donations.

Swimtopiatm

https://glendalegators.swimtopia.com

The team will use the SwimTopia team management system. Parents are encouraged to download the free SwimTopia app available at both the Apple Store and Google Play. GPSA meets will use Meet Maestro and Time Drops systems. The costs for these systems are born by the team.

REMIND App

The Coach will use the “REMIND” app as the primary method of direct communication with parents and swimmers. The code will be provided at Meet the Coaches and on the SwimTopia site.

Check the swim team Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576599627516

As a member of the pool, you should also sign up for the private Glendale Gators Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/46399243202

Check these FB pages or the SwimTopia app for frequent announcements and updates.

Gator Crew Commitments

Swim team is all about parent participation! It would not be possible to effectively run the meets without YOU! We need the Gator Crew to make the season a success. EACH FAMILY IS EXPECTED TO EARN 9 COMMITMENT POINTS*. Details about the Gator Crew Commitment roles are provided below, on Swimtopia and at Parent Meetings. Our Gator Crew Coordinators are also available to answer any questions you may have about the roles and point commitments.

Gator Crew signups are available on https://glendalegators.swimtopia.com. Look for Sign-up instructions and Gator Crew information under the “Meets & Events” tab. We cannot run swim meets without you. Please make sure to sign up!

*Families that do not meet their Gator Crew Commitment may be precluded from re-joining the team the following year.