Monday Message 8/26/2024

John Moseley

Monday Message 8/26/2024

Today, we kick off our 2024-2025 AquaHawgs Season.  For those of you who are new to the AquaHawgs, each week we send out a newsletter with upcoming events, schedule changes, and important information.  This year, everyone will see an added section on education.  This should help explain expectations and why we do things a certain way.  Please look for this each week in your inbox.  It is also posted on our website under the News Feed.

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Practice Schedule Changes

Today, we begin our Fall Practice Schedule.  Please make sure you are refencing the most up to date Fall Practice Schedule.

 

Monday, September 2, we will not have practice in observance of Labor Day.

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Arkansas Swimming Hall of Fame Banquet

The AquaHawgs had a fantastic 2023-2024 Season.  We are  very pleased to announce that we have had numerous swimmers that won awards.  All swimmers will be recognized at the 2024 Arkansas Swimming Hall of Fame Banquet.  We also had the Age Group Coach of the Year (Amanda San Juan) & Volunteer of the Year (Krissy Glass). In addition to these award recipients, the AquaHawgs also have a former coach )Todd Mann) and swimmer (Taylor Pike) getting inducted into the Arkansas Swimming Hall of Fame.

 

Short Course Swimmers of the Year

  • Josiah Ching - 9 Year Old Boys
  • Harry Jung  - 10 Year Old Girls
  • Veta Alferova - 11 Year Old Girls
  • Ty Call - 11 Year Old Boys
  • Lexie D'Amico - 12 Year Old Girls
  • Hayden Gibson - 15-16 Year Old Girls
  • Susie Lee - 17-18 Year Old Girls
  • Conner Boatright - 17-18 Year Old Girls

Long Course Swimmers of the Year

  • Ian Jung - 9 Year Old Boys
  • Harry Jung  - 11 Year Old Girls
  • Jiwoo Lee - 12 Year Old Girls
  • Ty Call - 12 Year Old Boys
  • Lexie D'Amico - 13 Year Old Girls
  • Hayden Gibson - 15-16 Year Old Girls
  • Susie Lee - 17-18 Year Old Girls
  • Conner Boatright - 17-18 Year Old Girls

Heil Mile Award Winners

  • Diego Romero Flores - 14 & Under Boys
  • Ashley Koenig - 15 & Over Girls
  • Conner Boatright - 15 & Over Boys

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City of Fayetteville - Aquatic Feasibility Study

The City of Fayetteville is conducting a feasibility study to determine the need for a new aquatic facility.  Wilson Park has been the ONLY city pool in Fayetteville for nearly a CENTURY.  It is very exciting to see that Fayetteville is looking to build a new aquatic facility in the area.  They are taking input for this facility from the community.  

 

While having features like a lazy river and rock climbing wall sound appealing, they only reach a small demographic.  Personally, I’d love to see a 50 meter pool with a separate warm-up/cool down area.  The reality is, we are in desperate need of YEAR-ROUND lap swimming lanes in the area.  I am asking everyone, whether you live in the City of Fayetteville, or not, to take a few minutes to fill out the Aquatics Feasibility Study Survey.  This input from the community will directly impact the study and what they look to build in the City of Fayetteville. We also ask that you share this link with anyone in the community to help make this facility a reality.

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HPER Practices on Tuesday

Hawgs White & Junior Hawgs Gray will have practice at the University of Arkansas HPER Building (151 Stadium Drive) on Tuesday this semester.  All swimmers must enter the building through the Meadow Street Entrance.  

 

Please note, this year, the HPER Building is going through renovations which include the locker rooms.  We will not have access to the locker rooms this year.  We ask that all swimmers arrive and leave practice in their swimsuits.  There will also be limited restroom access, so we recommend using the restroom prior to arriving at the HPER Building.  

 

Finally, there are a few parking spaces across from the Meadow Street Entrance. The University of Arkansas Parking Enforcement will be ticketing those parking spaces 24/7, so we recommend parking in the Meadow Street Parking Deck.

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Jones Center Membership

The Jones Center requires all AquaHawgs to have an Ultimate Membership.  Make sure your membership is active and that your swimmer is scanning in everyday.  They have also asked everyone to update their pictures on the memberships.  Please stop by the Jones Center Member Services Desk to update your picture over the next few weeks.

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USA Swimming Membership

All returning AquaHawgs have a valid membership with USA Swimming Membership until December 31, 2024.  Starting September 1, 2024, you will be able to renew your 2025 USA Swimming Membership. If you signed up for a USA Swimming Flex Membership (USA Swimming Membership with only 2 Swim Meets), we recommended waiting until you have used both of your meets to renew your Flex Membership.