MMSC Groups 2022-2023
Little Mustangs
Age: 12 and Under
Requirements: Swim 25 yards of freestyle without stopping and using rhythmic breathing. Swim 25 yards of backstroke showing good body position and without stopping.
Goals: Learn proper stroke technique in all 4 strokes,as well as learn proper skills such as streamlining, starts, and turns.
Attendance Expectations: This group will be offered practice 3x a week for 1 hour. In order to see the most results, swimmers should attend as many practices as possible per week.
Since swim meets are a very important part of measuring swimmer progress, swimmers in this group are expected to attend any/all dual meets held at MHS and and at least 1session in each of our 2 hosted meets (Oct and January) in the fall/winter and 1 hosted meet (May) during the spring/summer.
Swim Equipment: Swimsuit (no swim trunks for boys or 2 piece suits for girls) Swim cap for girls, goggles, fins, and pull buoy. A mesh bag is recommended for bringing equipment back and forth to the pool.
Age Group 1
Age: 8-13 years old
Requirements: Swimmers in AG 1 will be working towards having all 4 strokes be legal. Also, working towards completing a 100 IM and 50’s of each stroke legally. Swimmers in this group have also demonstrated a solid knowledge of turns for all 4 strokes.
Group Goals: Continue to refine stroke technique. Starts, turns and streamlining remain a large part of each practice and the pace clock is introduced to start doing some training “sets”.
Training Expectations: Swimmers should progress from being able to swim 25’s and 50’s to 100’s using proper strokes and turns. IM training will be a focus of this group with the goal of all swimmers completing the USA Swimming IM ready events.
Attendance Expectations: This group will be offered practice 3x a week for 1.25 hours. In order to see the most results swimmers should attend as many practices as possible per week.
Since swim meets are a very important part of measuring swimmer progress, swimmers in this group are expected to attend any/all dual meets held at MHS and our 2 hosted meets (Oct and January) in the fall/winter and 1 hosted meet (May) during the spring/summer.
Swim Equipment: Swimsuit (no swim trunks for boys or 2 piece suits for girls) Swim cap for girls, goggles, fins, and pull buoy. A mesh bag is recommended for bringing equipment back and forth to the pool.
Age Group 2
Age: 9-13 years old
Requirements: Swimmers in AG 2 have demonstrated the ability and willingness to begin more advanced training. Specific goals in this group revolve around improving swim meet performance. A goal of this group is for swimmers to complete the IM ready events for their age group and work towards completing the IMX events for their age group. Swimmers in this group are also working towards the goal of achieving ISI regional champ times.
Group Goals: Continue to use refined stroke technique for better performance in both practice and meets. Starts, turns and streamlining are emphasized as a intrical part of racing and strong practice performance. Swimmers in this group are expected to show up every day ready to work hard to achieve their goals.
Training Expectations: Swimmers should progress from being able to swim 100’s and 200’s of stroke. Longer distance swims are also encouraged for swimmers in AG2. IM training along with increased capacity aerobic and anaerobic training are all part of this group's training plan.
Attendance Expectations: This group will be offered practice 4x a week for 1.5 hours. In order to see the most results swimmers should attend as many practices as possible per week.
Since swim meets are a very important part of measuring swimmer progress, swimmers in this group are expected to attend any/all dual meets held at MHS and our 2 hosted meets (Oct and January) in the fall/winter and 1 hosted meet (May) during the spring/summer.
Swim Equipment: fins, SNORKEL, pull buoy, hand paddles. A mesh bag is recommended for bringing equipment back and forth to the pool.
Age Group 3
Age: 10-13 Years old
Requirements: Swimmers in age group 3 are either 10-13 with ISI regional and state qualifying times.. Swimmers in this group are working towards placing at the ISI regional championship meet and moving on to higher level competition (Age Group Champs, NCSA, Zones) Swimmers in this group will be held to a very high standard for practice attendance and participation.
Group Goals: Continue to use refined stroke technique for better performance in both practice and meets. Starts, turns and streamlining are emphasized as a intrical part of racing and strong practice performance. Swimmers in this group are expected to show up every day ready to work hard to achieve their goals.
Training Expectations: Swimmers should progress from being able to swim 100’s and 200’s of stroke. Longer distance swims (400/500 free, 400 IM, 1500/1650 free) are also encouraged for swimmers in Age Group 3. IM training along with increased capacity aerobic and anaerobic training are all part of this group's training plan.
Attendance Expectations: This group will be offered practice 5x a week for 1.75-2 hours. In order to see the most results swimmers should attend as many practices as possible per week.
Since swim meets are a very important part of measuring swimmer progress, swimmers in this group are expected to attend any/all dual meets held at MHS and our 2 hosted meets (Oct and January) in the fall/winter and 1 hosted meet (May) during the spring/summer as well as all championship meets that they qualify for.
Swim Equipment: fins, pull buoy, hand paddles and snorkel. A mesh bag is recommended for bringing equipment back and forth to the pool. Finis Tempo Trainers are recommended but not required.
Senior Training Groups
Senior Training Groups are for swimmers 13 and over and will start senior training the short course season beginning 8th grade. The senior groups provide a training environment that also functions alongside and prepares swimmers for high school athletics and helps them to achieve their goals within the sport while also building on the athlete's self-discipline, responsibility and determination. Swimmers in this group continue to develop their technique, aerobic base and anaerobic training levels, as well as build strength and athletic ability through dryland training. The competitive focus of this group is the Illinois Swimming State level and above championship meets, with Central Zone and Speedo Sectional cuts used for short term goal setting, leading to the Junior National and National level.
Senior 2: Swimmers must demonstrate the four competitive strokes proficiently, have competed in the 200 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke and 200 Individual Medley. Swimmers have achieved at least one Senior 2 time standard, within the past 12-month period. Senior 2 Time Standards are posted on the MMSC website, under the “Times” tab.
Senior 1: Swimmers that do not meet, or exceed, one or more of the above (Senior 2) requirements will be placed in the Senior 1 training group. Further evaluation of the athlete’s ability and stroke proficiency may be completed to help place the athlete in the proper training group.
Senior Prep: Swimmers that are new to swimming, or just starting in the senior program. Swimmers in this group will be working on stroke proficiency and building strength and endurance.
Swim Equipment: fins, pull buoy and snorkel. A mesh bag is recommended for bringing equipment back and forth to the pool. Finis Tempo Trainers are recommended but not required.
