Age Group Program

Buckeye is excited to offer 9 practices group for our 14 and under swimmers. Swimmers are placed in groups by age and ability. There is a dedicated Lead Coach for each practice group. Buckeye’s well-defined Level of Progression moves swimmers through the program, excelling at each age group. Buckeye is proud of its recent team accomplishments, including capturing the 11-12 Girls Large Team High Point at the Ohio State Age Group Championships 2 seasons in a row. Buckeye wins numerous Invitationals each season.

Practice Group Descriptions:

Age Group Select:  This is Buckeye’s top 25, 12 – 14-year-old swimmers combined in one training group.  This group is by invitation only.  This is our best swimmer’s final step in age group swimming.  The goal for this group is to compete and place at the Ohio State Junior Championships, Central Zone Championships, and to qualify for USA Sectionals.  The Lead Coaches are Laurie Karr and Kaylyn Froebel.

School Year Practice Schedule
Monday & Wednesday 6:30 -8:30 pm* at Cols North
Thursday 6:45-8:30 pm at Powell
Friday 5:15-7 pm at Cols North
Saturday 8:45-11:15 am* at Cols North
*includes 45 minutes with our strength and conditioning coach

Age Group 1 Scarlet: Experienced and advanced 13 years old or over swimmers.  Emphasis on advanced competitive stroke technique and rigorous physical conditioning.  The goals for this group are to qualify for and place at Ohio Junior Championships & Central Zone meets and prepare for training in the Senior Groups. The Lead Coaches are Caity Laycock and Aiden Kelly.

Practice Schedule – all at Columbus North*
Tuesday 6:45 -8:45 pm**
Thursday 6:30-8:30 pm**
Friday 6:30-8 pm
Saturday 11 am-12:30 pm
Sunday 4:45-6:30 pm
*Swimmers may opt to replace 1- 2 weekday practices Tuesday/Wednesday 3:30-5 pm at Powell
** includes coach led dryland at start of practice

Age Group 2 Scarlet:  Experienced and advanced 11 – 12 year olds.  Training emphasizes stroke technique and aerobic conditioning.  The goals for this group are to qualify for and place at Ohio Junior State Championships & Central Zone Championships. AG2 is divided into 2 groups, A and B. The Lead Coach for A is Thomas Clark with Nathan Ulm assisting; the Lead Coaches for B are Katie Donovan and Karli Katterle

Practice Schedule – A Group – all at Powell
Monday, Thursday & Friday 4:15-5:45 pm
Saturday 7:30-9 am
Sunday 8-9:30 am

Practice Schedule – B Group – all at Powell
Monday 7-8:30 pm
Wednesday 7:15-8:45 pm 
Friday 4:15-5:45 pm 
Saturday 7:30-9 am
Sunday 8-9:30 am

Age Group 3 Scarlet:  Experienced 9 – 10 year olds.  Focus on learning the proper mechanics of all 4 competitive strokes, starts and turns. The goals for this group are to excel in competitions, place at Regional’s, and qualify for Ohio State Junior Championships.  The Lead Coach is Heath Patterson joined by assistant coach Mya Williamson. This is a large group that will be divided into two schedule options.

Practice Schedule – A Group, all at Powell
Tuesday and Wednesday 5-6:15 pm
Friday 5:45-7 pm
Sunday 5:30-7 pm

Practice Schedule – B Group, all at Powell
Monday 5:45-7 pm
Wednesday 6-7:15 pm
Friday 5:45-7 pm
Sunday 5:30-7 pm

Age Group 4 Scarlet: Experienced 8 and under aged swimmers.  Focus is on learning proper mechanics of all 4 competitive strokes, starts and turns while building confidence at swim meets.  The goals for this group are to gain experience in USA Swimming competitions, learn to compete in all four competitive strokes, and be able to progress through the program.  Lead Coaches are Matt Celik and Lauryn White.

Practice Schedule – all at Powell
Monday 6-7 pm
Wednesday 6:15-7:15 pm
Saturday 9:30-10:30 am
Sunday 4:30-5:30 pm

Levels of Progression

The Buckeye Swim Team strives to have very productive swim practices for our swimmers.  To ensure productivity, swimmers of similar ability must be placed together in practice groups.  Other sports can place all kids on a field or court for practices.  In a swimming pool, lap lanes must have swimmers who can pace at a similar speed or chaos ensues. 

 

Age Group 4 up to Senior Select offers practices groups to provide all swimmers a defined level of progression in the Buckeye Swim Team program. 

 

The Buckeye Philosophy is as follows:

10 and under swimmers are in a teaching environment to properly gain muscle memory

11-12 swimmers are both being taught and learning to train

13 and over swimmers are training and being critiqued

 

Rules for Moving Practice Groups

  • Age (January 1 for Short Course)
  • Ability
  • Work Ethic / Training acumen / Attendance / Dedication
  • Availability in the existing group
  • 2 and 3 supersede Age to being invited in to Age Group Select and the Senior groups

 

Invitation Only

Senior Select, Senior Group and Age Group Select are by Coach Invitation to be placed in these groups.