Good Morning WMST,

I just wanted to pass along a few updates from the CISD Natatorium.  First off, the NAT will be closed for Labor Day on Monday, September 7th, which means no workouts that day.

And now for the bigger update...beginning Tuesday, September 8th, CISD as a whole will return to in person learning and school schedules will begin to return to normal.  The Swim Shop will open back up at the NAT, in addition to the Locker Rooms reopening.  The Mask Policy will still remain in place, you are to wear a mask at all times in the building except for when you are in the water.  While the Locker Rooms are reopening, and you may use them, it is still highly recommended by the NAT that you arrive and leave in your suit if possible because they will be limiting the number of people in the locker room to 10 at a time.  Please continue to maintain 6 feet of separation as much as possible.  Separate entry and exit points will still be maintained

Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns: (936) 522-8156, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

-Alana Wilson, WMST President

Practice Time Slots

• We will return to practice on Monday, June 15, 2020 at the CISD Natatorium located at 19133 David Memorial Dr.,Shenandoah, TX 77385.
• ALL PRACTICES will take place at the CISD Natatorium unless otherwise noted on the schedule (https://www.wmst.net/calendar/practice-schedule):
  • 5:30am M-F
  • 12:00pm M-F
  • 7:00pm M-Th
  • 11:00am Sat
  • 1:00pm Sun
• The CISD Natatorium is limiting the number of swimmers to two people per lane, starting at opposite ends of the pool
  • We have been granted an increase in lanes for the summer to help accommodate this.
  • Please refer to the WMST Re-Opening Plan and Guidelines for the CISD Natatorium
• Your coach will direct you to which lane would be most appropriate so that you are surrounded by swimmers of similar speed and ability.

Sign-Up Genius

• You will ONLY be able to sign up for a practice slot if you are an Active member of WMST with current USMS Membership, and in good standing.
• You will have to sign-up for each practice on a weekly Sign-Up Genius link that will be emailed, posted on Facebook, and located on our website.
• All of the practices for the week (Monday morning, Monday noon, Monday evening, Tuesday morning, Tuesday noon, Tuesday evening, etc.) will be listed on the weekly Sign-Up Genius link.
• The link will be emailed out each week on Friday at 7pm for the entire following week (starting with Monday morning practices).
• The restriction on the number of practices you can sign up for has been removed.  However, be mindful that we are a large team with a limit on the number of swimmers per practice.  Please do not overly abuse the removal of this restriction.  If you know you cannot attend a practice you previously signed up for, please remove your name from the sign-up to make it available for another swimmer.
  • If you have any questions, please contact our Team Administrator (Stacey Eicks) via text, call, or email at (281) 414-2377 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• Do not swap time slots, the coaches will only allow the swimmers who are signed up online to enter the water.
• There is a COVID-19 Waiver and Release of Liability form that will need to be acknowledged on Sign-Up Genius each week that you sign up for a practice slot.

Billing

• Beginning July 1, we will resume our regular pre-shutdown billing (monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, annually, or pay-as-you go).  We will drop the team wide implemented pay-as-you go.  Please contact the Team Administrator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make any changes.

General Update

• As most of you are aware, beginning next week (Monday, June 15), we will return to swimming at the CISD Natatorium. ALL PRACTICES will take place at the CISD Natatorium unless otherwise noted on the schedule (https://www.wmst.net/calendar/practice-schedule):
  • 5:30am M-F
  • 12:00pm M-F
  • 7:00pm M-Th
  • 11:00am Sat
  • 1:00pm Sun
• 2 documents are linked here: WMST CISD Practice Time Slots & Sign-Up Genius and WMST CISD Re-Opening Plan & Guidelines. 
• You MUST wear your mask to enter the building!

Practice Sign-Up Update

• You MUST be signed up on the Sign-Up Genius link in order to swim practice. If you have not signed up, you will NOT be allowed to swim.  This is to ensure that we do not exceed a maximum of 2 swimmers per lane, and that the Waiver and Release of Liability form has been acknowledged.  The CISD Natatorium is requiring detailed attendance for potential contact tracing.
• The Sign-Up Genius link will be emailed out at 7:00pm the Friday before practice starts the following Monday.
• This first week back at the Nat we will increase the number of workouts you may sign up for to THREE, and then if by Sunday evening there are still empty slots and you want to sign up for more, you may contact our Team Administrator (Stacey Eicks) by call, text, or email a 281-414-2377 and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• The Sign-Up Genius link will be emailed out at 7:00pm the Friday before practice starts on Monday.

Billing Update

• All members will continue on the Pay-as-you-go payment plan through then end of June, at which point we will re-evaluate the billing system and determine if we can return to normal (Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annual, and Annual Billing) beginning July 1, 2020.
• We have decreased the fees to $8.00 per practice
  • You will be charged for the number of practices that you sign-up for, regardless of whether or not you show up to that practice ($8 per practice).
    • If a practice is canceled due to weather or other mitigating circumstances, you will NOT be charged. Practice cancellations will be announced as quickly as possible via email, Facebook, and the WMST website.
    • If you sign-up and do not show, you will be taking away from another swimmer who wanted to swim.

CISD Natatorium Facility Restrictions

• Swimmers, Coaches and Staff Members MUST wear a mask or face covering upon entering/exiting the building, in all common areas, and when interacting with others when physical distancing is difficult.
• Entrance and Exit Doors will be separate, and will be clearly marked, to control flow of people entering and exiting the building.
• Only athletes, coaches, and CISD staff members will be allowed into building.
• An attendance record of all individuals in the building should be maintained daily including name, date, and time in/out in the event notification of possible exposure is needed.
• Any reports of illness in any individual who was in the natatorium should be immediately reported to Barbara Robertson, CISD Coordinator of Health Services, and Natatorium Management.
• Hand sanitizers will be placed at entrance to facility. Everyone entering should immediately sanitize their hands.
• Upstairs and Spectator Areas will remain closed!
• Locker Rooms will remain closed!
• Weight Room will remain closed!
• Spa will remain closed!
• Drinking Fountains will remain closed!
• Swim Shop will remain closed!
• Restroom access will be provided in Natatorium lobby. Limit 3 people at one time!
• Parents should plan to drop off and pick up athletes only, and remain in their vehicles. No parents should enter the building! 
• No congregating in lobby, outside of building, parking lot, or anywhere on pool deck.

CISD Natatorium Practice Restrictions

• Swimmers/Divers must arrive in their swimsuits, and depart in their swimsuits. No changing allowed outside, in restrooms, or on pool deck!
• A coach or staff member should ask athletes, as they come into practice, if they feel ill in any way or any member of their household is ill, specifically listing the TEA screening criteria, and send home those athletes reporting feeling ill, experiencing symptoms, or report a household member is ill.
• Any individual who experiences, or lives with someone who experiences, any of the symptoms of COVID-19 (listed below), should self-isolate until the conditions below have been met.
  • At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery without the use of fever-reducing medications; Fever is 100.0 or above.
  • And individual has improvement in symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath;
  • And at least ten days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
• In the case of an individual who has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and does not get evaluated by a medical professional or tested for COVID-19, the individual is assumed to have COVID-19 and may not return to work, practice, or school until the individual has completed the same three-step criteria listed above.
• COVID-19 Symptoms for Screening include any/all of the following:
  • Cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
  • Chills or repeated shaking with chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Diarrhea
  • Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Known close contact with a person who is lab confirmed to have COVID-19.
• All mats, bleachers, equipment bins, and dry-land equipment will be removed from pool deck.
• Any Dryland exercises should be conducted outside and should follow social distancing guidelines.
• Swimmers/Divers should bring equipment bags with them, keep them separated on the pool deck from other’s, and immediately take them with them upon departure from the facility.
• Training equipment is not to be shared at any time!
• Swimmers and Divers are encouraged to bring their own water bottle with them and not to share at any time.
• Swimmers will be limited to 2 per short course lane, with each swimmer starting and stopping on opposite ends of the pool.
• Divers will be limited to 2 or 3 divers per diving board, with one diver on the board, one in the water, and (if necessary) one on a pre-determined space behind the diving platform.
• Only one swimmer/diver allowed under on deck shower at one time.
• Coaches should maintain a distance of 6 feet from athletes, and other coaches at all times.
• Once practice concludes, athletes should depart facility from designated exit quickly. NO extra activity or congregating should occur!
• Teams/Coaches should schedule groups with a time gap of no less than 15 minutes between sessions, and/or should stagger groups so that the groups are not arriving or departing at the same time.

Please feel free to call or email with any questions or concerns: 936-522-8156 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

-Alana Wilson, WMST President

Dear WMST Swimmers,

Thank you all for your patience as we have navigated this shut down due to COVID-19.  Your WMST Board of Directors has been working hard at formulating a plan for our return to the water with a great deal of help from our friends, and fellow WMST Coaches Ross & Laura Davis, at Swim Streamline at Northampton (SSAN).  This plan will only be successful if each and every member adheres to the rules we have set forth.

               3 documents are linked here: WMST Account Credits & Billing for COVID-19, WMST Practice Time Slots & Sign-Up Genius, and WMST Re-Opening Plan & Guidelines.  I ask that all members please thoroughly read through and familiarize yourself with these documents as we begin our phased entry to the water.

               The CISD Natatorium has emailed stating that there are no plans for it to reopen until at least the middle of June.  As such, we will begin our practices at Northampton as facility availability allows.  This will be very different from how we have operated previously, and careful attention will need to be paid to the social distancing rules that are outline in the documents.  If you find that you are unable or unwilling to adhere to the attached documents, then please do not sign up for a practice time slot. 

Practice Time Slots

• We will begin hosting practice on Monday, May 18, 2020 at the Northampton Pool located at 6012 Root Rd, Spring, TX 77389.
• We will start with 5:30am practice Monday through Friday, and 6:15pm practice Monday through Thursday for the first week.
  • Note that the practice schedule/times/slots that are offered will likely be changing from week to week as a function of pool availability
• We will begin workouts by limiting the number of swimmers to one person per lane, this means at Northampton, we will have a maximum of 6 swimmers per practice.
• You will be signing up for one of six lanes per practice, and your coach will direct you to which lane would be most appropriate so that you are surrounded by swimmers of similar speed and ability.
• We are aware that most swimmers have been out of the water for at least seven weeks, as such we will be starting back to practice slowly.
  • Drills, technique, regaining a feel for the water

Sign-Up Genius

• You will only be able to sign up for a practice slot if you are an Active member of WMST, and in good standing.
• You will have to sign-up for each practice on a weekly Sign-Up Genius link that will be emailed, posted on Facebook, and located on our website.
• All of the practices for the week (Monday morning, Monday evening, Tuesday morning, Tuesday evening, etc.) will be listed on the weekly Sign-Up Genius link.
• The link will be emailed out each week on Friday at 7pm (starting TONIGHT) for the entire following week (starting with Monday morning practices).
• You will be limited to signing up for only TWO practices for the week so that we can try and get as many members in as possible.
  • If you attempt to sign up and lanes are full, please send the Team Administrator an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We have limited lanes and a lot of swimmers, and our goal is to get anyone who wants to swim time in the water.
  • If, after 7:00pm Sunday evening, there are additional open slots to sign up for, you may sign up for ONE additional practice for the week. Please call our Team Administrator, Stacey Eicks, at (281) 414-2377 to be added to an additional time slot.
• You will be charged for the number of practices that you sign-up for, regardless of whether or not you show up to that practice ($10 per practice).
  • If a practice is canceled due to weather or other mitigating circumstances, you will NOT be charged. Practice cancellations will be announced as quickly as possible via email, Facebook, and the WMST website.
  • If you sign-up and do not show, you will be taking away from a swimmer who wanted to swim.
• Do not swap time slots, the coaches will be expecting the swimmers who are signed up online.
• There is a COVID-19 Waiver and Release of Liability form that will need to be acknowledged on Sign-Up Genius each week that you sign up for a practice slot.

Preparing to Swim – Protecting Against Infections

• Before Practice
  • You MUST arrive in your swim suit
  • Maintain six feet apart from others waiting to enter the pool
  • Bring your own equipment: towel, cap, goggles, water bottle, equipment bag (you will not be able to borrow any equipment)
  • Wash your hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available before heading to the pool
  • Wear your mask while entering the pool deck
  • Bring a full bottle of water to avoid touching a tap or water fountain handle
  • Arrive as close as possible to the start time of practice
  • Avoid touching gates, fences, benches, etc.
  • Do not attend if you are ill, or another member of your household is ill
  • Immediately report to a spot at the end of the pool, and the coach will direct you to an appropriate lane
• During Practice
  • Follow all directions for spacing, and stay at least six feet apart from others
  • Do not make physical contact with others such as: shaking hands, giving high fives, hugging
  • Avoid touching your face before getting in the water
  • Do not share food, drinks, or towels
  • Maintain appropriate social distancing from others when taking a break on the wall or in between sets
  • Coaches will not be able to assist you with your swim cap if you require assistance
• After Practice
  • Leave the facility as soon as reasonably possible after practice
  • Wear your mask while exiting the pool deck
  • Wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer after leaving the pool, once you arrive at your next destination (work, home, etc.)
  • Locker Rooms will NOT be available
    • Please wear your suit to and from practice
  • No extra-curricular or social activity should take place
    • Please do not turn the time after practice ends into a social hour, do not congregate after swimming

If you have any questions, I will be available to answer them through email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), phone (936-522-8156), or via our Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/WMSTswim) where I will make a post and you can type your questions below in the comments.

Thank you again for your patience as we navigate this together.

-Alana Wilson, WMST President

International Swimming Hall of Fame Wants To Know If You Are One In A Thousand?

The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is currently undergoing a fundraising effort in order to keep it moving forward towards a new vision and museum.  “During these unprecedented times, the ISHOF Board is calling on every member in the aquatic community to make a small monthly commitment of support to show how special you are and how special the International Swimming Hall of Fame is to everyone.”

ISHOF Vision Statement:  To be the global focal point for recording and sharing the history of aquatics, promoting swimming as an essential life-skill, and developing educational programs and events related to water sports.

ISHOF Mission Statement:  To collaborate with aquatic organizations worldwide to preserve, educate and celebrate history, showcase events, share cultures, and increase participation in aquatic sports.

For those of you who may not know, WMST has three swimmers who have been recognized as Master International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees (MISHOF).  Carolyn Boak was inducted into the MISHOF in 2012 as an Honor Swimmer, Tom Boak in 2016 as an Honor Masters Swimming Contributor, and Joann Leilich in 2016 as an Honor Masters Swimmer.  In addition to having three Honorees, WMST also has a representative on the Board of Directors of the ISHOF, where Tom Boak serves as Treasurer.

It is understood that these are unprecedented times for everyone, but the ISHOF would appreciate support from anyone who is able to, as they continue to recognize swimmers from our team due to their lifelong dedication to Masters Swimming.

-Alana Wilson, PA-C, WMST President

https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/international-swimming-hall-of-fame-asks-if-you-are-one-in-a-thousand/