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Marlins & Mini Marlins

Marlins

The Marlins Swim Team uses a progression-based age group design to provide strengthening of both the body and mind to young athletes.

The Marlins Swim Team provides an evidence-based approach to training that is inspired from aspects of Exercise Science and surrounding literature that is adapted to enhancing swim technique and swim capacities. There are three objectives that the Marlins Swim Team seeks to achieve.
The first objective of the Marlins Swim Team is to cultivate and grow the traits of dedication, passion and perseverance within and beyond the sport of swimming.

The second objective, the Marlins Swim Team seeks to provide its athletes ways to overcome both physical and mental barriers with their teammates by installing competitive team dynamics into their routine.
The third objective, the Marlins Swim Team seeks to advise its athletes to develop long term habits to remain healthy and strong throughout life’s challenges and hardships.

 

The season begins in October and continues until early April. Practices are held weekly with meets throughout the season. Practices and meets are optional, however, it is strongly encouraged that athletes attend as many practices and meets as they can. Practices are held in the afternoons and evenings Monday through Friday. Meets are held on the weekends, with most occurring on Saturdays and a few larger meets on Sundays.

Marlins Swim Groups

Chips

Recommended Criteria 
Typical Age Range: 6-10 years old 

Athletes in the Chips group are newer to swimming in a competitive environment. They are comfortable with swimming a full 25 yards (1 pool length) in all four strokes: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle. 

Those coming from Mini Marlins are recommended to start here! 

Group Focus 
This group will focus on developing basic stroke technique as well as basic components such as the streamline, kick, flip turns and starts. There will be an overall focus on the enjoyment of the sport and an introduction of competitive elements like team dynamics and optional swim meet participation. 

Bronze

Recommended Criteria 
Typical Age Range: 8-12 years old 

Athletes in the Bronze groups are familiar with swimming in a competitive environment and have the ability to swim 50 yards or more without stopping. Athletes in this group have basic stroke technique understanding in all four strokes.  

Group Focus 
Bronze will focus on further developing stroke technique and begin to develop further muscular strength and endurance required to perform harder sets and yardage. Competitive elements and meet dynamics are further implemented in this group.

Gold

Recommended Criteria 
Typical Age Range: 12-18 years old 

Athletes in Gold have a greater understanding of stroke technique and are capable to withstand a greater accumulation of yardage and higher intensity sets. Athletes in this group are capable to swim yardages of 100+ yards in all four strokes. Athletes are highly motivated to compete and seek to participate in meets. 

Group Focus 
This group will focus the broad development that is catered to training the components involved in the 200 IM. (Athletes are not required to compete in the 200 IM, although I highly recommend it!). Training is tailored to the well-rounded athlete as specification is not recommended in this level. Dryland training will consist of general bodyweight exercises to develop strength of the muscles and bones of the athletes. 

Platinum

Recommended Criteria 
Typical Age Range: 12-18 years old 

Athletes in this group possess an advanced understanding in stroke technique and have the capacity to withstand substantial accumulation of yardage and high intensity sets. Athletes in this group have resolute determination and hold a strong dedication to being present with both body and mind. 

Group Focus 
Athletes in this group will be rigorously tested to push the bounds of both their physical and mental strength. Small aspects of individualized training and ‘fine tuning’ will be implemented to support athletes in their specification. Dryland training will involve the use of standard weighted equipment in the Y-Fit facility. Concepts of mental training will be utilized to develop the mental fortitude of the athlete.

MINI MARLINS

Not sure if you are ready to compete on the swim team? Do you want to train and stay in shape? Then this program is for you! The 4-week session program is conducted by our Marlins Swim Team coaches. The instruction will focus on the following aspects of competitive swimming:

  • Proper technique for each of the four competitive strokes: freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly
  • Proper technique for starts, turns and finishes
  • Developing a positive, winning attitude
  • Social skills that complement the YMCA core values
  • Goal setting

Prerequisites: Swimmers must be able to swim 25 years (1 length of our indoor Lap Pool) comfortably.

Ages: This program is designed with the 5 – 10 age group in mind.

Practices: Two 1-hour & 15-minute practices are offered per week with no minimum attendance requirements.

Meets:  There will be a “Mini Meet” on the first and last day to gauge swimmers’ progress.

Marlins FAQs

General, Payment & Registration

Registration will be open for the duration of the season. You may register your athlete at any point within the season.

The first monthly payment will be processed once the season begins on October 6th, 2025 or when your athlete is registered to begin.

Payments will be processed on a monthly basis based on the date of the first monthly processed payment.

While there is no registration fee, the only payment that is necessary upon registering is the purchase of a team suit and swim cap.

Communication will mainly take place on REMIND. The REMIND app is available on the App Store and Google Play Store. The code for 2025-26 Marlins group is @25marlins6. Communication will occur much faster and more reliable than email or phone call.

You may also contact via email. Coach Chayton’s email is listed below under the ‘Contact’ section.

All practice communication, meet information and all other event information will only be provided on REMIND.

Swimmers entering this group must display a desire to begin training on a more committed basis. Athletes in this group train for specific Meet time standards. Swimmers must display a strong desire to perform at the highest level and specific training is introduced to help maximize swimmer training efforts while proper stroke technique is maintained.

Prerequisites: Swimmers must be able to legally complete 200 continuous yards in each of the four competitive strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.

Ages: This program is designed with the 14 -18 age group in mind.
Practices: Four practices are highly recommended and offered per week.

Meets: Competition at this level will be required. Swimmers are highly encouraged to attend all available meets the team attends.

In Practice

Practice starts on October 6th, 2025 and ends March 27th, 2026. See individual group practice times in corresponding links above.

ALL athletes must have a towel, swim suit, goggles and a water bottle. A swim cap is highly recommended, but not required. A swim bag is also recommended to keep everything in one place, but is not required. You may bring your own kick board and pull buoy; however, those are provided!

If a swim cap is lost or broken, we have spare swim caps for $5 each.

Practice is held at the Mankato Family YMCA pool.

Athletes must be in the water swimming at their designated start time. It is recommended that athletes are on deck about 5-10 minutes before the start of practice to have time to grab equipment, put on swim goggles and caps, etc.

Parents and other family/friends are welcome to watch their athlete practice above the pool deck in the Poolside Lounge. Due to lack of space, and cooperation with codes we cannot have parents or other family/friends on the pool deck.

If your athlete will be absent, arriving late or leaving early from practice, you will need to contact Coach Chayton so that they may be checked off from attendance. Athletes will not be allowed to leave practice early unless a parent/guardian has contacted Coach Chayton.

Any absences, late arrivals or early-outs that are not communicated in advance will result in a message to the athlete’s parent to verify attendance. This allows us to maintain athlete safety throughout the season.

At Meets

All athletes qualify for any regular dual meet. There is no additional fee required to register for these meets.

To qualify for State, athletes must compete in a minimum of three closed YMCA inter-association meets as well as participate in the team’s section meet.

To qualify for MYAS Regionals, athletes must achieve the minimum qualifying place or time for a minimum of one event. There is an additional fee required to register which can be paid on Daxko or at the front desk closer to the date of the meet.

For any regular dual meet (not State and MYAS Regionals), there will be a sign-up form sent out over REMIND that will request an athlete’s name as well as 1-3 events they would like to participate in based on their age-group.

When signing up for events, athletes may be aged up two age groups, but cannot be aged down.

Relays will be assigned by the head coach. Athletes may be assigned anywhere from 0-2 relays. We want to give all athletes a chance at participating in meets, however, we may not have the numbers to provide all athletes an equal number of relays.

Additional information as well as reminders will be provided on REMIND surrounding meet dates.

You will need to bring the following: The team suit and team cap purchased at registration, goggles, towel, and a water bottle. It is recommended to bring small snacks and a drink containing electrolytes (like Gatorade) as meets can be longer in duration.

Athletes are not allowed to bring any candy or soda on deck at swim meets. Candy and soda are extremely high in added sugars and cause sugar crashes which greatly impact an athlete’s performance.

Y-USA regulations state that athletes cannot wear any logos of other teams on their cap or their suit. Therefore, no high school suits or caps will be allowed on deck during meets.

Only coaches, athletes, volunteers and meet officials are allowed on deck at any point during a swim meet. Unless permission has been allowed otherwise.

Parents and other family/friends are encouraged to volunteer as timers/concessions at swim meets, but otherwise are not allowed to be on deck. Information on how to sign up is sent out on REMIND alongside information tied with upcoming swim meets.

We’re glad you are interested! As stated previously, sign up will be sent out alongside meet information. All you need to do is show up with yourself (don’t forget your athlete of course) and come out to the pool deck. A swim meet official or coach will direct you to the right spot.

Typically, most volunteer duties consist of being a timer. All this entails is working a stopwatch or stop button and working with another timer to record times on a clip board. It’s very easy! Follow any directions or cues the officials give you and that’s it!

Great! We will take as many swim officials as we can. It is a wonderful opportunity to assist in operating a swim meet.

There are two levels of swim officials.

  • Level 1 swim officials are trained to take on one of three roles: stroke and turn judge, relay take off judge and time and scorer.
  • Level 2 swim officials are trained to authorized to take on the role of referees, starters and chief judges as well as any level 1 roles.

More information is found on the Minnesota YMCA Competitive Swim League page

Meet etiquette consists of a variety of codes that must be met by athletes and coaches. This is how an athlete must conduct themselves in the competitive space.

Leave no trace: All items brought with an athlete must be taken care of by the athlete. This includes swimwear, towels, bags, clothing and, most importantly, food, snacks and any garbage that entails. Being able to have food on deck is a privilege and an advantage that we do not want to lose.

Conduct and manners: Aggressive/insulting verbal or physical conduct to teammates or other teams will NOT be tolerated whatsoever. This includes any horseplay, or other actions that could lead to the injury of an athlete. Any negative conduct that occurs will involve disqualification from swim meets and potential further consequences.

Personal items on deck: Any personal items on deck need to be neatly kept and out of the walkway. Loose items become a tripping hazard and could result in injury.

EHLS stands for Event, Heat, Lane, Stroke. This is written on the athlete’s arm by the athlete, parent or family member in permanent marker prior to the swim meet. This will help athletes identify what their events are and allow them to focus more on their performance rather than memorizing a bunch of numbers all in a quick glance at their forearm.

All of the meet information including events, heats, lanes and stroke will be provided 24 hours or more prior to the swim meet. This information will be provided on REMIND!

To follow YMCA Swim League regulations, additional markings are okay, but should remain in a certain decorum. Any phrases or illustrations that could be deemed harmful or offensive could result in disqualification.

Contact

Coach Chayton Schmidt 

Mankato Marlins Head Swim Coach and Swim Team Manager 

[email protected] 

2025-26 Marlins REMIND Group Code: @25marlins26 

Coach Emma Launderville 

Mini Marlins Head Swim Coach 

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