Marlins 2026
Welcome back, Marlins!
We are ready to start another year of the Bay Ridge Marlins Swim Team! We have a lot of new families this year, so welcome! To our returning families, welcome back. My name is Megan Clarke, and I have been the head coach since 2014. A little bit about me: I grew up in Annapolis Cove and have been with the team since 2000. I am a Speech-Language Pathologist for Anne Arundel County Public Schools. I am married to my husband, Joe, and we have an almost 15-month old named Adella. She is excited to be back on the pool deck again! This email contains important information, so please read carefully.
Coaches: We are thrilled to welcome back Sarah DeWitt as the Assistant Head Coach! Our coaching staff this year: Delaney Gendell, Lily Baxter, Maggie Jaeger, Abby Jaeger, and Caroline Koppels. We also have some new junior coaches, Alex Littlefield and Will Snyder.
Meets: Please see the Swimtopia site for the schedule. Registration for meets is now OPEN. Go to “Schedules” on the toolbar, select calendar, and you should be able to RSVP for our 5 regular season meets. Please note that we are hosting a Wednesday evening meet on July 1st. The expectation is that you RSVP the Monday before a meet. The league is strict about meet entries, and it is up to the opposing team if they will allow a swimmer to be entered after a certain time frame. Thank you for your assistance and timeliness.
Swim test - 6 & unders: All 6 & under swimmers must pass the swim test by June 5th (however, sooner is always better). The swim test is given by the lifeguards at the pool, not the coaches. No exceptions. All swim team members must be able to pass to be on the swim team, but this is critical for our younger swimmers. Please send me an email after your 6 & under child has passed. Be aware that the pool is ALWAYS cold for the first few weeks (especially this year), and I know this can impact whether or not some of our youngest swimmers are willing to get in the pool. However, we are a swim team, not swim lessons. It is the expectation that your child can make it across the pool without assistance from an adult. We have this requirement in place to protect your children as well as the coaching staff and the lifeguarding staff. While the swim team is fun and exciting, I don’t want your children to be frightened of the water. I encourage you to positively encourage them. If they need to wait a year, that is ABSOLUTELY OK.
Practices: Our first practice will be Tuesday, May 26th. Our first three weeks will be in the afternoon due to school and my own work schedule. The first few practices of the season are often chaotic and challenging (and cold). Please give the coaches space on the deck, and do not approach us while practices are going on. Your children need a swimsuit, towel, and goggles. Caps are not required but are often preferred by kids! Afternoon practices can often be impacted by weather; cancellations will be communicated through Swimtopia email. We also have a Facebook page and an Instagram where we share updates, photos, and other community events. Please answer the membership questions to join.
Practice schedule:
- May 26th-June 11th (practices in afternoon are only Monday through Thursday): 4:15pm-5pm (11&up), 5-5:45 (8-10), 5:45-6:30 (7&under; this may end earlier due to cold)
- June 15th until end of season: 7-8am (10&up), 8-8:45am (9&under)
Website: Please take some time to look around our Swimtopia website as it contains a lot of helpful information, FAQs, and dates. There is also the Swimtopia app that gives you access to meet entries and results.
Please email me with questions or concerns ([email protected]). You can also reach out to Elizabeth Karamian ([email protected]) who is our league rep
Sincerely,
Megan Reiter Clarke
