I wanted to take a moment to address why we canceled last night's meet, as we received several questions and concerns.

On Thursday morning, the water temperature during practice started to increase. In the early afternoon, I received a message from pool management that the water had reached 90°F, so they partially drained and refilled the pool in hopes of bringing the temperature down. Unfortunately, by 4:00 p.m., the water temperature had climbed back into the high range of 90°F+.

We made the decision to cancel based on USA Swimming regulations for competitive swimming:

"USA Swimming's minimum water temperature is 60.8°F and the maximum water temperature is 85°F."

These guidelines are in place to help prevent dehydration, overheating, muscle cramps, heat exhaustion, and other heat-related health concerns. While we understand the disappointment of canceling a meet, the safety and well-being of our swimmers will always come first.

As we look ahead to next week's final home meet, let's focus on preparing our swimmers for the heat.

Hydration begins days before the meet, not just the day of. A good rule of thumb is that if your swimmer feels very thirsty and is chugging water, they are likely already dehydrated. One of the best ways to stay ahead of dehydration is to encourage swimmers to bring a water bottle to every practice and drink consistently throughout. They should also continue hydrating throughout the day, especially during hot weather. In addition to water, beverages that contain sodium and electrolytes can help replace what is lost through sweat.

Thank you for your understanding, support, and commitment to keeping our swimmers safe. We look forward to seeing everyone next week for our final dual and home meet!

Carly Stone