Gators 2026 - Team Email 7/16
Greetings Gators Families,
As we wrap up this season, and mark my ninth season with the team, I find myself more than ever grateful to be a Gator. With the benefit of time, context, and perspective, I can confidently say this team, this season is one to be incredibly proud of. Having the opportunity to help lead it has truly been the cherry on top.
A huge part of what made this season such a success is our leads and board members. They deserve an enormous shout-out! This season has felt like a smooth ride, a well-oiled machine on cruise control. Ease is not easy. Behind the scenes, our board and leads have invested countless hours to create that feeling of structure and flow. The easy peasy, lemon squeezy atmosphere sets up everyone for success including our coaches, swimmers, parents, volunteers, away teams, and everyone else who helps make this team a genuine team.
To each of you: thank you.
- Chad – Thank you for leading setup before every home meet.
- Eric – Thank you for leading cleanup after our home meets.
- Layne and Ashley – Thank you for organizing, facilitating, and distributing ribbons.
- Bruce and Scott – Thank you for leading tech and swimmingly at home meets.
- Renee – Thank you for coordinating food trucks and keeping coaches fed during home meets
- Holly – Thank you for checking in volunteers at both home and away meets.
- Carolyn – Thank you for coordinating, training, scheduling, and supporting our referees, starters, and officials.
- Jen – Thank you for leading our team awards.
- Kris – Thank you for celebrating our seniors and helping them finish their final season as a perfect 10.
- Janae – Thank you for leading appreciation efforts for our coaches, captains, board members, and lifeguards.
- Debby – Thank you for leading the scorekeeper table at home meets and for your service on the board.
- Andrew – Thank you for keeping us SafeSport compliant and serving as our board secretary.
- Tyler – Thank you for making volunteering efficient and effective for all of our families, and for your service on the board.
- Christina – Thank you for serving as our registrar and being the welcoming first connection for families joining or returning and setting the team up balanced and success bound.
- And last, but certainly not least, Catherine – Thank you for your leadership as president. You are the catch all for everything and lead the team with compassion and accountability.
Each of you has been an absolute joy and privilege to collaborate with this season. Quite simply, this season would not have happened without your dedication and generosity. Thank you, thank you.
Looking ahead…
1. Division Champs (aka B champs) at the Kingsgate Royals:
Date: Saturday, July 18th
Time: Meet begins at 9:00 AM and ends around 2:00 PM
Location: Kingsgate 1&2 Pool 11711 NE 137th St, Kirkland, WA 98034
Gator Warm-Ups: 7:20-7:40 AM
*Meet Info and Map attached. Also on the website
*Heatsheet and lineup attached
2. Survey: Please take a moment to fill out our end of season SURVEY by July 26th. Your insights help us celebrate what worked well and improve for next year. We encourage swimmers AND parents to complete the form.
3. League Champs (aka A champs) 7/26 at the KCAC: More info to come
On Repeat…
Kingsgate Water Polo: If your Gator is interested in Midlakes Water Polo, we'd love to have them join the team. Season are July 27 – August 23. Practices are M-W mornings at Royals. Games are Th for 12U; Fri for 10U; Sat for 14U; Sun for 15+ (all in the morning on the eastside). Championship Game: August 23 at MICC (for all qualified age groups). Fees: $225 - Full Season; $150 - Partial Season. SIGN UP: Athlete Registration. Questions can be directed to: Christa Laukaitis [email protected].
Coach/Captain/Board Appreciation: We are still accepting contributions to say thank you to our coaches, captains, and board members. Please consider donating up to $50 per family if you are able or even more if you’re led to. Janae Foster is coordinating via her Venmo account: @Janae-Foster-2 (Last four digits is 0401).
Team Photos: If you did not receive the link to order, contact: [email protected]. If an individual/sibling picture was not taken, families are welcome to order a group picture through this link
Awards: Ribbons will be distributed in the boxes in the pool lobby as they become available. Each family has a file folder sorted by last name.
Stanchions: The backstroke stanchions anchors are in the process of being replaced…still.
Resources…
Please reach out with any questions. Go Gators!
Ashley Gillen
Team Parent
Kingsgate Gators
