Brushy Creek Marlins: Celebrating our 50th season!

Issue: 2026-1
Date: April 14, 2026
Newsletter 1: Season Overview

Hello Wonderful Marlins Families.

This is our very long beginning of the season newsletter that will give you a season overview, answering your questions on what to expect this season; where to find important information, and who to contact if you have questions.

This year we are going to be sending out a weekly Newsletter from the board with all the information you will need for the week. They will be much shorter than this one.
At anytime if you want to look up a piece of information, you can get it on our website: www.bcmarlins.com Look under the 2026 Season tab and we have all the Latest News, Team Calendar, Practice Information, Merchandise and Team Suits details and more.

For 2026 we are full with 285 athletes registered! Any questions about the registration process can be directed to Briana Geron, our registrar, at [email protected]

This summer we have a new Head Coach, Caitlyn McLarty! Coach Caitlyn was one of our coaches last summer and this year has been promoted to our head coach. We also have Coach Chris, Coach Max, and Coach Brannan returning this summer, and new coaches, Coach Allison, Coach Noah, and Coach Logan. Bios and photos of all the coaches are on our website under Coaches https://bcmarlins.swimtopia.com/coaches

New Swimmer Swim Tests:
Reminder that all new Marlins need to attend one of the new swimmer swim tests.Test dates: Friday, April 17, 5-6pmSaturday, April 18, 10:30-11:30amIf you cannot make it, please contact Coach: Chris Kjeldsen Email:[email protected] Phone: (512) 694-2180

Back to Swim Bash! - Sunday, April 26, 2026 2-5pm

This is our annual kick-off to our summer season. Come out to the Sendero Springs Park to meet the coaches, pick up any pre-ordered merchandise, purchase swim caps, get sized and order team suits, have our team photo taken, and then have a fun swim with our swim team friends. Kona Ice will be there from 3-5 pm for cool treats!

As in past years, this year’s Back to Swim Bash is a potluck and we are asking those with last names beginning with A-M to bring a salty treat, and those with last names that begin with N-Z to bring a sweet treat. You are welcome to bring your own water. Please pick individually packaged treats where possible as any extra items will be used for Fun Fridays. If your food item requires serving utensils please bring them.

Practices:
Friday, May 1, 2026 - Practice only for new Marlins swimmers.
Monday, May 4, 2026 - Practice begins for everyone.
Monday, May 25 - Memorial Day - No practices
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 - First day of Morning practices.
Friday, June 26, 2026 - Last day of practices.

Practices are four days a week, after school on Mondays, Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridays until Memorial Day. Practices will switch to morning practices on Tuesday, May 26, 202 and become five days a week, Monday-Friday.

Practice Groups were created by the coaches and are up on the website: https://bcmarlins.swimtopia.com/practices

The only items required for practice are: a swim suit, swim cap, goggles, and a towel. A water bottle and sunscreen/SPF shirt are always a good idea in the Texas heat. 

Practices are rain or shine. Coaches will send out an e-mail if practice gets cancelled or delayed due to thunder and lightning.

Swimmers are expected to arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled practice starts for dryland training. We understand this may be difficult until school ends. Just try your best to get there in time as swimmers are jumping in right at the start of practice.

Any questions or concerns about practices, please contact our coaches.
Head Coach Caitlyn McLarty Email:[email protected]Phone: (512) 783-4688
Admin Coach: Chris Kjeldsen Email:[email protected]Phone: (512) 694-2180

Parent Information Sessions:
During the week of May 4-8, there will be parent information sessions during practice on the pool deck. Once practice gets underway, Coach Chris, our Volunteer Coordinator, Liz Leonard, and other board members will pass along some important season information and be around to answer any questions.

Time Trials:
We will be holding a time trials event for all new swimmers on Friday, May 8, 2026. If you are new to the Marlins this year, please save the date.
Date: Friday, May 8, 2026
Time: To be determined.
More details to come!

Swim Meets:

Our Meet Schedule is on our website under 2026 Season - Team Calendar.The first swim meet is Saturday, May 16 and we are hosting it at our home pool, Sendero Springs Pool.

We have 6 regular swim meets and then a Divisional Championship Meet. The Divisional Championship Meet is on Saturday, June 27, 2026 and there is an expectation that ALL swimmers will attend the Divisional Championship meet. This is the biggest meet of the season, and we need every swimmer in attendance

There is also the Invitational Meet on Sunday, June 28 for those who make an Invitational Time Cut. Invitational time cuts can be found on our website here: https://bcmarlins.swimtopia.com/invitational-timesThe meet schedule and the Invitationals Time Cuts are the work of the Northwest Swim Circuit - Any questions about the process to create the meet schedule or the Invitational Time Cuts can be directed to our Circuit Representative, Tyler Lippe at [email protected]

Each week on either Thursday or Friday, you will receive an e-mail with the specific details for that week’s meet, including check in time and parking instructions from one of our two wonderful Meet Directors, Neil Sacrafamilia ([email protected]) and Dan Moran ( [email protected]). Meet details, such as heat sheets and swimmer events, tends to be published to the Swimtopia app either Friday night or Saturday morning. The Swimtopia app is a free app on the Apple App Store/Google Play Store and we highly recommend all families download this app. A pro subscription is not required to access basic meet information.

Swim Meet and Volunteer sign ups will open on Sunday, April 26 at 6pm. This is where you go to the Team Calendar and identify if your swimmer will attend the meet. If your swimmer is attending the meet, you are expected to volunteer at that meet, and this is also where you sign up for your volunteer role and shift. Volunteering is an expectation, not a suggestion. Our lovely Volunteer Coordinator, Liz Leonard ([email protected]) works very hard to make sure all the roles are filled and if you do not sign up, she will assign you a shift.

Swimmers are expected to swim 2 relays, and 3 individual events at all meets (the exception are 6 and Under aged swimmers who swim 1 relay and 3 individual events). If this is an issue due to conflicts with another sport, please use the notes section in the meet signup to tell the coaches when you RSVP for the meet, and please let the coaches know on deck as well. Coaches choose the events for the first 4 regular swim meets. Swimmer can choose their individual events for the last 2 regular meets. Coaches choose events for Divisional Championships. Any questions about meet events can be directed to the coaches.

Meet sign ups close Sunday night prior to the meet, therefore Sunday, May 10 is the last day to RSVP for the meet on Saturday, May 16. If you forget to RSVP, then your swimmer is marked as not attending and not entered in the meet. It is not possible to do late entries. It is always possible to remove a swimmer from the meet at the last minute. If you are unsure, it is best practice to mark your swimmer as attending and we can remove them last minute if needed.

Home meets will have a concessions pre-order for items such as breakfast tacos and smoothies. We will send the link out in our weekly newsletter and have it available on our website. Any concessions questions, please contact our Concessions Coordinator Sasha Kondratieva at [email protected]

Aging Out Swimmers:
An Aging Out Swimmer is a swimmer who is 17 as of May 1st, 2026 and is eligible to swim this summer, however they will be ineligible the following summer when they are 18, even if they are still in high school. These swimmers will be recognized as graduating from the Brushy Creek Marlins Swim Team with a picture, shout out at their last regular season meet (June 20, 2026), and recognition at the end of season celebration.

Moving Day - Saturday, May 9, 2026, 8am
We are looking for people to help us move the equipment back to the pool from its winter home! If you can spare a few hours, the more hands, the easier and faster it takes.Any questions, ask our Director of Equipment, Kevin Kreidler [email protected]

Fundraising
The Brushy Creek Marlins is a 501 (c)3 non-profit and the way we keep our fees low is by fundraising. There are multiple ways we do this. We have team and event sponsorship, Fundraiser Spirit Nights, Concession sales, and Lap-a-thon.

If you or your company would like to sponsor the team or an event, please contact our Director of Fundraising Asha Rao-Schertler [email protected]

Does your company participate in corporate matching? It’s an easy way to support the Marlins during the season or throughout the year. Details can be found on our fundraising/sponsor page. https://bcmarlins.swimtopia.com/sponsors

Fundraiser Spirit Nights:
These are social and fundraising events. Purchases from these businesses on the dates below, to help raise money for the team. Remember to say you are from the Brushy Creek Marlins!

Sunday, May 3 - Kendra Scott Fundraiser (more details to come soon)
Wednesday, May 13 - Spirit Night: Shake Shack
Wednesday, May 20 - Spirit Night: Ike's Love & Sandwiches
Wednesday, May 27 - Spirit Night: Menchie's Frozen Yogurt
Wednesday, June 3 - Spirit Night: Mandola's Italian Kitchen
Wednesday, June 10 - Spirit Night / Team Building: Dart 'em Up!

Lap-a-thon:
This is our biggest fundraiser on the season! Swimmers ask for donations and pledges for swimming as many lengths as they can during practice. This year’s lap-a-thon will be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. More details to come (Donations, volunteer opportunities, counting laps or helping with the snack table, etc.)

Fun Fridays:
Starting Friday, May 15, we will have Fun Fridays every Friday at the end of practice. This is a fun mini pep rally to get ready for the swim meet the next day. Each week has its own theme and activities. If you want to help out, please contact Anne Hood, Social Chair at [email protected]

Merchandise:
Pre-ordered merchandise including team t-shirts can be picked up at the Back to Swim Bash on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Team Suit orders can be placed in person from Swim Freak at the Back to Swim Bash or online here https://www.swimfreak.com/summer-teams/brushy-creek-marlins/
Additional items are available at our merchandise tent at every swim meet.
Any Merchandise questions please contact Renee Killelea [email protected]

Big Swimmer/Little Swimmer:
Big Swimmer/Little Swimmer is a Marlin's tradition focused on team bonding. We pair an older Marlin swimmer with a younger Marlin swimmer and they team up to cheer for one another, make sure no one misses a race and participate in other fun activities every week on meet day!
Details on how to sign up are coming soon!

Save the Date:
Our End of Season Banquet will take place on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at the Georgetown Community Centre. More details to come!

The Bushy Creek Marlins is a Volunteer run organization. If you would like to get more involved, please talk with any member of our executive board, President, Margit Dennon ( [email protected]), Vice President, Orla Barett Jones (l [email protected]), Treasurer, Carrie Hedegore ( [email protected]), or Secretary Julia Mendez ( [email protected]).

See you at the pool!

Kim Edwards
Director of Communications
[email protected]