Team Tryout Information
Thanks for your interest in the Vernon Hills Turtles Swim Team! Tryouts for this session are over, but check back in late February or early March for the next chance to join.
If your swimmer is already registered with USA Swimming and has official competition times, we might be able to add them mid‑season. For details, email Coach Enrico at enricom@vhparkdistrict.org
How to Register
- Registering for the team: After your tryout, if you’re invited to join, the coach will give you a sheet indicating the group your swimmer will train with. Bring that sheet to the Sullivan Center to complete your registration at the front desk. Don’t forget—you must have the sheet with you to register.
- Register with USA Swimming: you must complete this step before attending practice. Start by creating an account for yourself as the parent or guardian, then enter your swimmer’s information. Click here to get started, and check out this video for detailed instructions.
- Attend Practice!
Tryout Location
Vernon Hills High School
Vernon Hills High School provides an excellent environment for evaluating competitive swimmers.
What to Expect
During the tryout, swimmers will be evaluated by our coaching staff within their appropriate training group. Coaches will assess each swimmer's comfort and confidence in the water, overall swimming ability, and readiness for our competitive program.
Tryout Activities
Swimmers will be asked to demonstrate all four competitive strokes:
- Freestyle
- Backstroke
- Breaststroke
- Butterfly
The evaluation will include drills, kicking, and full-stroke swimming over distances ranging from 25 to 100 yards. Swimmers will complete multiple repeats with short rest intervals while coaches evaluate:
- Stroke technique
- Body position
- Streamline
- Flip turns
- Open turns
- Endurance
- Ability to follow the coach's instructions
Team Selection Criteria
Our goal is to place swimmers in the training group that best matches their current ability.
To be considered for the team, swimmers should:
- Be comfortable and confident swimming in deep water.
- Swim with their face in the water while demonstrating proper breathing technique.
- Be able to swim the full length of a 25-yard pool without stopping or requiring assistance.
- Repeat multiple lengths with only short rest periods.
- Demonstrate safe swimming habits, good listening skills, and a willingness to learn.
Team placement is based on each swimmer's current skill level, endurance, technique, and overall readiness for competitive training.
Frequently Asked Questions
VHST is a competitive swim club affiliated Park district and with USA Swimming, which supports a vast network of over 400,000 member swimmers throughout the nation. Our dedicated coaching staff fosters a competitive yet supportive environment, where young athletes can cultivate friendships, boost their self-esteem, and learn how to set and achieve personal goals in swimming.
Team practices will typically occur in the evenings, 5:00 PM or later, with the exact timing depending on the assigned group. While 100% attendance is not mandatory, regular practice is strongly encouraged to maximize improvement and team cohesion.
VHST will evaluate if your swimmer should begin with recreational meets— an excellent introduction to competitive swimming—or if they are ready to participate in USA Swimming sanctioned competitions, which occur 1-2 times per month and are characterized by a higher level of competition. If your swimmer is part of VHST, they are undoubtedly ready for their first swim meet! Our coaching staff is committed to guiding new swimmers through these initial competitive experiences, ensuring they feel confident and prepared.
As a Park District, VHST depends on the active participation of its member families to facilitate seamless operations. Our funding comes from seasonal dues and various fundraising initiatives, such as our Relay-A-Thon, held every October or November. Additionally, we warmly accept sponsorships from corporate entities for the team. Each season, we host 2-4 Park District swim meets at Vernon Hills High School. These events offer valuable opportunities for you to fulfill your volunteer hours. Active participation from all parents during these meets is essential and greatly appreciated, making it an easy way to meet your mandatory volunteer requirements.
If you have any questions or require further information about tryouts, please reach out to Coach Enrico McConney at enricom@vhparkdistrict.org We are here to assist you and ensure a positive experience for all swimmers and their families.