Lead Volunteers
Jessica Ballagh-Social Chair
Rene Wilkinson- Parent Liason/Mentor
Jacqui McVey & Carolyn Stone - Spirit Wear
Erin Mosely - Team Area
Karen Landwehr - Clerk of Course
Bill DeVinney - Photographer
Deanna Busteed - Head Ref/Official
Wayne Wilkinson - Head Timer
Though I was never a competitive swimmer, I decided to begin my journey for endurance sports in my late 20's as a long-distance runner. Since then, I have embraced movement, and team spirit and love encouraging others to do the same! I am also a Biology and Anatomy teacher at McLean High School.
After joining Westwood CC in 2016, my son, Zak, joined the mini program and became an official Whirlwind in 2019. My hubbie, Mo, and I have enjoyed watching him become a stronger swimmer each year and cheering him on at every meet! Being a part of the Whirlwind swim team has given Zak confidence and has allowed him to build awesome friendships with other swimmers while having a whole lot of fun at the same time!
Betsy and I are so happy to welcome all the new families and welcome back our returning families for a summer of all things swim and fun! Since I have the summer "off" as a teacher, you will likely find me at the pool during all practices this summer so please don't hesitate to ask any questions!
I love swimming and hope to foster a team environment that helps my girls, Alice and Penny, learn to love the sport, too. Both girls have been a part of the Whirlwinds for the last three summers and train year-round with Machine Aquatics. My husband, John, is a lost cause swim-wise but loves to hit the links.
I swam competitively for over 14 years and started racing triathlon 15 years ago and never stopped (my girls logged many miles with me before they were born).
Please don't hesitate to reach out to me or Jenn if you have any questions or need help especially if you're looking to get your children (or self) into triathlon!
How to Volunteer
Did you know it takes close to 75 volunteers to run one swim meet? That means to have a successful meet and season, we need you! Please consider volunteering to be a day-of-meet volunteer - such as a meet official or timer, team area helper, staging area, running cards, or hospitality.
It is a great way to get involved with the team and really helps each meet run smoothly!
Please note: Absolutely no alcohol or other substances when volunteering at a meet
This is to protect our children and ensure a smooth, compliant meet. If we find that you have been partaking, we will remove you from the job and assign another parent to take over.
Timers
The timers are the most important people to every swimmer. They are the people who determine each swimmer’s official time for each race. Being a timer is a good volunteer position for parents new to the sport. Some parents have been timers for years and wouldn’t want to see a swim meet from any other viewpoint. If you can start and stop a stopwatch, you can be a timer. The team even provides a stopwatch. Timers start their watches on the strobe light from the starter and stop their watches when the swimmer touches the wall. There are three timers per lane and all three times are recorded. The middle time is the official time. Bonus points for "doubles" (two have the exact same time) and the ultra-rare "triple" (three have the exact same time). If you're new, we'll make sure you're assigned to a lane with experienced timers to help get you going!
We need at least 10-15 timers per meet
Runners
Walk the cards from the timers to the computer operator to enter into the computer. Easy peasy, a way to get in some steps, and you get a great view of your swimmer!
We need 3-5 runners per meet
Team Area
Help our swimmers get lined up, make sure they know what event it is, and walk them over to the clerk of course to get staged for their swim.
We need 5+ team area volunteers per meet
Clerk of course
This sounds scarier than it really is! Volunteers help the seated swimmers get ready to go in the pool. You escort the swimmers to their lanes.
We need 3+ clerk of course volunteers per meet
Hospitality
Hospitality volunteers hand out refreshments throughout the meet are an essential part of creating a great experience for our volunteers and guests.
Marshals
The Meet Marshal is a representative of the host club and the sport of swimming, and ensures everyone is complying with rules to keep everyone safe and the meet running smoothly. The Meet Marshal has full authority to warn or remove or have removed from the venue anyone behaving in an unsafe manner or using profane or abusive language, or whose actions are disrupting the orderly conduct of the meet. This is a job every parent should do at least once--it will completely change your perspective as a spectator.
Stroke and Turn Officials
Once the race has started, the Stroke and turn Judges are responsible for ensuring that all swimmers obey all the rules for the stroke they are swimming. These people are always at the ends of the pool for starts and finishes and walk the sides of the pool as best they can within the physical constraints of the pool. If a stroke-and-turn judge sees a violation of the rules, he raises his hand to signify that an infraction has occurred. A Disqualification is recorded on a DQ slip, which the referee reviews and approves (or not) and forwards copies to the automation workers and the Team Rep.
We need 5-6+ stroke and turn officials per meet. NOTE: You must get certified to be a Stroke and turn judge. This involves attending an overview course and an open-book test. You'll shadow other S&T judges for 2+ meets before officially officiating. Interested? Let us know as soon as possible so we can get you into the easy, peasy course!
Starter
The Starter is responsible for ensuring that all swimmers are given a fair and equitable start. The starter will instruct the swimmers to “Take your mark.” After all swimmers are ready and still, the starter will start the race, using a timing system (built by Colorado Timing Systems). This system consists of a public address system, a horn, and a strobe light.
We need 1-2 starters for home meets. NOTE: You must get certified by DCCL. Let us know as soon as possible so we can get you certified!
Still not sure?
If you don’t know what position to sign up for but want to help, check in with us when you get to the pool. You’re always welcome. We need help and appreciate everyone's contributions.
If you cannot volunteer during the meets, there are still lots of ways to help, as well!
In particular, we need parent volunteers to help with social activities. This group ensures that our kids have lots of fun, not only in the pool, but on land, as well! If you would like to help organize games and activities for the kids, as well as help coordinate events throughout the summer - like Family Night and the End of Season Banquet - please sign up HERE! Planning for social activities starts early, so please let us know as soon as possible if this is something you could help with!
