Greetings Tornado families! I am excited to share that planning has officially begun for the 2023 Tornado swim team season!

Welcome to Division 3!

This season we will be returning to the Greater Charlotte Swim League as part of Division 3. Most of the teams in Division 3 are smaller than those we competed against in Division 2 last year, so we anticipate the timelines for our meets will be manageable. It should be an exciting season swimming against some new teams!

Dust Off the Swim Cap!

For those who haven't been in the water for a while and are looking to get in some pre-season practice, SwimMAC offers a few wonderful short programs that begin in the next few weeks. The attached fliers contain details about their Junior Swim League and Teen Fit programs -- both include instruction on basic stroke techniques and endurance training. MSA also offers a great pre-team program that can provide some good stroke instruction.

2023 Coaching Staff

I am thrilled to announce our awesome 2023 coaches -- a group of life-long Thornhill swimmers. Returning to our Tornado team as head coach will be Anna Ludwiczak. Anna will be graduating from Charlotte Catholic this May, and she is super excited to lead our Tornado team! She will be assisted by another life-long Tornado, Sophia Sidler, who will be graduating from Ardrey Kell in May. Gabi Lupinski will also be an assistant coach this year, focusing on our 10 and under swimmers. Anna, Sophia and Gabi have all grown up on this team -- they began swimming with Coach Joanne as shrimps at age 5, where they developed a passion for swimming that carried into year-round club swimming and high school swimming. They are so excited to share their love for the Tornados with our younger swimmers as they work on technique, speed, and most of all -- FUN! To round out our fabulous coaching staff, we are elated to have former head coach Joanne Paulsen returning to help our coaches and swimmers be the best they can be!

2023 Schedule

Please find some important dates about our upcoming season below:

• 4/2 - 5/1 -- Swim team registration (details coming soon!)
• 5/15 -- Tornado afternoon practices begin
  • 4 - 4:30 -- Shrimps (ages 5-6)
  • 4:30 - 5:15 -- ages 7-10
  • 5:15 - 6:00 -- ages 11+
• 6/12 -- shift to morning practices
  • 8:30 - 9:00 -- Shrimps (ages 5-6)
  • 9:00 - 9:45 -- ages 7-10
  • 9:45 - 10:30 -- ages 11+
• Meet Schedule
  • 6/2 -- Time Trials (home)
  • 6/5 -- HOME vs. Cameron Wood
  • 6/8 -- @ Somerset
  • 6/12 -- HOME vs. Southhampton
  • 6/15 -- @ Lawson
  • 6/19 -- HOME vs. Weddington Chase
  • 6/22 -- @ Brandon Oaks
  • 6/26 -- HOME vs. Brookhaven
• 6/29 or 6/30 -- team celebration (date tentative)
• All-Stars: 7/9, Rock Hill Aquatic Center

Additional information about registration and suits will be coming soon. We can't wait to see everyone back at the pool!

Go Tornados!

Michelle Ludwiczak