During practice, Amherst Tritons Swim Team is split into smaller, more manageable groups. Assignment in a subgroup is based on a combination of experience, ability, work ethic, and age. Members for each group are picked each season so that every swimmer can be given the best chance to improve his or her swimming ability while joining a similar social group. Groups are balanced in size, allowing coaches to provide as much individual attention as possible to each swimmer. Placement is at the discretion of the coach and is permanent for the season.

• Age-Group Tritons (Four 60-minute Practices Offered per Week): The Age-Group Tritons is open to all swimmers who can complete 50-yards of non-stop freestyle with side breathing, and 50-yards of nonstop backstroke. Swimmers must have a familiarity with butterfly kick and breaststroke kick, and a working knowledge of flip-turns and racing starts. The emphasis is on development of proper technique. Refinement of strokes, starts, and turns are continued at this level. The goal of the coaches is to see that the swimmers enjoy their experience as they are introduced to training sets and more challenging practice sessions. Age-Group Tritons competes at the local level are introduced to local USA swimming competition.
  
  
• Junior Tritons (Four 90-minute Practices Offered per Week): Swimmers at this level continue to develop their technique and racing skills with an increased emphasis on aerobic conditioning. More complex training sets are introduced. They become familiar with the pace clock, while being challenged physically and mentally. They are expected to be able to take an active role in their development as competitive swimmers. Junior Tritons is encouraged to compete in all strokes and distances, and discouraged from specializing in specific events. Goal setting and race strategies are introduced at the Junior Tritons level. Junior Tritons competes at the local level and out-of-district USA swimming competitions.
  
  
• Senior Tritons (Six 120-minute Practices Offered per Week): Swimmers who have committed themselves to a high level of training and are in middle or high school are invited to this level. Practice sessions are longer, more complex, and demanding. It is expected that swimmers at this level come prepared to challenge themselves at each practice session. Coach's expectations are detailed at the beginning of the season. Each swimmer will strive to meet these expectations and standards throughout the season. Senior Tritons accepts the position on the team as a role model for the younger and less experienced swimmers and, through their words and actions, set a positive example for others. As with the Junior Tritons, swimmers will compete at the local and regional level with the possibility of qualifying for higher-level competitions where time standards must be met to compete, as well as USA swimming competitions.
  

Fees are used to pay coaches, pool rental, meet fees, ribbons, and other miscellaneous items. (Fee structure is for a season and subject to change.)

• Age Group Tritons: $300
• Junior Tritons: $325
• Senior Tritons: $460
• USS Registration: $100
• Non-Volunteer Fee: $200 (in lieu of Volunteering - See Parent Volunteer Duties )

In addition, the third swimmer in a family joins for half-price. High school swim team discount is $100 to compensate for lost ATST practices due to high school practice and meet schedule. For reduced fees, please discuss with the ATST President, Kate Connor ( K3connor (at) charter.net ).