Over a period of several weeks, we dedicated time to discussion and let our athletes determine what would become the core values of our club.  These young athletes discussed what they wanted THEIR team to be about, What they wanted to display to others, what was important to them, and how they wanted THEIR team to be seen.  Below are the terms and descriptions this great group of young athletes came up with.

FAITH:  We believe the most important thing that will guide our decisions and our direction as a team is our faith in God.  He is the foundation of who we are and the cornerstone of the other core values we've laid out.

AMBASSADOR:  Our athletes and coaches alike recognize that we are ambassadors and everything we do reflects on many factors other than the situation at hand.  Whether it's the effort we compete with, sportsmanship we display, behavior at an event or facility or the way we interact with and treat others.  We represent not only ourselves but God, our families, our team, the sport of swimming and many others that associate with us.

EFFORT:  We will hold effort in high regard.  A good finish with less than full effort is not a completed task.  100% effort is our goal in training, competitions and all that we do, regardless of outcome and what the clock or placings say at the end of a race.

ATTITUDE:  We will face each day and each situation with a good attitude.  Great things can happen in seemingly dismal circumstances when we enter with a good attitude.  A good attitude also helps encourage others around us and allows us to be good ambassadors for the things we represent.

ENCOURAGING:  We will not only seek to be our best, but will make it our mission to help others around us become the best they can be through helping and encouraging them through whatever obstacles they may be facing.

HONESTY:  We will be honest with ourselves in our training in order to get the most out of it.  We will also be honest with each other and all we come in contact with in order to be a great ambassador for the things we represent.

RESPECT:  We will show respect to God, ourselves, our parents and family members, our teammates, officials and our opponents.  Regardless of how we feel someone treats us, we will be known for being respectful.

OPTIMISM:  Regardless of what obstacles we may face as a team or as individuals.  Through our faith in God and encouragement of our teammates, we'll rely on God and allow him to do great things through us.  We also believe that by following the other core values we've laid out, we'll accomplish our goals along with things greater than we could ever ask, think or imagine.