The Millcreek Swim Team (MIST) is a year-round competitive USA Swimming club based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Our program helps swimmers improve technique, endurance, racing skills, and confidence through structured coaching and age-appropriate training groups. MIST is designed for swimmers who want to compete—not swim lessons.

No. MIST is a competitive swim team, not a swim lesson program.

Swimmers should already be comfortable swimming independently before joining the team. If your child is still learning basic swimming skills or requires one-on-one instruction, we recommend completing swim lessons before trying out for MIST.

There is no strict age requirement. Instead, swimmers are placed based on their swimming ability, maturity, and readiness for competitive swimming. Many swimmers begin around ages 6–8, while others join later.

Yes. All new swimmers are required to attend a free tryout before registering. This gives coaches the opportunity to evaluate your swimmer's current skills and recommend the best training group.

Tryout dates are offered throughout the year, or you can email the coaching staff to schedule an individual evaluation.

Maybe! If your child can swim independently and enjoys swimming, a tryout is the best way to determine whether they're ready for competitive swimming.

That's perfectly fine. Many MIST swimmers join without prior competitive experience. Coaches place swimmers in groups where they can learn, develop confidence, and progress at an appropriate pace.

The coaching staff shares important information through email. The team website will also be updated throughout the season. Families should regularly check their email for practice updates, meet information, and announcements.

Please do not register before your swimmer attends a tryout. Every new swimmer must complete a tryout first.

After the evaluation, the coaching staff will recommend the training group that best matches your swimmer's current ability. This helps ensure every swimmer begins in the group where they'll be challenged while still being successful.

Yes. MIST accepts new swimmers throughout the session. Monthly fees are not prorated, but swimmers are welcome to join at any point during the season after completing a tryout.

Registration fees vary depending on the swimmer's training group and the current season. Please visit the Registration page for the most up-to-date pricing information.

Families should plan for a few additional expenses including:

• USA Swimming Annual Athlete Membership

• Practice equipment (training swimsuit and goggles are required for all groups. See below for additional equipment requirements.)

• Team swim suit (optional, but encouraged for swim meets)

• Additional team apparel (optional)

Yes. All MIST swimmers must maintain an active USA Swimming membership in addition to completing MIST registration.

Group placement is based on:

• Swimming ability

• Technique

• Physical maturity

• Emotional readiness

• Training habits

• Coach evaluation

Age alone does not determine placement. Some younger swimmers may advance more quickly, while others benefit from additional time developing skills. Every swimmer progresses at their own pace.

Swimmers advance as they develop the skills, maturity, and training habits needed for the next level. Advancement isn't based solely on age. It happens when coaches believe the next group is the best fit.

Most swimmers are encouraged to compete, but meet participation depends on training group, readiness, and coach recommendations.

Competition is an important part of improving racing skills and measuring progress.

Meet opportunities vary throughout the year and include:

• USA Swimming meets (usually within a 2hr drive)

• Summer league dual meets (local)

• Intrasquad meets (local)

The competition calendar is updated throughout the season.

Competitive swim teams rely on parent volunteers to help run meets. Volunteer opportunities vary depending on the meet and season.

Practices are held at:

McDowell Intermediate High School Pool
3320 Caughey Road
Erie, PA

Practice schedules vary by training group and season. Your swimmer's practice schedule will be provided after group placement.

• Beginner* – 2-3 practices/week

• Developmental – 2-3 practices/week

• Technique – 3-4 practices/week

• Challenge – 5 practices/week

• Elite – 5 practices/week

*Beginner is offered during the summer session only.

Practice length varies by training group and season.

• Beginner* – 30-45 mins

• Developmental – 30-45 mins

• Technique – 45 mins

• Challenge – 60-90 mins

• Elite – 90-120 mins

*Beginner is offered during the summer session only.

Your swimmer's practice schedule will be provided after group placement.

Occasional absences are understandable. Simply notify the coaching staff when possible. Consistent attendance helps swimmers improve more quickly and get the most from their training.

We encourage swimmers to attend as consistently as possible based on their training group. Regular attendance leads to better technique, improved endurance, and greater confidence at meets.

Most swimmers purchase equipment from swim retailers such as SwimOutlet. Some local sports stores offer swim equipment (suits, caps, goggles, etc.), but they are very limited. We recommend ordering online. Team apparel information is shared during registration.

Most swimmers do well with two training suits. This allows swimmers to rotate their suits so they don’t wear out too quickly. The good news: swimmers can find training suits very affordably ($20-$30) through swimoutlet.com.

We encourage swimmers to purchase a separate team suit and/or tech suit for competitions.

Below is the recommended equipment for each training group.