NOVA News
October 16th, 2023
February 15, 2024
The Hidden Aspects of Swim Training
A 4 Part Series
by Coach Mike Julian
In all sports, athletes need more than just practice and training to help them become better. As swimmers progress through the NOVA program, our athletes are asked to commit to more training in the water, as well as out of the water, to succeed in the world of swimming around them. This progression continues to make NOVA the best program in Virginia as well as one of the best programs in the country.
So how do we continue this tradition growing at NOVA and how can we help make NOVA even better? We will focus and talk about "The Hidden Aspects of Swim Training' that the NOVA coaches feel are important to a successful swimming journey.
Over the next 4 weeks, we will explore four areas our swimmers can focus on to help improve their training and overall performance at swim meets and in life. We will be looking at Mental Preparation, Sleep, Nutrition, and Time Management. Each week, we will take a “deeper dive” into these topics, how swimmers can implement strategies, and parents can help support and guide their swimmers.
Part one will be on Mental Preparation as we head into more championship meets as well as finish up the season, please check back next week for full details…
Central District 8 and Under Champs
This past weekend NOVA started off its short course championship season strong as we conquered the Central District "8 and under" Championships. NOVA swimmers displayed amazing swims, heroic time drops and unmatched energy as we swam our way to a resounding victory!
Held at the NOVA Regency Aquatic Center, our 8 & under swimmers were on full display for the entire universe to see. Saturday, there were super swims and super heroes alike, even Captain America was in the building to watch as NOVA swimmers climbed the podium. On Sunday, Red White and Blue dominated the stands as NOVA repped their team colors and cheered on teammates.
While the cheering was loud, nothing could compare to the excitement of Hot Heats! Hot Heats were pure pandemonium; blaring music, everyone on their feet, and some epic showdowns in the middle of the pool. Timing and handing out awards, the National swimmers added to the atmosphere with some awe inspiring dance moves and Hot Heat celebrations. Hot Heat prizes included light up glasses and glowing foam wands to cement the swimmer as a shining example for their teammates.
Throughout the meet swimmers who achieved time improvements and new time standards spread the love by covering the walls with heart shaped stickers in honor of Valentine's Day!
Way to go NOVA!
-Coach KaiMeet Results
February 10th &11th NOVA's 8 and unders kicked off our championship meet season with fast swimming, loud cheering and lots of hot heat dancing! Congratulations to all the swimmers and coaches for an amazing weekend!
Novice Bronze/Novice Sliver, Novice Gold, Age Group Development Silver, Age Group Development Gold
Upcoming Meets
Championship Meets
Group Spotlight: Senior Silver
Group coaches: Lead Wyatt Haas, assistant Sean Moore
How many swimmers are in Senior Sliver? 26
What skills are SS working on this week? We are between 1 and 2 weeks away from District Champs, so we are reducing the volume we are swimming, dialing in our pace work, starting to find some “pop” for our sprints and polishing some final details.
Wyatt, what's your favorite part of working with SS? My favorite part of working with Senior Silver is that swimmers in this group have a variety of goals and paths to success. I enjoy creating challenges for swimmers that whole group takes on together and are adaptable and engaging to each individual.
Sean, what's your favorite part of work with SS? I really enjoy watching kids take that next step as senior swimmers, Senior Silver really makes that a fun time.
Wyatt, what's your favorite part about working with Sean? Sean has a great knack for filling in where he’s needed without being asked. It makes coaching with him seamless. His music taste is good too.
Sean, what's your favorite part about working with Wyatt? I really enjoy working with Wyatt because our brains work on similar yet different wavelengths, so when something needs to change or one of us has an idea we can rework it quickly!
Wyatt, if you could meet any person in the past who would it be and why? It’s probably a tie between Albert Einstein or Ben Franklin. Both would be a very interesting conversation.
Sean, if you could meet any person in the past who would it be and why? I would probably want to meet a musician that isn't with us anymore, Kurt Cobain, Chris Cornell, George Harrison, Gregg Allman, and Janis Joplin all come to mind!
Both of you have had a very exciting past 12 months...Wyatt with the very recent birth of Frankie and Sean marrying Logan this past summer ..What are you each looking forward most in the coming year?
Wyatt: "t's been a very exciting year last year for me. This year I'm looking forward to watching Frankie grow and all the "firsts" that will happen this year.
Sean: Life has been such a whirlwind the past two to three years I think I am looking forward to just enjoying time with my wife this next year
NOVA Officials 101
Why Officiate at a Swim Meet?
The sport of swimming places a heavy reliance on volunteers to conduct swim meets, and nowhere is this reliance heavier than it is in providing high quality officials at swim meets to achieve the goal of providing fair and equitable competition for our athletes. To achieve this goal, minimum standards for the certification and recertification of officials have been set forth by the USA Swimming Officials Committee and been adopted by resolution of the USA Swimming Board of Directors. It is the responsibility of the Local Swim Committees (LSC) to meet or exceed these standards in developing their training programs for officials.
Virginia Swimming, Inc. (VSI), the LSC that primarily covers the state of Virginia, certifies officials in wet-deck (Stroke & Turn, Chief Judge, Starter, and Referee) and dry-deck (Administrative Official and Timing Equipment Operator) positions. Officials start off as Strokes and Turns officials. Virginia Swimming set forth the following requirements to become an official.
- Attend an initial training clinic. Clinics are held in person and online. Upcoming clinics can be found at www.virginiaswimming.org.
- Register as a member of USA Swimming. NOVA will reimburse the membership fee.
- Complete membership requirements of background check, Athlete Protection Training and Concussion Protocol Training.
- Complete the Strokes and Turns online test.• Participate in six training sessions with a current official. The mentoring process provides on the job hands on training. Training can take place at USA Swimming meets held at NOVA and meets held elsewhere in Virginia. Training may not take place at high school or summer league meets.
While the training process may seem daunting, the need for quality officials is extremely important to running a successful meet. NOVA relies on its officials to provide a fairly judged meet for the 800+ athletes on the teams. A minimum of 8-10 officials is needed per session at a given meet. Officials receive volunteer credit during training and once training is complete for sessions worked.
For more information, please contact Emily Fagan, NOVA Officials Chair, at escfagan@gmail.com.
Practice Performer of the Week
12 and under PPOW
Summer League Clinics
Registration for Spring Clinics is now Open!
Please help spread the word by sharing the attached FLYER
to neighbors and summer league friends who are looking to get a headstart on their season. Summer league teams will receive $25 back for every 10 swimmers registered.
**Current NOVA swimmers should not sign up**
Own Your Own Business?
Plug into NOVA Power, and see your business on the NOVA scoreboard during all NOVA hosted events. Contact Julie Farney, julie.farney@novaswim.org for more information.
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