NOVA News
October 16th, 2023
From walls on the pool deck to 5 rows of bleachers, things have changed quickly in the month of September
The cabinets are going in the kitchen
Senior Dev. Silver- Stephanie Wolfle, Joey Glasgow, Michael Cousins
Stephanie- How many swimmers are in your group?
We currently have 54 in the group
Stephanie, What is SDS working on right now?
Recently we have worked on attacking the 3rd leg of the 200 free and have started working on free pacing. We have gotten after our IMs really trying to get these new crossover turns to stick and we have continued to work on our 15 meter underwaters. The Top 10 list is getting pretty fast!
Stephanie, What is your favorite part of coaching SDS?
I love watching SDS swimmers own their swimming and accomplish things they didn’t think they could do. Accomplishing goal paces, improving their 15 meter times, making it through a tough set, or learning a new skill, the SDS swimmers are eager for more. The group is still getting to know each other but they are supportive and have a lot of fun!
Joey, What is your favorite part of coaching SDS?
I think SDS is a great group because it covers a pivotal transition period for the swimmers as they move out of age group swimming and into senior swimming. The swimmers are starting to think about their long term goals, both in and out of the water, which is exciting, and the training starts to get more specific and focused on the finer details of the sport, which makes each practice interesting. In my last two coaching roles I worked 12 & unders and college athletes, so it is great to be able to bridge those experiences in SDS.
Michael, What is your favorite part of coaching SDS?
My favorite part about coaching this group is that they are at an age where I can see them start to “get it”. Old enough to start to understand how to push themselves, understanding race strategy and WHY we practice certain things at certain times. Yet they still bring the excitement, fun, and laughs to every practice.
Stephanie, what's your favorite part about working with Joey and Michael?
I am so grateful to work with Joey and Michael this year. They each bring something different to the deck. Joey analyzes what is happening in a stroke and you can see him think it through and his data work has made tracking sets and times more fun and effective this year. Michael brings NOVA knowledge and years of coaching to the deck so its easy for me to connect and bounce ideas of stroke correction or sets with him. It’s going to be an amazing year!
Joey, what's your favorite part about working with Stephanie and Michael?
I was really lucky to get paired with Stephanie and Michael during my first year with NOVA. They both bring a lot of energy and knowledge to the pool deck. They have done a great job creating an atmosphere that is competitive and friendly and the swimmers really seem to blossom in that environment.
Michael, what's your favorite part about working with Stephanie and Joey?
How naturally and easily we work together. We build off of each other’s strengths and input. Stephanie allows Joey and me to have some autonomy as we coach, but with a vision in mind. And I admire how well Joey connects with the swimmers so quickly, and his great knowledge base for swimming.
Joey, you are new to Richmond. What has been your favorite part of your move?
Yes, it was an exciting summer! My wife and I finished grad school, moved to Richmond, and got married all within a few months. We have really enjoyed exploring the Richmond restaurant scene. I think it is an underrated food city. Some of our favorites so far have been the Lillie Pearl, Hobnob, and Spotty Dog Ice Cream. I always appreciate recommendations!
Michael, you swam at NOVA and have coached here for 12 years. How has NOVA influenced your life? In more ways than I can count. I learned so much about what is required to stay disciplined in so many aspects of my life. It provided the foundation for both self-motivation and good sportsmanship. Everything I know about team spirit began with swimming at NOVA. And I thrived in learning appropriate goal-setting as a team, as a group, and as an individual. NOVA gave me the tools to set expectations properly (my first exposure to how to win with humility, and lose with grace).
Stephanie, Are you a dog or cat person?
Dog person, I just love that they are so excited to see you every time you come home! Our family has a bernedoddle named Mickey
Joey, Are you a dog or cat person?
Dog person! And I am allergic to cats.
Michael, Are you a dog or cat person?
This is difficult because I have both. But I can’t help but say I gravitate to dogs anywhere, anytime. For the record I have two dogs (Perdita who is a white German shepherd) and Pongo who is a lab/shepherd mix! And 1 black & white tuxedo cat named Ramsey!
NOVA 12 and under Short Course Kick off- 10/4-5
TAC vs NOVA Dual Meet (13 and over) 10/10-12
AGB Golf Social 10/10 RSVP deadline 10/8 Commit Here
SDG Creepy Hollow Scream Forest 10/17 RSVP deadline 10/8 Commit Here
Novice Trunk or Treat 10/18 RSVP Deadline 10/13 Commit Here
SB Drive Shack Social 10/18 RSVP deadline 10/4 Commit Here
NOVA Halloween Haunt 10/24-10/26 Entry Deadline 10/13 Commit Here
NOVA's 2025-2026 Short Course meet schedule is posted to the NOVA website HERE!
12 and under PPOW
Our first 12 and under PPOW of the 25-26 season is Age Group Gold's Will Wallin.
The beginning of a new season is a great time to come in with a new mindset in order to make some real changes to practice habits and even make some new ones. Will started the new year and right off the bat verbalized that his goal was to grab a whole list of Age Group Cuts, and he has shown that in practice. Not only is he going fast on the sprints, but he's taken huge strides in reading the practice and doing the little things right. Way to go Will!
13 and over PPOW
Our first 13 and over PPOW for the 2025-2026 season is Senior Dev. Bronze's Heath Lowery.
Heath has done a fantastic job these past couple of weeks with leading his lane, investing in his technique, and putting his all into his practices. There isn’t an occasion where he hasn’t risen to the challenge. We’re very excited to award Heath PPOW for his efforts.
NOVA is offering an online Virginia Diner Peanut Sale as one way to meet your fundraising requirement. Watch how to register HERE
- Go to Goalbuster.com.
- From the homepage, select Online → Register for Seller Account.
- Register as a New Seller with NOVA ID: 1009
Use your swimmer’s First & Last Name as the seller.
Use your swimmer’s Coach as the teacher.
- After registering, you’ll receive an email and (if you add your cell number) a text. Forward or share these with friends, family, and on social media.
- Your seller ID (included in the email/text) is needed for shopping.
- Pay a small handling fee, peanuts will be delivered to NOVA the week of November 10th and swimmers will distribute their orders.
- Pay a delivery fee and peanuts will ship immediately, directly to individual homes.
If you have any questions please contact Julie Farney in the business office at julie.farney@novaswim.org .
Thanks as always for your continued support of NOVA.
Julie Farney
Where to arrive:
NOVA- Regency
Construction update:
- The 2nd floor will not be open this weekend.
- All swimmers and families will be located on the 1st floor, just as we’ve done the past four years at Regency.
- Parking is also on the 1st floor.
When to arrive:
All NOVA swimmers must be on deck at their assigned warm up time and must attend their assigned warm up session to be eligible to swim in the meet session. The warm up times, heat sheets, timelines and general meet information can be found on the NOVA Website either under the “LATEST NEWS” page or the Upcoming events/Swim meets page. The heat sheets will not be posted until the Thursday night before the meet begins.
What to wear:
NOVA Team Suit, RED NOVA Cap, goggles, NOVA Apparel
What to bring:
extra pair of goggles, extra cap, water bottle, healthy snacks, entertainment - cards, games, drawing materials, etc. Electronics are allowed until they become a problem (ex - swimmer misses their event because they were playing on a device).
Please write on your swimmers hand before warm ups:
There is no Clerk of Course at NOVA meets. Swimmer will report directly behind the blocks after speaking to their coaches
This information can be found in the Heat sheets posted online on NOVA’s website or in the Meet Mobile app.
Swimmer’s Event, Heat, Lane should be written on their arm/ hand in Sharpie before the meet! It should look like the following:
This is an example only:
E = Event - The event number for each event (race). This can be found on the website where you initially entered your swimmer, the heat sheet, or on meet mobile
H = Heat – Which heat number of each event they are assigned to (found in the heat sheet or on meet mobile)
L = Lane – Which lane assignment for each event they will swim in (found in the heat sheet or on meet mobile)
NOVA Expectations for the Meet:
Swimmers are expected to come talk to their group's coaches before and after each race so each swimmer will get reminders and race strategy tips. This should be about 15 minutes before they swim so they have time to get behind the blocks. Swimmers should talk to coaches immediately after they swim (BEFORE THEY SEE YOU) so the coaches can give feedback for each race.
Swimmers are NOT ALLOWED IN THE WARM UP / WARM DOWN POOLS during the meet sessions without specific coach permission! No, not even to practice their turns before their race.
All swimmers need team suits and RED caps for the first meet! Please come in early to get sized for your swimmers NOVA competition suit. The swim shop staff is very knowledgeable and experienced in proper suit fit, please trust them
October is Breast Cancer awareness month. The Swim Shop has pink caps for sale that swimmers may wear in meets and at practice.
All Speedo equipment is 20% off everyday and every dollar spent in the VA swim shop goes back to NOVA and benefits the TEAM.
