NOVA News
October 16th, 2023
This week we are celebrating “National Women and Girls in Sports.” Whether as a coach, a lessons instructor, or part of the team that keeps our facilities and business office running smoothly and supports our members, women play an essential role in NOVA’s mission.
When I joined NOVA in 1999, I was the only woman on the coaching staff. Over the past 25 years, our organization has grown stronger—not just in size but in the culture we’ve built together. NOVA is better today because of the talented, dedicated women who contribute every day.
-Leigh
The NOVA Distance Tune-Up on January 24th was a huge success. Swimmers from AGG to National competed in the 400 IM or the Mile and dominated the pool. Swimmers achieved new all time top 10 times, got new Senior and Age Group champs cuts along with some NCSA Age group cuts thrown in. This fast evening of racing was a testament to the hard work our NOVA swimmers are doing. Congrats coaches and swimmers.
Age Group Gold, Senior Dev Silver, Senior Dev Gold, Senior Bronze, Senior Silver, Senior Gold, National
NOVA's New Year's Kick Off Make Up TIME TRIAL was a great meet for our 12 and under boys and 10 and under girls. Swimmers got to race in the events that had been snowed out ealier in the month and they all raced hard. There were many new best times, new time standards and a few cuts achieved. Thanks to all the staff that worked hard to get this meet resceduled for our swimmers.
Novice Bronze, Novice Silver, Novice Gold, Age Group Dev Bronze, Age Group Dev Silver, Age Group Dev Gold, Age Group Bronze, Age Group Silver
NOVA's Championship Meet season is starting this weekend! The 8 and unders will kick us off with their District Champs meet Saturday and Sunday at Regency!
In each championship season there is at least one championship meet for every group across NOVA, which include all ages and levels of experience. These meets take place during the months of February and March, and are very important for all swimmers to attend. An end-of-season meet is a big part of the feeling of accomplishment that keeps swimmers engaged in swimming. Everyone wants to feel that they achieved something, especially when they put in months of hard work! Being a part of a TEAM championship meet win is something each and every NOVA swimmer can be proud of! There are a wide range of championship meets from local to national level with a progression between each. There are many 15 & over swimmers currently on the team that have attended every meet on this list!
Local meets- District Champs, 8 and under Districts, 9-12 year olds Districts, 13 and over Districts
State meets(qualifying meets)- Senior Champs, Age Group Champs
National meets(faster qualifying meets)- Clover Cup, NCSA Age Groups, NCSA Juniors
If you have questions about which meet your swimmer should attend please reach out to your swimmer's coach!
8 and under District Champs - 2/8-2/9
9-12 District Champs- 2/14-2/16
13 and over District Champs- 2/28-3/2 Entry deadline 2/16, Committ HERE
Senior Champs 3/6-3/9 Entry deadline 2/24, Committ HERE
Age Group Champs 3/13-3/16 Entry deadline 3/3, Committ HERE
NOVA's 2024-2025 Short Course meet schedule is posted to the NOVA website HERE!
The Power of Energy
The Oxford dictionary defines energy as “the strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity”. At its core, energy is a force that drives change, movement, and transformation. Positive energy on the pool deck is a beneficial tool to get the most out of yourself and others. The energy we give and receive can affect our health, relationships, and mindset. Positive energy can be empowering, elevating, and healing, while negative energy can drain, stagnate, or diminish our well-being. The energy we bring to situations, conversations, or even our thoughts can shape the outcomes of our lives. The message here is about awareness and intentionality. What kind of energy are we radiating? What kind of energy are we allowing into our lives?
I think it’s important to note that in order to use energy, you must have it first. This starts with taking care of your body. Eating right, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep are really the big three. Fueling your body with enough water and meaningful calories as well as getting enough REM sleep is necessary to recharge your energy.
You have to take care of the first step and show up with energy - then watch that energy spread like wildfire. Finding even the smallest spark inside yourself, even in your worst moments, can help get you back on the right track. Maybe even more importantly, that small spark can also help light a fire in the teammates that surround you! Being the source of positive energy becomes even more important when preparing for and during championship season. Supporting others around you will inevitably help get the best swimming out of yourself and your teammates.
Remember that “we rise by lifting others” and one of the best ways you can do that is by spreading positive energy to those around you!
- Coach Kevin
It is with great pride that I share highlights from the inaugural Masters Mayhem meet. Jan 25th marked the first time that NOVA Masters hosted a meet and competed as a team. (Our masters group previously swam for the Virginia Masters Swim Team). Following NOVA tradition, our swimmers raced in red and put up some impressive performances including 60 first place finishes, 9 individual state records and 2 relay records. We also had 2 swimmers, Kristen Harris and Bradley Phillips, crowned 200 IM and 400 IM add up champion respectively. If you are interested in joining the NOVA Masters team, please send me an email (coachlaurel@novaswim.org). We welcome swimmers of all ages and swimming backgrounds!
-Coach Laurel
2025 Masters Mayhem Results
200 IM Add Up Champion
41 and Over: Kristen Harris
400 IM Add Up Champion
40 and Under: Bradley Phillips
LMSC Individual Records
Lana Berry: 50 Breast, 100 Breast, 200 Breast
Josue Dominguez Ramos: 100 Breast, 100 IM
Kevin Mastracci: 50 Fly
Kristen Harris: 50 Breast
Kelly Parker Palace: 200 IM
Pat Ryan: 200 Breast
LMSC Relay Records
Mens 18+ 200 Yard Medley: Eric Liao, Josue Dominguez Ramos, Kevin Mastracci, Bradley Phillips
Mixed 55+ 200 Yard Medley: Val Van Horne Pate, Pat Ryan, Dave Holland, Kelly Parker Palace
60 First Place Finishes
13 and over PPOW
Our 13 & Over Practice Performer of the Week is Senior National swimmer Brady Julian. His dedication in the pool and weight room this season has impressed the coaching staff and set a strong example for both the National group and the entire senior program. No matter the day, Brady consistently gives his best effort—a standard we hope inspires our younger swimmers to follow.
12 and under PPOW
Our 12 & Under PPOW is Novice Gold's Gwendolyn Pedraza. Gwendolyn always wears a smile on her face as bright as the yellow cap on her head. She's an awesome listener, hard worker and lane leader who has mastered the technique of all 4 strokes. Up to this season, she struggled with coupling that great technique with speed. But, we haven't renamed her "B"wendolyn for nothing! This girl has earned plenty of Tootsie Pops for going fast at practice, and in December, she earned her first ever B time in her first ever 100 Fly! Since that time, she has added 5 more B times to her resume! I'm thinking Bwendolyn has more B times in her future! Keep up the progress! NG is so proud of you!
