NOVA News
October 16th, 2023
NOVA’s Senior Team traveled to Orlando during the week of March 15 to compete in the NCSA Junior National Championship against some of the top teams in the country. The team was well represented across Senior Silver, Senior Gold, and the National group, bringing one of the largest rosters in NOVA history to the meet - 63 swimmers.
In a competition featuring over 1,100 swimmers and nearly 100 teams, NOVA athletes represented the club with pride, enthusiasm, and, of course, fast swimming. Overall, NOVA placed 3rd in the girls standings, 4th in the boys standings, and 3rd combined in what proved to be a fast and highly competitive meet.
Each year, NOVA’s goal is to compete for a team banner, and this year was no exception. The team remained in contention through the final day and event. While we ultimately fell short of securing a banner, the coaching staff could not be more proud of the team’s effort throughout the week, both in the pool, and in their support for one another on deck. It was especially exciting to see NOVA athletes cheering in the stands and lining the lanes at the turn end to support their teammates.
There were many standout performances and achievements throughout the week. Matthew Wolfle set a new team and state record in the 400 IM and new team records in the 50 & 200 Breast. Lane Francis broke team records in both the 50 and 100 Backstroke. Joe Warnigaris qualified for Nationals for the first time in the 200 Back, and Ben Franks earned his first Winter Junior National qualifying time in the 400 IM.
This meet also served as a qualifier for the NCSA All-Star team competing in London, and NOVA will be well represented. Four swimmers accepted invitations: Owen Miklos, Lane Francis, Mia Eubank, and Abigail Bonham.
Overall, NOVA swimmers and coaches are proud of the team’s accomplishments throughout the short course season, highlighted by both successes and valuable lessons learned. We look forward to building on this momentum in the long course season. Congratulations to everyone!
—Coach Mike J
NOVA's qualified Senior swimmers headed down to Orlando Fl for NCSA Juniors, a week long national level meet. Swimmers braved the cold mornings to take on competition from all over the country and crushed it! Finals were fast with 'gram take overs, new records, new cuts and best times. Congrats to swimmers and coaches for an amazing week.
NOVA swimmers of all ages raced hard at the NOVA Short Course Send Off. While saying goodbye to the SC season swimmers achieved many new TSI, broke a lot of barriers and had a great time.
Novice Bronze, Novice Silver, Novice Gold, Age Group Dev Bronze, Age Group Dev Silver ,Age Group Dev Gold, Age Group Bronze, Age Group Silver, Senior Dev Bronze, Senior Dev Silver, Senior Bronze, Senior Silver, Senior Gold
Select NOVA 12 and unders crossed the river to race in the Clover Cup. This 12 and under focused meet had a fast high level prelim finals format and NOVA swimmers dominated. The meet was FAST with lots of cheering and fun. Congrats swimmers on a great meet!
Swim-A-Thon – Fulfill Your Fundraising Requirement
Every NOVA family has a fundraising obligation each year. If your family did not participate in the Peanut Fundraiser this fall, the Swim-A-Thon is the easiest and most effective way to fulfill that requirement.
As a non-profit, NOVA relies on fundraising to keep dues affordable and to support our facilities. Our team goal this year is $110,000, and every swimmer’s participation is important.
How to Participate
Sign up your swimmer on the team website and begin reaching out to family and friends for pledges.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, April 11
Location: Check-in at the Regency Lobby (t-shirt pickup before heading to the pool)
Time: See your coach’s email for group-specific times
The Challenge
Swimmers will have 2 hours to complete up to 200 laps, with games, photos, and snacks throughout.
After the Event
Collect pledges and submit funds to the business office by May 8.
Incentive
Swimmers who raise $400+ will earn prizes.
This is the simplest way to meet your family’s fundraising commitment—let’s make it count.
Championship Season
NCSA Age Group Champs 3/25-28
NOVA Spring Break 3/27-4/5
NOVA Swim A Thon 4/11
NOVA's 2026 Long Course meet schedule is posted to the NOVA website HERE!
Senior Bronze- James Crabb & Allan Collins
James, how many swimmers are in the Senior Bronze group? Senior Bronze has 39 swimmers
James, what is Senior Bronze working on this week? Senior Bronze is currently working on reviewing technical skills and building a kick base to start off the long course season strong.
James, what is your favorite part of working with Senior Bronze?
Allan, what is your favorite part of working with Senior Bronze?
My favorite part of working with Senior Bronze would have to be seeing how many of the swimmers I had in Senior Development Bronze continue to grow and develop not only as swimmers but as young adults. Seeing how many of them are still looking to challenge themselves to be better in the pool while also doing a lot of other sports or extracurriculars in high school. Also I really love working with the swimmers who have just joined the swim team through our stroke school program and continuing to develop their own skills. It reminds me a lot of how I started my own swimming journey at a much later time than most.
James, what is your favorite part of working with Allan?
Allan has a great aptitude for flexibility and adaptability. He can quickly change his coaching style to the needs of each swimmer, and can recognize when the practice needs to be altered as such. Allan is very lighthearted, easy to be around, and a great coach for rebounding ideas.
Allan, what is your favorite part of working with James?
Working with James has been a blast but I think one of my favorite parts is the ways in which he approaches writing practices. The swimmers in our groups come from a wide range of skill levels so the creative ways in which James approaches this is really eye-opening still as a new coach. It provides an opportunity for all our swimmers to continue growing equally across those different skill levels.
James, what do you think is Senior Bronze's biggest accomplishment this season?
Most recently, our group size has increased and from that increase, there has been a more dedicated core of swimmers that are showing up consistently at practice and contributing to a positive, hardworking culture within Senior Bronze. This has been the biggest accomplishment from the early season, where we had very small numbers and fewer swimmers at practice.
Allan, what do you think is Senior Bronze's biggest accomplishment this season?
We just had our championship meet a few weeks ago and seeing how fast some of our swimmers went was incredible to witness. We had several swimmers make finals and seeing them drop some significant time in events was awesome. Even more so we had several swimmers who just joined the team and witnessing them being in that big time environment and thriving so well was incredible.
This week, we share the news that Denise, our longtime Swim Shop Manager, will be retiring, with her final day this Thursday.
Denise has been a steady, knowledgeable, and positive presence in the Swim Shop, and a familiar face to so many of our swimmers and families. Over the last 12 years, she has played an important role in supporting our team—whether helping a swimmer find the right gear, getting fitted for a suit, answering questions, or simply offering a warm welcome. She has truly been a valued part of the NOVA family, and she will be greatly missed.
As she begins this next chapter, Denise and her husband, Jim, are heading to their new home in Holden Beach.
If you’re at the Regency pool this week, we encourage you to stop by the Swim Shop to wish Denise well and thank her for the many ways she has supported our community over the years.
We are grateful for all she has given to NOVA and wish her nothing but the best in her retirement.
