NOVA News
October 16th, 2023
MC Banks
Swimmers of all ages and levels have championship meets on the Virginia Swimming State Level. Those meets are: 8&U, 12&U and 13&O District Champs, Age Group Champs, and Senior Champs. These meets are a big focus for our swimmers, but sometimes we want to think bigger!
Postseason Championship meets are meets that go beyond the state level and often happen after those state meets. These meets include NCSA Junior Nationals, Winter Juniors, and Summer Juniors (to name a few). As swimmers get older, these meets become a focus in order to compete on a national level. We also find postseason meet options for our age groupers so they can prepare and become accustomed to them early in their swimming careers. NOVA wants to take a group of senior swimmers to these meets who know how to team travel, take care of themselves, and be successful racing a full 5 day meet.
Postseason meets at the age group level put a big emphasis on learning. We want swimmers to work through missing a week of school so that they can handle it seamlessly in high school. Coaches want to see swimmers make decisions about what to eat and when to sleep so any mistakes can be corrected and better decisions can be made in the future. NOVA takes great pride in our team’s performance at these meets for senior swimmers, and it is a great opportunity for college coaches to see you compete!
Part 3- Nutrition
Just as I mentioned last week, the world of Health and Nutrition is expanding exponentially. Finding information on a very specific topic would only require a quick google search, so the information I am sharing is only one opinion.
So the question is why and how can nutrition help swimmers outside of the pool? Well to start I mentioned last week that a well balanced diet and staying away from caffeine will help your swimmer sleep, and we know sleep will help in muscle recovery - cause and effect of better training leading to faster swimming.
What is a well balanced diet? First, swimmers need to eat enough so they stay fueled throughout the day. Swimmers need sufficient calories after a morning practice throughout the day and before an afternoon practice, double or weights. If swimmers are not eating enough their bodies may feel tired, they may have trouble concentrating, mood swings, and may have trouble recovering from the previous workout.
What should swimmers be eating? The big three are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Each have their own job when it comes to recovery and performance. Carbohydrates are the main source of energy in food and give swimmers energy needed for long practices. Protein helps in the recovery process, as well as to grow and build muscle. Fats (the good kind) actually keep swimmers healthy and energized throughout the day.
Choosing a variety of the big three are very important to keeping a well balanced diet. Adding as much color to your diet, (this means fruits and vegetables) is also important. Teaming up with mom and dad can help your swimmer be involved in planning meals. A good nutritional plan allows swimmers to take more ownership of their success outside the pool.
-Mike J
This past weekend it was NOVA's Senior swimmers turn to take to the pool. These swimmers raced for 3.5 days, through prelims and finals and distance sessions. Our swimmers attacked prelims and seeded themselves for amazing races at finals.
The amount of new best times, time standards, and NCSA cuts achieved this weekend was amazing. Swimmers that just earned their senior champs times last weekend swam best times, swimmers that were fully tapered crushed best times, and earned many new NSCA times. Swimmers that were rested pushed their limits on every race.
NOVA swimmers poured their hearts into each race and lead NOVA to a resounding victory, . Congratulations swimmers and coaches on an amazing Senior Champs!
#OneNOVA
February 29th- March 3rd - NOVA's Senior swimmers competed and won Virginia's Senior Championship meet at Collegiate School Aquatic Center. Swimmers raced hard, achieved many new best times, time standards, and new NSCA cuts. Congratulations swimmers and coaches!
Group coaches: Lead David Schreck assistant Kevin Snyder
How many swimmers are in Age Group Dev. Gold? 47
What skills are AGDG working on this week? We are having fun and getting excited for this weekend's state championship. Much of our practice time is spent on fine tuning strokes and prepping for the meet. We are working on speed, starts, turns and relay starts.
David, what's your favorite part of working with AGDG? I enjoy their eagerness to learn and improve. With all swimmers I work with, I enjoy helping them believe in themselves and accomplishing things that they think they couldn’t. Their growth in the group and beyond brings me great joy.
Kevin, what's your favorite part of working with AGDG? I’ve loved watching the kids develop a sense of pride and confidence as swimmers over the course of the season. Also, the unapologetic happiness they bring to each and every practice never fails to brighten my day.
David, what's your favorite part about working with Kevin? I love his energy and enthusiasm. He has a great love and knowledge of the sport.
Kevin, what's your favorite part about working with David? I love how positive and joyous David is. I live for the days when David has a random song stuck in his head and sings it probably 400 times during a practice, all while getting puzzled looks from the kids. It’s the best.
David, if NOVA could have one super hero as a coach who would you hire and why? This is a tough one for me as I am pretty familiar with so many and there are so many out there that have the attributes(super powers) that we like for our coaching staff to emulate.
The obvious choice for me could be NOVAman. Oh, that reminds me, did you get your 2024 SuperNOVA NOVAman T-Shirt?
With that being said, I will choose Captain America. Not only does he have great physical prowess and leadership skills. He has the virtues of courage and determination that are critical to success. I also have to mention Spiderman. He represents kindness, humility, responsibility and humor.
Kevin, if NOVA could have one super hero as a coach who would you hire and why? I would definitely hire the Flash. If there is a guy that knows about going fast, it's the Flash.
