NOVA News
October 16th, 2023
Over the weekend, NOVA swimmers competed at the 13 & Over District Championships for an exciting three days of racing, featuring prelims and finals each day and dual-course prelims on Saturday and Sunday. With nearly 500 swimmers on deck both mornings, the facility was packed and the energy was high.
NOVA athletes, from Senior Development Bronze through Senior Gold, delivered outstanding performances, recording more than 1,000 new personal best times. The team scored 4,841.5 points, more than 400 points higher than last year and exceeding the combined total of the second and third place teams.
Families and friends filled the second floor to cheer on the swimmers, creating an incredible atmosphere. With swimmer-selected walkout songs, dimmed lights, enthusiastic crowds, and a pyrotechnic display, each finals session brought an electric finish to a fantastic weekend of racing.
NOVA Families -
It takes a village - you hear that all the time, but it is true of the NOVA community.
When 396 families stepped forward to support the first floor of the Regency facility they invested in something bigger than themselves. Many gave knowing their swimmer might never directly benefit but they believed in the future of NOVA and the families who would come after them. Because of that collective commitment, Regency opened its doors.
Three years later, we were given an extraordinary opportunity by Henrico County , a path forward to complete the second floor. We also knew that much of our NOVA family was new since the first campaign, and that our community had grown stronger than ever. Once again, we believed our families would show up, because that’s what this community does.
As we transition into the Long Course season, take a moment to reflect on what Regency means for your family. Your swimmer can now compete in a state-of-the-art facility against top-tier competition and still sleep in their own bed . If you traveled to just three long course meets this summer for two days each, a very conservative estimate of what you would spend is $425 per meet — more than $1,275 in expenses. Because of Regency, that money stays in your pocket.
Today, 247 family names are already represented on the donor wall, along with many others who have given in meaningful ways. If you have not yet made a gift, we invite you to join them. Every contribution, at any level, moves us closer to finishing this campaign, completing the second floor, and demonstrating to the rest of Virginia the strength and unity of the NOVA community.
Now is the time to come together once more and finish what we started.
With Gratitude,
Julie Farney
Travel Coordinator
13 and over Central District Championships- Feb 27th-March 1st- NOVA continues to rock the 2026 Championship meet season with a big win at the 13 and over district meet. The excitement was electric as swimmers raced hard, got many new time standards, best times, and championship qualifying cuts. Congrats swimmers and coaches on an amazing win!
Senior Dev Bronze, Senior Dev Silver, Senior Dev Gold, Senior Bronze, Senior Silver, Senior Gold
National- Mike Julian & Alex Muni
How many swimmers are in the National group? There are 29 swimmers in the National Group
Mike, what is the National group working on this week? This has been a prep week for Senior Champs. A lot of details and rest.
Mike, what is your favorite part of working with the National group? This year has been fun as the majority of the group I coached at 13-14. So it’s been fun to see the growth they all have made.
Alex, what is your favorite part of working with the National group? My favorite part about working with the National group is the common goal we share. As they are striving to be the best athletes possible, I’m striving to be the best coach of the top athletes I can be. Together we are training to be the best of the best.
Mike, what is your favorite part of working with Alex? Alex takes a lot off my plate. I don’t have to ask him to do things twice and I trust what he is doing. Alex also brings a wealth of knowledge and organization to the group as well as the entire NOVA senior program.
Alex, what is your favorite part of working with Mike? Working with Mike makes me a better coach and he makes me want to keep getting better. He is open and vocal about his experience and has never been reserved in sharing what has worked for him in the past and what has not. I am grateful for his trust in my perspective, ideas, and experience as we work together to make our group one of the best in NOVA’s history as well as one of the best in the United States.
Mike, what is your favorite part of the championship season? My favorite part is finally getting to the meets. Meets are fun as the practices and prep can sometimes be stressful.
Alex, what is your favorite part of the championship season? My favorite part of championship season is watching our guys and gals swim fast. We know they’ll swim fast, but the most fun for me is the question of “how fast?” finally being answered. I love surprises.
VSI Senior Champs- 3/5-3/8
VSI Age Group Champs- 3/12-3/15
NCSA Juniors- 3/17-21
SwimRVA Clover Cup- 3/20-22 Entry deadline 3/8, Commit HERE
NOVA Short Course Send Off 3/21-3/22 Entry deadline 3/8, Commit HERE
NCSA Age Group Champs 3/25-28 Entry deadline 3/15, Commit HERE
NOVA's 2026 Long Course meet schedule is posted to the NOVA website HERE!
Champs Shirts
2026 Champs shirts are avaible in the Swim Shop. Come get your LEGO inspired "We Build FAST!" shirt to wear for all NOVA champs meets.
Parents we need support in the stands too. Please stop by the shop to grab your shirt for Senior Champs, Age Group Champs, and NCSA Age Groups.
12 and Under PPOW
Our 12 & Under PPOW this week is Sloan Altmann from Age Group Dev. Silver. Sloane went above and beyond to step up her practice habits. Making sure she was doing all the small things correctly and building habits that lead to faster times. Particularly in her streamlines and underwater dolphin kicks, making sure they are done well off every wall. Good job and keep up the good work Sloan!
