NOVA News
October 16th, 2023
To our families, swimmers, coaches, and staff—
Yesterday we gathered to “break the wall” and kick off the public phase of our giving campaign. I want to remind us that what we’re doing is part of a much bigger story—one that began long before today
Let me tell you about Don Farmer. In 1993, NOVA was a team without a home. Don was a NOVA parent and Board member with three children swimming at the time. He stepped forward to lead what became known as the “Pool of Dreams” project.
Geoff Brown, NOVA’s founder, used to say, “No Don Farmer, no NOVA pool.”
It took four years—from August 5, 1993, to July 13, 1997—to secure the site on Gayton Road, qualify for the loan, raise the funds, and finally open our doors. When the Gayton pool opened, NOVA had 150 swimmers—and one of the things that Don was most proud of was the fact that every single family gave to make it happen. 100% participation.
By the time that pool was completed, only Don’s youngest son was still in high school to benefit from it. But Don didn’t build that pool for his own children—he built it for ours.
In an interview 8 years after the pool opened, Don said:
“Even though only one of my children benefited from the pool that was built, I know all of my children and their NOVA teammates are proud of what we accomplished. Some of those swimmers now have young children of their own—and who knows, someday I may have a grandchild swimming at NOVA.”
Well, Don was right.
His granddaughter is Brantley Patterson, one of NOVA’s top 14-year-old swimmers, was with us yesterday, representing both where we started—and just how far we’ve come.
But Don wasn’t alone.
One of the many families who first walked through our doors because the first pool opened, was the Nelson family—three girls and one little boy in tow.
By 2002, just five years later, NOVA had tripled in size to 450 swimmers. We had also launched a community learn-to-swim program that served just as many children as the competitive team. The need for more space was clear—so began NOVA’s second capital campaign to build Pool 2 at Gayton.
Once again, a new generation of parents and swimmers stepped forward—and once again, 100% of NOVA families gave.
To our current swimmers out there: next time you’re practicing in Pool 2, take a moment to look at the brick donor wall. See if you recognize any of the names. Look closely enough, and you’ll find the name of the youngest Nelson boy —Luke— etched alongside his sisters.
At the time, his parents likely had no idea that the pool they helped build for their children would one day become the place their son would coach. Luke Nelson was 11 when Pool 2 opened. Today he is one of the NOVA’s Top Age Group Coaches and recognized as one of the top 10 coaches in the country.
Once again, NOVA families gave not just for their own children—but for a future they could barely imagine.
Another name you’ll find on that same wall is Sheri and Edmund Smith. In 1997, they had three daughters swimming at NOVA and gave to the first campaign. By the time the second capital campaign began in 2002, only one daughter was still in high school—but they still gave again.
One of their daughters, Whitney, went on to swim at UNC, where she met her future husband—a fellow swimmer. After college, they settled here in Richmond and started a family of their own.
By 2015, with the addition of the second pool, NOVA had grown to 800 swimmers, our lessons program had doubled in size, and we had launched new outreach initiatives to expand access and serve the broader community—including partnerships with Special Olympics, Goochland Family Services, and Carver Elementary.
Once again, the need for more water—and more space—was clear. And this time, a new generation of NOVA families and alumni answered the call.
We reached out to Whitney Smith Wallin, now an alumna with young children, and asked her to help reconnect fellow alumni with the team they grew up on. Not only did Whitney help—she and her husband PJ gave generously to the campaign that helped open the doors here at Regency.
For the past four years, all three of their children—Sheri and Edmund’s grandchildren—have benefitted from that investment, swimming in lessons and ultimately on the team, training and competing in long course water, right here at this facility.
What the Smiths helped build for their daughters, is now shaping the lives of their grandchildren. A legacy made real.
Four years after opening our doors downstairs at Regency, it’s time for the next generation of NOVA swimmers, families, and alumni to add their chapter to the NOVA legacy.
In just four years, we’ve proven a great deal:
- We’ve shown that NOVA can drive economic redevelopment—bringing hundreds of families from across Central Virginia to Regency every single day.
- We’ve demonstrated that NOVA is a powerful engine for sports tourism, hosting 28 events last year and drawing teams from up and down the East Coast—generating real revenue for Henrico County.
- And we’ve used the foundation built by more than 30 years of NOVA-family generosity, to expand our mission—becoming the home of Henrico County High School swimming, and teaching more than 1,600 second graders to swim each school year.
Today, our outreach programming reaches over 2,300 swimmers annually—a testament to the impact that vision, persistence, and community support can have.
And now, it’s clear: to fully realize the potential of this facility—and this mission—we must finish the second floor.
Construction is already underway. The vision is in motion. The fundraising is 90% complete.
We are building:
Over 30,000 sq ft of new space
1,000 spectator seats with an unparalleled view
A community room for group meetings, gatherings, parties, and events.
A new weight room, hospitality kitchen, concessions, and swim shop
All of this, for your children—inside a former Macy’s. There is nothing like it in the country.
But once again, we need every NOVA family to help us finish strong.
We are incredibly grateful to Henrico County, the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation, and the Cabell Foundation for their belief and investment. Now, they’re inviting us to rise to the moment.
The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation will give NOVA $150,000 if we can raise $150,000.
The Cabell Foundation is offering a 2-to-1 match—if we raise $200,000, they will contribute another $100,000.
That’s $350,000 in matching opportunity—and a clear path to the finish line.
This is a $10.3 million project. We’ve already secured $8.7 million. With over 580 NOVA families currently benefitting from our team, we have the momentum—and the responsibility—to raise the final $1.6 million.
I know we can do it—because WE have done it before.
So today, I ask: What “brick” will you add?
Let’s honor the past, rise to the moment, and build the future—together.
-Leigh Peterson NOVA CEO
May 30- June 1 NOVA swimmers crossed the river to race our less swum events a SwimRVA's Success Bell meet. Friday night was full of 800 free and Saturday the 200 breast and 200 fly took main stage. Swimmers raced hard and achieved a new Team record, many new Age Group Champs cuts and too many best times to count. Congrats swimmers on a great meet!
May 30- June 2 NOVA's 13 and over swimmers raced in the NOVA Senior Classic. This almost intrasquad meet was the second LC meet for most NOVA swimmers. The meet had many swimmers doing off events and digging deep to race hard. Swimmers had a great weekend supporting each other and swimming fast!
Senior Dev. Silver, Senior Dev. Gold, Senior Bronze, Senior Silver, Senior Gold, National
Matthew Wolfle and Cole Nelson earned the opportunity at NCSA Juniors in March to compete for the NCSA All Star team in London. After returning home we sat them down to get their perspective on their experience.
How did you get the opportunity to go to London?
Matthew- We got the opportunity by placing top two in our events at NCSA’s or by having the highest Power Point swims.
How often does NCSA take swimmers internationally?
Cole- The NCSA only takes swimmers internationally every 4 years and this is the first trip since pre covid. When I asked about this they said it was because they had to make money since they spend a lot to do the trips…
How was the Team Travel experience different from NOVA’s Team Travel?
Matthew- The experiences were actually very similar, we ate as a team, went to the pool as a team for training, warm ups, and finals and all in all acted just like we would at NOVA.
Cole- The experience was pretty similar to NOVA. We did a bunch of activities together! The only difference probably was the amount of free time we were given and free roam to go anywhere.
What events did you swim at the meet?
- Matthew- On the first day, I swam the 400 IM and the 100 breast. On the second day I swam the 200 IM, the 50 breast and was on a mixed medley relay. On the third day I swam the 200 breast.
Cole- I swam the 1500, 800, 400, and 200 free throughout the 3 day meet.
What was your favorite swimming experience from the meet?
Matthew- My favorite experience was definitely the Super Final, we got to walk out to the sparklers and with our name on the screens just like at Worlds.. I also got a silver medal in the event
Cole- My favorite experience there was probably the “Super Finals” for basically A final they had these huge walkouts with flames, music etc.
What did you get to see in London?
Matthew- We got to see a lot of London, we did a boat tour where we got to see the Tower of London and Tower bridges and all the cool sights there and the we went on a bus tour and got to see the inside of the city including all the old buildings, the Ravens and the Crown jewels at the Tower of London and the Buckingham Palace.
How was living and training with a totally new group of swimmers and coaches?
Matthew- It was a great chance to meet new people and to learn about new ways of coaching. I got to meet people from the other side of the country and form friendships with people that I now get to see at meets.
Cole- It was actually really fun and really eye opening to the different types of training they had on other teams. Living with others also was really fun since I got to hear about a lot of different things that happen in different states. It’s also a great way to form friend groups with people at that level of swim.
What was your biggest takeaway from the whole experience?
Matthew- My biggest takeaway was that recovery and sleep are super important, dealing with the time change was a new challenge and made me realize that proper recovery will help you compete.
Cole- My biggest takeaway was the warm up aspect of a meet. I completely changed the way I warmed up for my events for the better. I felt way better than normal before all my events and overall felt better in my races because of it.
USA National Championship 6/3-6/7
AGDS Swim-a-Thon winner pizza party 6/6
Hanover Storm Surge 6/6-6/8
AGDG pool party 6/20 Entry deadline 6/17 Commit HERE
VA Commonwealth Games 6/20-6/22
NOVA Firecracker Invite 6/26-6/29 Entry deadline 6/15 Commit HERE
NCAP Invite 6/26-6/29 Entry deadline 6/15 Commit HERE
VSI Open Water Championships 6/28 Entry deadline 6/15 Commit HERE
NOVA's 2025 LC Course meet schedule is posted to the NOVA website HERE!
13 and over PPOW
Our 13 and over Practice Performer of the Week is Senior Dev. Silver's Philip Maddox. He comes to every practice with a positive attitude and is working hard to improve his technique each day. Philip is a great leader in the group and attacks each set with a desire to improve. Keep up the great work Philip!
12 and under PPOW
This week's 12 & Under Practice Performer of the Week is Vihaan Dhaka from Age Group Bronze! Vihaan has grown so much as both a swimmer and teammate, consistently pushing that extra bit harder in practice and encouraging his lane mates to do the same. He's been taking the time to focus on stroke technique (a hard thing to do for many 11-12 year old boys!) and is always determined to get better! Keep it up, Vihaan!
