NOVA News

Zoe Dixon (Univ of Florida) and Josephine Fuller (Univ of Tennessee) both have finaled at Olympic trials. Zoe finaled in the 400 IM, finishing 7th and will be swimming the 200 IM Friday. Josephine semi finaled in the 100 fly, and finaled in the 100 back finishing 4th. She also swims the 200 back Thursday and 200 IM Friday.

Congratulations and good luck Zoe and Jo! Everyone be on the lookout for alumni interviews for these two soon!

The summer league season started just 3 weeks ago and it has been a lot of fun for the coaches to see NOVA swimmers competing with their summer teams all over the region. Most NOVA swimmers start their swimming careers on a summer league team and there is always a lot of interest in our team from your swimmer’s friends and their parents. While NOVA coaches can be found “In the Wild” and we are happy to answer questions, you, our current NOVA parents, are our best recruiters! Here are a few of the frequently asked questions we get from interested but hesitant parents and our answers to them!

Frequently Asked Questions:

“My child isn’t that fast, isn’t NOVA only for the best swimmers?”

While NOVA has a lot of very good swimmers at all ages, including three Olympic Trials Qualifiers, we also have swimmers of all ages trying to make their first “B” and “BB” time standard. We also have robust lessons and stroke school programs whose goal is to have swimmers progress onto the team. We believe anyone is capable of becoming a better swimmer.

“My child isn’t that competitive, aren’t NOVA meets a weekend long event?” Our bronze groups and coaches are great at building a swimmer’s confidence so they are excited to compete at a swim meet, even if it’s more to see their own progress and not to race the competition. We host multiple meets for lower age and lower level swimmers to provide a better environment for them to grow into the sport.

“Isn’t it a lot of commitment?”

Our younger and intro groups only practice a few times a week. This leaves plenty of time for other extracurricular activities. We have one to two meets a month and in our bronze and silver groups, it’s okay to sign up for just one part of the meet if you have conflicts. Many people appreciate that it’s not every Fall or Spring Saturday morning like a lot of sports. Additionally, there is a three month trial period for first time families.

“There are so many swimmers at NOVA, do they get enough attention from their coach?”

While it varies depending on the group, most 8 and under practices have less than 15 swimmers and at least 2 coaches, most twelve & under practices have about thirty swimmers and two full time coaches. Coaches typically only work with two groups which allows them to give swimmers plenty of attention at practice and meets.

-Wyatt Haas

Alex Muni is the newest addition to NOVA’s coaching staff. He has stepped into the role of National Group assistant, with Head Senior Coach Mike Wenert, and will also have an assisting role in our age group program. Alex graduated from Miami of Ohio in 2018 with a B.S. in Kinesiology and Health - Sports Leadership and Management, and in 2020 with a M.S in Sport Leadership + Graduate Certificate in Sport Psychology. While there, Alex began his coaching career with Miami University Aquatic Club (MAKOS). He spent 4 years on staff coaching Age Group through Junior National level athletes. During that time Alex also served on the Ohio Age Group Swimming Committee and began working with SWIMNERD, as a content producer.

While Alex has been on deck a few weeks we needed an interview to get to know him a bit better so here we go.

Tell us a little bit about yourself…where did you grow up, swim, college?

• I grew up in Cincinnati, OH! I started swimming mid-way through my sophomore year of high school and loved it! The Fall of my junior year I joined a club team called the Mercy Healthplex Sea Wolves. While I could have swam in D3 and potentially D2, the school I always wanted to attend was Miami University (OH). I elected to swim with the club sports team, now known as “College Club Swimming”, and it was the best decision I could’ve made!

On to your favorites!

What's your favorite Richmond thing you have done so far?

• My favorite thing about Richmond thus far is definitely the number of options for restaurants, shopping, and overall activities there are and how they are so close together. In New England, where I came from most recently, such options required at least an hour drive.

What’s your favorite color?

• Silver (not to be confused with gray)

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?

• When I ate ice cream it was definitely cookies n’ cream

Who is your favorite superhero?

• Have to go with Captain America or Batman

What’s your favorite drink? Food?

• Never underestimate good ole fashioned H2O. Food is either broccoli or veggie pasta.

What’s your favorite stroke to swim?

• Breaststroke

What’s your favorite stroke to coach?

• Freestyle

What’s your favorite part of working at NOVA?

• Everything on the administrative and coaching side of things are so organized and manageable. Everyone I have met has been so welcoming, kind, and willing to help me with any issues I encounter.

What has been a surprise to you either in Richmond or at NOVA?

• Walking into such a successful team, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect in terms of athlete performance in practice on a daily basis. I was blown away with the discipline and work ethic of the team (particularly the national group with whom I primarily coach). It is a testament to the coaching leadership and team culture and I love being a part of it!

Anything else you want to add?

I love talking about swimming. Whether it’s technique, tactics, swims around the world, or just sharing stories, I love it!