Introduction

This Flower Valley Swimmers Handbook will serve as your guide for the 2008 season.  Keep it handy for quick reference.  In addition, please check the Bulletin Board at the pool and the Flower Valley web page, fvbrc.com, for updated information throughout the season.  Post your Swim Team Calendar in your home and refer to it frequently.  Important notices will also be distributed in the Family File Box in the pool office.

The Flower Valley Frogs undertake an extensive meet schedule consisting of “A” meets and “B” meets, the Divisional Championship meet and Relay Carnivals.  “A” meets are a formal part of the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL).  Generally, the three fastest swimmers in each event represent the team at Saturday morning “A” meets.  The slate of “A” team swimmers changes each week as swimmers improve their strokes and times.  The “B” Team, which ranges from “rookies” to highly polished swimmers, offers all members of the Flower Valley team an opportunity to swim in competitive meets.  “B” meets are held on Wednesday evenings.  In a swimming week, (the Saturday meet and the subsequent Wednesday meet), a swimmer may swim a particular individual event, including the Individual Medley (IM), only once and may swim a maximum of three individual events and the IM.

Flower Valley also sponsors two pre-teams called the “Tadpoles,” and the “Pollyzoggs,” designed for our young swimmers who have not met the qualifying times for the swim team.  There is, however, only ONE team at Flower Valley; it has a pre-team and swims “A” and “B” meets.  The Flower Valley Frogs are famous in the county for their team spirit and good fun!  Behind each Flower Valley Frog, there is another, and another, and another…providing support, encouragement in swimming excellence, and friendship.

The Swim Team is responsible for organizing and training a team to participate in competitive swim meets in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL).  Private and group lessons that are offered by the swim team coaches or pool staff are not part of the Swim Team program.

Swim Team Eligibility:
Any family member of the Flower Valley Bath and Racquet Club is eligible for swim team membership provided that he/she:  (a) has passed the deep water test at the pool (i.e., the pool management is satisfied that he/she can swim one length of the pool and tread water for one minute), (b) is no older than 18 on June 1, 2008, and (c) can swim one length of the pool within the qualifying times set forth in this handbook.  A child may join the team at any time during the season as long as he/she can meet the above requirements.

Pre-Team Eligibility:
The Flower Valley Pre-Team is a unique program for younger swimmers who would like to participate in the swim team but whose swimming skills are not developed enough to qualify.  The pre-team offers a high ratio of coaching staff to children to ensure that our younger swimmers receive special attention.  The Tadpole program is open to any child who can swim the width of the shallow end (12.5m) properly without touching the bottom. The Pollyzogg program is for those children who can swim the full length of the pool (25m), but have not met the qualifying times of the swim team.  Pollyzoggs are eligible to participate in the B meets once they meet the qualifying time for any of the strokes.  The Tadpoles and Pollyzoggs will be participating in two “Mini-Meets”, which are mostly for fun, yet also give the swimmers the opportunity to taste the flavor of a real meet.  Check your swim team calendar for Mini-Meet dates and watch the bulletin board at the pool for details.

Time Trials:
Flower Valley will hold a practice meet, or Time Trials on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at 8:00 am.  Warm-ups begin at 7:30 a.m.  The meet establishes a starting point from which each swimmer can measure his/her progress.  The times established at our time trials determine our “A” meet line-up for the following Saturday.

Attendance is imperative at Time Trials.  If you cannot attend, please notify a coach in advance.  Without this notification, you may forfeit a position at the first Saturday “A” meet.  (If a swimmer cannot attend Time Trials, that swimmer must have their times taken at practice between Friday, June 6th and Wednesday, June 11th).

Swim Team Representatives:
The Swim Team is sponsored by the Flower Valley Bath and Racquet Club.  The Board member currently overseeing Swim and Dive Team activities is Gayle Orman (301-929-9080; orman5@verizon.net).  Team representatives (Reps) are the team’s official liaisons to the Club’s Board of Directors and to the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL), of which this team is a member.  This year’s Reps are:

Bridget Conger (A)               301-929-9243           bridgetconger@verizon.net
Cindy Kirchner (A)               301-929-1101           cpkirchner@verizon.net
Amy Burgoyne (A)               301-929-3381           aburgoyne14@comcast.net
Jennifer Gardner (B)           301-929-9252           jmgardhome@aol.com
Caroline Stewart (B)            301-924-2455           jcs0812@verizon.net

PRE-TEAM Rep 

Andi Gironda                        301-929-9798           agironda@verizon.net
           

The Flower Valley “A” Team

Flower Valley continues to be one of the top six teams in the Montgomery County Swim league (MCSL).  This will be our 21th consecutive year in the “A” Division.  This year we have very competitive opponents in Rockville, Upper County, Bethesda, Mill Creek Towne, and Tilden Woods.  Generally, our three fastest swimmers in each event will compete in the Saturday meets (“A” Team).  However, in all 8 and under, 9-10, and 11-12 freestyle events, there will be two heats.  In other words, 6 of our swimmers in those age groups will have an opportunity to swim and score in the freestyle events.  Also, a second graduated relay from each team will be able to score points.  THE FINAL LINE-UP FOR ALL A-MEETS IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE HEAD COACH.

A Meet Sign-up:
Swimmers selected for the A Meet will have their names posted on the bulletin board by noon on the Thursday preceding the Saturday meet.  Each swimmer must check off his or her name by 10:00 am on Friday.  Please let the coaches know (by phone or email) if you will be away for any of the swim meets.  The A-meet line-up changes every week based on the results of the B-meet. 

For further information about the MCSL and the rules for Saturday A-Meets, please refer to the 2008 MCSL Handbook (available on-line at www.mcsl.org).  A team copy is available in the file box in the pool office.  (All Flower Valley Officials will be provided with a Handbook.) 

A Meets - Scoring and Awards:
Individual events will be scored for the first five finishers.  Points scored will be:   6 points for 1st place, 4 points for 2nd place, 3 points for 3rd place, 2 points for 4th place and 1 point for 5th place.

Medley relay events (events 1 and 2) and graduated relay events (events 49 & 50) will be scored for the first three finishing teams.  Points scored will be:   8 points for 1st place, 4 points for 2nd place and 2 points for 3rd place. 

Ribbons will be awarded to the top 6 finishers in individual events, the top 3 finishers in graduated relay and medley relay events.

Swimmers achieving an “All Star” time will receive Flower Valley All Star bathing caps.  All star swimmers are ranked by the MCSL.  The rankings will be posted on the bulletin board every week by Linn Rivera (301-929-1211) and Vicki Schmid (301-460-9328).  Swimmers may also check their rank on the MCSL web site (www.mcsl.org).

The Flower Valley “B” TEAM

This year, Flower Valley will swim five other teams on Wednesday night. The teams are Hallowell, Olney Mill, Mill Creek Towne, Upper County, and Damascus.  All of the teams are competitive and certainly have lots of spirit.    We will be celebrating all of our graduating seniors at our final home meet on B team final meet July 16th.  It promises to be a highly spirited event for all team members.

Please note on your calendar that the “B” season begins on Wednesday, June 18th and ends Wednesday, July 16th.

“B” Team Participation:
In a swimming week, (the Saturday “A” and the subsequent Wednesday meet), a swimmer may swim a particular individual event, including the IM, only once and may swim a maximum of three individual events and the IM.

For example, a swimmer who swims freestyle and breaststroke at the Saturday “A” meet may swim the IM and either backstroke or butterfly at the Wednesday “B” meet.  In previous years, due to time constraints, we have had to limit the number of events swum in the “B” meet.  We may request that each swimmer rank their choices for the “B” meet and limit the number of strokes a swimmer may swim (to less than three and the IM).

Only those 12 and under swimmers who did not swim at the “A” Relay Carnival are eligible to participate in the “B” Relay Carnival.  Thirteen and over swimmers who swam two events in the “A” Relay Carnival may not swim in the “B” relay carnival.  All of our eligible swimmers can participate.  The entire team’s success is dependent upon the participation of each child; swimmers will be assigned to specific events.  The meet line-up will be posted well in advance of the Relay Carnival so that attendance conflicts can be resolved before the meet program is printed.  If you are not able to attend, notify your coach immediately and he/she will find a replacement for your leg in the relay.

Qualifying Times:
Qualifying Times have been made in attempt to maximize successes, minimize disappointments, and improve the flow of the Wednesday night “B” meet. They are:

                       Free         Back           Breast       Fly         
8 & Under     1:00 min    1:00 min     1:00 min   1:00 min     
9 – 10 yrs      1:00             40 sec        50 sec       50 secs

Any swimmer (9 and over) who wishes to compete in the IM must be able to legally swim all four laps within 2:00 minutes.  Also, the IM may be limited to three heats.   

Any swimmer, especially Pollyzoggs and Tadpoles, who meets any of the above qualifying times, may sign up for the next B Meet.   Contact your coach if you have any questions.

B Meet Sign-up:
The “B” meet sign-up list will be posted on the bulletin board on Thursday for the following Wednesday meet.  Due to the size of our “B” team, we may be required to limit the number of swimmers in each event.  Every swimmer should indicate, with a rating system of 1 - 4, the strokes he/she intends to swim on Wednesday night.  Please sign-up as soon as possible.  The deadline for sign-up is Monday by 6:00 pm.  There will be no deck entries for swimmers that fail to sign up by the Monday deadline.

Only those swimmers who can swim a stroke “legally” for one length of the pool may compete in that stroke in the meets.  Each swimmer’s coach determines whether or not a swimmer is eligible to swim a particular stroke.  The coach’s decision will be final.

No swimmer can enter into a meet with a NT (no time).  A swimmer may swim an event as “Exhibition” at the discretion of their coach and only if there is an empty lane for that event.  Exhibition swimmers may not score any points and will not receive any ribbons.  An orange swim cap must be worn while swimming an exhibition event.
 
B Meet - Scoring and Awards:
Individual events will be scored for the first five finishers and ribboned to the first ten from all heats in each event.  The fastest swimmer in each heat will earn “Heat Winner” ribbons.  Ribbons will be distributed after the meets as soon as possible.  Swimmers who achieve an “All Star” time at a B meet will receive a Flower Valley All Star cap, but will not be ranked by the MCSL.

EPA Awards:
“Exceptional Performance Awards” (EPAs) will be awarded after each “A” and “B” meet to a select group of swimmers.  Swimmers will be chosen based on their spirit, effort, and individual success in that swim meet. 

Divisional Meet:
After dual meets are over, a select group of the “A” swimmers are invited to compete in the Divisional meet.  To qualify for the Divisionals (July 19stat 8:00 am at Upper County), a swimmer must be one of the fastest two swimmers in an individual event, or be selected for relays by the coaches.  These swimmers compete against the top swimmers from the other 5 teams in the Division.  The resulting team score is used as a factor in determining the Divisional standings.

Disqualification
Disqualifications (DQ), if warranted, will be made in all heats.  All swim meets in the MCSL follow USA swimming rules.  Please refer to the rules section in the MCSL handbook.

Pool Closings
Please note that the pool is closed during all morning practices (until 11:00 am) and during all home “A” and “B” meets.  This includes the baby pool.

General Information

Coaching Staff and Policies:
We are delighted to have Joey Mechak returning for his third year as the Flower Valley head coach. We are also thrilled that Sue Chen is returning as our head pre-team coach. Joey will work with Sue and all the assistant coaches to ensure that every child on the team has fun and reaches their potential.  Ted Eckels, Ben Mechak, Kaitlyn Powell, Kara Morrill, Christine Cook, Bruce Haase, Molly Burgoyne, and Mary Hartman are all returning as coaches.  Their combined experience will greatly benefit our team.  There will be enough love and attention for everyone who wishes to join the team and become a Frog! This year’s Coach’s –in-Training will be Sarah Haase, Lizzie Orman, Shannon Powell, and Eliott Shein.

Coaches are happy to answer your questions but NOT DURING PRACTICE!
Interruptions, even short ones, make it very difficult to run the practice in a professional manner.   Joey and Sue will be available each day (by appointment) before or after practice to talk to parents and swimmers.  Please save your questions and concerns for these times. 

As in all sports, coaches must make decisions to meet the team’s best interests.  The final meet line-up and make-up of relay teams are solely at the coaches’ discretion.

Over the years we have found it impossible to have a mandatory practice attendance policy due to the number of summer activities of our swimmers.  We do, however, believe in the value of hard work and a regular practice schedule. 

The practice schedule shown in this handbook has been established to allow an effective swimmer-to-coach ratio. To make this work, the swimmers need to report to their assigned lanes during their assigned practice times.  This responsibility belongs to both the swimmers and their parents.

Even our very dedicated swimmers who come to most of their practices become a distraction to the coaches and other swimmers if they are at the pool for recreation during their practice hours.  A hard and fast rule does not seem workable, so we are relying on your cooperation.

May 27th-June 12th   (while Montgomery County Schools are in session)

Monday –Friday.      *Please attend the practice most convenient for you.   Be sure to be at the pool 15 minutes before the practice starts.  You will not be permitted to join the practice after it has begun.  

            3:15-4:30                   13 and Over
            4:15-5:30                   10-12
            5:15-6:15                   9 & Under and New Swimmers 

Beginning June 13th:

The age group practice schedule is as follows:

Monday – Friday Morning
7:00-8:30                   11-12’s 
8:00-9:15                   9-10’s
9:00-10:00                 8 & Under’s –Session I
9:45 – 10:45              8 & Under’s – Session II
10:15-12:00               13 & Over’s
12:00 –12:30             Administrative work and coaches will be available
to meet with parents and swimmers by request

There will be two one-hour 8 and under practice sessions: 9:00 and 9:45.  Swimmers will be assigned to either the first or the second session.  Please check the bulletin board or talk with one of the coaches for details.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Afternoon
4:30 – 5:30                10 and unders
5:30 – 6:30                11 and overs

Afternoon practices are limited to two lanes.  Please attend a morning
practice session if possible.

* An important aspect of practice is to get there as much as possible.  If a swimmer has a conflict with the times that are scheduled for his or her age group, talk with the coaches about coming at another time.  The coaches are flexible about having swimmers attend alternate practices.  However, for planning purposes, it is important to speak to the coaches before changing practice times

Pre-Team Practices
The pre-team tryouts will take place on Friday June 13th starting at 9 am.  Swimmers are welcome to join the pre-team later in the season.  The pre-team practices every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday morning.  There will be two practice sessions for tadpoles, and one for pollyzoggs. 

            Tadpole Session 1:              9:00-9:45 am
            Tadpole Session 2:              9:45–10:30 am 
            Pollyzoggs:                          9:45-10:45 am 

The pre-team will have a “mini meet” with Manor Woods and Manor Country Club on Friday, July 20th.  This meet will be followed by the end-of season celebration for Tadpoles and Pollyzoggs at the Flower Valley pool.  Pre-team swimmers will receive their meet ribbons and participation trophies at this event.  Questions about the pre-team can be answered by:

Pre-team Rep:
Andi Gironda        301-929-9798     (agironda@verizon.net)

Head pre-team coach:
Sue Chen        301- 275-4741         email: schen502@comcast.net

Pre-team Volunteer Coaches:
Current swim team members, ages 11 and over, who are interested in coaching the pre-team, should contact the pre-team head coach, Sue Chen. There are a limited number of volunteer openings for the pre-team coaching staff.  Please note that it is a desire to work with our future Frogs, and not swimming speed, which determines your success as a future Flower Valley coach.  Training is required for all pre-team coaches.  This year pre-team training will be offered on Thursday June 5th from 6:15-7:45 pm and Tuesday June 10th from 6:15-7:45 pm. Attendance is required at both sessions!

Pre-team coaching is a serious commitment, and coaches are expected to have proper training, attend every practice, and follow a strict code of conduct.  All of the current Flower Valley coaches previously volunteered as pre-team coaches.

Contacting the Coaching Staff:
You must contact your coach if you will be missing any of the “A” or “B” swim meets, including the A and B relays, Divisional Meet, Coaches Invitational Long course and All Star Meets.  Please contact your coaches before Friday morning, if you know you will be unable to swim in the A-meet on Saturday.  You may call your coach at the pool during practice, if necessary.  Under MCSL rules, the coaches cannot change the line-up for the A-meet after 12 noon on Friday! 

You do not need to contact your coach if you will miss just one or two practices.  You should, however, contact your coach if you will miss practice for an extended period of time. 

Head Coaches:  
Joey Mechak           301-570-0694           JMechak1@aol.com

Head Pre-team Coach:
Sue Chen                 301-275-4741           schen502@comcast.net

Pool:                          301-929-1284           (www.fvfrogs.com)

Coaches:
Christine Cook         301-924-5064           (teeny122@verizon.net)
Ted Eckels                301-929-1835           (kheckels@comcast.net)
Bruce Haase             301-570-1276           (swmrboyB@aol.com)
Mary Hartman           301-774-6334           (Marygurl24@aol.com)
Ben Mechak             301-570-0694           (bpmechak@ncsu.edu)
Kara Morrill               301-871-3674           (morrills4@comcast.net)
Molly Burgoyne        301-929-3381          (swimchick4432@aim.com)
Kaitlyn Powell .........301-924-0840 ----------(kmp4v@virginia.edu)

Coach-in-Training:
Sarah Haase                                             Sswimmer531@aol.com
Lizzie Orman                                             orman5@verizon.net
Shannon Powell                                        smp0840@verizon.net
Eliott Shein                                                    eshein@verizon.net

Parent Participation:
PARENT PARTICIPATION IS VITAL TO THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF THE SWIM TEAM.  It takes 91 parents to run the “A” and “B” meets each week. Adults are needed to officiate at all meets as timers, referee, starter, stroke & turn judges, and clerk of course.  Parents are also needed to serve as scorers, ribbon writers, computer support, keep team records, and set up and serve refreshments.  Helpers are needed for our team pictures, Pizza and Ice Cream Social, Donut Day, Muffin Munch, Dive-In Movie, Spaghetti Dinner and Swim Team Banquet.  All families will be asked to contribute food to the refreshment stand AT LEAST THREE TIMES during the regular season and to work AT LEAST FIVE TIMES during this period. 

Please volunteer early and often.  When everyone helps just a little, the summer season will be so much more enjoyable for all of us!

Parents must take responsibility for the supervision of their children at meets.  If a parent cannot accompany his/her child to the meets, he/she must make arrangements for another adult to supervise. 

We know that there are many ways to show love for your child.  Simply BEING THERE is one of the best.  Become involved; share the work and excitement!

Swimmer Volunteer Opportunities:
Flower Valley swimmers are encouraged to volunteer at meets and practices.  Responsible children are needed as runners during the meets (to take the timing sheets to the computer table after each event).  Swimmers 13 and over may help with the snack bar.  We always need help during the break serving snacks and drinks to the officials and distributing ice pops to the swimmers on both teams.  Please contact one of the reps if you can help at any “A” or “B” meet. 

Swimmers also help decorate the mailbox signs for the Spirit Committee.  This will take place in the morning after practice (June 21st and July 12th from 11-2).  All supplies will be provided.

Please contact the head pre-team coach (Sue Chen) for information on volunteering with the pre-team.  Training is mandatory for all pre-team coaches.

MCPS swimmers can receive service-hour credit from their school for swim team volunteer activities.  Swimmers from other schools may also be eligible to receive service-hours credit.  Please check with your school for the proper forms.

Discipline Policy:
The Flower Valley Pool is not open with guards in place until 11:00 am.  Therefore, the following policies have been adopted for the safety of each swimmer.

1. All swimmers at the pool before 11:00 am must be in practice, or waiting in the pavilion for a parent pick-up.
2. Coaches will utilize a 3 warning system.  If a swimmer is not swimming or following reasonable coach’s requests, the swimmer will be warned.  If this behavior continues, the swimmer will be asked to leave the pool after the third warning.
3. If your child is asked to leave the pool, he/she must wait in the pavilion area until you pick them up.  Prompt pick up is expected.

Thank you for your support.  These measures are in effect to ensure the safety and well being of each and every swimmer at FV.

Swimmers Rights & Responsibilities:

1. Get plenty of rest before your meet!
2. Be prompt for warm-up, usually one hour before away meets, and one and a half hours before a home meet.
3. Know your event number, and report to the Clerk of Course when called.
4. STAY IN THE TEAM AREA; be cheerful and supportive to your teammates.
5. Eat fruit and drink water; eat absolutely no junk foods during a meet.
6. Follow all instructions of officials and pool personnel.
7. Please note that it is against both pool and team policy to throw anyone in the pool at any time.
8. When the meet is over, all swim team members are responsible for the cleanup of the team area.  Parents, please, we need your support and cooperation in this matter! Do not encourage your child to leave until he/she has completed his/her responsibility.
9. Communicate with your coaches; inform them as to illness, camp or vacation plans, etc., giving written notice whenever possible.  This will help our coaches when preparing line-ups for weekly meets and Relay Carnivals.  It is helpful if you put a note in the ‘Note to the Coaches’ folder in the Family File Box.
10. You are responsible for all information from the bulletin board, newsletters, handouts, etc.  Please consult your calendar and the file box daily!

Sportsmanship:

Flower Valley Frogs will display good sportsmanship at all times to other members of our team, other teams, officials, parents, and community.  Behavior that shows poor sportsmanship or is destructive will be dealt with by the Coaches, Reps, and the involved swimmers’ parents and will result in disciplinary actions ranging from extra pool chores, forfeiting of trophies, or suspension or expulsion from the team.

Officials Clinics:
Saturday & Wednesday meets need referees, stroke & turn judges, head timers, starters, scorers, ribbon writers, clerks of course, announcers and timers.  We need you to volunteer to be trained for these important positions.  Timers for the “A” and “B” meets do not need to attend a training course.  The head timer will give you instructions at the beginning of the meet.

The MCSL will again sponsor Officials Clinics.  Instruction will be offered in stroke & turn, relay take-off judge, starter, and referee.  These clinics familiarize participants with the MCSL rules for competition.  Attendance is required for those who wish to serve as Referee, Stroke & Turn Judge and/or Starter.

Recertification for Certified Referee only (Referees can recertify for stroke & turn at this clinic)

Thursday, May 29st               7:00 pm                   Olney Swim Center

New Officials and Recertification (Timer/Head Timer, Stroke & Turn, Starter and Referee)

Sunday, June 1st                            8:00 am          Olney Swim Center
Sunday, June 8th                             8:00 am          Olney Swim Center
Tuesday, June 12th                          6:30 pm          Quail Valley
Tuesday, June 24th                          6:30 pm          Germantown Aquatics
           
           Automation Clinics (computer support)
            Tuesday, June 3rd               7:00-9:00 pm             Martine Luther King
            Tuesday, June 10th              7:00-9:00 pm            Germantown Aquatics        
  
Officials have the “best view on deck”!  We CANNOT have meets if we don’t have the necessary trained and certified officials.  The more officials we have trained, the fewer times each will be called to serve.  Please contact Bruce Haase (301-570-1276) if you are interested and/or check the MCSL web site. 

 Team Apparel:
Once again we will be purchasing our team suits from Underwater Wear in Gaithersburg.  The web site is www.underwaterwear.com.   The swim and dive team will be wearing the same suit for the 2007and 2008 seasons.  The female suit is the Speedo-Moonbeam in red. (Youth #8190039-006 and Adult #8190038-006.)  Males have a choice of the Male Axcel Spliced Jammer with red piping (Youth # 8050035-196 black/red and Adult # 8050034-196 black/red) or the Axcel Spliced Brief with red piping (Youth # 8050033-196 black/red and Adult # 8050032-196 black/red).  Suits will be available for try-on/order at registration.  Swim Team T-shirts, sweatshirts, caps and goggles are also available.    A Flower Valley team bathing cap is required for all swimmers participating in the Coaches Invitational Long Course and All Star Meets.  The team suit and spirit wear is not required for participation in the meets.  Caps and goggles will be available for purchase during home swim meets (“A” and “B”).  Amy Burgoyne (301-929-3381) and Laura Mechak (301-570-0694) can help you with these items. 

 Keeping in Touch:
The list of swim team activities can be overwhelming!  Each Flower Valley family has a file folder in the box near the trophy case.  Check your folder weekly for fliers on upcoming events, as well as ribbons from previous swim meets.  Please look over the bulletin board near the baby pool for a list of upcoming activities.  You can check out the Flower Valley webpage (fvfrogs.com) to find much of the information in this handbook.  In addition, Priscilla Morrill sends out weekly emails.  Please make sure she has your current email address (morrills4@comcast.net).  Finally, Kaitlyn Powell is editor-in-chief of the “Ribbit”, Flower Valley’s weekly newsletter on swim, dive, and tennis team activities.  If you would like to contribute to the newsletter, please email Kaitlyn before noon on Wednesdays (kmp4v@virginia.edu).

We start with a Cookie Crunch the first day of practice (May 27th), followed by a Donut Day on June 16th, the Muffin Munch (June 26th) and a second Donut Day (July 16th).  Back by popular demand, we will once again have Tie-Dye day.  This event will take place during the morning of July 3rd, so be on the lookout for a white T shirt/hat/shorts/boxer to dip into the Flower Valley colors.
 
The swim team will hold its Pizza and Ice Cream Social on Monday evening, June 9th, starting at 5:00 p.m.  SWIM TEAM PICTURES will be taken at 6 PM.  Please wear red and/or white!  Picture forms will be available in your team folder just prior to Picture Day.  All 8 and unders will be assigned their big brother/big sister at this event.  Our head coach Joey Mechak, will introduce the coaching staff and be available to answer any questions about the swim team after the dinner. 

During the season, the team will celebrate at the Pool before and after home meets.  Every meet has a theme, and swimmers are encouraged to dress up for the parade just prior to each A and B meet.  After home meets, we will stay at Flower Valley and celebrate our swimmers by handing out ribbons and EPA awards.  After away meets, we will often meet at the Leisure World Burger King or another convenient restaurant (listen for an announcement during the meet).

We will hold the SPAGHETTI DINNER, which tributes our graduating seniors, on Thursday, July 10th.  The field trip to King’s Dominion is planned for Monday, July 21th.

The annual SWIM TEAM BANQUET will be held on Saturday, July 19th at 6:00 pm.  This will be a catered dinner for swimmers and their families.  Trophies and awards will be presented after the meal.  Priscilla Morrill is always looking for pictures from practices, meets, and social events for the end-of-season slide show. 

There are also special events planned for each age-group.  Our 11-12s get to sleep over at the pool on June 14th during the annual Lock-in.  The 13 and overs will meet that night at 8 pm for an as yet to be determined outing.  The 8 and unders will have a picnic at Flower Valley Park, while the 9-10s will meet for Laser Tag at Shadowland.  Both events start at noon on June 29th.  Check the bulletin board and the Ribbit for announcements.

Trophies:
Excellence in swimming, practice attendance, team spirit, and service to the team are the major considerations of the coaches when determining the awards earned by each swimmer.  Our trophy system expands the opportunities for the swimmers to attain rewards commensurate with their swimming excellence and efforts.  Coaches will follow these general guidelines:

To earn a trophy, a swimmer must swim in three meets.  The meets that qualify a swimmer for a trophy can be dual meets (“A” Saturday or “B” Wednesday meets), the “A” or “B” Relay Carnivals, and Divisionals.  Participation in any other meets, such as the 8 and Under Mini-Meet, Pentathalon, Coaches Invitational Long Course and All Stars, does not count toward the trophy qualification. 

Plaques will be given to those swimmers who attain the most points for their age-group, or are the most improved (certificates are given to the runners-up).  To impress upon all swimmers the importance of Divisionals, we have an award for outstanding contribution at Divisionals.

Based on all of these considerations and guidelines, coaches’ discretion remains the final determinant of the trophy earned by each swimmer.

In addition to our trophy system, we also recognize those boys and girls who exhibit the outstanding character throughout the season.  The FROGS award is given to ten swimmers who display these fine qualities:

F- Flower Valley Feeling (Spirit)
R- Responsibility (Dedication)
O- Outstanding Practice Attendance
G- Great Attitude
S- Sportsmanship

 Senior Tributes:
Every year some of our swimmers (children and friends) graduate from the MCSL swimming program.  These are special people we have seen grow in size and maturity.  We take time in the busy swimming season to acknowledge their contributions to the team and the community, to thank them for making the Frogs enjoyable for others, and to wish them the best in the future that awaits them.

There will be a special banquet on Thursday, July 10th for those swimmers who will graduate from the Flower Valley Swim Team.  Our graduating seniors will each have an opportunity to share their Flower Valley feelings and enjoy a slide show celebrating their many years on the team.  All Flower Valley family and friends are invited to join in this celebration.  Graduating high school seniors may also apply for the Sarah Auer scholarship.  Information is available through the MCSL website and must be submitted to one of the FV team reps before June 7th. 

We have listed all those swimmers eligible to graduate this summer.  We hope that they will join us for their last season as members of the Flower Valley Swim Team.  We will honor participating swimmers at the Annual Senior Tribute on July 10th.

Ian Chasler
Ted Eckels
Jackie Orman
Alyse Prawde

THANK YOU FROM THE

FLOWER VALLEY FROG FAMILY

AND THE
FLOWER VALLEY BATH & RACQUET CLUB!