Click here to see the 2008 Swim Team Slide Show Video!!!

FLOWER VALLEY FROGS SWIM TEAM
Get your caps and goggles ready the Flower Valley Frogs are starting a new season as the third seed in Division B!   The Swim Team welcomes all levels of swimmers from those who are just learning to swim to more experienced swimmers.  Our coaches are on deck during practices to teach basic stroke mechanics for rookies and to help more advanced swimmers fine-tune their strokes. 
We are excited to announce that Chris Leggett will be joining the Flower Valley Swim Team as our new Head Coach! 

Chris Leggett began swimming in 8th grade, a relatively late age for some swimmers, as physical therapy for his broken back.  As he trained, he found he was well suited to the sport and developed an aptitude quickly.  During his high school years, he competed both with his school team and US swim club in Newton, Massachusetts, and he qualified for numerous USS Championships.

After Chris entered American University in September of 2004, he would train up to thirty-six hours a week, while attending classes.  At American University, he found great success, recording the 2nd fastest 50 free in the history of the University.  By the time he graduated, Chris was nationally ranked in the 50 Freestyle and had placed in the Top 16 at winter nationals.

Chris has coached for a number of competitive teams including the All Star Aquatics, Overlee Swim Team (Arlington, Virginia) and Newton Swim and Racquet.  His experience in coaching all age groups, from young to senior swimmers, will make him a great asset to Flower Valley this summer.

THIS YEAR’S SWIM TEAM REGISTRATION WILL BE DONE IN PERSON ON THURSDAY MAY 7 TH AND MONDAY MAY 11th.  REGISTRATION WILL BE AT FLOWER VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FROM 6:30 PM TO 8:00 PM.  ALL MEMBERS RECEIVING THIS LETTER WIL RECEIVE AN “EARLY FROG” DISCOUNT IF REGISTERED BY MAY 22nd.
Swim team fees will remain unchanged again this year, at $100 for the family fee with an additional $55 per swimmer.  The family fee is discounted to $50 if registered by May 22nd. Please remember, at registration, each family will be asked to sign up for volunteer jobs, such as timing and working the snack bar, and food requirements.  If you cannot make either date please contact Cindy Kirchner to register before May 22nd. 

In addition, check out our new Flower Valley Swim Team apparel at the registration sessions in May!  Sweatshirts, tee-shirts, and much more will be available to order so that you will have all of your spirit wear at the start of the season.  This year we have selected a new team swim suit which swimmers can try-on and order during registration.  Any questions regarding swim team apparel and suits can be answered by

Amy Burgoyne (301-929-3381/ aburgoyne14@comcast.com) or
Laura Mechak (301-570-0694/ pmechak@aol.com).

Memorial Day (May 25th) will be the official Swim Team Kick-Off.  Please come by the pool from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm to meet the Coaches and to pick up your team handbook and any pre-ordered suits and spirit wear. 

The first day of swim team practice is the following afternoon, Tuesday, May 26th.  Please check the pool bulletin board, web page, or team handbook to find the appropriate time for your child’s practice.  Time trials are scheduled for Saturday morning, June 13th and the season ends on August 2nd with the Montgomery County All Star Meet. 

The Flower Valley Frogs will be swimming this summer in Division B, ranked 3rd.  The pools will be competing against are Germantown, Quince Orchard, Stonegate, Westleigh, and Woodley Gardens.  We will have three Saturday morning “A” meets at home.  Similarly, we will have 3 home meets for our Wednesday evening B team.  Our B League opponents include Mill Creek Towne, Hallowell, Olney Mill, Upper County, and Damascus. 
Our Reps for the 2009 season are:

Bridget Conger (A)                 301-929-9243              bridgetconger@verizon.net
Cindy Kirchner (A)                 301-929-1101              cpkirchner@verizon.net
Jennifer Gardner (B)               301-929-9252              jmgardhome@aol.com
Caroline Stewart (B)               301-924-2455              jhnstwrt2@cs.com
Remember, the Swim Team Web Page is a great source of information, too.  Just go to fvfrogs.com.
PRE-TEAM NEWS

If your child is not quite ready to swim as a Frog but wants to join in the Swim Team fun, then sign them up for the pre-team!  We have two levels of pre-team swimming: Tadpoles and Pollyzoggs.  Both pre-team groups will be lead by Coach Sue Chen.  Pre-team try-outs and practices begin on Wednesday, June 17th at 9 am. 

Tadpoles:  This program is designed for the youngest swimmers that have not developed their skills enough to swim the length of the pool (25M).  Tadpole tryouts and registration will be held on June 17th, during which time your child will be asked to swim the width of the shallow end of the pool (12.5M) using any combination of strokes.  Children who cannot swim across the shallow end of the pool on that day may take lessons and join the pre-team at any point throughout the season.

Pollyzoggs:  This program is for those children who can swim the length of the pool (25M) but have not made the qualifying times (set forth in the team handbook) to swim in a meet.  If you think your child will swim as a Pollyzoggs this summer, please register them during the May 7th or May 11th registrations.  By doing so, your child can start swimming on May 26th during the after school swim practices and, since many Pollyzoggs quickly qualify to swim in the B-meets it is best to have them in the computer system at the beginning of the season. 

The Flower Valley Swim Team is currently looking for a pre-team parent coordinator.  Please contact any of the swim team reps listed above if you have question or are interested in helping with the pre-team.

Swimmers: THINGS TO REMEMBER!
Monday: B-Meet Entries due at 6pm!
If you want to swim on Wednesday night you must be signed up by this time. NO DECK ENTRIES WILL BE ALLOWED THIS YEAR . If you are going to be out of town, email, call, or leave a note for Joey before Monday .

Wednesday: B-Meet
For home meets all swimmers should be at the pool, ready for warm-ups at 4:30pm. For away meets all swimmers and parents should meet at FV at 4:30pm to caravan over to the away pool. The Meet will begin at 6pm.

Thursday: A-Line up posted at noon!
All swimmers should check to see if they have qualified for the A-meet on Saturday morning. If your name is on the list, and you are unable to attend the meet, it is very important to notify Joey ASAP!!

Friday: B-Meet sign up sheet is posted
This is your first chance to sign up for the B-Meet. You may sign up any time between Friday and the following Monday. But remember, ALL ENTRIES MUST BE IN BY MONDAY AT 6pm

Saturday: A-Meet
For home meets all swimmers should be at FV NO LATER THAN 7:30am for warm-ups. For away meets ALL SWIMMERS should be at FV at 7:15am to caravan over to the away pool.

IT'S EASY BEING GREEN WHEN YOU'RE A FLOWER VALLEY FROG
The Flower Valley Frogs have been competing in the Montgomery County Swim League for over 30 years and boast a proud reputation for providing both a learning environment and summertime fun for all of our swimmers, from our smallest “pollyzog” to our most competitive year round swimmer. In addition to exciting swim meets, the FVST has many social events including Muffin Munches, Tie-Dye Days, Dive-In Movie Night, Age-Group Outings and numerous other social activities.

What makes the FVST truly special can be summed up in three words - “FLOWER VALLEY FEELING”. It comes not only from our swimmers, but its also comes from our many parent volunteers who are dedicated to providing our children with memories that will be long remembered and treasured. Come and join the fun! Become a part of the Flower Valley Swim Team. Get the Flower Valley Feeling!