Dolphin Update: Champs 2026
- Hilary Irons
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
We have one more dual meet tomorrow at Massanutten. Information for that meet will be sent Tuesday morning. This email contains everything you need to know to prepare for the annual VSL Championship Meet (CHAMPS).
I say it every year: CHAMPS is one of my favorite days of the season because we get to watch a summer of hard work pay off for every swimmer and every team. That said, it is a large event and can be a little overwhelming, especially if this is your first time attending. The single best thing you can do to prepare is read the official CHAMPS Guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19o0G_S628RZn4a0TljQUVVWqqDOPZhCw/view?usp=sharing
Before Champs
🏊 Swimmer Declaration
If you have not already declared your swimmer, please do so today.
Simply log into Swimmingly, open the meet schedule, and declare your swimmer for CHAMPS.
Please note: We use Swimmingly for declarations and creating our lineup, but once entries are finalized they are transferred into Meet Mobile, the system used during CHAMPS at JMU.
There is a strict VSL deadline for entries. Any lineup changes after the deadline result in a $50–$100 fee per change, charged by the VSL. Thank you for helping us avoid those unnecessary costs.
🏊 Team Practice at JMU:
Each team receives one practice session at the JMU pool before CHAMPS.
Our practice will be on Thursday, July 307:00–8:00 PM
This practice replaces our regular Thursday evening practice at Spotswood, so please adjust your calendars.
👕 Champs Apparel Orders
CHAMPS T-shirts and other apparel are available for purchase at the meet.
🙋 Champs Volunteer Sign-Up:
Volunteer assignments at CHAMPS are determined by team size. While our assignments are relatively small, they are essential to keeping the meet running smoothly.
We still need volunteers for:
2 AM Timers (Shift starts with timer meeting at 8:30AM)
2 PM Timers (Shift starts with timer meeting at 12:30PM)
1 AM Gym Announcer (from 10:15am-11:30AM)
1 AM Heat Ribbon Distributer (9AM-11:30AM)
1 AM Stroke and Turn Judge (Shift starts with timer meeting at 8:15AM)
1 PM Stroke and Turn Judge ( (Shift starts with timer meeting at 12:15PM)
Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0549AEAD28A1F5C07-64832145-champs
📖 Heat Sheet Ads
If you purchased a heat sheet ad, please upload your completed ad by the posted deadline. If you still wish to create one, please inquire or submit ads by today! I will compile our team's ads into the required full-page submission for the VSL.
If you need help creating or uploading your ad, don't hesitate to reach out, I'm happy to help! [Insert Heat Sheet folder link]
Champs Day Reminders
Please allow extra time for parking and getting into Godwin Hall so your swimmer arrives in time for team warm-ups.
Warm-Up Schedule
10 & Under
Warm-up: 8:00–8:20 AM (Lanes 5–8)
Meet begins at 9:00 AM
11 & Older
Warm-up: 12:00–12:20 PM (Lanes 4–6)
Meet begins at 1:00 PM
Parking is generally available near Godwin Hall, the bookstore, the P Lot along I-81. Please enter Godwin Hall using the ramp on the I-81 side of the building and proceed to the gym. There will be plenty of signage to guide you.
Spotswood's team area will be on the middle right side of the gym (see image below).
Please remember that no food is permitted inside the gym. Swimmers may eat in the hallways or outside designated areas.
What to Bring
Please come prepared for a long (but exciting!) day.
Bring:
Team cap (Dolphins Team caps only)
Goggles
Chairs
Extra towels
Sweatshirt or Robes to stay warm between races
Water and snacks (to be eaten outside the gym)
Team Check-In
I'll have a table set up in our team area with:
Check-in information
Team tattoos
Extra Sharpies
Relay lists
Preordered heat sheet booklets (labeled by family)
If you have any questions about Champs logistics, Swimmingly, volunteer assignments, or heat sheet ads, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Looking forward to cheering on all of our Dolphins one last time this season. Let's finish strong!
Go Dolphins!
Hilary Irons, Meet Director
Spotswood Dolphins
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