Dolphin Update: July 9, 2025

Good Morning Dolphins!

Thank you again for your patience with the weather and for your willingness to persevere. I am super pumped that we were able to complete our entire meet last night (no other VSL dual meet was as lucky) and I am very pleased with the fact that Westover was able to move that meet so swiftly as to complete the entire thing in just 2 hours! That must be some kind of record, and I think we can also learn from that for our meet next week (will share more on that inspiration next Monday but it will involve turning our clerk set up to increase the number of events we can line up in wait).

Thank you also for voting about the Broadway meet. With your feedback, the board has agreed NOT to reschedule that meet, virtual or in person.

It is hard to believe that we are nearing the end of the season! Looking ahead, the following swim team events remain:

-Tuesday July 15: Final Dual Meet at Home v Ashby

-details for this meet will be given on Monday.

-Tuesday July 20: Awards Party at the pool (likely from 6-8PM)

-also more details to come, but please mark your calendars to be present for this end of season party where coaches will recognize swimmers for their accomplishments! Food will be provided and the pool bar will be open. The order of operations will be: dinner, awards then fun pool games hosted by Justin Corder and Sam Jeffrey.

-Thursday July 24: Champs Practice at JMU Godwin Hall

-time TBD, but it will replace typical evening practice and will either be slated for 6-7pm or 7-8PM. I should have confirmation on this after our VSL meeting tonight.

- Saturday July 26: Champs at JMU  I will have another separate update with all details for champs, but a preliminary run down of timing and deadlines is here:

a) Most importantly: we need to know if you are attending champs, and if you would like to buy a heat sheet ad. Please click here to fill out this 4 question short info form: https://forms.gle/88bzzQvVDPQtg9cf6\

b) Champs schedule:

-10u swimmers participate in the AM session 8am-12n ISH

-11+ swimmers participate in the PM session 12n-4pm ISH

-some younger swimmers will be asked to stay for the first part of the afternoon to participate in relays.

c) Heat Sheet Ad Sales:

-this is a fundraiser for our team. I listed the prices previously from memory and did so inaccurately (oops)! Quarter page ad: $25; Half page: $50; Full page: $100. If you want to do one, but don't know how to make one - please let me know. I am happy to help, and/or it is VERY easy to do on a site like Canva.

-the deadline for this submission is the 14th.

c) I will order and pay for heat sheet booklets for all the swim team families that will be in attendance at champs. Please declare your attendance using the link above.

Speaking of heat sheet sales, this is a great opportunity to put your swim team photo to use. Please remember to peruse the photo gallery and to purchase (optional, of course) your swimmer(s) photo. Photo gallery link here: https://my.photoday.com/gallery/spotswood-dolphins

Additional information:

• On Thursday July 17th: the club is hosting a "Flick and Float" event at the club pool and is happy to welcome ALL swim team members, regardless of club membership status. They will have a cash box on hand and will also accept member numbers. You could plan to attend evening practice and then stay for the movie!

  
  

• Team Leadership: I want to clarify what is happening with team leadership. It has been my joy to direct all aspects of this team for the last ten years and yes I am stepping down, but ONLY from being the sole person in charge. I am intensely loyal the Dolphins and I adore summer swimming; the Irons family is not going anywhere and will still be serving on the swim team. Just not alone! To that point, and knowing that was my intention for this year with certainty, I have been working for the 2024 and 2025 seasons to ensure a smooth transition by:

  • actively developing a team leadership board. I have already started the transition to collective decision making for the team as well. Our leadership board is established and will work in the off season to prepare for next season with a goal build out subcommittees which will provide more formal places for people to serve for next summer.

  • I created a team google drive last summer and have been transferring records and files into that account so that all documents are in one accessible location.

  • More on this to come at the end of season wrap up. Please rest assured knowing that we are being set up for success, AND even more so because we will have that much more energy and help.

  • If you read this and find yourself wanted to volunteer in a more specific way - please let me know!

Go Dolphins!

Hilary :-)