All Times for the Season

Every time recorded at every event is available here.

Pre-team Debut: Finally!

Despite our first attempt being rained out, the pre-team finally had their debut on July 16.  They all put in an impressive performance, and we look forward to seeing them on the team next year.  The results are here.

Masters vs. Sharx: Results

In a stunning upset, the Sharx somehow managed to beat the Masters, 605 to 550. I've heard a rumor that because of this, the Sharx are all grounded this weekend. The results of the meet are here.

The family medley relay results are:

Swim Team Photos

From Michael Gan:

For the last three years I have posted swim meet photos on a Kodak website for easy viewing by Sharx families. It never occurred to me that some folks would actually buy the photos. I have since learned that numerous prints were purchased and am flattered. However, I would much rather see the Sharx - not Kodak or any other company - benefit from any photo sales. Thus, the switch to a new system. It will cost a few dollars more but you'll be happy to know that the proceeds from any sales will go directly to the Sharx swim team. Many thanks to Sharx dad Scott Robinson for hosting the meet photos on his website.

For those interested in purchasing swim meet photographs, order forms will be available tomorrow night at the Garrett Park meet, Saturday at the Somerset meet, and downloadable here. Click on the photos box under the 2008 A and B meets information area (on this page) to see Sharx Pix from various meets.

Cash or checks must accompany each order and all orders will be filled in two groups. One group of orders will be processed before Divisionals. The second group of orders will be processed after Divisionals.

Sharx Tales: The Week in Review

Read about the week's successes in Sharx Tales. Read about weeks 2 and 3. Week 1 is still available, too.

Top Times by Event

As of the July 12 Somerset A meet, here are the top times by event.

Relay Carnival

While the NCC Sharx had a fantastic relay carnival this weekend, they were not to be outdone by their Sharx parents who were victorious in the crowd-favorite, end-of-meet Parent's Relay. Pictured below are the champion Sharx parents (l to r. Jeremy Kranowitz (NCCSPA President), Monica Rosenquist (dedicated Master's swimmer), Tom Witkop (wearing dragsuit!), and Lucy Harvey (longtime Banquet visionary)). Congratulations on bringing home the gold to NCC!

Team Captains Website

Gabe Gan has created a website for the team captains, featuring information about the captains, meet themes, social activities, etc. Check it out here. Thanks, Gabe!

Blog celebrating the MCSL 50th Anniversary

Check out this blog about the 50th anniversary of the Montgomery County Swim League. There are some interesting facts, like what we did before computers, and the original 6 league teams.

New Team Policy: You MUST register for all meets!

This season each swimmer will be required to sign up to swim each week for Wednesday and Saturday meets. If the swimmer does not sign up they will not be able to swim any events at that meet. The swimmers will also need to post their availability to swim in relay carnivals.

The coaches will select the swimmers for Saturday meets based on times and availability.

This policy will avoid swimming empty lanes at Saturday meets and allow us to automate our Wednesday meets.

Welcome to the NCC SHARX 2008 Season

The SHARX are dedicated to providing a good experience for all swimmers. Our coaching staff works with all levels from beginners to the most advanced to help them improve their swimming skills and speed. The older members of the team encourage team spirit and provide a fun and wholesome environment for the younger swimmers with cheers and costumes during swim meets. The NCC SHARXs are a great group of swimmers and dedicated parent volunteers that will bring us another winning season in the MCSL. This year we have been placed in Division I, along with Eldwick, Somerset, Daleview, Woodcliffe, and Wildwood Manor. Should be a fun group of teams!

Swim Team Contacts

2008 “A” meets

2008 “B” meets

Information About the Swim Team

See our Frequently Asked Questions, list of Volunteer Jobs, and Swim Team Eligibility.

Pre-Team

The pre-team is the future of the Sharx. Their practice schedule is shown below with the regular practice schedule. The pre-team makes its debut at the final B meet, on July 9 at Garrett Park.

Volunteers

Each family must participate by signing up for at least 8 volunteer activities during the swim season. Volunteer sign-up sheets will be posted on the SHARX bulletin board. Approximately thirty volunteers are needed to run each swim meet. The team reps are responsible for running the meets and organizing volunteers. They will be contacting families who have not volunteered (not a welcome task!). For those with small children or challenging schedules, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities that can be done at other times. Check the volunteer position descriptions in this document for more details.

Seasoned timers and new families, consider taking your volunteer experience to the next level by getting trained to serve as a Referee, Starter or Stroke & Turn Judge. No previous experience necessary. Free training provided by MCSL at any of the training sessions on or after June 3 (May 31 is for referees only). The official's training schedule is listed below.

Officials Clinics

All clinics will end no later than noon. Another clinic is to be scheduled in late June at North Creek. Check the MSCL Website for more information.

Team Pictures

The team picture will be taken at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, June 18 before the home “B” meet against Rock Creek.

New Assistant Head Coach

The Sharx welcome a new Assistant Head Coach this summer, Rosa Trembour. Rosa is a freshman at St. Mary’s College, a top student, and on the varsity swim team. Rosa swam with Daleview for many years as an All-Star swimmer; she swam on her high school team; and she loves the competition of the Montgomery County Swim League. Besides team swimming and the thrill of competition, Rosa has taught young people to swim and takes delight in helping young swimmers have fun while practicing and racing.

Rosa brings to the NCC Sharx this summer an infectious enthusiasm for the sport of swimming. Hang on for a very spirited summer!

Please help me welcome Rosa to the Sharx this summer. You will meet her at the second pre-season workout on May 17.

- Coach John

Safety Check

Tuesday, May 27 is a required safety check for all new swimmers on the team. Swimmers must be able to swim 25 meters, which is the length of the pool. All swimmers who are new to the team, including pre-team swimmers from last summer, must complete the safety check.

Registration Form

The registration form, with instructions and required volunteer information, is available here. Return the completed forms and checks to:

Maggie Sisti
3612 Littledale Road
Kensington, MD 20895

You can also turn in the forms at the swim team area on May 24, opening day, from 10:00 am to noon.

2008 Practice Schedule

There is no practice on July 4th.

The pre-team schedule is in the table below. Pre-team swimmers should determine if they will attend either am or pm practice for the season and stick to it. This helps the coaches maintain the correct swimmer/coach ratio.

Note that no parents are allowed on the pool deck during practice.

Notes about Swim Meets

1. For Home A Meets, swimmers must be ready for warm-ups 1 hour before the start of the meet, ready to jump in the water (i.e. with sunscreen, suit & swim cap on).
2. For Away A Meets, swimmers must meet at the NCC pool to check in with the coach. Times will vary depending on the distance to the meet.
3. Directions to Away Meets are available from the MCSL website, and linked to from the "location" column in the meet schedules below.
4. All officials (timers, stroke & turn judges, starters, ect.) should arrive at the pools hosting the meet at LEAST 30 minutes prior to the start of the meet and check in with one of the Team Reps.
5. All NCC SHARXS must remain in the TEAM AREA when not swimming.
6. Please keep your child’s Vacation Absences record up to date – see the coaches with any changes. Notify John Tollefson by email ASAP if your child is on the roster for a meet he/she is unable to participate in so he can make a replacement.
7. Only Officials and swimmers are allowed on the deck of the pool during meets.
8. No one may swim in the baby or lap pools during a meet. The pool is officially closed during the meet.