Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
General
What is the NVSL? – The Northern Virginia Swim League is the largest summer swim league in the U.S. There are 17 swim divisions and 102 teams plus 8 dive divisions and 48 teams. The NVSL determines which teams are in each division based on passed performance and future expectations. The goal is for each division to be made up of 6 equally competitive teams. Visit NVSL at http://www.mynvsl.com for more information.
Swim Meets
What are time trials? - Time trials are the first meet of the year held one week before the first dual meet. Time Trials are an opportunity for swimmers to get benchmark times in a meet-like setting. The team is previously split into red team and blue teams in order to have a fun intrasquad competition. Score is kept for purposes of awarding points for the end of year red/blue trophy.
All swim team members are encouraged to swim all four strokes. HOWEVER, swimmers must have demonstrated in practice proficiency in a stroke in order to be allowed to compete in that stroke at time trials. We do not want swimmers getting disqualified and starting the summer season feeling discouraged.
Pee-Wee Piranhas do not swim at Time Trials.
What is an NVSL (A) meet? – The NVSL meets (also known as “A” meets) are officially sanctioned meets between two teams in the same division, held on Saturday mornings. It is a scored meet and counts toward the team’s league standing. All Saturday morning meets, as well as the Divisional Relay Carnival and Divisional Individual Championship meets, have NVSL A meet status.
Regardless of whether you are swimming or not, all team members (and families) are encouraged to come out and cheer on the team! Team members are welcome to join us in the team area for cheers.
How does a swimmer qualify for an A meet? – Swimmers are entered into A meets based on Coach selection. Times are one consideration among many in determining the best placements for swimmers, with the underlying goal of our team winning the meet. Each team can enter three swimmers per individual event and one relay for each age group event. Each swimmer is limited to two individual events plus relays. Being the fastest is not a guarantee of placement: DQ risks, failure to attend practice, or misconduct are factors that may result in the fastest swimmer not being entered.
What is a Developmental meet? – All swimmers have the opportunity to swim in developmental (also known as “B” meets) on Monday nights. These meets are not scored but times count for NVSL seedings. Pinecrest’s Developmental league is made up of ourselves and 4 other local teams: Fox Mill Estates, Fox Mill Woods, Herndon, and Hiddenbrook. Most swimmers are eligible to choose two events to swim. Swimmers must have demonstrated in practice proficiency in a stroke in order to be allowed to compete in that stroke. If a swimmer competed in the previous Saturday NVSL meet, there are additional restrictions to consider. Please reference the Parent Handbook or consult a team rep for further details. Pee-Wees may be eligible to swim freestyle with coach permission.
Where do I get my ribbons? – Each swimmer has a folder in the swim team box that is kept in the pool office under the bulletin board. Ribbons from Saturday meets should be in the folders by Monday morning practice and ribbons from Monday night meets are available Tuesday morning. Swimmers may not have a ribbon if they DQ’d or if they were ineligible due to participation restrictions.
*For more information on Lollipop, Divisionals, Divisional Relays, All-Stars and All-Star relays, please review the parent handbook or consult a team rep.
Dive Meets
VOLUNTEERS
Do I really need to volunteer? - The team cannot function without volunteers. It takes over 40 parents to properly run a swim meet. Those requirements do not include all the social activities that we try to facilitate through the summer. These events can not go on without parent volunteers. It is also a great way to meet other parents and become part of our community. If your swimmer is participating in a meet, you should expect to be filling a volunteer role during that meet. For many jobs, no experience is required. For specifc volunteer job descriptions and requirements, please see our volunteer page.
What should volunteers wear to swim meets? - The official uniform colors of the NVSL for volunteers is a white collared shirt and dark blue shorts or pants. Jeans, while not forbidden, are discouraged. Deck volunteers (officials, table workers, timers, clerks, etc.) may not wear anything with a team logo. The rules are the same for the developmental meets. NVSL logo apparel is acceptable and available for purchase.
Social Activities
I’m a [swimmer/diver/pee-wee]. Am I allowed to attend Pep-Rallies? - Y-E-S!!!! We encourage ALL our swimmers and divers regardless of level to come and join us the Friday night before NVSL meets to hype up our team and have some fun! All Pep-Rallies will have a theme announced by Wednesday before. Come dressed to the nines and earn some points for your Red/Blue team.
