After a rough 0-5 season in 2011 in Division 3 that was highlighted by winning the IM Championship for this area and strong showings at All-Star Relays and Individual All-Stars, the Gators look to rebound with some wins in Division 4 this year.
For background purposes, there are 102 teams in the NVSL in 17 divisions. It is the largest sports league in the country. Teams are seeded by expected strength, so that means the Gators are considered to be one of the top 24 teams in the league.
This article will first review the A Meet schedule, and then cover the B Meet schedule.
Our A meet schedule kicks off June 23rd at the Mosby Woods Raiders, located in Fairfax next to scenic Interstate 66. Mosby Woods went 1-4 in Division 4 last year. They are led by star swimmer Janet Hu, who holds most of the NVSL records that Cassidy Bayer has not yet broken. Miss Hu may be in Omaha swimming at the US Olympic Trials, so it will be interesting to see if she is swimming at the A meet or getting ready for the Olympics (even I don't consider the two meets to be on equal footing).
On June 30th, we have our last road A meet at Fox Mill Woods. The Fintastics (yes, that's their name!), are located out near the confluence of the Dulles Toll Road, the Fairfax County Parkway, and Route 50. Last season, they went 2-3 in Division 4.
After that, it's all home cooking on Saturdays (well, home concessions, which is like home cooking). July 7th the Gators host the alluringly alliterative Pinecrest Piranhas at MVP. Pinecrest went 5-0 to win Division 6 last year. Only four teams in the entire NVSL scored more points last season than Pinecrest.
The mid-week relay fun starts July 11th with the Division Relay Carnival at Mosby Woods, followed a week later by All Star Relay Carnival at Lincolnia on July 18th. The Gators specialize in strong relay showings, and this year should be no different. Unless it is. But it shouldn't be. We hope.
Moving a little backwards in time, Hunt Valley comes to MVP on July 14th. The Stingrays went 2-3 in Division 4 last season.
July 21st is a rematch with a rival from a few seasons ago -- the Dunn Loring Dolphins. They finished in second place, 4-1, in Division 4 last season and are ranked as the top seed in the division. Should be a good battle to end the season.
Divisional Champs are July 28th at Hunt Valley, and Individual All-Stars follow August 4th next door at Waynewood.
As always, the B Meet schedule kicks off with Waynewood -- this year it is their turn to come to MVP this Monday, June 18th. The other home B meet is the intrasquad Green and White meet (the early Vegas line favors Green, but heavy betting on White is starting the swing the line) on July 2nd. The Green and White meet is famous for the free pizza for all team members who swim.
Then we hit the "road" (all B meets are in the rough and tumble streets of the Mt. Vernon neighborhood), going to Stratford on June 25th, to Mansion House on July 9th, and Riverside Gardens on July 16th. The 3rd Annual Gator Romp in the Swamp championship meet is July 25th.
The Gator blog is up and running, summer is officially here
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