WAY TO GO TORPEDO! Girls First, Boys Second, Combined Second! (and Potluck Info!)

Good morning!

You all did a fantastic job with the meet yesterday. We saw some great swims from everyone, and everybody can claim they had a part of what I would certainly call a victory.

Everyone did great both in and out of the water. In the end, our girls won for the entire meet! Great job girls! The boys were second to Granite group that was literally twice their size, and they did a great job, as well! In the end, we came out second as a team. Great job!

In the event you were unaware, we were trading the lead on and off for the better part of the meet with a team that had 40 MORE SWIMMERS THAN US. I think that shows the quality of swimmers we have and train during the summer. Fantastic.

A special thank you goes out to our Concession Crew. When all was said and done yesterday, they helped the team raise $676 to go towards our new lane lines. THANK YOU!!!

Thank you to all of our volunteer timers, runners, ribbon labelers, and our stroke and turn official Amy Qurollo. Thank you to the Oxentines and the Blackwoods for running our scoring computer. Without each and every one of you, our meet would not have happened. If anyone wants to learn to do the various jobs, let me know and we can get you set up.

Thank you to all of our parents for getting everyone to the pool to warm up at 7am, especially after providing a wonderful spaghetti dinner the night before. I know that it was early for everyone, and I want to thank you for making the effort to be there and to support the swimmers and the team.

Thank you to Coach Alec for learning to run the timing console in time for the meet. If anyone else wants to learn the pads, it isn't too difficult and I can train you in about 30 minutes. Contact me and we'll get something worked out.

Thank you to Coach Haley for helping wrangle kids and sign up volunteers, as well as adding some depth to our 15-18 girls. This was Coach Haley's last meet where she could swim with the kids, so next year she graduates to our "Fools in the Pool" age group.

Thank you to Doug, Bret, and all of the lifeguards who helped out yesterday. We are really fortunate to have a department that is so supportive of all the swimmers and our program. You all are a fantastic group to work with and for, and I and everyone thanks you. Also, if you haven't gotten your shirt yet, please check with Bret at the counter to pick it up.

We will have ribbons, medals, and trophies from the entire season at our potluck dinner on Saturday, August 2. We will plan to eat at 6:30, but let's start gathering at 6pm. Everyone bring a dish you love to make and share it with our VTST family. I'll be bringing my jambalaya again!

Meet at Granite Falls Tonight (including directions)

Good morning everyone!

I want to urge everyone one last time to take a moment to contribute to our fundraiser. You can donate securely online at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/lane-lines-for-valdese. This is a secure website. Any amount ($5, $10, $20, etc.) will go a long way to helping us meet our goal. We are doing this to improve the pool you and your swimmers all enjoy. It is for their benefit and for the benefit of the community at large.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone tonight. There is the chance of rain, so please come prepared in the event it does rain. As usual, parents please plan to volunteer for spots to time and help officiate.

We do need a few parents who are comfortable around computers to spend some time learning to use the timing/scoring program. It isn't a difficult job once you've seen it done a few times, and it is primarily data entry. The more people we have with knowledge of the program, the better. Anyone interested in helping out this way, please come see me when you arrive for the meet.

Directions to the Granite Falls Recreation Department (56 Pinewood Rd., Granite Falls): Take Malcolm Blvd./ Connelly Springs Rd. across the river. Turn Right on Dry Ponds Rd., then Left on Main St. Take the first Right on Pinewood Rd. Take the first Right to stay on Pinewood Rd. and the Rec should be on the Left.

There are a lot of swimmers for Granite Falls, so please try to get there with ample time to find a place and to warm up. Swimmers need to be there and ready to get in the water by 5:30pm. Let's have a great meet tonight!

Meet Tonight at McDowell (and sign up for Granite Falls!)

Good afternoon Torpedo!

Great job last week against Forest City! I hope everyone had a fantastic Independence Day!

Our meet tonight is at McDowell against the Mariners. We will once again need to have timers for the meet. PLEASE take the time to volunteer for one of the sessions. 

Directions to McDowell: Take I-40 West to Exit 86 (Marion/Shelby exit). Turn right at the end of the ramp. Stay on this road until you come to the second stoplight. Turn right on Rutherfordton Rd. Rutherfordton Rd. takes you to Main Street. Go around the curve. The road will widen. Go straight. At the fourth stoplight, turn left on Court St. Go down a hill. Take the second right on Academy St. The pool is on the hill on the left.

We warm up at 5:30, so please be there and be ready to get in at that time. See you all then!

Directions to Forest City

Good afternoon everyone!

Here's hoping for a great meet tonight in Forest City! Bring water and snacks, although there will be concessions available. Parents need to sign up to assist with volunteer assignments like timing. The meet should run fairly quickly.

Directions to Callison Recreation Center, Forest City: Away meet at Forest City: Warm-ups are at 5:30pm. Take I-40 West to Exit 103. At the end of the exit ramp, turn left. Take HWY 64 to Rutherford County. After passing through Westminster Community, turn left on Hudlow Rd at the traffic light. Follow Hudlow Rd to West Main Street in Forest City. Turn left on West Main Street. Take the first right right (Westview St), and then the first left onto Clay St. The pool is on the right.

See you all there!