We won an exciting meet on Saturday against New Carrollton, SVA 327 and NCR 227, and improved our won/loss record to 2-3.   All of our swimmers continued to swim hard and improved their times.  Congratulations to our Triple winners: Sydney Marohn-Johnson, Lisette LaFontant, and Malik Johnson as well as to our Double winners: Chris Alexander, Tyler Perrie, and Derek Peltzer.  Thanks again to every parent/guardian who helped work the meet.

Practice this week.  There will be regular practice on Mon. and Tues., then practices will be as follows for Wed. through Friday: Advanced 7:30-9:00, Intermediate/Beginner 9:00-10:00. Divisional swimmers must be at practice, while non-divisional swimmers may come if they would like to.  The coaches are very proud of all the Marlins swimmers who swam at CCC.  Congratulations on a job well done swimming fast against tough competition!

Divisionals meet Saturday, July 23rd at NCR.  Smallwood swimmers who qualified for the Divisional meet should be at the pool by 7:30am for check-in.  Smallwood warm-ups are between 7:55 – 8:15am.  The meet will start at 8:30am.  Parking is limited so come early or be prepared to walk.  Please enter at the double (fence) gate near the big flag pole not through the restrooms.  Our team area is #1 and should be marked.  Bring chairs for swimmers and spectators.

NCR: Driving Directions to 6250 Westbrook Dr, New Carrollton, MD 20784, 31 mi – about 44 mins.

From US-301 N/Crain Hw.  Continue onto MD-5 N/Branch Ave. Merge onto I-495 N/I-95 N via the ramp to Baltimore/College Park. Take exit 20B to merge onto MD-450 W/Annapolis Rd toward Bladensburg. Turn right onto Riverdale Rd. Turn right onto Lamont Dr. Take the 3rd right onto Westbrook Dr and destination will be on the right.

It was a solid second place finish at the Charles County Championship Meet on Sunday, July 17th.  Thank you to all volunteers, especially for those who responded to the last minute needs of the snack bar.  Results will be posted soon.

Swim-a-thon Fund Raising Event Update:  Congratulations to Alex Chung and Phoebe Buckley for raising the most funds for the team.  Each of you will receive a gift certificate to your favorite store at the awards dinner. The value of that gift certificate will be 20% of the funds that you raised.  Please email rpeltzer@comcast.net with your store choice.

UPCOMING EVENT: Swim Team Awards Party and Board Of Directors (BOD) Elections:  The annual awards party and 2012 Board of Directors elections will be held at the pool on Saturday, July 23rd starting at 6:00pm.  Come celebrate the end of the 2011 season as well as 40 years of Marlins Swimming!  We will be handing out awards to all the swimmers at the party so please plan on attending.  Each family is being asked to bring their favorite pot luck side dish; appetizer, entree, or salad.  The Board will provide fried chicken, drinks and a cake for dessert.  Please RSVP using the Evite you received by noon on Wed., July 20th so we can order the proper amount of chicken.  A nominations sheet for positions on the SVAC Board of Directors is posted on the swim team board.  Please help us fill all the positions on the Board next year.  The Board needs your help to provide a positive experience for all the swimmers on the team.  Remember, we are all volunteers and the swim team is for the benefit and enjoyment of our swimmers.

Upcoming BINGO Fund Raising Event: There is a volunteer sign-up sheet for the BINGO night on the swim team board. It will be at the Jaycee's in Waldorf (just north of Rte 301 and Leonardtown Rd. behind Checkers).  We need 12 adults to volunteer from 6:00pm - 10:00pm on Tuesday, August 16th.  As a result of participating, the team will receive a check for $400.  If you are able to come, please sign up or e-mail bevgoodell@gmail.com (new email).  Thanks!

All-Star Meet Saturday, July 30th at Whitehall Pool and Tennis Club.  We should receive the official All-Star entries from the PMSL League no later than Sunday, July 24th.  If for some reason the list of Smallwood swimmers that qualified for the All-Star meet is not received, the 2nd place Divisional finishers should be prepared to come to practice on Monday morning along with the 1st place winners, as they may qualify based on their finish time.  There will be a single practice for the All-Stars meet swimmers and alternates next week from 8:30 to 9:30am.