Swim Meets
Ravens participates in two swim leagues:
- NVSL (Northern Virginia Swim League) - also known as Saturday “A” meets.
- Springfield-Burke Developmental League - also known as Monday “B” meets.
NVSL Saturday "A" Meets
NVSL or Saturday “A” meets are competitive meets. Each week, swimmers are selected by the Coaches to swim in that Saturday’s meet. Selections are based on a variety of reasons including: official times, participation in practice, and availability. Swimmers can swim no more than two individual strokes and two relays each Saturday.
Unlike Monday meets, points are earned when a Raven places first, second or third and a team is declared the winner at the conclusion of the meet. The scores from these meets are used to calculate team standings within the Division and also help determine in which Division the team will compete next season.
How to enable your swimmer to be selected to swim in a Saturday meet: It is important that you indicate if your child is available for an “A” meet via the Swimtopia Calendar or through the Swimtopia mobile app. Find the meet on the calendar and then click the Meet Entry button to select if your swimmer is Available or Unavailable to swim in the meet if selected. If you have multiple swimmers, please complete this step for each swimmer. You must declare your swimmer availability by the Tuesday morning before the meet. ONLY swimmers who are marked “Available” will be considered by coaches for participation in the meet. Availability declarations for meets can be made at the start of the season, but please remember to update your availability selections as your family schedule changes.
If your child is selected to be in a Saturday meet and then becomes unavailable after the seeding list is published, please email the team reps at [email protected] ASAP so that we can try to find a replacement swimmer. Seeded swimmers who do not show up for a Saturday meet and do not notify the team reps may be ineligible to swim in the next meet.
While only coach-selected swimmers participate in the Saturday meets, all swimmers and families are encouraged to attend to cheer on the Ravens. Saturday meets begin at 9 am and usually end by noon.
Monday "B" Meets
All swimmers can participate in Monday developmental or “B” meets in the strokes in which they are legal. Developmental meets are a good way to gain experience and improve a race time in order to become eligible for an “A” meet. Coaches will work with swimmers during practice to decide on appropriate events.
How to indicate that your swimmer will participate in a Monday meet: Sign ups for Monday meets are available from the start of the season via the Ravensworth Swim Team website or through the SwimTopia mobile app. Please remember to update your swimmer attendance as necessary throughout the season as your family schedule changes. Find the meet on the calendar and then click the Meet Entry button to select if your swimmer will Attend or Not Attend the meet. If you have multiple swimmers, please complete this step for each swimmer. ONLY swimmers who are marked “Attending” will be entered in the meet.
The coaching staff will help your swimmer choose the best events in which to participate. If your swimmer has stroke preferences, you may include a note to the coaches when you declare intent to swim. Each swimmer may sign up for one or two events including the individual medley (IM) if approved by the coaches. All entries are subject to change at the discretion of the coaches. Note: Swimmers that participated in the “A” meet the Saturday before may not participate in the same stroke on a Monday night.
Weather Policies
For scheduled meets and practice, we will swim rain or shine as long as the bottom of the pool is visible and there is no thunder or lightning.
For meets, if thunder/lightning occurs, swimmers and families will need to clear the pool deck and should wait in their cars at the pool until a decision has been made by the team reps to continue, postpone, delay or cancel a meet. Do not leave the meet and drive away until a decision has been made; often meets will continue after the weather has passed. If needed, meets will be rescheduled as soon as possible.