Spring has sprung, and the Avalon Gators Swim Team is gearing up for it's 2014 season. First. We've hired our coaches for the summer. While Jason Blake has a varied and accomplished swim background he comes to Avalon most recently from St. Catherine's & St. Christopher's swim team where he is an assistant varsity and strength conditioning coach. Jason swam collegiately from 1996-2000 at East Carolina University where he also attained his Bachelor's degree in Physical Activity and Fitness. Jason began his swimming experience at NOVA where he was an Age Group swimmer from 1989-1996. 

For anyone who has swam with the Gators you will know our two assistant coaches as they have not only competed for Avalon, they have mentored younger swimmers, lead by example with their peers, and also assisted former head coaches whenever called upon. I am pleased and proud to announce Ashton & Caroline Pollard will be our assistant coaches. While many have met both Ashton and Caroline here is what you may not know. Caroline swims for the Collegiate Girls swim team and is the team captain. She earned three-time All-State recognition in the 200 Medley Relay and 400 Free Relay. She has been a part of winning three consecutive state championships. She is the Collegiate and State record holder in the 200 Medley and 400 Free Relay. She swims year-round at NOVA, and has done so for the last 8 years. She holds JRAC records in the 50m Butterfly, 50m Freestyle, and 50m Backstroke. She has been a swimmer at Avalon for 9 years and owns too many Avalon records to cite here, but please go to our records board and take a look. Her older sister Ashton is no less accomplished with 9 years swimming at Avalon, 10 years at NOVA, 4-year member for Collegiate girls swim team. She is an NCSA Junior National Qualifier (this is "Crazy Fast" national meet). She has taught lessons at NOVA for the last two years, and is going to attend the University of Pennsylvania in the fall. 

You will hopefully see all our coaches at the Avalon Open house and swim team registration day Sunday May 4th. A few minor changes from last years swim team registration day. While on-line registration will be available prior to as well as after May 4, we are going "old-school" with on-site registration at the Open House. Reasons are mostly due to inconsistent WiFi, power interruptions, and the sun's glare on the computer monitors making it difficult at best to see the screens.  

If you have questions please contact me at 221-0443.      Thank you, and I look forward to seeing everyone May 4th. Fred