FUAC News & Notes

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
Please remember that registration must be done in person so that all required forms and fees are turned in at one time.

Registration dates and times are:
August 29 - September 3
Monday - Friday: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Saturday: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Forms that must be turned in at one time:

• Team Fee Schedule and Contract


• Team Registration Form


• Medical Release Form (1 per swimmer)


• Internet Publication Permission Form (1 per swimmer)


• USA- Swimming Registration Form (1 per swimmer)


• Equipment order form

The first practice of the new swim year for all club groups will be Monday, September 12, 2011

Hundreds of swimmers and spectators from all over the region descended on Smith Mountain Lake this past weekend (September 25th) for the 2010 SML East Coast Open Water Competition. The 1-mile race was organized by age groups, from swimmers under the age of 10 to a 55 and over category. FUAC sent 25 swimmers to represent the club and central Virginia. Fork Union had one of the largest team contingencies at the competition.

Leading the way for our mighty Blue Devils was high school team captain, Joe Gershun, followed close behind by Martin Gundersen, Ripley Danner, and Sito Arroyo. For some of the swimmers this was the first time they competed in an open water competition. According to Coach Bocci, "This was a fantastic experience for the team, and was really fun to watch. When I arrived at the beach and looked at the course, the first thing I thought was wow that looks far! Our guys were awesome, and as I predicted Joe Gershun, our top distance swimmer, lead the way for the Blue Devils. At the half way point he was leading the pack, and it was an exciting race. They all did a great job!"

Next up the Blue Devils travel to George Mason University on October 16th and 17th for a USA-Swimming invitational.

There will be a parents meeting on Saturday, August 28th, at the Fork Union Military Academy Library, from 10:00 to 11:00am. The library is the new looking building on the left after you enter the main gate (signs will be posted). This meeting is open to all new and returning families. If you can not make the meeting, please be sure to pick up a parent handbook at the pool office the first week of practice.

The first day of practice is Monday, August 30th!!! See the practice schedule (tab on the left navigation bar) for practice times. See you on the pool deck!

Just one week after winning the 2010 Virginia Prep League Conference Championship, Fork Union Military Academy Swimming and Diving made history on February 20th by winning their first Virginia State Championship in the 30 year history of the competition! In the process, the Blue Devils set another two State Records (200 Yard Medley Relay - T. Romanini, B. Sundel, J. Gebert, J. Humphrey; and 200 Yard Individual Medley - T. Romanini), while registering an incredible nine All-State swims and 49 personal best times in route to a 423 point victory. On the boards FUMA diving surprised the field as two virtually unknown first year divers, Obi Okeyo and Eric Palmer, placed 6th and 8th overall respectively.

Continue reading "FUMA SWIMMING AND DIVING WINS THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!" »

12 swimmers traveled to the Pitt Christmas Invitational, December 18th through the 20th. The snow and cold couldn't slow down our Blue Devils as they registered an incredible 41 personal best times, including 12 top 8 finishes! The team finished 11th out of 43 teams.

Congratulations to our Jr. National Qualifiers: Tony Romanini, Blake Sundel, Kurt Housh, Jake Humphrey, Jorah Gebert, and Matt Morio! Next up the club team travels to Richmond for a NOVA Invitational, while the high school men take on Trinity and Woodberry Forest in double dual meet action.

Lindsay Price headed down to Newport News this past weekend to go up against some of the top age group swimmers in the state at the VA USA-Swimming Age Group Championship Meet. Coming off a great short course season, and capping off a wonderful long course and summer league season, Lindsay finished 3rd in the 50 meter breaststroke, 4th in the 100 meter breaststroke, and dropped almost a second off her best time in the 50 meter fly. CONGRATULATIONS LINDSAY ON A FANTASTIC MEET!

This past weekend our Blue Devils traveled to George Mason University for the Summer Awards Championship. As one of the focus meets of the summer, it was sure to be a great showing for the team. Sito Arroyo won his first individual Region title in the Men's 15 and over 200 meter backstroke, while new comer to Virginia Swimming Joe Gershun dominated the distance events winning the 400, 800 and 1500 free! Sito and Joe also combined for another five second place finishes. Joining them on the podium with a second place finish in his first Summer Awards meet ever was Kevin Eliason (men's 15 and over 200 freestyle).

Other outstanding swims were registered by Chris Covington, placing third in the Men's 15 and over 100 free, on his way to qualifying for the USA-Swimming Senior Championship, and the Milburn boys (Ian and Morgan) that combined for an incredible eight top ten finishes including a fourth place finish by Morgan in the 9 and 10 year old 50 free. In all, the team registered an amazing 28 best times out of 29 swims! The team will finish the season with swimmers competing in the summer league champs at UVA, and Age Group Champs in Newport News...GOOD LUCK BLUE DEVILS!

Just one week after the Virginia Commonwealth Games our Blue Devils traveled to Lynchburg for one last tune-up competition before the championship meets in July. It was another stellar showing for the squad, with Lindsay Price leading the way by notching another two first place finishes in the 50 and 100 breaststroke events. Following close behind was Brook Reynard. Fresh off his first place finishes at the Commonwealth games, Brook lowered his best time in the 50 free by almost a half second on his way to a close second place finish. He also placed third in the fly.

Our distance swimmers also came up with big swims at the meet. Laura Neelley had an amazing swim in the 1500 free, shaving off 1 minute and 18 seconds off her best time! Michelle Caron also clocked a personal best time in the 400 free, dropping 3.96 seconds off her best time. The team finished the meet with 16 top ten finishes.

Stephanie Nardone, Lindsay Price and Brook Reynard combined for an incredible eight individual first place finishes, as the Blue Devils ruled the pool in during three days of stiff competition. The team registered a jaw dropping 29 top ten finishes, and 18 best times. It was our best showing at the Commonwealth Games since we started participating in it three years ago. Next up our Blue Devils travel to Lynchburg for the final invitational of the month.

Stephanie Nardone had an amazing weekend in Newport News at the OBX Invitational. The rising star in USA-Swimming came up with four first place finishes (50 free, 100 free, 50 back and 200IM), and a close second place finish in the 100 back. Her swim in the 50 free makes her the fastest 9-10 year old swimmer in Virginia!!!

Along with standout Nardone, the Blue Devils registered an impressive 10 best times and team records at the meet. Next up the team travels to the Virginia Commonwealth Games on June 19-21.