Hi Poolsharks -

Thank you to all of our swimmers & families & coaches for your time, energy & dedication to be a part of our 2024 Poolsharks this year.

HERE is the link to our team shared Google Photos album.  Feel free to add any pictures you'd like to share.  

Two of my favorite videos from the end of our season are courtesy of Coach Bridget - as she made THIS video from our last dual meet vs HLHK, and THIS is from Bridget's friend David who made a video montage from Senior Night (tissues may be required!)

Thank you for your notes, kind words & generosity. Thank you to each of our swimmers & families for your generosity and making time to write cards, say thank you and gift money - we are all very grateful for the generosity, not expected at all, and it is very appreciated by each of our coaches.

I am grateful for each member of our coaching staff and it is a delight to see how they care for each of the swimmers in their groups and our overall team. Each coach brought their own unique talents, gifts and personality to the team and made our Poolsharks stronger and better.

Many of our coaches will continue to be available for private/small group lessons (click HERE) through the end of Venetian’s pool season.

Parents - thank you for everything you do to make the Poolsharks possible. From driving your kids to practices & meets, to volunteering throughout the season - we are so thankful for each of you.

We are very thankful for the Venetian pool board leadership and their support of our Poolsharks - the board meets throughout the year & makes sure the pool is ready to go on May 1st and that we have continued access for meets & practices for 9 weeks.

We graduated 10 seniors this year and they will all be missed, but even more so we are thankful for the many years that they gave to summer league swimming & the Poolsharks, both the swimmers & their families.  Liam (Colorado College), CJ (Ga Tech), Jayla (Vanderbilt), Bridget (Auburn), Owen (U of Florida), Greta (Northwestern), Knox (Ole Miss), Aiden (Ga Tech), Liv (Boston U), and Jake (Ga Tech).  

At our End of Season Celebration, we recognized Mari Grace Dupree, Everett Ziliak, Violet Beattie, Parker Yedvarb, Elizabeth Copeland, and Mason Pinkerton as our six ‘Poolsharks of the Year.’ Each of these swimmers led by example each day with their work ethic, listening to coaches, encouraging their teammates, and bringing a positive attitude to each moment of the season.

We also made time to recognize our age group leaders for Best Bite (most improved times throughout the season) and Top Chomp (high point from the season). These awards are 100% quantitative and data driven and we are very proud of the growth and competitive fire these kids led their age groups with.

The Data:

2024 Most Improved % top 11 HERE

2024 High Point top 11 HERE

2024 Top Times HERE

All Time Top 11 Times HERE (there are some errors on this list, as all times from 2018 are missing and a few ghost times where stopwatches messed up).  

Pickup - ribbons, speeding bullets, Divisional medals/ribbons - these are in the Ribbon Boxes that we keep in the guard office. If you have not had a chance to pick up yet, please kindly ask the guards for the Ribbon Box the next time you are at the pool to pick up your items. These items will be at the guard shack through July 4th ish.

Speeding bullets - we ran out during our last meet - 70% of the swimmers earned at least one best time over the last 2 meets (HLHK & Divisionals) that we earned more speeding bullets than ever before.  We'll increase our order for 2025 season.  

Divisionals wrap up - our 116 kids represented the Poolsharks wonderfully and had an excellent meet with 84 swimmers earning at least one speeding bullet best times in an individual event. Our team earned 2nd place out of 16 teams and we have a shiny 2nd place trophy on display at the pool. 

Our 6 Divisional champions included Jayla N'Diaye (50 breast 15-18), Owen Blount (50 breast 15-18), Liam McCarthy (100 IM 15-18), Madison Deeb (50 fly, 11-12 girls), Zoey, Naomi, Madison, Emma (200 medley relay, 11-12 girls), and Maia, Hannah, Mari Grace, and Sophie (7-8 free relay).

Our team Record Breakers this season included: Madison Deeb (11-12 girls, 50 fly/50 back/50 breast/50 free, 100 IM), Jayla N'Diaye (15-18 girls, 50 breast & 100 IM), Owen Blount (15-18 boys, 50 breast), 15-18 girls medley relay (Liv M, Jayla N, Greta T, Ani P), 15-18 boys medley relay (Isaiah L, Owen B, Aiden F, Liam M), 15-18 boys free relay (Isaiah L, Knox B, Aiden F, Liam M).  

Thank you to each of our Poolshark sponsors this season - their support & generosity helps to provide our team with many things including team tshirts for each swimmer, speeding bullets and season of commitment items, weekly donuts, pink & green caps, and more. 

Platinum: Colordrunk Designs, Hammersmith, Sarah Crandall Keller Knapp realtor, M Cary & Daughters Plumbers

Gold: Dynamo, John Fay Wealth Management, DubBot, Pillow Hayes Family Law, Mathnasium Decatur

Silver:Studio Vocaire Interior Design, ACC Landcruiser Garage, Dr Jernigan Dentist, Green Orthodontics, The Huban Family

Friends & Family: Pinkerton family & Blount/Power family

Club Year Round Swimming - summer league is very special - mixed age groups and new friends, swimmers that are brand new to the sport and swimmers competing at Olympic Trials.  Most kids (90%+ of summer league swimmers) only do summer league, but if your child wants to continue swimming this late summer/fall/winter/spring, there are many great options available.

Local Options include:

*club team Dynamo (trains in Oakhurst & Chamblee)

*club team Dekalb Aquatics (trains at Agnes Scott)

*club teams MAAC & Swim Atlanta (trains at Georgia Tech)

*club team Emory (trains at Emory)

Signing off for Summer 2024 - Have Fun, Race Hard, Do Your Best, Go Poolsharks!

- Beth