Congratulations on a fantastic 2023 season!  

This year we had ~200 registered swimmers, represented by 112 families.  Nearly one quarter of our swimmers were brand new to the team.  We averaged 126 participants at our GFSL meets (a high of 139 at our Sherwood home meet).  Notably, this year was New Sherwood's highest finish AND highest score at League Finals (2nd place with 1591 points) since the league merge in 2016, when our former Winston Salem Associated Swim Club "WSASC" joined with GFSL.  Well done, Stingrays!!

Our End of Season Pool Party, Potluck and Awards Ceremony on Tuesday officially closed out our season. Food and memories were shared and each swimmer received a season summary "Athlete Report Card," their remaining ribbons and a custom NS logo jibbitz. Other team members and volunteers were recognized with our team "Swaggie Awards" and the following award winners were honored.

"Paul Bridges Golden Speedo Award"

(For longevity of commitment and serving as a role model with spirit, enthusiasm and dedication to our team - trophy)

• Maureen Cavanaugh

"Bartlett's Golden Clipboard Award"

(NEW Established 2023 in honor of Wendy Bartlett's dedicated volunteer service for over 15 years to New Sherwood.  Wendy served as NS League Rep starting in 2011  before becoming GFSL VP in 2016 and head Finals organizer.  She has been a driving force behind so many of our New Sherwood traditions including our Steering Committee, Stingray Zone, Stingray Bucks and Pup Camp.   This award is presented to our Volunteer of the Year - accumulating the highest volunteering points for the season)

• Lauren Griffith

"Coaches Award"

(Individual selections based on coachability, performance, dedication and/or willingness to listen and learn - each receive a custom trophy)

• Coach Emma - Paige Hostert & Nollie Hoeing
• Coach Grimstead - Grace Garner & John Strathman
• Coach Lucy - Olivia Lewis & Cash Kirley
• Coach Catherine - Annie Whitley & Will Strathman
• Coach William - Ben Rospel & Samuel Forrest

"Individual High Point Winners"

(Individual boy/girl in each age group that accumulated the highest point totals throughout the 6 regular season dual meets - each receive a personalized embroidered towel)

• 6U Anna Kate Argenta & Kane Feltis
• 7-8 Libby Keit & Lucas Sayers
• 9-10 Molly Cavanaugh & Cash Kirley
• 11-12 Evelyn Perrault & Griffin Powell
• 13-14 Claire Isaac & Luke Clifford
• 15-18 Adah Clifford & William Powell

"Most Improved"

(individual boy/girl in each age group who achieved the most number of time drops and/or largest average percentage of improvement over the course of the season - each receive a medal)

• 6U Lucy Smith & Samuel Forrest
• 7-8 Brynn Kratzer & Jackson Walters
• 9-10 Molly Cavanaugh & Lee Powell
• 11-12 Grace Garner & Griffin Powell
• 13-14 Nollie Hoeing & Cameron Manning
• 15-18 Maureen Cavanaugh & Ben Grimstead

"Silver Cap Award"

(Perfect meet entry attendance at EITHER all 6 GFSL dual meets or 5 GFSL dual meets and the Intrasquad meet.  Meet cancellation does not count against eligibility.  17 of these swimmers attended every meet opportunity offered, including Time Trials (for 12U) and City Meet.  9&U receive a latex silver cap and 10&O receive a silicone silver cap)

Lastly, we recognized our swimmers who are aging out this year at 18+ years old: Luke Armentrout, Maureen Cavanaugh, Addison Deets, and Drew Parent. Luke, Maureen and Addison were honored at League Finals with the Kristi Vhlahos Achievement Award for 10 years in the league. Both Maureen and Luke have been Stingrays for 14 years, Addison for 10, and Drew for 3. Congratulations to our newest Stingrays for Life: Luke, Maureen, Addison and Drew!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!!

For those that were not in attendance at the party, PICK UP of "Athlete Report Card," logo jibbitz, ribbons and other awards will be available at the pool today Sun 7/16 from 2-4 PM (see Colleen) and tomorrow Mon 7/17 from 4-6 PM (see Jeremy). If you cannot make either time, please reach out to set another time with us or catch Jeremy poolside :)

THANK YOU!!

We can't thank you enough for all the volunteer efforts you have provided over the course of the season. It really can't be said enough but we truly, truly couldn't do this without our volunteers and New Sherwood Stingray volunteers truly are TOP notch! We are extremely grateful for all of your help and for the leadership of the Steering Committee to make our season a success. HUGE thank you to Mark Meeks for creating our new logo and our updating our brand, Brooke Keit who brought in over $2500 in Sponsorship funds, Shama Whitley for managing our biggest fundraiser (CONCESSIONS!), Katie Stillerman for outfitting us all, Mary Ellen Kistler for rocking Pup Camp, Matt Clifford for organizing our officials (and kudos to our new Stroke and Turn Judges this year!), Alyssa Tabacca for implementing our new Star Ribbon cards for our 11&Os this year in lieu of ribbons, and Jeanie Walser for managing our finances!    

On a personal note, although I plan to be a Stingray parent for another 3 years, I am officially retiring from my role as NS League Rep and I wanted to offer some thoughts and words of appreciation.  The opportunity to serve this NS swim team community as League Rep to the GFSL and the NS Pool Committee for the past 7 years has been a labor of love. When Kyle and I moved back to Winston-Salem in 2009 with our young family (7 yo Will, 4 yo Owen and near 2 yo Caroline), we targeted the NS neighborhood for it's pool and swim team, where my brother-in-law Brant, sister-in law Betsy, nephews, and college teammate/friend Wendy were already members.  This pool and swim team has been a staple of our summers for these past 15 years and I couldn't be more grateful for this community.  The opportunity for all three of my children to be involved in one activity together during 8 wks of the summer, despite age and gender differences, was such a blessing in a time when we were otherwise pulled in so many different directions.  The details of the wins and losses, points and awards, will fade over time but the magical feelings of Fun Friday practices, meet nights and the fellowship of a supportive community are indelible.  I know we will carry the special memories of Stingray summers with us forever ❤️🖤

I am SO grateful to my right hand partner, Christina Kim, for keeping me in line, doing anything and everything needed, and for NEVER forgetting Fun Friday donuts!  I have been honored to serve our homegrown coaching staff this year, and the many years before, nurtured in their growth over 18 years by Coach Jamie Grimstead - a New Sherwood pool legend.  Lastly, I am extremely grateful to Jeremy Strathman for training throughout this season to take over as your 2024 NS League Rep.  The torch has been passed and I look forward to stepping back and making way for new ideas and new traditions in the years to come. 

Finally, THANK YOU for your overwhelming generosity in providing coaches and league rep gifts.  

See you around the pool!

Colleen

PS. 2024 League Finals date is likely to be released in Dec and the 2024 meet schedule in January. It will be sent as soon as available for your summer 2023 planning purposes ;)

GFSL Photo Album (courtesy of Adrian Lawrence)

2023 End of Season Awards (Awards Summary spreadsheet)