Hello Sharks,

Thank you all for an amazing 2023 summer swim team season. I am always so proud of every Shark and their accomplishments. We had a lot of first time Sharks this season and we met them with open arms and quickly got them swimming independently across our pool. Our 6U’s participated in our Friday morning Mini Meets and by the end of June, most of them didn’t require any help in the water. Some of our older Sharks learned new skills such as flip turns and relay starts. Many of our parent volunteers stepped up and tried new jobs at our swim meets. A few have even committed to take some of the bigger volunteer jobs for summer 2024. Our Sharks swam 2,110 laps in support of Swim Across America’s fight against cancer, directly contributing our pledge funds to the Aflac Cancer Center at CHoA. Our pool and lifeguards were in top notch condition this summer. Our RVA membership and Board of Directors made sure that we had everything we needed to provide a safe, fun, exciting, and memorable summer swim team experience to over 150 Sharks.

Special thanks to Alison Strok, Kay Alexander and Katy Barnes- Volunteer Coordinators. Tom & Bev Maiellaro- Concessions. Jeramy Daniels- Announcer. Grant Kitts, Kevin & Elizabeth Sheehan- Traffic Coordinators. Major Tony Singh and Officer Angie Singh- Atlanta Police Department. Sam Cimowsky and Anna Kitts- Pool Deck Supervisors.

Very special acknowledgment to Colleen Daniels and Dana O’Donnell- Deck Managers. These two incredible parent volunteers have been our dynamic duo Deck Managers for many, many seasons. After this summer, they will pass down those clipboards to our next group of Deck Managers. Thank you!

We had 11 coaches this season. Even before the season started, they had to pass Red Cross Lifeguard Certification, and ASA Swimming Coaches Certification. They set up and took down equipment for every single practice and swim meet. They helped our littlest Sharks in the water. They welcomed our newest Sharks to the team. They taught new skills to all our Sharks. They worked together and used their individual talents and strengths to be a cohesive and functioning team of 11. They are the best of the best at Roxboro. Head Coach William Carnegie. Assistant Coach Evelyn Entrekin. Coach Eli MacLane, Coach Libby O’Donnell, Coach Grogan Phillips, Coach Kate Cunningham, Coach Mary Entrekin, Coach Virginia Jane Hultgren, Coach Ella Jacquin, Coach Alaric Jenkins, and Coach Jack O’Donnell. I am proud of each and every one of these coaches for all that they do for our Sharks.

Much love to my incredible family for supporting me and my passion for the Roxboro Sharks. The take out lunches and dinners, the swim team equipment spread all over the garage and kitchen table… they endured that and much more.

As my dear friend (a former swim team manager) and I share every summer- I am filled with excitement and hopes for a good season on the first day. And, I am filled with pride and thanks for a job well done on the last day.

Thank you again for another incredible summer swim team season with the Roxboro Sharks.  I am already counting the days until the 2024 Roxboro Sharks are back in the water.

GO SHARKS!

Jennifer Entrekin