As another incredible summer swim season comes to a close, it's amazing to look back at everything this team has accomplished. From welcoming new families and watching first-time swimmers dive into competition to celebrating personal bests, relay victories, and countless moments of growth, the 2026 Barracudas have made this a season to remember.

Before we jump into our final week, we want to thank every volunteer who helped make this season possible. Whether you timed, officiated, marshaled, worked concessions, handed out ribbons, set up, cleaned up, or filled countless other jobs, your time and dedication are what make summer swim such a special experience. Summer swim truly is a family sport, and our Barracuda community continues to be one of the very best. We hope your family has made memories that will last long after the season ends.

While Saturday's meet didn't end with the result we were hoping for, there is still so much to celebrate. Our swimmers battled through extremely hot and smoky conditions, raced with determination, cheered each other on, and continued to improve. Personal bests were earned, great sportsmanship was on display, and the team never stopped supporting one another from the first event to the last. We finished the dual meet season with a 3-2 record in Division 9, and every swimmer should be proud of the effort, resilience, and heart they showed throughout the summer.

But we're not finished yet!

We still have one exciting week ahead filled with some of our favorite traditions—the IM Invitational, Marshmallow Meet, Family Breakfast, Divisionals, Family Relays, and our End-of-Season Banquet. Let's finish this season the same way we've approached every meet this summer: with energy, teamwork, and plenty of Barracuda spirit!

Practice Schedule (Week of July 20–25)

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday

• Regular morning practices for all swimmers

Tuesday & Thursday

• 6:30 PM Make-up Practices (Divisional swimmers only)

Monday, July 20 – IM Invitational @ Little Hunting Park

Location:7000 Canterbury Ln., Alexandria, VA 22307

• For our top three swimmers in each IM age group
• 3:30 PM – Meet at Hollin Meadows
• 4:00 PM – Depart for Little Hunting Park
• 5:00 PM – Meet Begins

Thursday, July 23 – Marshmallow Meet & Divisionals Practice

8:30–10:00 AM – Marshmallow Meet (All swimmers, including Minis!)

10:15–11:00 AM – Divisionals Practice (Divisional swimmers only)

Marshmallow Meet Details

• All 12 & Under swimmers not swimming in Divisionals may participate in up to two events of their choice.
• If your swimmer plans to participate, please declare them on the team website and select their events so we can prepare event cards in advance. This will be available after 6pm tonight.
• Swimmers 13 & Over and 12 & Under Divisionals swimmers will help as timers, officials, marshals, ribbon writers, and cheer on their teammates.
• Every participant will receive ribbons and marshmallows from Coaches Heidi and Avery!

Friday, July 24 – Family Breakfast, Funny Awards & Divisionals Practice

Theme:Pajama Party

9:00–11:00 AM
Family Breakfast & Funny (Paper Plate) Awards

11:00–11:30 AM
Divisionals Practice

To Do

• Please RSVP for breakfast on the team website by Tuesday.
• Parents are encouraged to join the fun!
• Interested in helping with shopping, setup, serving, or cleanup? Please contact Beth Norton at [email protected].

Saturday, July 25 – Divisionals @ Kings Ridge

Our Division 9 Individual Championship Meet!

• Two swimmers per team, per event (plus possible bid-ins)
• Swimmers may compete in up to two individual events
• Event Order: Backstroke • Breaststroke • Butterfly • IM • Freestyle
• This is an individual championship meet (not team scored)

Important Information

We have begun contacting families of swimmers who have qualified for Divisionals. Please respond as soon as possible so we can finalize entries.

If you haven't heard from us yet, it does NOT necessarily mean your swimmer will not be competing.  We are working through selections in order, and in many cases we are waiting for swimmers ahead of them to choose their events before extending additional invitations.

• Division seeding meeting: Wednesday, July 22
• Final swimmer entries, alternates, and volunteer assignments will be sent Thursday or Friday.

Volunteers Needed

Divisionals requires a tremendous number of volunteers to run successfully. Jobs will be divided between first and second halves, so families have an opportunity to watch their swimmers compete.

Please keep an eye out for volunteer sign-ups—we appreciate everyone's help!

Saturday Evening – Family Relays & End-of-Season Banquet

6:00 PM – Family Relays

6:30 PM – Dinner, Awards & Season Slideshow

Let's celebrate another fantastic season together!

Dinner will be provided by Northside10.

Please Remember

• RSVP by July 21 here.
• Payments can be made through the website.
• Volunteers are still needed for setup, serving, and cleanup. Please contact Beth Norton at [email protected].
• We are also looking for someone who can provide a projector and screen for the end-of-season slideshow.

Family Relays - One of the most entertaining traditions of the season!

Categories:

1. True Blood: All swimmers from the same family (for example: two parents and two children)
2. Mud Blood: A mix of families or friends with at least one adult swimmer (18+)

To participate, please email Lauren & Michelle by Friday morning.

Include:

• Relay category
• Names of all swimmers
• Experience level:
  • Newbies
  • Needs More Practice
  • IN IT TO WIN IT

There will be no onsite entries this year so we can start the relays on time.

Coaches' End-of-Season Bonus

Our coaching staff has spent countless hours this summer helping our swimmers improve, build confidence, and most importantly, love the sport of swimming.

If you'd like to thank our incredible coaching staff—we invite you to contribute toward their end-of-season bonus.

Ways to Donate

• Cash or check (sealed envelope) in the Team Rep folder at the guard desk
• Hand your contribution directly to Lauren
• Venmo:@Lauren-Iannitto (last four digits 8739)

Checks payable to:
HM Swim Team

Memo:
Coaches Bonus

Thank you for helping us recognize the coaches who have given so much to our swimmers this season.

True Blue Barracuda Family Award

Each year, we recognize one outstanding family with the True Blue Barracuda Family Award, honoring those who have gone above and beyond in service to our team over many years.

Past recipients include the Allen, Cotton, O'Neill, Senior, Marshall, Martin, Petretich, McNutt, O'Hara, Crow, Hohman, Hastings, Carmichael, Palmer, Perkins, McGukin, and Mattis families.

If you'd like to nominate a family for the 2026 award, please email Matt Iannitto at [email protected] by Friday, July 24.

Please note: Team Reps are not eligible—we're required to do the work! 😉

Team Shirts & Swim Caps

• Missing your team shirt?
• Need an extra swim cap?

Email Lauren at [email protected].

Additional pink and gray swim caps are available for $15 each.

Team Photos Are Ready!

Our 2026 team photos are now available!

📸 Gallery:
https://jkphotography.proofpix.com/hollin-meadows-swim-team-2026/

Password:HollinMeadows2026

Relive the Season!

Meet photos continue to be uploaded throughout the summer and are FREE to download.

Please remember not to post photos of other swimmers on social media without parental permission.

Interested in helping photograph meets next season?

Lori Allen
703-531-9096
[email protected]

Missed last season? Last year's photo galleries and slideshow are also available online.

Go Barracudas! 

Lauren & Michelle