SRVA BANQUET AWARDS

Every year, the coaches get together to discuss who has gone above and beyond in particular areas over the course of the swim season. These areas include but are not limited to practice performance/attendance, meet performance/attendance, and interactions with teammates, coaches, and competitors. A swim season is defined as the end of August to the end of July (ex. August 2023 to July 2024).

In order to be considered for an award, athletes must have been on the team since the March of the season in question and have attended at least three (3) meets.

All groups will have one recipient for each of the Group Awards listed below. Athletes are considered for the group they participated in the longest over the course of the swim season. The entire team is considered for the Team Awards, in which only one recipient per award is traditionally selected.

The award descriptions and qualifications displayed below are used by the coaches to select the athletes who best represent their group and the team for each particular award.

Coach's Award:

The best overall athlete. The most coachable athlete with the highest desire to learn and puts forth the most active participation at practice and meets.

Most Improved Award:

The athlete who has seen the most improvement over the course of the season. Practice and meet habits, stroke/start/turn technique, and the amount of time dropped within the season are considered.

Best Leader Award:

The athlete who will take charge in a supportive manner during practice and at meets. The athlete that positively ensures their teammates know what to do, when to be ready, and provides words of encouragement while doing so.

Most Spirited Award:

The athlete who will always step out of their way to cheer on their teammates at meets even if they have an upcoming race or other personal needs. The athlete who will always cheer their teammates during practice. The athlete who best represents SRVA with great character and attire.

Beast Award:

The athlete that displays the most physical and mental toughness. This toughness is displayed during the hardest of sets at practice and the hardest of races at meets. Their persistence carries over when the weather may not be optimal, they are hurting, and when others would rather back down.

Richard Thornton Award:​

Coach Richard Thornton was the Head Coach of SRVA from 1984 to 2024. He will always be remembered for the dedication and discipline he put into the sport of swimming. No matter his condition, no matter the time of day, no matter the weather, Coach Richard would arrive to the pool early and ready to put his best foot forward. The athlete who receives this award truly embodies the level of commitment and work ethic Coach Richard had.

Senior Performance of the Year:

The best overall race performance from an athlete in the Senior and Senior Development groups. How the race was executed, how the race was paced, and the stakes of the race itself are considered.

Age Group Performance of the Year:

The best overall race performance from an athlete in the Competitive 1, Competitive 2, Pre-Senior, Varsity 1, and Varsity 2 groups. How the race was executed, how the race was paced, and the stakes of the race itself are considered.

Novice Performance of the Year:

The best overall race performance from an athlete in the Novice 1 and Novice 2 groups. How the race was executed, how the race was paced, and the stakes of the race itself are considered.