Absolutely amazing weekend of meets and big victories for the Poplar Run Penguins! Saturday started us off with a victory over Norbeck Hills, continuing our undefeated trek through the land of Division N. Then on Sunday, we went to the Zoo known as Relay Carnival and won 1st Place overall and had 13 relays win their races - 10 of those secured a spot at All Star Relays at the end of July. (See more details below) This week will be a bit easier with only a Dual Meet on Wednesday evening, followed by a much needed respite over Fourth of July weekend.

Friendly Reminders to Parents:

• PLEASE don’t forget to RSVP in SwimTopia for ALL OF OUR MEETS! If we don’t know that your swimmer is attending, our coaches are unable to put them into our meet entries and they won’t be able to swim during the meets.
• We are cancelling the Pep Rally on Friday July 3rd. Thank you to all who volunteered already! We will definitely be revived for the Friday, July 10th Fiesta Night, which has already been filled by our amazing families! Thank you!
• This week due to the A Meet on Wednesday and the Fourth of July Weekend, practice this week will be as follows for the Emperor, Macaroni, and Rockhoppers:
  • Monday - Normal AM & PM Practice
  • Tuesday - Normal AM & PM Practice
  • Wednesday - Stretch Out Practice from 7-8am (All 3 groups invited)
  • Thursday - NO AM Practice but regular PM Practice
  • Friday - To Be Announced Later This Week

Here are a few reminders for Wednesday’s Dual Meet #4 vs. Ashton:

• Wednesday’s meet will be held at home in our very own pool! YAY!
• The theme for this Wednesday’s Swim Meet is Patriotic Spirit!
• Parents and swimmers should arrive no later than 4:30pm.
• Your swimmers should wear their swim meet suit - for girls, a one-piece suit with no zippers or other fastening devices & for boys, a jammer-like suit. Exemptions to the MCSL rules for swim suits will be granted only for religious beliefs, medical conditions, etc. Please see one of the team reps if this is the case.

• What to bring for your Swimmer:
  • Goggles + Extra 2x Spare, Penguins Swim Cap + Extra Spare Cap, towel, something warm to wear in between events & after the meet, something to sit on, and a water bottle.
  • Healthy snacks - fruit, good carbs, and healthy proteins are perfect to bring to the meet. The Penguin Cafe concessions will be open as well - Cash, Apple Pay, & cards are accepted
  • Not required but is nice to have is cards or something NON-ELECTRONIC to do in between events.
• Parents = Please remind your swimmer to use their listening ears on Wednesday. They need to keep an ear & eye out for the events they are swimming in. Remind them to keep track of their Swim Cap & Goggles and make sure they are ready to go for their events.
• Meet lineups will be available in SwimTopia on Tuesday. Please note: Availability does not guarantee every swimmer will be swimming on Sunday due to our large team size, various skill levels. We do have many opportunities for our swimmers to show their skills; our next meet is on Wednesday vs. Ashton! So make sure that you have RSVP’d your swimmers as soon as possible for any and all of the meets via SwimTopia. To learn more about the meet lineup process, please check out the Meets Overview from the Handbook or the FAQ.

Key Volunteers for the Wednesday’s Swim Meet:

• Announcer = ANYONE INTERESTED?
• Referee = Chris Diener
• Stroke & Turn Judges = Tatiana D. and Carissa M.
• Clerk of Course = ANYONE INTERESTED?
• Ref Runner = ANYONE INTERESTED?
• Timer Runner = Gio B.
• Head Timer = ANYONE INTERESTED?
• Timers X9 = Patrick G., Louie M., Dennis R., Laura R., and WE NEED FIVE MORE!
• Automation = Rosa Thomas
• Awards Chief = Isabel Torres
• Concessions = Ella G., Nirvana M., Marie H., and WE NEED MORE HELP!

WE NEED YOU! Please sign up for these important roles via our Swimtopia as soon as possible! We can not have our meet unless we have these critical positions filled by Parent Volunteers!!!

Details Regarding All Star Relays:

The Poplar Run Penguins have 10 Relays going to All Star Relays FOR SURE with possibly four additional relays to be determined after Divisionals - the four swam at our Dual Meets, Open 200M Medley and Graduated 175M Free.

All Star Relays is swam on Saturday, July 25th at the Rockville Swim & Fitness Center. Warm-Ups start at 9:30am with the relays starting at 10am.

Check out the MCSL All-Star Relay Website for additional information.

To see if your penguin is on one of the Penguin All Star Relays, please check HERE. If your penguin is NOT able to swim at the All Star Relays, please email the Team Rep ASAP so we can start trying to find another Penguin to swim in your penguins spot.

More details about shirts and the All Star Dinner will follow closer to the All Star Weekend!

Dates to Remember:

• Tuesday, July 7th = Only Morning Practice - NO AFTERNOON PRACTICE FOR LAP POOL SWIMMERS!
  • Afternoon Practice will NOT be held due to the MCSL Coaches Long Course meet in Rockville.
  • Little Blues will still have practice!
• Wednesday, July 8th = 2nd B Meet vs. Middlebridge @HOME
  • Make sure to RSVP & Volunteer via Swimtopia!!!
  • Kickboard Race for Little Blues during Halftime
• Saturday, July 11th = Last A Meet Away at Whetstone
  • Make sure to RSVP & Volunteer via Swimtopia!!!
• Wednesday, July 15th = Lollipop Little Blues Meet
  • This Meet is focused on our Little Blue Penguins to try swimming in the lap pool, have kickboard races, and have fun!
  • Older swimmers will serve as timers and assist with our Little Blues so we hope everyone will plan to attend!

DON’T FORGET TO RSVP & PURCHASE YOUR END OF SEASON BANQUET TICKETS!

Saturday, July 18th at 5pm at the Poplar Run Clubhouse

Join us to celebrate the end of our amazing 3rd Season and all of its highlights! The evening will start with the Team Award Ceremony, followed by dinner from our wonderful sponsor, Marathon Deli, and then of course, fun in the pool!

Adults tickets are $12 and Child (17 & under) tickets are $8.

Link to RSVP & purchase your family’s tickets by July 15th: https://praquatics.square.site/product/end-of-season-banquet/45?cs=true&cst=custom

As always, if you have any questions and/or need any additional information, please email your friendly Team Reps - Tobii & Lori at [email protected] or find one of us on the pool deck.

Link to All Star Relays -https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bZxSW96bZMhBscxoa4RGNrW-jn6SPVccH1hc43xpJV0/edit?usp=sharing

Link to Penguin Post Week 5 -Penguin Post 2026_Week5