JSL swimmers take to the pool

The Jefferson Swim League is set to host its first week of scored meets today. As usual, there won’t be any lack of participants this year.

Somewhere between 2,400 and 2,500 swimmers competing for 16 teams at all different age groups are slated to hit the water tonight, and all indications are that it will be another strong season for JSL.

“Everybody’s excited and we’re looking forward to a great season,” said JSL president Farid Jazouli. “What’s really exciting is that we have more and more young swimmers and a lot of swimmers who are going on and participating as seniors.”

The JSL includes teams from Fluvanna County back west to Crozet and as far north as Stanardsville and Gordonsville.

The JSL season will culminate in the league championships, when all 16 teams will descend on UVa’s Aquatic and Fitness Center July 25-26.

The volunteer-run JSL has developed a strong infrastructure that includes a board of directors, meet directors, team representatives and a set of consultants that handle a big chunk of the league planning.

“The consultants put an enormous amount of work in behind the scenes,” Jazouli said. “The parents draw upon their experience to keep the organization moving forward.”

The JSL also draws a lot of support from a series of sponsors that meet a lot of the financial needs of the league.