Team Results Over The Years
The History of the Pebble Creek Piranhas
During the summer of 1998, there were approximately 100 families that resided in Pebble Creek, as compared to the nearly 700 that exist today. The pool was new and usually on weekends, the children enjoyed the water while the parents sat on the deck soaking in the sun and talking. Everyone was new to the community and getting to know each other. They all saw the same thing – a large pool set up for racing, a large deck for spectators, parking for visitors. There were 8 starting blocks sitting on the side of the pump house, waiting for a team to use them. Larry Trachy, Lucy Perkins, and other residents decided to start a team.
In August of 1998, a door-to-door collection produced the necessary funds to pay the entry fee to the Greater Richmond Aquatic League (GRAL) and incorporate the team with the state of Virginia. Pebble Creek became the 29th team in the league. The initial funding strategy to support the team for the 1999 season was to solicit corporate donations and during the fall of 1998, donations were sought to pay the bills for the initial season. Unfortunately, sufficient funds were not raised to start the team for the 1999 season, and entry to GRAL was delayed to 2000.
During the summer of 1999, with the community growing and attendance at the pool increasing, Lucy Perkins and friends coordinated the sale of ice cream, hot dogs and hamburgers on weekends, and raised the necessary funds to start the team. Hometown Realty donated the funding to purchase the lane lines, and residents continued raising money with car washes, the Santa Breakfast and other endeavors.
In the winter of 1999-2000, a group of parents met at the Clubhouse, and decided upon a team name. The longest discussion of the evening involved the decision regarding the team colors. Basically, the number of Lee Davis and University of Virginia alumni outnumbered the faction from Virginia Tech, and the colors “Blue-Orange” were chosen.
In the spring of 2000, the first registration was held. By the start of the first meet, there were 52 swimmers registered, and the team usually competed with 35 swimmers in the water. 4 swimmers went to CHAMPS in 2000 at Atlee: Brooks Lusk, Douglas Campbell, Miranda and Brittany Swecker.
Anna Sheffield was the first coach. The majority of the swim meets the first season, per GRAL rules, were away. The team eventually had their first home meet, and the deck lights, concessions and meet coordination went well, and the activity was heavily attended by the residents of the community.
Pebble Creek’s first “win” came in the second season at an away meet at Old Church. Through the years, the team has continued to grow in size and increase in skill. This fact can be attributed to the excellent coaching that the team has received each summer, and the support of the parents and children in providing this opportunity in the Pebble Creek neighborhood.