History

Maine Masters (MESC)

Formed in 1988 at Bowdoin College after several regular swimmers (who had been Masters swimmers in other states), approached the Bowdoin Athletic Dept. asking to form a Masters team. Key initiators along with the Bowdoin aquatic coordinator held several organizational meetings where bylaws were created, and officers were elected. Hosted the first meet at Bowdoin in October of 1989.

From the article in the October 20, 1995 The Times Record:

Starting a Maine-based Masters program wasn’t a simple process. It took months of organizing and eventually submitting a proposal to Bowdoin. It became a reality, thanks to a core group of agitators that included Erswell, Forney, Joyce Brown, Sandy Potholm and Peter Packard.

The Maine Masters swim Club is an organized program of swimming for adults. Members participate in a variety of ways ranging from lap swimming to international competition.

In addition to the foundling group in the Brunswick area, Maine Masters members swim in eight to 10 pools across the state. The program’s popularity and growth has taken its founders by surprise. Maine Masters has become a well-organized structure in this state from a handful or brainstorming.

2019 NELMSCHOF Inductees

Maine Masters Trailblazers

Vermont Masters Swimming Club (VMSC)

Vermont Masters Swimming Club (VMSC) formed after several swimmers attended the Phillips Exeter meet in October of 1981. An ad was placed in the newspaper, organizational meetings were held in February and March of 1982, a constitution written, and officers elected in April. The St Michaels Pool was the central location for their coached Masters workouts. VMSC held their first practice on April 18th.

From the information packet for new members:

We are a group of people of all ages and abilities interested in a swimming program to improve our physical fitness. We hope that you will enjoy the camaraderie of the team while on your quest for physical fitness. After all, MASTERS HAVE THE BEST TIMES!

From the article “They Get their Kicks in the Pool” that appeared in August 19, 1982 issue of The Burlington Free Press:

The Vermont chapter of the U.S Masters Swim Association, an eclectic group of adults dedicated to improving their strokes, competing against their contemporaries and having fun in the process. Some 60 people ages 25-63 meet three times a week at the St. Michael’s College pool to hone their skills in Masters workouts.

From the article “Happy Birthday to Us!!:

It’s our birthday! On April 18, 1982, the Vermont Masters Swim Club first got all wet. Since that time, we’ve grown to over 100 members and become a real competitive entity amongst the northeast Masters swim groups, as well as providing a fitness routine for many non-competitors.

February of 1984, VMSC hosted the first (of 3 annual) Vermont Swim and Ski Triathlon – Giant Slalom race Saturday afternoon at either Mad River or Cochran’s (depending on the year), party Saturday night, swim meet Sunday morning at St. Michaels (the first mini meet at their home pool) and cross-country ski race Sunday afternoon at Camels Hump. The scoring system was quite intricate and was updated each year. There has never been anything like it!

2019 NELMSCHOF Inductees

Vermont Masters Trailblazers

New England Masters Swim Club (NEM)

The origins of New England Masters Swim Club (NEMSC) go back to May, 1970, when Dr. Ransom Arthur, then a Navy psychiatrist in San Diego, and John Spannuth, a swimming coach and AAU official., dreamed up the first national Masters swimming championships in Amarillo, Texas. There were 40 contestants at the meet. The next year 112 swimmers took part in the nationals, which were again held in Amarillo. Among them were four men who drove from Waltham, MA , in a VW camper: Ed Reed, Jr., then the coach at Tufts, Warren French, coach of the Waltham Boys Club; and two men who had been working out together every noon at the Boys Club and who were to become national prominent Masters swimmers and leaders in the national Masters program, Ted Haartz and his close friend, Hal Onusseit. Returning non-stop back to New England this handful of swimmers, who had placed third as a team at Amarillo, passed along their enthusiasm for the Masters program almost evangelistically to others.

NEMSC was organized August 1, 1972 with a constitution and a Board of Directors formed: Roger Nekton, Jim Edwards, Ed Reed, Sr., Warren French, Ted Haartz, Ginny Stephanos, Al Johnson and Enid Uhrich. The purpose of the club was to bring together former and future competitive swimmers, over the age of 25 years (now 18), to provide a positive swimming experience both individually and as part of a group.

At the first long-course nationals, which were held in 1972 under Doc Counselman’s direction in Bloomington, Indiana, flyers were distributed announcing a Masters meet to be held at the Waltham Boys Club that fall. Enid Uhrich ran the meet with 70 swimmers participating.

For several years the Medford High School pool was the Club’s “home” pool. Monthly mini meets as well as the annual SCY New England championships were held there. In time, the desirability of moving meet sites around throughout the New England area was recognized and 2-3 mini meets were being offered each month. The popular New England SCY championships moved to Harvard’s Blodgett pool (still hosting today) and the LCM championship meet at Brown. New England Masters hosted successful US Masters Long Course National Championships at Brown in 1978 (Enid Uhrich meet director) and 1985 (Dave Eskin meet director).

2019 NELMSCHOF Inductees

New England Masters Trailblazers