Allard YMCA hosts awesome Super Bowl mini-meet

UV Rays ready to race: Olivia Jaras, Ariana Moradi, Christian Avard and Alex Muni

By Christian Avard

GOFFSTOWN, N.H. — Good news: Super Bowl Sunday mini-meets are back.

If you’re a long-time New England Masters swimmer, you’ll probably remember going to the Roger Nekton Championship Pool every year on Super Bowl Sunday at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H. Hosted by the Great Bay Masters Swim Club (GBM), the mini-meet was a popular one for New England Masters swimmers. It was always that last tune-up meet to squeeze in before the New England Short Course Yards Championships at Harvard University. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic and Phillips Exeter decided to no longer host the annual meet. Thankfully, a new team and new facility will be keeping that tradition alive.

The Granite Y Masters Swim Team (GYM) and the YMCA Allard Center in Goffstown, N.H. put on a great meet on Feb. 12 … and afterwards, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 38-35, to win their third Super Bowl championship in franchise history.

Granite State Penguins: Chris French, Kysa Crusco, Erik Shessler, Beth Hillman and Chris Dainiak

Forty-seven swimmers from nine clubs and workout groups competed, according to meet organizer and Granite Y Aquatics Director Adam Gaulin. GYM had the highest number of number of swimmers competing: 14. Other teams that showed up were Boston Masters Swimming (BOSMS), Boston University (BUMS), Charles River Aquatics (CRA), Granite State Penguins (GSP), Connecticut Masters (CONN), Maine Masters Swim Club (MESC), Upper Valley Rays (UVRA), New England Masters (NEM), and unattached swimmers.

“It was suggested that we try to keep this meet on Super Bowl Sunday going forward and I am going to do my best to make that happen,” Gaulin said after the meet. “We have a lot of demand for meets between having essentially five teams that swim out of the facility (Granite YMCA Masters, Tiger Sharks (a USA Swimming team), Goffstown High School, Bedford High School, and Bishop Brady High Schools. We also have played host to the Manchester High School Swim Teams for a meet as well. I will be doing my best to juggle and make sure that every team and group get the usage that they need from the competitive side of things.”

The YMCA Allard Center of Goffstown is part of the Granite YMCA, the largest YMCA in Northern New England. The Granite YMCA comprises six facility branches in Manchester, Concord, Londonderry, Rochester, and Portsmouth, N.H. Located just 13 miles northwest of Manchester, N.H., the YMCA Allard Center of Goffstown pool is 25 yards with six lanes and it has stadium-like seating to watch the action. It’s a nice facility and plans are also in the works to build a five-lane 25-yard outdoor pool. It is scheduled to be completed this summer, according to Gaulin.

“Masters and adult swim meets are a relatively new concept here at the Granite YMCA Allard Center,” Gaulin said. “(We have) one of the nicest pools in the area in my personal opinion and we hope to host at least one masters-type meet in the summer as well. Whether you are just starting or an Olympian we would love to have you participate in one of our meets. I never want to turn away anyone that wants to swim.” 

12th Annual UVAC Leaf Peepers Masters SCM Meet

Meet Results

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT — Masters swimming is back at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center (UVAC) in White River Junction, Vermont.

Sue Jensen and Beth Estel celebrate their 200 fly N.E. records. Photo: Rachel Reynolds

The 12th Annual Leaf Peepers Masters Swim Meet returned on November 20th after a one-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Masters swimmers from all over New England and beyond made it to the Green Mountain State that was one of the best in recent years.

Several records were broken. Beth Estel, of the Granite State Penguins, broke the USMS Short Course Meters (SCM) record in the Women’s 65-69 50 meter breaststroke with a time of 41.39. Estel also set three other New England SCM records in the 200 meter butterfly, 3:31:38; 100 meter breaststroke, 1:32:00; and the 400 meter freestyle, 5:37:53.

Rachel Reynolds and Aron Reynolds face off in the 200 IM

Sue Jensen of the Charles River Aquatics Masters also set a New England SCM record in the Women’s 60-64 200 meter butterfly with a time of 3:17:23. Greg Weissman of New England Masters set a New England SCM record in the Men’s 60-64 50 free with a time of 27.91 and Rachel Reynolds of the Granite State Penguins set a New England SCM record in the Women’s 30-34 100 meter backstroke with a time of 1:08:91.    

Upper Valley Rays swimmer Lili Leonard-Heath, 32, also knocked it out of the park in the 50, 100, and 200 meter breaststroke events. Leonard-Heath will travel to Florida next year to represent New Hampshire at the Special Olympics USA Games and she will join seven other New Hampshire swimmers and 300 swimmers from around the United States and its territories.  

According to meet organizer and Upper Valley Rays Head Coach Barbara Hummel, there were 92 entries and 83 swimmers competing. The Upper Valley Rays had the team with the most entries at 23.

“Not our biggest meet, but it was among the biggest,” Hummel said. “We have many new Upper Valley Rays on the team, and a lot of them were eager to see what a Masters meet is all about. So, about 25% of the meet entries were from UVRays. For swim meet veterans, there have not been many Masters meets during the pandemic, so people were eager to compete and to see their friends again.”

The youngest swimmer at this year’s meet was Keith Chatinover, 21, who also travelled the farthest. Chatinover swims for the Mountain View Masters in Silicon Valley, California.  

The oldest swimmer was Donald McDermott, 85, from Maine. McDermott swims with the Maine Masters Swim Club and he competed in three events: 200 meter backstroke, 50 meter backstroke, and the 100 meter freestyle.

Prize treats baked by Susan Reid

One of the best things about the Leaf Peepers swim meet are the baked treats. Almost every swimmer went home with an apple pie, pumpkin pie, chocolate chip cookies, and other assorted goodies. Susan Reid baked all these goods for months and she outdid herself with this year’s “awards table,” for which the meet is famous.

New England Local Masters Swimming Committee Hall of Fame chairwoman Tracy Grilli was happy to return to the Leaf Peepers swim meet.

“Whether I swim well or not, it’s a wonderful opportunity to see swimming friends, new and old and of course there are the baked goods … yum,” Grilli said.

“I like how well-run the meet is,” said Crystie McGrail of the Great Bay Masters Swim Team. “Everything goes very smoothly. (UVAC) is a nice pool and there was great communication before and after the meet by the hosts. It's a friendly bunch of people and I definitely recommend showing up.”

Christian Avard is a long-time masters swimmer and NEM newsletter contributor.

Penguins and Friends Mini Meet Results

View Results

SALEM, NH — On May 22, the Granite State Penguins hosted New England’s first open Masters Swimming meet in over a year. Despite the long gap between meets, over 60 swimmers showed up to race, and they did not disappoint. In addition to having a great time and raising $720 for Swim With A Mission, five swimmers broke New England LMSC or USMS age group records.

• Chuck Barnes (NEM-SWMR) broke the USMS men’s 40-44 record for the 50 fly with a 22.56, surpassing the previous mark of 22.60 from 2018.

• The versatile Beth Estel (NEM-GSP) set three New England records in the women’s 65-69 age group. Beth went 38.48 in the 50 breaststroke, besting the 2015 record of 39.58, and 1:23.87 in the 100 breaststroke (prior record 1:25.14). Finally, she set the 1000 free record in 13:02.81.

• Rachel Flinn (NEM-GSP) broke the New England women’s 25-29 50 backstroke record, taking the 2009 record of 27.74 down to 26.66.

• Stuart Cromarty (NEM-SWMR) swam a 5:20.81 to set the New England men’s 55-59 500 free record, which was previously held by Penguin Bob Tyler (5:24.39).

• Bill Ryan (NEM) broke the New England men's 70-74 1000 free record with a 13:04.71, besting a 1997 record of 13:18.62.

Meet Director Kysa Crusco thanks and credits the whole support team for a successful meet: Marilyn Soraghan for all the work preparing entries and results, Tracy Grilli for assisting with the entries and meet planning, Brendan Wright and Erik Reynolds for running the timing system, and our awesome meet officials: Paul Memont, Betsy Russell, Carol Prescott, and Suzanne Hoey. Thanks also to all our volunteer timers, the Workout Club, and the Ray's Parent Board.

NEM Swimmers Celebrate in Sarasota

Results

Contributed by Lisa Zraket, NEM-YNS

Diann Uustal, Andi Freedman, Lisa Zraket, and Beth Lott at the Sarasota Sharks Master Meet

SARASOTA, FL — YNS Sharks Andi Freedman, Beth Lott, and Lisa Zraket celebrated their birthday weekend by swimming in the Sarasota YMCA Masters’ Shark Tank SCM Meet in sunny Sarasota, FL on Nov 3-4, 2018.

As an extra gift, Diann Uustal (NEM-SWMR), also competing at the meet, was able to join the NEM-YNS ladies to form a New England Masters Swim Club (NEM) relay team. The foursome swam the 200-meter freestyle relay together and walked away with a first place finish!

Lott spent her 60th birthday participating in her first ever swim meet, diving headfirst into her 60s while crushing distance and sprint events. Freedman grabbed a first place finish in her signature backstroke event — and was asked to be a model for Swimmer Magazine! — while maintaining an impressively positive attitude in the face of mishaps (pulled muscle, foot bruised on a turn, and a DQ). Zraket decided to cram 5 events into each day and tackle her worst fears: trying the 50 butterfly and the 200 IM. Uustal was the strong, determined, unofficial coach giving positive feedback and support throughout the meet. 

The Sarasota Sharks were very welcoming and friendly. It was an amazing and fun meet filled with a group of Master swimmers coming together, regardless of age, skill, and motivation, to share their passion for swimming and competition. 

UVRays’ Bedford Notches World, National Swim Records at Leaf Peepers

Results

Story & photos contributed by Barbara Hummel

Leaf Peepers is a meet where world-record setters and USMS first timers hang out together on deck and in the pool. Fritz Bedford (top left) set one world and one national record in the men’s 55-59 age group.

UVRay Susan Reid helps swimmers decide which item to take from the renowned awards table filled with amazing baked goods.

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT – Fritz Bedford set his ninth lifetime Masters World Record on October 20, 2018 at the 10th Annual Leaf Peepers Masters Mini Meet at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center (UVAC).

During the meet, the 55-year-old Bedford, a member of the UVRays masters team, launched three attacks on the record book.  In his first event, Bedford’s 28.16 in the 50-meter backstroke was half a second off the world record of 27.62, but good enough for a new NELMSC record. In the 50 butterfly, Bedford had more success. His 26.55 set a new national record in the men’s 55-59 age group and was one-tenth of a second shy of the world record. Finally, in his third event, Bedford blasted a 1:00.78 in the 100 backstroke, clipping six one-hundredths of a second off the previous world record.

Arnold Meardon, the meet’s most senior swimmer, set two NELMSC records.

In addition to Fritz’s three records, which were automatic NELMSC records, two other swimmers set regional marks. Arnold Meardon of the UVRays set two NELMSC records in the men’s 85-89 age group: 50 fly (1:07.26) and 100 IM (2:28.79). David Vail of Maine Masters set three NELMSC records in the men’s 75-79 division: 50 back (40.88); 100 back (1:29.55); and 200 back (3:20.07).  UVRay Jim Larrick (men’s 35-39) took home “Fastest Man in the Pool” honors with a meet record 12.11 in the 25 freestyle.

Swimmers decide who will take which leg on the Icebreaker Relay.

This year’s Icebreaker Relay shuffled 24 swimmers into four random teams, where everyone had to quickly become friends and choose their best relay lineup.  Relay legs included kicking with a pumpkin, swimming with apples, howling at the moon, and partnered swimming with a noodle.  

The Icebreaker Relay begins!

Mary Gentry is everyone’s FAVORITE meet director.

Jenny Thompson LCM Mini-Meet Recap

Results

DOVER, NH -- On July 15, 77 swimmers from across New England gathered at the Jenny Thompson Pool to compete in the 2018 Summer JT LCM Mini-Meet. 

Granite State Penguins took home the team title with 649 points, followed by Maine Masters (587) and New England Masters (561). Twenty-two teams attended the meet. 

Douglas Sayles (SWMR), Lauren Heath (GBM), and Robert Duguay (CONN) won five events each to tie for the top individual prize with 100 points. 

Granite State Penguins

Exeter Mini Meet Has Something for Everyone

Results

GoPro Video by Sarah Crane

Contributed by Crystie McGrail, Meet Director & NE LMSC Coaches Chair

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Sue Jensen, Rozann Kraus, Margaret Muse (in her first ever masters meet!), and Dan Epstein

EXETER, NH -- On February 4, 89 swimmers from 8 clubs braved the trip to Exeter, NH to race in the speedy Roger Nekton Championship pool at Phillips Exeter Academy. With an event line-up featuring everything from 25s to the 1650 there were good options for everyone to burn some calories before Superbowl festivities.

A special kudos to those 8 hearty swimmers who stuck around to swim the longest pool event in existence (i.e. the 1650) at the end of the meet. Even more kudos to those who stuck around to count and cheer them on!

Super impressive swims included Stacy Sweetser's (GSP) 1:14 in the 100-yard breaststroke as well as the grudge match 50 freestyle where Nic Ohman (GSP) barely bested Tom Phillips (BUMS) by .1 second. Not to be outdone, the top two 55-59 women in the 50 freestyle, Karin Stokes (GSP) and Sue Jensen (CRM), raced to a .02 difference between first and second places. Another impressive swim was the 59.48 in the 100 freestyle by Amy Leveroni of NEM that took all of those younger gals (and even some of the younger men!) to task.

Granite State Penguins

The cross-age group competition was also fierce with Ed Gendreau (GBM) showing the less seasoned swimmers, Stephen Carroll (GSP) and Ben Wolfson (GBM) how to go a 1:10.0 in the 100 breaststroke. (It was close, Stephen, maybe next year!) The indomitable Guy Davis (GBM) also took many of the less seasoned age groups to task with a speedy 2:05 in the 200 freestyle; however, youth was able to prevail with an even speedier 2:03 by unattached swimmer Chris Borgatti (someone get him on a club already!). The women’s 100 backstroke was no joke with Beth Estel (GSP) crushing a 1:15 to reign over the 60-64 age group (men included).

The shortest races of the day brought on some of the biggest challenges (just ask Mindy Williams (GSP) how hard it is to get going for only a 25!) and some of the fastest swimming we’ve seen!

The Newburyport Breakers were good sports in haranguing swimmers from all over to create relays to go up against host team Great Bay Masters. It was a great way to get some practice in before the SCY Championship next month at Harvard where relays can contribute to massive team points!  

While there were no National records set (next year, guys, next year), we did have at least two swimmers experiencing their FIRST masters meet ever and that made it all worthwhile!

Great Bay Masters greatly appreciates the support of the local swimming community for a fun meet and relay racing!

Full results can be found on SwimPhone, and will be submitted to the USMS database shortly.

18th Annual George Erswell Meet Recap

Results

Contributed by Tim Lecrone, MESC & NE LMSC Registrar

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Dale Syphers of MESC (photo by Anne Uecker)

BRUNSWICK, ME -- It was a small crowd of 30+ swimmers who braved the storm aftermath to attend the 18th Annual George Erswell Meet on November 4, but as always a quality meet was put on by Bowdoin College!

New Blue Lobster, Rob Allen, had an impressive 10:51.15 win for the 50-54 age group in the 1000-yard freestyle, and CRM's Fred Schlicter continued to show his dominance in the 65-69 age group with impressive swims in the 200 fly (2:32.64) and 200 free (2:09.14).  

In the end everyone that made a splash achieved wonderful things, and the homemade snacks were incredible!

9th Annual Concord Mini Meet Draws a Crowd

Contributed by Nancy Hanley Ryan & Tracey Guth

Results

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Roses for all swimmers over the age of 60!

CONCORD, MA -- The Concord-Carlisle High School Swim and Dive Team hosted its 9th Annual Concord Masters Mini Meet at the Beede Swim & Fitness Center on October 29. This meet is traditionally held on the last Sunday in October and is always a great opportunity to get a few races in before December's SCM Championship.

The diverse group of 80 swimmers included a group of first-time meet participants, as well as 14 swimmers age 60 or older. 91-year-old Concord resident Rose Ruze, who swims at Beede three times a week, competed in the 50m backstroke. The members of CCHS Swim and Dive Team served as timers and demonstrated their considerable cheering ability, which, as always, added to the fun spirit of the meet!

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Szekely & Pereiro Carril with Coaches Goldberg and Moss. 

On hand this year were several swimmers fresh off success at the FINA World Masters Championships, including Ildiko Szekely (BUMS) and Oscar Pereiro Carril of Bridgeport, CT. Szeleky was the gold medalist in the age 35-39 200m butterfly at Worlds, while Pereiro Carril won the 50 back and set a new Championship record. It was fun to watch them compete, and both swimmers took time to chat and take photos with the high school team members. 

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Ruze and Szekely

By popular request, a 400m freestyle relay was added to the end of the meet this year. Swimmers assembled teams right on the deck, and members of the CCHS S&D Team also formed a team to join in the fun! 

It was a great morning in the pool and over $1,800 was raised for CCHS Friends of Swim and Dive to maintain equipment and provide other support for the CCHS Swim and Dive team, whose season begins on November 27.

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Members of the CCHS Swim & Dive Team, who helped as timers and a cheering squat at the meet!

World and National Records for NEM’s Diann Uustal at 9th Annual UVAC Leaf Peepers Mini Meet

Contributed by Barbara Hummel, Head Coach of the UVRays Masters

Results

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Thanks to UVRay teammates Sue Gray (left) and Susan Reid (right), no one goes home hungry from Leaf Peepers.

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT -- The UVRays hosted their 9th Annual Leaf Peepers meet, famous for its friendly atmosphere, fast pool, and phenomenal awards table, on October 28. This year’s version of the short-course-meters meet attracted 75 swimmers from 9 states.

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Diann Uustal finished the day with one world record and two national records!

Rhode Island’s Diann Uustal had a stellar meet. In her first swim of the day, Uustal set a new national record for women age 65-69 in the 200 IM with a time of 3:13.05. In the women’s 200 backstroke, Uustal clocked a 3:04.82, breaking the existing world record by four tenths of a second and shattering the national record by nearly eight seconds. 

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Granite State Penguins (l-r) Tyler Edsall, Kysa Crusco, Beth Estel, and Scott Machinist.

Eight New England regional records were set at the meet. Dan Rogacki (Pittsfield YMCA) set three records in the men’s 70-74 age group. His 30.54 in the 50 freestyle broke Al Craig’s record from 1998. His 100 backstroke (1:20.23) and 100 freestyle (1:08.18) were also regional records. Karen Beirwert (NEM) set two records in the women’s 65-69 age group: 200 breaststroke (3:25.63) and 100 butterfly (1:36.16). Arnold Meardon (UVRays) set two records in the men’s 85-89 age group. His 44.05 in the 50 freestyle and 1:49.10 in the 100 freestyle broke records set by Alexander Luther in 2000. On the record board for men 80-84 was William Jones (Maine Masters), with a 54.88 in the 50 breaststroke. 

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UVRay Sean Uiterwyk (far right) claims Fastest Man in the Pool honors with his 12.46 in the 25-meter freestyle. Volunteer timers are a huge part of every masters mini meet. 

Dozens of meet records were broken, including four by the UVRay host team. Sean Uiterwyk (men’s 40-44) blitzed the 25 freestyle “splash ‘n’ dash” in a meet record 12.46 to earn bragging rights as the fastest swimmer in the meet. Rob Starkey (men 40-44) posted a 1:10.15 meet record in the 100 butterfly. Jeff Kuvin (men 50-54) set a new meet record of 2:13.16 in the 200 freestyle. UVRay coach Barbara Hummel (women 65-69) posted a meet record 47.41 in the 50 breaststroke. 

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Swimmers review the different legs of the Icebreaker Relay and decide who does what. 

There were many exciting races, including the 400 freestyle duel between Robbie Allen (Ventura County Masters) and Jeff Kuvin, with both swimmers under the meet record. And, as always at Leaf Peepers, there was much joy and emotion for those like Halina Nowak (Mountain View Masters) who were swimming in their first-ever masters meet. 

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Joel Feldman from Keene always has time to smile.

Once again, the popular Ice Breaker relay turned total strangers into fast friends. This year’s version involved kickboards, pumpkins, apples, and swimming while connected by noodle to another swimmer. Somehow…it came down to a photo finish!

Thanks to all who participated in the meet, and the Rays look forward to seeing everyone at the 10th Annual Leaf Peepers in October 2018.

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Leadoff swimmers get ready for the start of the Icebreaker Relay.