Long time masters swimmer, first time nationals swimmer at USMS Summer Nationals

By Christian Avard

Christian Avard at USMS Summer Nationals

RICHMOND, VA - It’s been weeks since I returned from the 2022 U.S. Masters Swimming Summer Nationals at the Collegiate School Aquatics Center in Richmond, Va. Every now and then I sing to myself the first two lines of Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time” (If I could turn back time … if I could find a way …) and re-live the memories of my first experience at nationals. That’s how special it was.

Things came together last December at the NE-LMSC & Colonies Zone SCM Championships at WPI. I hated backstroke. It wasn’t my favorite stroke when I swam competitively as a youngster, but somehow it was the first event I qualified for. In April (at WPI again), I qualified in one more event at the NE-LMSC SCY Championships: the 100 yard freestyle. With two bonus events to swim in (50 free and 50 breast) I was on my way to the U.S. Masters Swimming Spring Nationals in San Antonio, Texas until the worst happened. Days before I was about to fly out, I tested positive for COVID-19. I was devastated. Another dream dashed by circumstances beyond my control.
I regrouped for the LCM Summer Nationals. Raising money for summer nationals was difficult. Just when I was about to give up, a couple of friends suggested I raise funds online, like a Kickstarter campaign. I was reluctant at first. It felt awkward asking for money for something that wasn’t exactly for a special cause, but my friends assured me it was all good. I raised the funds in a matter of days and my training continued.

There’s a powerful feeling people have when they summit a mountain, see a sunrise or sunset on a beach, witness the birth of a child, etc. and realize how wonderful life is. I experienced that same feeling when I walked into the Collegiate School Aquatics Center on the first day of competition.

I swam for the Nashua YMCA Prospectors Swim Team growing up. I never made it to the YMCA National Championships, like some of my friends and teammates did, and it hurt for years. That chip on my shoulder, that resentment, finally came off at summer nationals and I was at peace.

NEM Men’s 280+ 200 m free relay: Christian Avard, Mark Keil, Jim Pope and Dick Hutchings

My first event was the 50 meter freestyle. I finished 15th overall in the M 50-54 age group and beat my seed time (31:72) by over a second with a final time of 30:35. Then came the 50 meter backstroke, the stroke I hated. To my surprise, I not only won my heat, I placed 7th overall in my age group and beat my seed time (37:17) by over a second (again) with a final time of 35:69. I also placed 10th overall in my age group in the 50 meter breaststroke (seed time: 38:59, final time: 38:01) and the other highlight was swimming in the Men’s 280+ 200 M free relay with Mark Keil, Andover, Ma.; Jim Pope, Lowell, Ma.; and Dick Hutchings, Hubbardston, Ma. Our relay placed fourth overall and swimming with the three of them was an inspiration.

It took me 10 years to qualify for the masters swimming national championships. I tried to make the national qualifying times in several events but something always got in the way, whether it was a slow start, missing the wall on a flip-turn, weight problems, bad jobs that took me away from swimming, divorce, moving, or the COVID-19 pandemic. For years, I swam unattached, without a team, without any camaraderie, and without anyone to push me to swim faster. Last August, I moved to Lebanon, NH so I could teach in the Upper Valley and I joined the Upper Valley Rays Masters Swim Club where I got to train with Head Coach Barbara Hummel, masters swimming world record holder Fritz Bedford, and other talented swimmers. Being on a masters swim team, in my opinion, made a huge difference.

I also want to thank all the friends I’ve met through New England Masters Swimming. There are too many of you to name. I’ve met so many of you from writing meet recaps for NEM newsletters, from the numerous swim meets I competed at, and from post-swim meet parties. What a wonderful community … and in the words of Granite State Penguins masters swimmer Steve Carroll, “Rowdy! Rowdy!”

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.

The Glen Lake Swim, Episode 3: Glennie Strikes Back Is An Out-of-This-World Experience

For Immediate Release

Contact: Gary Girolimon, Race Director

Date: September 6, 2021

The Glen Lake Swim, Episode 3: Glennie Strikes Back Is an Out-of-This-World Experience

Results

Contributed by Gary Girolimon, Race Director

Two mile swimmers preparing for the start. (Dave Beliveau Photo)

GOFFSTOWN, NH — The Glen Lake Swim, Episode 3: Glennie Strikes Back was held in Goffstown, NH on August 15th. It was a beautiful sunny day, and with water temperatures in the 77 degree range, was perfect for swimming. The Glen Lake Swim, a USMS-sanctioned event, comes with a subtitle each year. The first year was “The Search For Glennie,” and episode 2 was called “Glennie Rises.” Glennie is the friendly plesiosaur-like creature that has been trapped in the lake since the Gregg’s Falls Dam was constructed in 1918. A full description and history of the mysterious creature, along with photos and several videos, is posted at the event website, glenlakeswim.com.

Mando and Grogu from the Mandalorian visited Glen Lake. This is the way. (Mindy Randall Photo)

The 2021 “Glennie Strikes Back” event was inspired by Star Wars, and tells the tale of Glennie being kidnapped and frozen in carbonite. Luckily, the 501st New England Garrison of Star Wars Troopers were able to retrieve Glennie. With the help of the Glen Lake swimmers, the carbonite slab was flash thawed at the Eversource substation that overlooks the lake, and Glennie was released back into the waters. This story can be affirmed by any of this year’s swim participants who climbed out of the water, were handed a light saber, and got to pose with storm troopers, Mando, Grogu, Luke and other characters in front of the now-empty slab of carbonite.

“At any race, running, cycling, or swimming, there are a group of competitors that are trying to win,” says race director Gary Girolimon. “The rest of the participants are there to challenge themselves and have to fun. By creating a theme we are enhancing the fun by making them part of an adventure.” And if the comments received after the race from many participants are any indication, this goal was achieved.

Those who were there to race were not disappointed either. The course was a mile-long narrow triangular loop lined with 10 course marker buoys. Large orange buoys marked the turns and yellow buoys lined the straightaways.

The Two Mile competition begins. (Dave Beliveau Photo)

Support kayaks being deployed. (Mindy Randall Photo)

Safety was, and always is, a priority at the Glen Lake Swim. Race support was provided by more than a dozen kayakers and paddle boarders that took up assigned positions on the course. Half of these kayakers were certified life guards. New Hampshire Marine Patrol was on the lake to keep recreational boat traffic away from the course, and the Goffstown Fire Department was on the waters to provide assistance if any was needed. The event also had two volunteer boats on the course, one of which transported Bob Ouellette, the event Safety Director and New England LMSC Coaches Chair. Ouellette, the lifeguards in Kayaks, the Fire Department, and Goffstown CERT, all possessed walkie talkies for rapid communication.

Swimming to victory in the one mile race was Stacy Sweetser (skins), finishing in 25:47. Winning the male skins division in a photo finish was Michael Giraldi in 27:20, besting Jesse Stevens by mere seconds. Giraldi is a frequent flyer at the Glen Lake swim, earning a top finishing position at each of his three appearances. In the wetsuit division "Big Al" Prescott came in first at 29:55, and Jocelyn Nokes won the women's wetsuit contest in 30:38.

First out of the water in the one mile race, Stacy Sweetser from Amherst, NH. (Mindy Randall Photo)

Bedford, NH's Michael Giraldi edges out Jesse Stevens from Sweden, ME in the One Mile race. (Mindy Randall Photo)

Winner of the two mile race, Eric Nilsson from Boston, MA. (Mindy Randall Photo)

In the two mile race Eric Nilsson (skins) was first out of the water after swimming a blistering 44:17 - finishing eight minutes ahead of his nearest competitor, Travis Harker. First overall female was Carlyn Soares (skins), who received her light saber in 51:19. First male wetsuit swimmer was Matteo Caputo finishing at 52:41 and first female wetsuit swimmer was Brooke O'Connor at 54:54. Full results are posted at https://www.glenlakeswim.com.

After the swim the festivities continued at the “Mini Glennie Expo” with raffles, dancing, exhibits, face painting, and Glennie coloring for the kids. There was a “roar like a wookiee” contest (won by Meghan Bilz) and In keeping with the theme, the trophies were hand crafted miniature replicas of Glennie in Carbonite. At noon the festivities moved to the Harpoon Brewery-sponsored after-party at the Village Trestle in town, where Molly Zahr (second place female wetsuit), won the coveted Star Wars Trivia Contest.

Goffstown Television covered the event with a multi-camera shoot that included two drones. The footage is being edited down into a program that they plan to premiere at Chunky’s Cinema Pub in Manchester, NH followed by online availability. The premier will be free to all swim participants, volunteers and their families.

“Next year we’re exploring Glennie’s darker and scarier roots in Episode 4: The Beast from Loch Glennie,” says Race Director Girolimon. “We already have themes in mind for several years to come and they are all unique, and fun. And who knows, maybe there’s another Star Wars adventure in our future.”

Race Director Gary Girolimon surrounded by the troopers from the 501st New England Garrison. (Mindy Randall Photo)

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The Glen Lake Swim

www.glenlakeswim.com

Tel:  (603) 494-8774

Email: info@glenlakeswim.com

Granite State Health & Fitness Foundation

PO Box 933

Manchester, NH 03105

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.

Building a Better Freestyle Clinic with Bill Meier on June 13

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