volunteers, awards, recaps
NE LMSC
NELMSC Announces Class of 2020 Hall of Fame ...
NELMSC Announces Class of 2020 Hall of Fame Inductees
NE LMSC
NELMSC Announces Class of 2019 Hall of Fame ...
NELMSC Announces Class of 2019 Hall of Fame Inductees

recaps

,

NE-LMSC Members Take on Misery Challenge

,

Results      Photos

Contributed by Guy Davis (GBM), NE-LMSC Vice Chair

Ildiko Szekely (BUMS) was the top female in the Misery Challenge.

MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA, MA -- Over 100 hardy competitors, including many NE-LMSC members, completed this year's Misery Challenge swim on July 15. Misery Challenge is a 3-mile out-and-back swim between the Manchester-by-the-Sea yacht club and Misery Island. The sky was overcast and the water was cooler than in previous years, but the sea conditions were very calm, making for fast swimming. As with last year's race, swimmers had to navigate low tide conditions, completing the course with a 200-yard beach run.

This year's winners were Eric Nilsson (57:11) of Tech Masters (MIT) and Ildiko Szekely (1:00:15) of Boston University Masters (BUMS). Another notable performance was Sam Levinson's (Unattached) completion of the course swimming butterfly in 1:48:48. Levinson is training to take on the channel swims of the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming -- butterfly! Many thanks to race organizer Josh Crosby and his team, volunteers, and sponsors for another terrific event.

Mindy Williams (GSP) was third overall female and won her age group.

Martha Wood (Unattached) and Guy Davis (GBM) each won their age group.

,

Swim Across America Boston Harbor Raises Over $220,000 for Cancer Research

,

Results     Photos

 Contributed by Jessica Stokes, Charles River Masters

The 21st Annual Swim Across America Boston Harbor Swim was a big success! Spirits were high among the passengers on Timeless and Secret Love, despite the overcast sky. Team members were able to jump off their boats and complete three or four 15-minute swims in the Harbor. (Usually, swimmers swim four to six times, but there was a delay in the action this year due to fog.) Team members included seven Olympians: Carlton Brunner, Janel Jorgenson, Kristy Kowal, Alex Meyer, Heather Petri, Eric Vendt, and Eric Wunderlich. The Boston Harbor Swim and the Boston Pool Relay (which took place in April) raised a combined $325,000 for Dana Farber Cancer Institute's Perini Center and Mass General Hospital for Children's cancer research group.

,

Gary Isherwood Memorial Swim Meet Recap

,

Contributed by Tim Lecrone, NE-LMSC Registrar & Photos by Mike Hurd, MESC

BANGOR, ME -- With an amazing turnout out of 56 competitors, the first annual Gary Isherwood Memorial Swim Meet on June 24th was an incredible success. It was MESC's first ever summer mini meet to exceed 40 swimmers, and more excitingly, the majority of swimmers were first time masters meet participants. 

The high participation couldn't have been for a better cause, as proceeds from meet entries and t-shirt sales went to the Gary Isherwood Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund honors the late Gary Isherwood, longtime swim coach at John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor. The meet raised about $2,000.

Swims were fast, smiles were huge, and next year's event promises to be even bigger. A huge thanks goes to the Bangor YMCA, the staff and volunteers of the Bangor Y Barracudas, and several meet enthusiasts from local high school teams.

,

12th Annual Narrow River Turnaround Swim

,

Contributed by Alison Kates, Program Coordinator, Narrow River Preservation Association

Results

Race photos

 

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI -- On Saturday, June 24th, 114 swimmers took part in the 12th Annual Narrow River Turnaround Swim, braving torrential rain. Starting and finishing at La Farge Park in North Kingstown, the route led swimmers a half mile down the Narrow River, where they turned around to return and complete the mile swim.  

2017 Narrow River Turnaround Swim first place finishers (L to R) Stuart Cromarty, Diane Leith Doucett, and Matt Gilson. Photo credit: Frank McQuiggan 

This year the swim was held on the birthdate of the late W.E.R. La Farge, a longtime benefactor of the Narrow River. W.E.R. donated the land for La Farge park to the Town of North Kingstown and a nearby plot of land to the University of Rhode Island Rowing Team for their boathouse and access to Narrow River. W.E.R.’s daughter, Louisa La Farge, and granddaughter, Lindsay La Farge Rosston, swam in the race and his step-daughter, Heather Lee, was the honorary swim starter.

Stuart Cromarty won the Men’s Wetsuit Division while Matt Gilson placed first in the Men's Non-Wetsuit Division. Diane Leith Doucett took first in the Women’s Non-Wetsuit Division and Emily Mitchell won the Women’s Wetsuit Division.

The Narrow River Turnaround Swim is hosted annually by Narrow River Preservation Association (NRPA), which aims to protect and preserve the Narrow River and its Watershed. The swim is generously supported by local sponsors and by URI Rowing and O.A.R.S..

Check out The Narragansett Times coverage of the race here.

,

Athlete Report: ANA Masters Podium at Hyannis Sprint Triathlon

,

Contributed by Leslie Dumont, ANA YMCA Masters

HYANNIS, MA -- Two teams from the Andover/North Andover (ANA) YMCA Masters group traveled to Hyannis for a the Hyannis I Sprint Triathlon on Saturday, June 17. Both teams were mixed gender. It was a great team-building opportunity, and we had a blast. In a comical turn of events to start the day, the water was so rough that the organizers replaced the swim leg with a beach run! Our two "swimmers," Leslie Dumont and Carl Cronin, kicked things off by "running" the beach. Thanks to the cyclists, David Polanco and Jamie, and runners, Bri Lajeunesse and Janice, our teams placed first and second in the 3-person co-ed relay team competition!

Leslie and Carl, the "swimmers", running the beach.

Leslie and Carl, the "swimmers", running the beach.

ANA masters swimmers formed two teams at the Hyannis Sprint Triathlon.

ANA masters swimmers formed two teams at the Hyannis Sprint Triathlon.

,

Athlete Report: Mashpee SuperSwim

,

Contributed by Matthew Wiens, Charles River Masters

Charles River Masters after the Mashpee SuperSwim

MASHPEE, MA -- One hundred thirty-nine swimmers participated in the Mashpee SuperSwim during the cloudy morning of June 19. The water of Johns Pond was cool, but pleasant, and quite comfortable for a swim. Swimmers of diverse backgrounds and ages competed in one of three race distances: ½ mile, 1 mile, and 3 miles. 

Local masters athletes, including several of my Charles River Masters (CRM) teammates, took many of the top podium spots. CRM's Kendra Walton took first overall in the women's 3-mile race, while Jessica Stokes won the women's wetsuit division and Christina Smith matched that at the 1-mile distance. SwimRI's Vince Burks and Bruce Novis took top honors in the 1-mile wetsuit and non-wetsuit races, respectively. Bill Ryan, from Pinehills Masters, won the half mile race and Guy Davis of Great Bay Masters won the men's 3-mile wetsuit division. This was my first Mashpee SuperSwim, and I'm already looking forward to next summer!

,

Athlete Report: NEM Places 5th at 2017 USMS Spring Nationals

,

Contributed by Jen Downing, 15-year member of Charles River (Cambridge) Masters

The NEM crew at Spring Nationals in Riverside, CA

RIVERSIDE, CA -- New England Masters (NEM) was represented at the 2017 Nationwide USMS Spring Nationals from April 27-30 by a small but energetic contingent of athletes. This was my 11th short course nationals and by far the most fun! I think because there were only twenty of us, we really got to know one another and made sure to cheer each other on. I think other teams were actually jealous of how much noise we made behind the lanes! Many thanks to Tracy Grilli for working her magic with the relays, to Karin Stokes for ordering our awesome team shirts, and to Sue Jensen for organizing a delicious team dinner at the Spaghetti Factory. The Riverside complex was rather impressive, with two 10-lane competition pools and two 6-lane warm-up pools, plus a diving well. And it was hot! Not much shade for spectators, but if you'll remember how Boston was in April, it was really nice to enjoy the sunshine and swim outside.

NEM finished 5th overall in the Regional Club division behind Colorado, Arizona, Puget Sound, and Wisconsin. Our very own Diann Uustal broke 6 USMS records as a 70-year-old in the 50, 100, and 200 backstrokes, 50 freestyle, 50 butterfly, and 100 IM. Congrats, Diann! Four of our NEM relays finished in the Top 10 in their age brackets, including the W 35+ 200 freestyle and 200 medley, and the W 55+ 200 freestyle and 200 medley. We had teammates returning from injury, trying new events for the first time, swimming best times, and more than anything, having fun! If you've never participated in Nationals before, it's a terrific opportunity to see old friends and meet new ones, compete in fast venues across the country, and celebrate our sport with like-minded people. You're even allowed to swim up to three events without making the qualifying time, so don't let qualifying discourage you from taking the plunge. Next year's meet is at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis, May 11-13, 2018. Hope to see you there!

,

4th Annual LandShark Swim Dominated by New England LMSC Swimmers

,

By Alana Aubin, NE-LMSC Communications Chair

Women's 1-mile podium

AMESBURY, MA -- B&S Event Management kicked off the 2017 B&S Open Water Swim Series on Saturday, June 10 with the 4th Annual LandShark Swim. The event welcomed 153 swimmers to Lake Gardner and featured race distances of 1/2 mile, 1 mile, and 2 miles. Balmy weather and a water temperature of 66 degrees made for excellent race conditions. Many New England LMSC athletes made the podium and, after enjoying a post-race breakfast buffet catered by Every Little Breeze Catering, took home a soft-side cooler as a prize.

In the 1/2 mile race, Tom Phillips of Greenwood Masters (GWDM) was the overall champion with a time of 14:13.9, while fellow NEMer Bill Tharion placed third.

Men's 1-mile award winners

At the 1-mile distance, Ildiko Szekely of Boston University Masters Swimming (BUMS) successfully defended her 2016 title to take the 2017 championship in 25:02.5. David Bentley of Charles River Masters (CRM) was the second overall male finisher.

CRM's Katie Levenstein won the women's 20-29 age group, and Katie Dwyer (Unattached) finished second in the 30-39 group. Deborah Sakr of the Granite State Penguins (GSP) won the women's 50-59 age group, while Sweetwater Swim Studio's (SWS) Amy Morin placed third. Anne Verrill (Unattached) grabbed first in the women's 60-69 division ahead of Cathy Utzschneider (Unattached).

Top 3 in the men's 2-mile

On the men's side, John Brady of Great Bay Masters (GBM) won the 50-59 age group and Carl Dearmin from YMCA North Shore (YNS) was second. Andover North Andover's (ANA) Frank Maldari was second in for men aged 60-69.

Great Bay Masters turned out in force for the 2-mile race, led by Guy Davis. Davis finished first overall in 50:53.6, beating out Chris Borgatti (Unattached) and GBM teammate Ed Gendreau. Kirsten Read won the women's race in 51:07.3, finishing ahead of Erica Carroll (BUMS) and Alana Aubin (CRM).

Women's 2-mile podium

Lauretta Bailin (Unattached) was third in the women's 30-39 age group, while NEM's Thomas Volper won the men's division. In the 40-49 age group, Cindy Regnante and Monica Cohen, both Unattached, were first and second for women, while Jonathan Moore of NEM was second for the men. DJ Jenson, of GBM, won the men's 50-59 age group, while Nancy Tunstall from Weymouth Club Masters Swimming (WCMS) and Julie Burnett of Minuteman Aquatics (MAMA) were second and third on the women's side. GBM's Steve Miller was first in the men's 60-69 group, beating out Dave Welch of Andover North Andover (ANA). GBM's Robyn Shiely won the women's 60-69 age group.

The B&S Open Water Swim Series continues on June 24 with the 1st Annual Swampscott Harborfest 1/2, 1, and 2 mile races in Swampscott, MA.

Photos originally posted on the event's Facebook page.

,

Ninth Charles River One Mile Swim: A Fun Morning on the Esplanade

,

Contributed by Kate Radville, Race Director

BOSTON, MA -- On June 3rd, 2017, the Charles River Swimming Club hosted its Ninth One Mile Swim in the Charles River Basin. The race, which took place on a single loop course between the Massachusetts Avenue and Longfellow bridges, was the largest in the club’s history. 

Wave 2 prepares to start a few minutes behind Wave 1

This year's edition drew a large, enthusiastic crowd to the river, and sold out at 200 swimmers. Electronic chip-timing allowed for accurate, real-time results despite the race’s unique in-water finish. Conditions were challenging given cool air and water temperatures, a steady head-wind during leg one, and considerable chop. Regardless, many fast times were posted by local masters swimmers. Trent Staats of Charles River Masters was the overall winner in 23:12.1. Sarah Weas of Boston University Masters was the first female finisher with a time of 25:42.5.  

Swimmers complete the loop and finish at the dock

The Charles River Swimming Club is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2005 with the dual purpose of organizing competitive swimming events in the river and facilitating the return of public river swimming to the Charles. After a long history of pollution, the Charles has benefited tremendously from the Clean Charles River Initiative, which began in 1995. The river is now clean enough for swimming on most summer days, and the club hopes to raise awareness of this fact.

Award winners received an 'I Swam the Charles' pint glass and a day of kayaking, SUPing, or canoeing on the Charles, courtesy of Charles River Canoe and Kayak

Swimmers who are interested in either participating in next year’s event or in volunteering should visit the club’s website at www.charlesriverswimmingclub.org. Those with specific questions about getting involved should contact Kate Radville, Charles River Swimming Club Vice President, Race Director, and Charles River Masters swimmer.

The Club, which is run entirely by volunteers, would like the extend its gratitude to the swimmers and volunteers who made this year’s event such a success.  We look forward to celebrating our tenth swim race in 2018!

,

LANES Tea Party 7 Meet Recap & Results

,

Contributed by Will Lawson & Brian Moynihan, TP7 Meet Co-Directors

The start of a race at MIT's beautiful facility

The start of a race at MIT's beautiful facility

CAMBRIDGE, MA -- On Saturday, April 29, Boston's Liquid Assets (LANES) hosted the team's 7th Tea Party swim meet. Held at the renowned Zesiger Aquatic Center on the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), more than 150 masters swimmers from near and far spent a few hours in the pool racing and cheering each other on.

The biennial meet is one that we at LANES love hosting and it's always great to see so many folks at the pool. It's certainly worth noting that watching these dedicated swimmers all jump in the pool and go back and forth in unicorn floats was by far our favorite moment and made all the hard work of planning a swim meet well worth it!

The "Fun Relay" - 4x 25 on unicorn pool floats

The "Fun Relay" - 4x 25 on unicorn pool floats

The meet itself could not have happened without the involvement of so many wonderful supporters, officials, volunteers, and the fabulous MIT crew who helped the meet run smoothly and quickly.

Meet Directors Will Lawson and Brian Moynihan

Meet Directors Will Lawson and Brian Moynihan

We have also set up a Google Drive for everyone to share photos. Please go here to upload your photos from the meet and browse those from other people! Let us know if you have any questions or notice discrepancies at BostonLANESTP7@gmail.com. Also, please feel free to reach out to us there to share thoughts about the meet -- favorite parts or things we should work on, etc.

Thanks again for your support and we will see you in two years for TP8! We promise another great meet, including another fabulous "Fun Relay", and a fun weekend.