One of the many things that ceases to amaze me about the YMCA Indy SwimFit program is the dedication, motivation and the perseverance of the athletes in the program. As a coach, each week that goes by it is with great pleasure to see each of you attain the goals you have set for yourself. Whether you swim in program for fitness , compete in triathlons, Open water, or competitive Masters Swimming. You challenge yours elves to be the best you can be. The past two weeks have been a perfect example of your perseverance . I apologize, some of what I am including in this email is old news, however I wanted to SHOUT IT OUT! in one email… Our activities are so diverse it is very hard to bring it together.
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Triathlons is a grueling sport (swim, bike , run), and to see so many MultiFit program members compete and do so well in the Tri Indy Triathlon is very gratifying. Many placed well in their age groups and or had personal bests. The same holds true for the Steelhead Triathlon, where we had two National Qualifiers (David Forsee and Mike Smith) for the World Triathlon Championships in Clearwater, Florida later this year. Ed Merkling also qualified for the World Triathlone Championships in Clearwater.
Jim Barber / Victoria Rian at the Finish
I would very remiss if I did not mention the accomplishment of two girls and guy and their Catalina Cahnnel swim.( Jim Barber , Victoria Rian, and Mallory Mead ) Jim and Victoria made the crossing in 8 hours and 43 minutes, the fastest crossing this year Thursday night and Mallory followed up with a great swim on Monday 8:37. Jim and Mallory have swam the Triple Crown of OW Swimming (English Channel, Catalinea, and Manhattan)
National Champions
Now on to San Juan, Pureto Rico site of the US Masters Swimming Long Course Championships. After two days we have 4 individual National Champions and 1 National Championship Relay. Karlene Denby (55-59) 800 Free, Sally Newell (70-74) 200 Breaststroke, Fran McAree (80-84) 400 Free, and George Quigley (70-74) 100 Back. These same four national champions swam on the 280+ Medley Relay National Championship relay. While we all can’t be champions, we had outstanding swims and placing high in their age groups with personal best from Christine Pedersen, Catherine LaCrosse, and Ben Christoffel.....
280+ Mixed Free Relay
Katherine Triathlete
National Champion
Turned Swimmer National Champions
The beat goes on...The final two days saw YMCA Indy SwimFit swimmers garner several more National Championships. Sally Newell 50 and 100 Breast, Karlene Denby in the 400 Free, Fran McAree in the 200 Free, Coach Ben Christoffel 50 Breast, and Coach George Quigley 200 Back. In addition to these individual efforts the 280+ Mixed Free Relay (Denby, McAree, Newell, and Coach Goldstein) won a National Championship. The Final Total in Gold Medals for YMCA Indy SwimFit for these National Championsips was 18. Wow ! What a way to end the week...
