Congratulations to all those who helped run the national meet in Tempe. Apart from all the great swims I got to see, the most impressive part of the meet was the excellent announcing during the competition--in two pools at once. I have been to some very well run, and well-announced meets (Rick Osterburg's work at the recent New England Championships comes to mind), but I have never heard such well-informed and articulate announcers at any swim meet, ever. Not only did the two (?) announcers know the swimmers, their backgrounds, and their abilities, when they "called" the race you could feel the excitement, even if you were outside the pool area. It made you want to get a look at the "great race." We all know that sometimes swim meets can drag on and get pretty dull as we wait for our turn to compete or for the race one of our friends is swimming. This meet was different. The way those guys called the races I felt like I'd arrived at the "Mecca" of swimming...and maybe I had.
So, my thanks to all the work that went in to preparing for the meet and for the excitement you announcers brought to every race. I am sorry to say that I don't know your names...perhaps someone who does know could send them in.
The two main announcers for the meet were Duncan Scott and Phil Whitten.
Duncan is the announcer for Arizona State swim meets and does an amazing job. His race analysis and knowledge of the swimmers is incredible. He will also be the announcer at the Santa Clara Invitational this year. If you ever get a chance to hear Duncan call a PAC-10 meet it is something that should not be missed.
Phil Whitten is an Arizona Masters swimmer who also happens to be the Editor-in-Chief of Swim, Swimming World and Swim Technique. We are lucky to have someone with his talents training in the area. I have never met anyone with Phil's ability to pull obscure swimming facts up at will. He is a walking treasure trove of masters swimming knowledge.
Tom Boak also filled in as an announcer for a few events. Tom was a great help and a wonderful volunteer. In addition to helping us with the meet, Tom also got to call the race where his wife, Carolyn Boak, broke a national record.
Rich Ripley was the announcer for each morning's warm-ups. He is a member of the organizing committee for the meet and husband of triple Olympic gold medallist, Melissa Belote-Ripley.
Glad you enjoyed their work. I felt that they added a tremendous amount to the meet and we were lucky to have their help.
Mark Gill
Meet Director (retired)
The two main announcers for the meet were Duncan Scott and Phil Whitten.
Duncan is the announcer for Arizona State swim meets and does an amazing job. His race analysis and knowledge of the swimmers is incredible. He will also be the announcer at the Santa Clara Invitational this year. If you ever get a chance to hear Duncan call a PAC-10 meet it is something that should not be missed.
Phil Whitten is an Arizona Masters swimmer who also happens to be the Editor-in-Chief of Swim, Swimming World and Swim Technique. We are lucky to have someone with his talents training in the area. I have never met anyone with Phil's ability to pull obscure swimming facts up at will. He is a walking treasure trove of masters swimming knowledge.
Tom Boak also filled in as an announcer for a few events. Tom was a great help and a wonderful volunteer. In addition to helping us with the meet, Tom also got to call the race where his wife, Carolyn Boak, broke a national record.
Rich Ripley was the announcer for each morning's warm-ups. He is a member of the organizing committee for the meet and husband of triple Olympic gold medallist, Melissa Belote-Ripley.
Glad you enjoyed their work. I felt that they added a tremendous amount to the meet and we were lucky to have their help.
Mark Gill
Meet Director (retired)
