Thanks to everyone involved in the Ft. Lauderdale Nationals. I had a great time and met some exceptional people. I especially want to thank Doug Malcolm for the competition in the adjacent lane. It looks like (from USMS data) you have not competed for quite a while and had a great meet! I had not competed for over 20 years when I entered the 2001 Nat's at Santa Clara and have done pretty well for the past few years. Doug exemplifies what our sport should be all about; a true competitor who brings out the best in someone like me who may not have accomplished the standards acheived in Ft. Lauderdale without someone like him next to me. I never got a chance to thank you so I am doing so now. Keep up the good work!
I would also like to congradulate John Blank for being the first male competitor over 45 to break one minute in the 100 yard breaststroke; a great accomplishment! I have never broken a minute in that event and am full of envy.
Lee Rider
Peter, point taken!!
Although Lindsay is correct with the his reference to fixed sizes in swimmers, my comment refered to the overall team size (all sports). The example being that the US, China, Russia, etc area lays at the top of the overall medal count which could be likened to the current debate about about masters team designations/size. Also, the more relevant comparison would be USS but that argument was avoided.
More importantly to my point is there is no perfect system for trying to level the playing field............and some of the suggestions would create an incredible nightmare to administer (come on Shaf!).
So with that in mind, my challenge was for people to get out and recruit if they want to have more competitive teams.........our getting 80 people to show up didn't "just happen"! The beauty of the current system (much like USS) is that it would allow swimmers from small isolated clubs to swim with a larger state team or any team that want for that matter......free market!
Peter, point taken!!
Although Lindsay is correct with the his reference to fixed sizes in swimmers, my comment refered to the overall team size (all sports). The example being that the US, China, Russia, etc area lays at the top of the overall medal count which could be likened to the current debate about about masters team designations/size. Also, the more relevant comparison would be USS but that argument was avoided.
More importantly to my point is there is no perfect system for trying to level the playing field............and some of the suggestions would create an incredible nightmare to administer (come on Shaf!).
So with that in mind, my challenge was for people to get out and recruit if they want to have more competitive teams.........our getting 80 people to show up didn't "just happen"! The beauty of the current system (much like USS) is that it would allow swimmers from small isolated clubs to swim with a larger state team or any team that want for that matter......free market!
