OK......got to give some huge kudos to the Coral Springs group for hosting possibly the best USMS nationals I've attended. No direspect to others tha have hosted.....but these guys went to a new level!
- Having a Starbucks van parked in front of the facility the entrie meet and providing the coffee in the hospitality tent.....come on folks it doesn't get any better!
- Except that they also had hooked up with Outback Steakhouse!!! Tip to all swimmers at future nationals DO NOT become a gold medal sponosor or meet volunteer......that way all the incredible food provided will be left to me! OK...I did have to fight with Bill Volkening for the Penne Vodka.....and watch your fingers around Laura Winslow when the pizza comes out.....but no one went hungry!
- Oh....and lets not forget the tennis center beer garden where the Colorado Team held down the fort each afternoon.....bunch of wussies afraid to drink with us I'd guess! Actaully I think Mark Gill had a manicure or facial or make-up prep scheduled each day at that time so he gets a pass......At least Clay was man enough to show up!
- Come to think of it.....given our kick as.. womens team who not only won the meet but out drank any man who dared to show, if I was from another team I'd stay away as well!
Great meet....Great people!!
Bill,
Good point and Laura....I think she scared the heck out of the some of the age group swimmers who tried to cut in front of her!
I do have to say that meeting the Russian contingent was a blast! However getting a bear hug Evgeny right after the 50 fly scared the heck out of me......the vodka he gave me after the meet more than made up for it......and they we're hilarious!
Geek......you missed it......the russians warm up in flowered
g-string speedo's.....perfect cover for the next USMS mag!
Originally posted by Paul Smith
I did have to fight with Bill Volckening for the Penne Vodka.....
Is that what I was eating?
Originally posted by Paul Smith
and watch your fingers around Laura Winslow when the pizza comes out...
I think we found a new event for Laura: the hurdles. Laura was so disappointed when they ran out of pizza, but as soon as more arrived, she looked like Edwin Moses jumping three chairs at a time. What a hoot!
There were too many favorite moments to write about here. It was great meeting so many people - all of whom I admire greatly - and of course it was great seeing so many friends.
If I had to pick one highlight it was jumping in for a relay with my Multnomah Athletic Club teammates Doug Otto, Ari Berlin and Tomas Oliva. We swam in the 25+ relay and our average age was 39, but we did well and had a blast! It was my only swim of the meet, and I was pleased to be a couple tenths faster than I was a few weeks ago. I was especially pleased to fit into my Fastskin - couldn't get it up past the hips when I started swimming again in January.
The whole event left me feeling a little exhausted but also very energized. Thank you to all the people who shared ideas for the magazine! I wrote 'em all down, and I'm really psyched about all the great input!!
Swimmer Bill
My first Nationals was a Blast!!
Everybody had a ton of fun and the meet was run very well!
Mark Gill announced and did a outstanding job for all 4 days, All of the Officials and volunteers were very helpful and on the ball!
Nothing like a double expresso before your event from Starbucks, especially after Saturday night's adventure.
Cyle Sage had a very interesting night on Saturday which involved a Greek Restaurant, Belly Dancers and other things you have to ask him if you see him.
Favorite story... hmm, probably Beer Bowling until 3:00AM Saturday night and the party after, and I actually still swam better than my seed! Ha - Must have been the Carbo-Loading!
Losing a contact during my 50 *** was interesting.
Watching DOZENS of National records being smashed!
Meeting people from the Forum was great!!
The list goes on.
Beer Garden!!!!
We definately missed something.....
All I know is that my teammates and I found no parties down there :(
It was a great meet though. We did really well.
