https://community.usms.org/swimming/f/general/12867/is-laura-val-the-best-masterswimmer-everwww.outsideonline.com/.../laura-val-has-never-ever-met-pool-she-didnt What do you think guys?en-USTelligent Community 12https://community.usms.org/thread/202419?ContentTypeID=1Tue, 05 Sep 2017 05:11:41 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:869fe9a1-9918-44c0-b7e2-f0e06ba064cffastbackOne of the most overlooked of Laura&#39;s accomplishments is the fact that she has been a Swimming World magazine Masters Swimmer of the Year for the past 10 years (and will no doubt make it 11 this year). The designation is made to the 6 men and 6 women who have the most FINA world records during the competition year. This means that Laura would need to continue to get faster and break her own records for each of the 5 years in the age group. Most SOTY recipients can qualify for their first and maybe 2nd year in an age group but to do it year in and year out for a decade is extraordinary. She gets my vote.<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/202389?ContentTypeID=1Mon, 28 Aug 2017 11:59:35 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:8a96deea-0aab-40ce-81eb-3d54d5b01fc5TRYM_SwimmerRich and Allen, what about Gail Roper? She was dominate for many years in the early days and may still have a few records hanging around. Don&#39;t have time at the moment to do research, but would be an interesting comparison. Saw Laura swim in Greensboro last year and was blown away!<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/202413?ContentTypeID=1Mon, 28 Aug 2017 11:17:10 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:08a48d7a-4546-4bdd-ad79-cc0dc64de839Rich AbrahamsRich and Allen, what about Gail Roper? She was dominate for many years in the early days and may still have a few records hanging around. Don&#39;t have time at the moment to do research, but would be an interesting comparison. Saw Laura swim in Greensboro last year and was blown away! No one compares to Laura. Contenders for second best women, IMO, are Jane Asher and Karlyn Pipes.<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/202404?ContentTypeID=1Mon, 28 Aug 2017 06:44:20 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:d8a75b8c-72f8-4375-8985-d5eac6285535lynnmorrisonYes, and I am reminded of that fact at almost every meet - since for three of every five years we are in the same age group! .... maybe I&#39;ll out live her and have a shot for gold in my 90&#39;s.<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/202370?ContentTypeID=1Sat, 26 Aug 2017 09:23:45 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:ecd48bc2-8416-4133-9974-55c28f1915b6Rich AbrahamsNo doubt, and a fantastic person as well<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/202380?ContentTypeID=1Sat, 26 Aug 2017 03:22:12 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:f2f73592-f442-429a-9cbb-70411ff6fb32Karl_SNo doubt, and a fantastic person as well Pretty strong endorsement from a man who can make a very good case for the same honor.<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/202360?ContentTypeID=1Fri, 25 Aug 2017 10:54:33 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:152eec10-4ef0-4538-9b49-968071a2416ePatrick W. BrundageAbsolutely.<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/202354?ContentTypeID=1Fri, 25 Aug 2017 05:24:10 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:a555c67d-5409-4b0d-8c53-cf9d9c069faaf1refl1es!I think she is amazing and inspiring to this sixty-something!<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/202345?ContentTypeID=1Fri, 25 Aug 2017 05:02:40 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:1488fa77-f958-4888-a4ca-c1d8ff022909flystormsWow, she&#39;s pretty spectacular. Amazing!<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/202333?ContentTypeID=1Fri, 25 Aug 2017 03:51:00 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:ce9b9514-421e-4ec3-8af9-26348af35b3cAllen StarkYES!!! I can think of several possible number 2s, but she is clearly #1.<div style="clear:both;"></div>