This weekend was our Pacific Masters Championships. It was a close battle between WCM and USF and I don't know who won at this very moment. I don't care.
You see, I left right before the 1000 today (the last event) right after the last relays. I watched some great swims today. Amazing swims. My friend Brendon swam a 2:03 200 fly and really hit his taper (as he's not going to Nationals)- we were teasing about how he does really well the week after a tapered meet. He seemed to finally figure it out this time.
My friend Stephen called me tonight and told me that Brendon also had a great 1000, was warming down, had a heart attack and died. He was 35. I was stunned. I've been crying since then trying to make sense of it all. It doesn't make sense.
I called some other friends and no one else can believe it either. Suddenly, the meet doesn't matter, swimming doesn't matter, what matters is that we lost a really great guy today. He was always so happy, funny, and loved to tell jokes. He was really good natured and fun to be around. I will miss him terribly.
Parents
Former Member
Heather,
A nice idea ... indeed.
Here's another idea for Karen. I am sure that we remember September 11, 2001 and the loss of many lives, especially at the World Trade Towers. USMS sadly lost two of its own, Andrew Fisher and Doug Irgang, who both happened to be in each of the towers at the time of the shameless attack. They both were members of NYC's Asphalt Green Masters team. Ever since that terrible day, there has been a memorial swim-a-thon (or similar event) at the New York Asphalt Green facility. The proceeds are, I think, for scholarships for victim's children.
Perhaps this might give Karen and Pacific Masters some food for thought. My own team, along with anyone else who cared to participate, recently did a swim-a-thon for organ donors.
Mark
Heather,
A nice idea ... indeed.
Here's another idea for Karen. I am sure that we remember September 11, 2001 and the loss of many lives, especially at the World Trade Towers. USMS sadly lost two of its own, Andrew Fisher and Doug Irgang, who both happened to be in each of the towers at the time of the shameless attack. They both were members of NYC's Asphalt Green Masters team. Ever since that terrible day, there has been a memorial swim-a-thon (or similar event) at the New York Asphalt Green facility. The proceeds are, I think, for scholarships for victim's children.
Perhaps this might give Karen and Pacific Masters some food for thought. My own team, along with anyone else who cared to participate, recently did a swim-a-thon for organ donors.
Mark
