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.
From Kerry O'Brien - Coach of Walnut Creek Masters
Simple existence can occur through inhaling and exhaling. _Actual "living" happens by constantly breathing new life into those things we are passionate about. _A key to "living happily" is not only finding balance between the things that are important and those that bring us joy, but by also knowing how to find one within the the other. That is how I would describe the life of Walnut Creek Masters member Brendon Wen. _His passions were family, swimming and his career as an attorney.
Brenden passed away suddenly, Sunday, at the conclusion of the Pacific Masters Championships. All who attended and knew Brendon had the pleasure in sharing in quite possibly the best swim meet of his life, smashing personal best's in his two best evetnts-The 100 and 200 butterfly.
We were all blessed by his gentle spirit, kind heart, and quiet demeanor all wrapped up in that large strong body with a smile to match. He was a true friend to WCM members and the masters swimming community as a whole. As we remember Brendon let us also remember his family and pray for their healing. In Brendon's passing, I am again reminded through your love and outreach to one another, that we are so much more than just a swim team. _-Kerry.
A memorial service will be held Sat. May 7th at 8:45 am. The location will be at
Clarke Memorial Swim Center
Heather Farm Park
Walnut Creek
From Kerry O'Brien - Coach of Walnut Creek Masters
Simple existence can occur through inhaling and exhaling. _Actual "living" happens by constantly breathing new life into those things we are passionate about. _A key to "living happily" is not only finding balance between the things that are important and those that bring us joy, but by also knowing how to find one within the the other. That is how I would describe the life of Walnut Creek Masters member Brendon Wen. _His passions were family, swimming and his career as an attorney.
Brenden passed away suddenly, Sunday, at the conclusion of the Pacific Masters Championships. All who attended and knew Brendon had the pleasure in sharing in quite possibly the best swim meet of his life, smashing personal best's in his two best evetnts-The 100 and 200 butterfly.
We were all blessed by his gentle spirit, kind heart, and quiet demeanor all wrapped up in that large strong body with a smile to match. He was a true friend to WCM members and the masters swimming community as a whole. As we remember Brendon let us also remember his family and pray for their healing. In Brendon's passing, I am again reminded through your love and outreach to one another, that we are so much more than just a swim team. _-Kerry.
A memorial service will be held Sat. May 7th at 8:45 am. The location will be at
Clarke Memorial Swim Center
Heather Farm Park
Walnut Creek
