low turnout for sc nationals

Two things are affecting the numbers for SC Nationals in Coral Springs. (1) SC Nationals were held in Ft. Lauderdale last year, and (2) Many people (on the West coast) are gearing up for Worlds in Palo Alto this Summer.

For those not in the "know" Ambrose Gaines' nickname is "Rowdy." michael

I will add one thing to what Michael Heather said about the low turnout at Coral Springs. (3) YMCA Nationals are going to be held 4 days later in Fort Lauderdale and go thru the next weekend. A lot of people usually go to both meets. Most people (like myself) cannot stay in Florida for almost 2 weeks and swim 8 out of 12 days in a championship meet. Some people are going to both and it will be interesting to see how they do.

Originally posted by Michael Heather Two things are affecting the numbers for SC Nationals in Coral Springs. (1) SC Nationals were held in Ft. Lauderdale last year, and (2) Many people (on the West coast) are gearing up for Worlds in Palo Alto this Summer. These are the exact two reasons I chose not to swim at Nationals this year.

Small....but VERY fast...you see some of these: Event 1 Women 1000 Yard Freestyle 35-39 1 Smith, Jody L 37 STAN 10:40.04 Event 7 Women 50 Yard Butterfly 40-44 1 Von Der Lippe, Susan G 40 CMS 25.88 Event 9 Women 200 Yard Freestyle 40-44 1 Dillmann, Liz J 41 IM 1:52.20 Event 11 Women 100 Yard Backstroke 30-34 1 Miller, Barbara J 33 CMS 58.50 Event 25 Women 100 Yard Breaststroke 40-44 1 Von Der Lippe, Susan G 40 CMS 1:04.25 Event 2 Men 1000 Yard Freestyle 35-39 1 Saulnier, Ethan A 36 NEM 9:42.50 Event 8 Men 50 Yard Butterfly 30-34 1 Hall Jr., Gary W 31 RACE 22.98 Event 12 Men 100 Yard Backstroke 45-49 1 Britt, J Clay 45 ANCM 52.50 Event 24 Men 50 Yard Freestyle 45-49 1 Smith, Paul L 46 CMS 21.70 2 Gaines, Ambrose 47 GOLD 21.90 (sandbagger!)

For those that are going, this should be a fun meet. The days will end early. The warm up lanes (all 16 of them) won't be nearly as crowded as usual. Yet there are still enough people that you get rest between your swims. On top of that, the tennis center (right next to the pool) has a bar. See you in Florida.

Paul, as you will note from my most recent email to you, Barbara J Miller is REALLY a married BJ Bedford. Not so surprising to see the backstroke time. -- mel

Originally posted by meldyck Barbara J Miller is REALLY a married BJ Bedford. I remember a few years ago, when BJ did the Swim Across America relay (with Rowdy Gaines) at Portage Park Pool. (Algae counts were up, otherwise we would have been in downtown Chicago swimming in the lake.) She hadn't been training much, which didn't stop her from swimming the last 100 of her mile butterfly. (My fly is enough of a struggle, I had trouble understanding how someone could do it after a mile...)

To Paul Smith- a couple of other swimmers to keep an eye at Nationals (a little older then you kids) Jim McConica aging up in the 55-59 and Robert Strand aging up in the 60-64 groups. They both have early swims that indicate some records are going bye-bye. Laura Val will still be 54 but always fast and exciting. Its going to be a good meet. Hope the pool is fast!!