I suppose it would be naughty of me to wonder whether they have a category for late bloomers?
It would reflect an impure heart.
Jim:
Are you reading there, buddy? :thhbbb: 7 women were mentioned above. I'm not as familiar with the young whippersnappers, but they have to put someone under 35 on that list, don't they?
I have noticed that no one has picked anybody from around the World other than USMS. Remember people, this is Swimming Worlds "Masters Swimmers of the Year from around the WORLD. With that in mind, Jane Asher would surly be one of the swimmers that would be worth mention.
Having been selected for this honor last year, I'd like to make a couple of comments from that perspective.
While I can't remember the exact criteria the selection committe uses, I think the total number of records set is the most heavily weighted factor.
I feel this is an unfair advantage to older swimmers (like myself). It is definitely tougher to break multiple records in the younger age groups (Karlyn P-N notwithstanding). The overall competition in the younger groups is just so much deeper and the standards that do exist are so much more challenging. Personally, one or two incredible efforts (e.g. Rich Saeger's 200 LCM free or Jeff Commings recent 1:01 in the 100 SCM ***) deserve this kind of recognition. Maybe a seperate award for the most mind blowing performance (men's and women's) could be added or at least adjust the criteria to better honor the younger swimmers.
What do you thinK?
Rich
I've always thought awards like these favor swimmers over 45.
Not that swimmers over 45 aren't good swimmers. If I'm still walking upright when I'm 45, I'll be a happy man.
Oh, thanks, Rich.
I don't know, but if Rich Abrahams isn't one of them I'm boycotting Swimming World!
OK, actually I don't subscribe now, but I'll be disappointed :)
I couldn't possibly agree any more with a statement than this one Kirk!
I also agree with Fort about Jim McConica and Carrie about Dennis Baker and Paul Smith. Its gets difficult for me after that though. I think one of the most amazing USMS records held by a man over the age of 40 is Paul Carter's 100 LCM fly record at 56.42. First of all it is over a second faster than the 100 LCM World record for the 40-44 agegroup, its within 4 tenths of a second from the 100 fly LCM record for the 35 - 39 year old agegroup ...and within 2 tenths of a second from the record in the 30 - 34 year old age group. Moreover, if you use the following time conversion utility:
www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../conversions.asp
You will see that a 56.42 in LCM converts to a 48.97 in SCY!! (using this utility only of course).....Thats totally amazing. It would be great to see if that record gets toppled anytime in the near future? ...cough...Paul Smith..cough...uhumm...just clearing my throat
But Having one or two super incredible records is not what this is actually about IMO (I'm Not saying that Paul Carter only has one or two...just saying in general). Maybe Rich Seager should be on the list? and maybe some of the others mentioned already....its a pretty tough call thats for sure!!....and thats a great testiment IMO to the overall high quality of U.S. Master's Swimming at the highest levels!!
Oh Yaeh I almost forgot,...there's Muppet to consider too....So Am I also under consideration too then Muppet? LOL!:rofl:
Newmastersswimmer
I've always thought awards like these favor swimmers over 45.
Not that swimmers over 45 aren't good swimmers. If I'm still walking upright when I'm 45, I'll be a happy man.
Oh, thanks, Rich.
I agree, and that's why I mentioned we should name someone under 35! I'm sure everyone here will be rooting for you!
Although, in defense of Smith (am I really doing this? and I know you're probably just baiting him), it's unusual to have that many consecutive years of dominance with all the myriad distractions we oldsters face --including whether we can even walk upright. I think I crawled up the stairs once last year.
As for that outrageous potshot at other 45 year olds besides the dieting one, well, I think there's a lot of speedy swimmers in my age group. Here's an example: Bridgitte Heuer swam a 27.7 in the 50 free LC this summer. It was faster than the best time in the 18-24 age group, only .5 slower than the 25-29 age group, and only .3 slower than the 30-34 age group. So as a relative age adjusted matter, I'd say she's faster than the 35 & U group. :thhbbb:
