Arizona Masters will rule the waves in Austin

John, Do you think you can stay with Arizona all the way until Nationals? You do have a tendency to switch teams fairly often. CO, Team TYR, CO, AZ, wasn't there a TX team at some point too? Having lived in AZ for a few years more than John has, the state has the ability to put together some pretty fast relays without the help of all the ringers. Besides, the last time Rowdy anchored a relay, a team for CO (ironically, where John actually lives) beat him. John, your best relay to date was the one you swam in Florida comprised of your 11 year old teammates. That was fun to watch and better captured the spirit of Masters than any of your superstar relays ever have in my opinion. Mark, having chatted with you over the years about what our intentions and motivations are in masters swimming you probably know far better than most that the primary interest for guys like John and I are trying to pull "old" has beens back into the game. To date we've been pretty successful, Rowdy occasionally shows up....if we harass him enough...same with Saeger, etc. etc. We've had a far greater challenge getting Gabarino, Switzer, Leamy, etc.....but we haven't given up hope! Although we probably won't change the minds of many in the sport...the truth is this is not about "super teams"....but rather pulling old friends/teamates/competitors back on board usually with some stupid goal...this years being to try and challenge the national boys high school record in the 200 medley relay (which got Mills & Rowdy back on board). "Teammate" has a certain meaning to differant people....for some its those you train with day in day out, for others its the national team or Olympic team, for others its a reunion of swimmers you swam with or against 20-30 years ago. The beauty of masters for me is that there are no restrictions on what this definition is/should be....and getting old farts out of retirement for a meet/relay/get together along with being part of a team like un Devil, Brophy & AZ masters (all of which I am a part of) is what continues to drive my interest and involvment in USMS.

John, Do you think you can stay with Arizona all the way until Nationals? You do have a tendency to switch teams fairly often. CO, Team TYR, CO, AZ, wasn't there a TX team at some point too? Having lived in AZ for a few years more than John has, the state has the ability to put together some pretty fast relays without the help of all the ringers. Besides, the last time Rowdy anchored a relay, a team for CO (ironically, where John actually lives) beat him. John, your best relay to date was the one you swam in Florida comprised of your 11 year old teammates. That was fun to watch and better captured the spirit of Masters than any of your superstar relays ever have in my opinion. Mark, having chatted with you over the years about what our intentions and motivations are in masters swimming you probably know far better than most that the primary interest for guys like John and I are trying to pull "old" has beens back into the game. To date we've been pretty successful, Rowdy occasionally shows up....if we harass him enough...same with Saeger, etc. etc. We've had a far greater challenge getting Gabarino, Switzer, Leamy, etc.....but we haven't given up hope! Although we probably won't change the minds of many in the sport...the truth is this is not about "super teams"....but rather pulling old friends/teamates/competitors back on board usually with some stupid goal...this years being to try and challenge the national boys high school record in the 200 medley relay (which got Mills & Rowdy back on board). "Teammate" has a certain meaning to differant people....for some its those you train with day in day out, for others its the national team or Olympic team, for others its a reunion of swimmers you swam with or against 20-30 years ago. The beauty of masters for me is that there are no restrictions on what this definition is/should be....and getting old farts out of retirement for a meet/relay/get together along with being part of a team like un Devil, Brophy & AZ masters (all of which I am a part of) is what continues to drive my interest and involvment in USMS.