CT Master’s Games were held on Sunday, May 19th.  For the first year, they required USMS membership but drew as many people as in years past.  Heats were decided by gender and age, regardless of time which was a unique but fun experience.  Many of the faces people have grown to love in CONN Masters were in attendance, including Val Ouchakof, Fred Goldner, Jimmy Goldsmith, Peter Berghaus, and Bob Cahill.  There were also several people there swimming their first meet in many years (sometimes up to 30 years) and some where participating in their first swim meet ever.  The organizers handed out medals after each third of the meet, which was lots of fun, and the medals were very, very nice.  Many swimmers also swam excellent times causing people to wonder what was so fast about CCSU pool on Sunday.

This meet is still accepting entries for those who have debated going.  Connecticut would love to put as many relays together as we can- we love those points and team spirit.  Anyone who is willing to do a relay come see either Charlene Puska, Carolyn Daniels or Ally Sega who will be sitting near the computer table in the bleachers.

Here are the 28th Annual Ground Hog Meet – Feb 2013 results.  The meet was very well attended and ran very smoothly.  Thank you to Mike Laux, Ellen Johnston and everyone who helped organize and run the meet.

Karlyn Pipes-Neilsen will be holing a Freestyle clinic, including video taping participants in East Lyme.  The clinic will be on Sat, Feb 16th, 2013 from 12-4:30 pm and costs $195.  Please contact aquaticedge@hawaii.rr.com for more information or click here to be linked with the Aquaticedge’s registration page which will allow you to print a registration form or register online.

Please check Meet Results as many new meets have been added.  First, a reminder that the Annual Ground Hog Meet is less than a week away on Sunday, February 3, 2013.  Hope you have been practicing and we will see you there.  Second, Greenwich YMCA is hosting a Mile Meet and Pool Party on Sunday, March 3, 2013.  This should be a good opportunity for Connecticut Master’s to be able to get in a distance swim early this year.  Then the dates have been announced for the NEM SCY Championships.  The distance day will be Saturday, March 16, 2013 and the rest will be Friday, March 22 through Sunday, March 24, 2013.  The event order has been posted although the entry form is not online yet.  Connecticut Master’s Games will host their swim meet on Sunday, May 19, 2013 at Central Connecticut State University.  Remember: it isn’t how fast you swam at the meet, it’s that you swam, had fun, and got a good meal afterwards!

The Goundhog Meet that is held annually in Westport is one of Connecticut Master’s longest running and most treasured swim events.  This is a great local meet that offers all level of competition.  It is a great meet if you are starting your swim career and want to see how a meet works.  It is also a great meet if you want to try your skills against some of Connecticut’s best swimmers or want to have a meet to prepare for New England Championships or other larger meets.  This year it will be held Sunday, February 3rd.  Details will be added to the swim site when they are available.

Results have been added to the results page.  Connecticut again had a proud showing at a New England Meet getting an overall 3rd place in the team event.  Connecticut was led by the very strong showing of Ann Louise Onton, who scored 174 points, placing her 3rd among women (in all age groups)!  Peter Berghaus also did well scoring 95 points for the highest scoring Conn Master’s men.  Christie Hayes added 62 points, Stewart Skolnick added 47 points, and Jack Driscoll added 4 points to Conn Master’s total of 382 points.  Congradulations to those who swam and thank you for representing Connecticut so well.