The sun was not the only shiny object a week ago in Riverside, California. There were Hollywood-grade superstars and TWIMmers down there, too.
Indeed, the USMS Spring National Championship wrapped up April 27-30 at the Riverside Aquatics Complex. Taking it all in and competing alongside 60 of their Puget Sound Masters (PSM) team mates and against 2,000 of their USMS brethren including superstars Ryan Lochte and Nathan Adrian were Jenny Ferries, Brad Jones, and Carl Haynie of TWIM!
When it was all over, PSM would land squarely on the podium behind Colorado and Arizona and ahead of 14 other Regional teams from across the country. This feat would not have been possible without the expert head coaching of April Cheadle and her two assisting coaches, Katie Dahl-Lomatewama and Aaron Hughes.
Joining Ryan Lochte and Nathan Adrian were 20 other Olympians swimming right alongside us! Okay, maybe it was more like ahead of us…
It was a real treat watching Ryan and Nathan compete in the same pool with us. They were amazingly fast in the water and each of their performances were incredible to witness! Of course, we’ve gotten a little spoiled. Our own Rick Colella and Charlotte Davis of PSM seemed to set a new National Record in their age group every time they hit the water!
The TWIM trio proved an integral piece of PSM’s success.
On Friday, Jenny was first to hit the water with the 100 breast. She was dazzling in both the 200 breast and 400 IM, placing ninth in both events and in a very competitive 35+ age group. In the 200 breast, she won her heat from an outside lane knowing she would have to win it to place in the top ten. It was fun to watch! Her 34.07 in the 50 back was a personal best as was (probably) her smoking fast 50 free split in the Mixed 18+ 200 free relay. Way to go, Jenny!
Brad logged superb swims in the 100 Fly, 100 IM, and 400 IM. A friend (David McCarty) had challenged him at last year’s Spring Nationals to swim the 400 IM and, voilà, he can now add a new race to his repertoire. Not only did he survive the race, he excelled at it, finishing in the top ten in a competitive 50+ age group! Brad also swam three A relays finishing in the top ten including the Men’s 200 Medley Relay which nabbed the Bronze. Nicely done, Brad!
This is Tom Walker talking now everyone. Carl “MC” Haynie is too modest to list his accomplishments so here they are in all their glory:
1st Men's 100 Backstroke 55-59 1st Men's 200 Backstroke 55-59 1st Men's 55+ 200 Medley Relay 3rd Men's 55+ 200 Free Relay
We have a National Champion thrice over! Way to Go MC! You just keep getting faster as you age up- what is your secret anyway? It’s not normal. Cheers!
