Senior Age Group swimming that is! TWIM, as represented by Coach Vince “V-Man” Carmosino and Yours Truly caught the huge wave of fun and energy Thursday July 12th through Saturday July 14th as we USMS swimmers joined over 300 age group swimmers from various PNS clubs at the truly glorious 99th Annual Senior Seattle Open hosted so beautifully and efficiently by Meet Director, Rene Folk, and a host of outstanding volunteers at the venerable Colman Pool!
The weather was absolutely spectacular in the picture perfect PNW way that we all know and love, and nature provided an inspiring backdrop for the assembled aquatic army gathered there, with 2400 entries over that 3-Day period!
Coach Vince doubled as Coach and Swimmer for this dual-sanctioned meet for USA Swimming and USMS. He was there to lead over 30 outstanding young athletes who compete under the Wave Aquatics banner. We were accompanied by two of his triplets, the lovely and talented Giavanna and Aydia, who were both serious competitors there. Their sister is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury but Family Carmosino still was able to leave its aquatic calling card in spades!
When he wasn’t busy coaching, The V-Man schooled the youngsters there in the art of the 100 Breaststroke, which he swam with his usual mastery and gave them all a run for their money!
Your ever loyal COB swam the 200 Breaststroke (Ugh) and the 200 Free on Thursday, which started to feel pretty good there toward the end. By Friday, I was rocking and rolling and dashed off a great 50 Free and a powerful 100 Breast. I was wondering where that was on Thursday! After I finished the 50 free, all the 16 year old swimmers in my heat came up to congratulate me and one of them asked “So, how old are you?”. When I replied that I was 71, there was universal jaw dropping. So that was fun; I won the Grandpa Award! I was also signed up for the 400 Free, but it didn’t start until after 5 and by then I was back home on my deck wondering how I was ever going to walk again-
The energy level at his meet was literally out of this world, and it was such a high to be among hundreds of the best young swimmers this area has to offer and to witness that beautiful form!
Don’t forget to show up for the 100th Annual next year! You won’t regret it!!!
