With most of us keeping an eye on Albuquerque next year, TWIM swimmers did a whole lot more than just qualify in every event under the sun. Six State Records were either broken or established on Sunday, and absolutely every swim was a National qualifier (or came in a 25-yard race). Eight swimmers earned a combined 46 medals, with 23 of them gold.
Betsey Kassen carried the day, winning everything she swam in a grueling line-up, posting two State Records along the way. Her 400 I.M. established the mark for the women’s 65-69 age group, and her 3:38.82 200 Breaststroke shattered the old standard by over 13 seconds.
She also struck gold in the 200 and 500 free, and the 200 fly, all events where she already holds the record! In all, Betsey has 15 State Records spanning three age groups. This year was something special in another way, since her 200 Breaststroke record is the first outside of freestyle, butterfly and IM.
Carl Haynie won four of his five events, including a State Record in what for him was a very relaxed 5:24.9, 400 I.M. Carl was also golden in the 50 and 200 backstroke, and the 200 breaststroke, but was edged out in the 100 breast, taking the silver. Carl’s State Record total is now up to 17, with seven in the 50-54 bracket, and 10 in his current 55-59.
James Mange had a successful day as well, breaking two State Records and winning five events. Mange’s tactics have always been sketchy, but he’s qualified for Nationals in the 50 fly and 200 back, both of which he won, and the 400 IM and 200 breaststroke where he took second to his TWIM teammate, Dan Underbrink. Always one to create chaos, he stretched the spirit of the rules with his rest breaks on the butterfly during the IM, and during the second half of the breaststroke. Unlike Betsey, James swims the wussy events and won the 25 fly, back and breast, breaking the State Record in the back and breast. “25’s are a niche event,” Mange said, “I’m always on the lookout for niches to fill.” James now has five State Records still on the books, covering three age groups.
Getting back to Dan Underbrink, another swimmer who thrives on the tough events, Dan was the champion in the 500 free, 200 breaststroke, 200 fly, and defended his title in the 400 IM, just a tad off his own State Record. Just for kicks, Dan also qualified for Nationals in the 200 backstroke, part of a historic heat.
Dan, James, and Carl along with Father Tom Fritschen and Frank “The Rocket” Powell made up an entire heat of the 200 back. Not only was it the first time a full heat has been TWIM in a major meet, it was the fastest heat. Haters will point out there were only two heats, but TWIM data shows all five of those swimmers have also earned multiple medals on the National level of Senior Games and/or U.S. Masters Swimming! (The Rocket also has an International medal from the PanAm Games!!!)
The good Father was first in the 50 and 100 backstroke, and also the 200 free. He struck silver in the 200 back, and bronze in the 500 free.
Powell, in rehab, punished himself with seven events, sweeping the silver medals in the backstroke events. He was also second in the 200 free. Frank added bronze medal swims in the 50, 100 and 500 freestyles.
Val Thompson also racked up a pile of hardware bringing home more medals than anyone with eight. Valerie won the 25 free, and took second in all three of the other short sprints. She was also second place in the 100 and 500 free, and finished out the freestyle program with bronze in the 50 and 200-yard events.
Last mentioned (but first in team hierarchy), Thomas Walker pitched in with a pair of gold medals and a trio of bronze. Thomas won the 100 IM and the 200 free, and was third in all the breaststroke races.
When news reached TWIM in Olympia on Sunday that Holly Lickwala and Brent Barnes had represented TWIM well in the highly regarded Gil Young Memorial Meet in Gresham, Oregon over the weekend, with a combined six gold, two silver and three bronze medals, Walker was rumored to have been overheard authorizing an expansion and upgrade on the vault in TWIM Tower.
Thanks to Mel Smith and his army of volunteers, our day ran smoothly. Fellow TWIMmers, Jason and Tammy Koppelberger, were both on duty with Jason providing his golden tones as meet announcer. TWIM even had a cheer squad thanks to Laura Powell (not pictured), Valerie Powell, Jessi Gable, and Bret Bryan. THANK YOU, All!
