TWIM Triumphs at Champs

After a February that nobody could forget with that Alaska-like weather, it seemed like April would never come. Finally, though, it was time to muster the troops, head to Federal Way, and match strokes with the best swimmers from this time zone and beyond.

The PNA and PNW Zone Championship Meet proved to be a test that TWIM members would pass with flying colors on April 13th and 14th. Deepest thanks are owed to host Blue Wave Aquatics, Meet Referee Mike Murphy and his army of judges, Boy Scout Troop 392 of Normandy Park (our timers!), Announcer Steve Freeborn, Registrar Angela Turley, a plethora of super hard-working volunteers, fierce outside competition from all you Oregon teams, and the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.

From its inception in 2015, when amazingly the first-year team won the small-teams division, Twimmers have had their eye on the medium-team trophy. After a very respectable third place finish in 2016 we took a step back to 5th the following year. After gathering ourselves by crushing the competition back in the small team realm last year we seemed ready for the challenge; and boy, were we! Boasting an 18 swimmer contingent, we took it to the others early and often and the top slot seemed a guarantee after Day 1. But, with an attitude of never letting up, the entire group, with veteran focus and champion’s aplomb made it a certainty by pulling away to win by 87 ½ points with a TWIM team record for the meet of 615 ½ points. This broke our previous record by 133 ½ points!

And it truly was a team effort made even more amazing by the fact that one of our top swimmers, Erin McPeak, fell ill just before the weekend and was unable to compete. And another top swimmer, Maoz Alsberg, missed events due to family responsibilities on Saturday and to injury the next day. In addition to these two, Betsey Kassen had a nearly unshakable bug that came with the cold of February and lingered into March causing her to miss a ton of training. And everyone knows about Tom Fritschen’s wrist injury; Tom was a stroke slower than usual (third 200 Fr & 4th 50 Fr) but knowing him (which I do now), I’m sure he’ll be back to beating me and others in our age group again in no time.

And last, but not least, Jason Koppelberger swam on Saturday but had dire student responsibilities so had to skip Sunday. He contributed nicely though with a second in the 200 free with a very nice time of 2:30.69 and a fourth in the 50 free. We all appreciate you taking time away from academics to help out!

Leading off for the team in the first event, the 1000 free, was our own Alabama Attacker, Val Thompson. She got second for us right off the bat and seemed to set the stage for all who came after. It should be mentioned that this gal flinches at nothing as she not only swam the aforementioned 1000, but also the 1650 Free (2nd). In between those bookends were the 100 IM (2nd), the 200 Free (2nd), the 500 Free (1st), and the 100 Free (2nd). Well done!

All the while, Vic Pace (Val’s hubby, the TWIM Roadie, and our Backup TWIM Coach), was indispensable. Thank you, Vic!

Betsey Kassen was next and despite her lack of training, she was able to pull off a victory in not only the 1000 Free but also the 50 Breast. Her only other individual event, as she just swam on Saturday, was the 50 Free (placed 3rd). She also served valiantly on two different relays.

Ironman Dan Underbrink was next; he took 3rd in the 1000 and followed that up with 3 other events and a relay on Saturday and then two events and a relay on Sunday. When the dust had settled, he walked away with 3 firsts (100 breast, 200 breast & 200 back), a second (400 IM) and two thirds! His passion about competing is infectious and nearly rivals his obsession with collecting 18th century sailing medallions. Next meet, ask him about it; they are incredible. Just no matter what, do not let him talk you into swimming around Mercer Island!

Coach T (for Tammy) Koppelberger also hit the water early taking 1st in the 1000 in an amazing time of 12:11.92 (She would later go on to win the 500 breaking 6 minutes for the first time as a Masters swimmer)! She was our only 11-event swimmer, serving on five relays as well as her 6 individual events. She had four firsts (the 100 Free, 200 Free to match her 500 and 1000 performances) and a 2nd in the 50 Free and also in the 1650 Free (to our very own Kathy Pelham). The duel between these two went down to the wire with Kathy pulling it out by just over 3 seconds! Thank you Coach T for all you did for us this weekend!

COB and our senior member Mr. Thomas Walker spent lots of time in the pool over both days also and contributed a lot of energy supporting others as well. He registered three third places (50 breast, 200 IM, & 200 breast) two fourths (100 breast & 200 back) and a sixth. He also swam a relay.

Big Tom Fritschen swam four total events with one of those being a relay and though his times were not up to his standards he picked up valuable points for us. I’m looking forward to some great matches with you in the freestyle when you’re back to normal!

Jenny Ferries was another that was able to make it just for one day but what an impact she had; three firsts on Saturday (100 IM, 50 breast & 100 breast) and a third in a hotly contested 400 IM. She also helped on a relay. Didn’t I hear that you were an All Star softball player in college too? Please don’t become a triathloner.

Brent Barnes and Holly Lickwala arrived with kids in tow. They proceeded to show their prowess in the pool and also on dry land as parents that had it figured out; those kids were perfectly mannered! Brent had an amazing swim in the 100 breast where he dropped 7 seconds to finish in 1:20.53; good enough for 4th place. He also got 4th in the 50 breast but captured a second in the 200 breast. He also competed in the 50, 100 & 500 freestyles, registering good times while nabbing 7th, 6th & 5th in those events. Not bad for a guy born in White Salmon; isn’t it required that everyone is a good swimmer from there?

Holly swam 5 individual events and 4 relays. She won firsts in the 50 free, 100 breast & 200 IM (amazing time of 2:35.59!) and got second in the 100 IM with a 1:10.71 & 50 fly (:30.52). Another one of our incredible point machines! And always ready with a great smile.

Maoz Alsberg, as previously mentioned, was only able to show us some of his considerable talents. He smoked ‘em in the 100 IM in :59.73 for a 1st and did the same in the 50 fly (:27.11). Those were times I did in my twenties for cripe sakes! No wonder you hurt your shoulder. Hey, thanks for sharing stories with me; fascinating. This guy has been all over!

James Mange, in the grand spirit of TWIM swimmers, absolutely crushed it this weekend too. Three firsts (50 breast, 200 IM & 1650 free) and three seconds (100 back, 100 breast & 50 back) while also contributing nicely in 2 relays. Inspirational!

Jenifer Tighe, in her maiden meet, not only did supremely well but she went above and beyond and served valiantly on three relays! She got 4th place in both the 50 free & 50 back but captured a nice second place in the 50 breast. Welcome aboard and nicely done! You had to have swum for old Homestead High, right!? Oh, and thank the hubby once again for the valuable information regarding the Masters Golf tournament. Information from the outside world comes at quite the premium.

Robert Moore, the pride of Fort Vancouver High, swam for us on Sunday and I think we won him over as he says that he’ll be back; and we’d love to have him! He scorched it, anchoring one relay and individually swam to a 3rd in the 200 back (2:25.16) a fourth in the 50 fly (:29.02) & also the 50 back (:31.71). Next meet you have to bring your musical instrument of choice and serenade us in between events; just do it!

Kathy Pelham, though she only swam 1 individual event (1st in 1650 free) served on two relays. This gal is fast, fast, fast! To beat our coach in any event, you have to be. Just tell me you are NOT a Chicago Bears fan (from a suburb of Chicago)!

Next is the indomitable Carl Haynie. There’s a reason this guy is top-5 nationally every year; that backstroke is as smooth as silk. There is only one reason he did not capture 6 firsts and that is due to friends like Brad Hering and Dan Phillips. Anyway, 4 firsts (100 & 200 back, 100 & 200 breast) and 2 seconds in PNA scoring (50 back, 50 breast) is an amazing haul and then contributing huge on 4 relays. Nicely done old boy!

Lastly me, Scott Neuhaus. Thanks to the coaches for having the confidence to let me swim 4 relays. Those were a lot of fun. Individually: 3 seconds (100 IM, 200 breast and a tie in the 50 free :28.03), a third (100 breast) a fourth (100 free) and a fifth (50 fly). Every meet I swim I learn what I need to do more of and that is DRYLAND WORK!! And it was so nice to meet those of you I hadn’t before (sorry Jenny Ferries; somehow I missed an introduction). Looking forward to the next one.

In closing, since I’m sure I will never again be given the task of blogging about our meet by the COB [Editor: “nice try!”] , I would like to share simply this: Events we share together, such as this, become more and more special as we age. If only for a weekend, they are all opportunities to make time stand absolutely still. As everyone has noticed, Father Time seems to get in a bigger and bigger hurry the older we get. The camaraderie and caring I felt this weekend made the entire event very special, and I look forward to stopping time with more TWIM victories in the future!!!