By Tom Walker
Yes, don’t forget about Doug, but we’ll get to that in a moment.
Man, that’s a long, long way! I think that thought must have flickered through the minds of the contestants at the venerable Bellevue Mile, presented Sunday, February 4th, in its 2024 version.
Our great PNA distance swimmers were out in force, and what a joy it was to witness such beautiful and elegant swimming! And it was so inspiring to watch everyone give it their all!
The TWIM contingent, consisting of Andrew Brill, Kathy Pelham, Steve Schwartz, Dan Underbrink, Kelly Vickstrom and Colleen Wahlstrom delivered their usual gutsy performance, and all swam well.
Nicely done by the Old Blue and White!
The meet was impeccably led and orchestrated by PNA President Sally Dillon and her team of intrepid volunteers, including veteran meet officials Dick Baer, Jim Davison and, of course, the omnipresent Dick Chapman.
A huge thank you for your service, yet again!
Yes, it was great to see so many old friends, including our brothers from the South, Dan Kirkland and Rick Howell, who always come up from down Oregon Way for many of the major meets up here and always lay down some outstanding swimming. As many of us know, Mr. Kirkland holds national age group records in all of these distance freestyle events with some truly amazing times.
I don’t how many noticed the indomitable Doug Jelen way over there in lane 1, swimming perfect backstroke the entire way, including flawless turns, repeating last year’s tour de force.
I happened to run into him in the corridor as I was exiting the facility and we chatted briefly about his swim. With his customary ironic nonchalance, he told me he hadn’t swum freestyle in quite a while. Judging by his time in the 1500-meter backstroke, God help us when he decides to free himself once again!
