Meet recap

A great job by MIT Masters swimmers, who as a team placed 8th in the medium team division this weekend at the SCY Championship meet. This was, according to the meet director, the second largest masters swim meet in the U.S. with over 850 participants. I can't possibly recap all of the amazing swims, but wanted to offer a few highlights.

1.The Geary v. Geary showdown was great - Bill had an amazing swim, and with a 5 second handicap "beat" Caitlin. Truth is, she won the race by 3 seconds. Both did awesome.

2.The highlight of the meet was Caitlin's 500 free. It was Phelpsian in it's drama. She was in the final heat, swimming neck and neck with her nemesis. At around 300, her opponent started to pull away - first a quarter body length, then a full body length by the 400 flip. Did that worry Caitlin? Nope. At the 425, it was down to a half body length, at the 450, a quarter of a body length. At the final flip they were neck in neck, and Caitlin touched her out by .08. Just take a look at the splits! The crowd went nuts. Suffice to say, she won the whole event.

3.I didn't get the memo about the half price sale on the Blue Seventy suits. Oh, wait, there was no sale, so that is why most of us could not afford the $375 suits. But they were everywhere, and records were dropping faster than I get dropped on a sprint set. Apparently, these are going to be banned at masters meets in about 3 months! They may have to offer counseling to those who purchased them and can no longer use them.

4. As I was walking in on Saturday afternoon, Dr. Bob and his family were walking out. Dr. Bob had this look on his face like he was a 10 year old kid and just got a bike for his birthday. The good news? He broke a minute for his 100 free - awesome!! Congrats - that new suit and new attitude paid off. :)

5. I did the 200IM for the first and last time. It was hard and painful and not that enjoyable. I had a solid 500 free with a PR by a second or so, finishing at 6:08:49.

6. Bill Paine is our hero. He was there all weekend, giving all of us feedback and splits and being his easygoing, supportive self. Most of us had our best swims ever - I don't think this is a coincidence so keep it up, Coach Bill!

It was fun to meet the night swimmers - they are nice just like the morning swimmers. I am going to encourage more of my lane three mates to do a meet soon - even if we pick one day and a few events. The a.m. was well represented by Bill, Joel, Caitlin, Nic, Dr. Bob, and me.