- It’s a Wrap: Ron Johnson Swim Meet 2023
By Jeff Commings – Dolphins of the Desert Masters
Swim Devil Masters just wrapped up work as host of the 21st annual Ron Johnson Invitational, a meet that has become a destination for Masters swimmers from neighboring states. In the early years, only Arizonans came to the meet, but in the early 2010s, athletes from California and Colorado came to Tempe to race in the mid-fall short course meters meet. This year, athletes from as far away as Minnesota came to race at what has become one of the top short course meters meets in the country.
This year, the meet celebrated record attendance, with 266 swimmers competing at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center on the campus of Arizona State University.
“The meet was up and active months earlier than in previous years,” Katy James said. “I think that brought in more out-of-state swimmers because they were able to make travel plans early. It also helps when we have the fastest pool in the place with the best fall weather in the country!”
Though the meet competed with the ASU football game on Saturday and the Ironman Arizona triathlon on Sunday, everything went fairly smoothly. Each day finished at least 15 minutes ahead of the timeline!
Mother Nature made a nasty appearance during the Saturday distance session, with rain falling through most of the 800 heats. But, the clouds parted during the Saturday afternoon session, and spectators were rewarded with three world records, all in the 50 breaststroke.
I was not expecting to lower my Masters world record in the 50 breast in the 45-49 age group. I had set the record at 45 years old in 2019, and was only trying to see how close I could get to it in my final year in the age group. Stepping up on the blocks next to world championships participant Youssef Elkamash and Olympic gold medalist Roland Schoeman gave me the boost I needed to shave .01 off my record with a 28.64. Schoeman took down the world record in the 40-44 age group with a speedy 27.05. Elkamash, a native of Egypt who represented Grand Canyon University, just missed the world record of 26.99 in the 25-29 age group with his final time of 27.46.
Katie Glenn, representing Off Piste Aquatics in Colorado, made the trip to Tempe and was rewarded with a world record in the 50 breaststroke for the 45-49 age group. Her time of 32.59 took down the six-year-old world record of 33.01 set by Australian Olympian Linley Frame and the 13-year-old USMS record of 33.82 by Olympian Susan von der Lippe. In a situation very similar to mine, Glenn said she just wanted to see how close she could get to the record, and surprised herself by dropping more than a second off her recent best time.
Brent Creager of Swim Devil Masters got in on the fun as well on Saturday with a national record in the 100 butterfly. His time of 55.53 was good enough to beat Mike Ross’ 15-year-old record of 55.82.
The atmosphere at the meet was at an all-time high, perhaps likely due to the record attendance. Even after the sun set on Saturday and relay teams were bundled in parkas waiting to swim, cheers from teammates keep spirits high. As a longtime member of U.S. Masters Swimming, I always enjoy seeing and hearing the excitement on the deck at a swim meet, and even seeing swimmers dressed in funny outfits.
Another great highlight was having some of the Arizona State swimmers racing in exhibition swims during the relay breaks. A lot of Masters swimmers gathered on the side of the pool to watch these young swimmers in action, and I could hear some people making comments about how they can apply what they saw in the NCAA swimmers into their own swimming. Perhaps that can be a regular feature of the Ron Johnson meet. Some years, we get Olympians racing throughout the meet. In 2021, Ryan Held wowed the crowd with quick swims, and Darian Townsend gave swim racing clinics over several years. I’m still crossing my fingers and hoping that a certain 28-time Olympic gold medalist will use the Ron Johnson Invitational as his Masters swimming debut.
Jeff Commings is a Masters world and national world record holder. He is the head coach of Dolphins of the Desert Masters in Tucson and the co-owner of Dolphins of the Desert Swimming Academy.
- Why We Compete
I recently had the pleasure of speaking to several individuals who belong to swim clubs across the valley. They ranged in age from 37 to 73. I wanted to answer the question…why we compete. What they told me was so inspiring. All of them began swimming at age 6 or 7, and most of them joined a swim team at 8 years old and are still competing today.
Terry DeBiase swims with the Swim Devil Masters. He told his mother he liked the swim team t-shirts. To get one she told him he had to join the team, so he did. His coach said he was a natural. When you swim and win blue ribbons it motivates you.
Lindsey Urbatchka swims with the Swim Devil Masters, Mesa Aquatics, and the Phoenix Swim Club. She grew up in a small town in Wyoming. Her parents enrolled her in swimming lessons at the YMCA. When Lindsey had completed all the lessons, the swimming instructor recommended she join the swim team. Her mom didn’t know what the swim team was. At 8 years old Lindsey won her first state championship.
Katy James swims for the Swim Devil Masters and is the AZLMSC board chair. She began swimming at 6. Her dad signed her up for the swim team at the YMCA at the age of 8. She remembers being able to swim backstroke the length of the pool.Karen Loring swims with the Sun City West Masters swim club. She walked 1 ½ miles with her brother to watch him swim. She told her parents she wanted to swim too and began lessons with the Red Cross. She didn’t swim competitively until the age of 65, when a friend wanted a companion to swim the 1650 with her at the Senior Games. Karen did swim with her friend and also swam her first 50 freestyle.
Keisuke Yagi swims with the Swim Devil Masters. He was born in Japan. His mother was a swim coach and had him in the water at less than a year old. The swim coach encouraged him to join the team. After moving to the United States, he began swimming with a swim club to be around more English-speaking people.Marc Valle swims with the Swim Devil Masters. He remembers learning to swim in the community pool with his parents and swallowing lots of water. For Marc the swim club was all about training. He did not enjoy swimming until High School when competition was not the primary motivator, but swimming was more about comradery and the team.
All these amazing swimmers began swimming at a young age. If there were lapses in their swimming, they found themselves coming back to it. They are high achievers, but what kept them swimming and competing was not their achievements but their friendships with other team members, the fun they had competing, the memories. Marc has travelled to Russia, Budapest, Italy and South Korea swimming with a Master’s swim club. He loves seeing new places and sharing these times with good friends. Marc came back to swimming when his doctor told him he had high blood pressure. He didn’t want to take medicine to control it and remembered that swimming was how he used to keep in shape.
Lindsey was recruited to the University of Kansas. She loved the family atmosphere and the feeling of swimming for something bigger than herself. I liked it when she said, “It’s you versus you. You don’t have to rely on anyone else. It’s your fault you have the race of your life. It’s your fault if you don’t.”
Terry still enjoys competing, but more for fitness. It’s now as important as competing. If he’s sore and stiff in the morning he gets into the pool and gravity takes over and the soreness and stiffness is gone. Terry said, “I don’t want to survive a competitive event, but I prepare for it so that I can enjoy swimming it when competing.” All the swimmers said staying fit was a large part of why they still compete and swim.
The rule in Karen’s family was if you joined a sport you had to complete the season. They emphasized the importance of team spirit. Marc mentioned that the Swim Devil Masters club is a very large group, but only a small number of people compete. The coach is great at getting people to come out to stay fit. He makes it fun. It’s about the club as a whole coming together and supporting each other to compete, stay fit, and have fun as a team.
Keisuke is now a pilot for Delta Airlines. He swims every day but can be gone for 3-5 days at a time. When he gets back in the pool, he feels like he has lost what he had gained. But he loves swimming and will always be swimming.
As Katy James said she intends to keep swimming. “Forever, or until I die.” Everyone I spoke to says the same. Competition keeps them motivated, but swimming to compete, competing to swim is part of their lives.
Article by: Terri Stauffer-Schmidt
- Master Swimmer Gynt Clifford
Still Competing at 85 and Inspiring Others
To the Sun City West Masters Swimming club Gynt Clifford is our Star and the rock that joins us together as a team on race day. Barb Sloan has coached the team for the last year and a half and said that “coaching Gynt has been one of the most rewarding and joyful experiences I have had.”
Swimming at any age has so many benefits. Better lung capacity, bone health, improved sleep and improved mood are just a few. No one talks about the mental stress though that comes from being a master swimmer. Competing in any competitive event can be gut wrenching. Having someone on your team that inspires, mentors, and encourages everyone to do their best can make a big difference. That person for the Sun City West Masters Swimming club is Gynt Clifford. Whether you are new to the morning workouts or been around awhile, she is always willing to help you. Whether it’s your flip turns, which she does beautifully, the best way to bend that forearm to get the maximum pull of the water swimming freestyle, or rotating the shoulders while swimming the backstroke, Gynt is there to help you and encourage you in your efforts. Of course, watching her in any competitive event is amazing. She swims with such grace and strength. Having overcome some physical and family hardships over the years and still persevering through it is inspiring.
Karen Loring was invited to swim on the team in 2014. She said she would not have continued if it wasn’t for Gynt being on deck and encouraging her. Karen commented that “She would step in wherever there was a need and help. She would do for each one of us. Gynt taught her the beginning of everything and always encouraged her.”
Gynt has 20 years of top 10 achievement rankings dating back to 2004 at age 65. In 2010 at age of 71 Gynt achieved an all-star listing for her swims at the San Diego Imperial pool event. In the 2012 FINA World Masters SCM ranking Gynt Clifford was #1 in the 100 butterfly. She has 8 Individual All American Listings from age 68-83. Gynt is the current Arizona State USMS record holder in the 80-84 age group for both the 100 and the 200 SCY freestyle records she set in 2020 and 2022. This year at the National Senior Games in Pittsburg in July in the 85-89 age group Gynt had 5 first place finishes.
The one thing about Gynt that is to be admired most is not so much the importance of the medals she has won and what she may win in the future, but what she has achieved competing against herself. The goal is to be the best you can be, and she has done that and more. At 415 USMS recorded swims she is an all-star.
Earlier this year, an Italian film crew came to Sun City West. They interviewed and filmed Gynt for a documentary on aging with a healthy lifestyle. They could not have picked a better role model.
- It’s Never too Late to Conquer Your Fear of the Water Become an Adult Learn to Swim Graduate
I think I was five years old when my parents took us to a nearby lake to swim. I was floating in the water in an innertube watching my older sister and the other kids swimming in the distance. I decided it couldn’t be that hard to swim and scrambled out of the innertube. I immediately sank to the bottom. I remember sitting there in this green murky water looking around. For some reason I was not afraid. Then one of my mother’s friends tripped on me and pulled me up. After that my parents made sure I could swim. We moved to the suburbs of Chicago and joined the YMCA.
My experience was unique, but for many others the fear of water is very real. It could be they were never around water, or that a bad experience when they were younger influenced them for the rest of their lives. For whatever reason that fear only grew exponentially as they got older.
In the spring of 2023 Barb Sloan, with her Adult Learn to Swim certification, advertised new Adult Learn to Swim classes to Sun City West. The response was overwhelming. During the 8 one-hour sessions in a walking pool, swimmers were helped with breathing, kicking, and freestyle arm movement along with a high dose of encouragement and confidence.
To pass the course swimmers must swim the length of the pool, but not without Barb and her helpers walking beside them and cheering them along. The excitement and joy in the eyes of the men and women alike is so amazing when they reach the wall at the other end.
Today these graduates can be seen at the pool continuing to determinedly swim the length of the larger RH Johnson pool in Sun City West. Many of them swim with other graduates encouraging each other. It’s truly amazing to watch and see the satisfaction on their faces.
Additional classes will be held this fall starting in September. You must live in Sun City West. For more information go to: The Sun City West Masters Swimming Website.
Authored by: Terri Stauffer-Schmidt of Sun City West
- I’m a Happy Camper
My journey to Kona Swim Camp hosted by globally renowned swimmer, Karlyn Pipes
By Lisa Harris (MAC Masters, AZLMSC – Communications Chair)
“Swimming the Ironman World Champion waters in Kona is a spiritual experience” – straight from badass Karlyn Pipes – Faster Freestyle Camp/Kona – owner and chief guide.
As an avid | novice swimmer – obsessed with open water swimming, that was all I needed to hear to add this camp to my dream list. Although it took a minute, from meeting Karlyn at a triathlon shop presentation in Denver to the shores of Kona – my bestie and I ventured to the Big Island in February.
My goals were to experience a guided tour of various swim areas across Kona, knowing that the swims were carefully curated by Karlyn and her team, gain confidence in ocean swimming, and seek that ‘spiritual’ experience. The faster part of camp would be icing on the cake.
Our first and last days of camp included 1:1 endless pool instruction where Karlyn spent as much time as needed to understand my strokes and to guide me on a path to gain efficiencies (and I even attempted a flip). My key learnings on my freestyle stroke was the 10 and 2 entry – this has really helped my pull. These sessions were followed by a delicious buffet and social time in Karlyn and Christopher’s idyllic home with a breathtaking ocean view.
My first dive-in I brought my camera in hopes of seeing a few friendly fishies and to my shock there were heaps of posers along the way.
Through the week we journeyed through many magnificent destinations around the island each one bringing new sites, adventures and swim experiences in distances, surfs and beauty. Each swim included exceptional guides, making us safe and capturing progress footage. Each destination included a site-seeing opportunity of caves, ponds, landscaping, and beaches. We never rushed exploring land and sea. Post camp time allowed for luau’s, whale watching, dinner cruises, volcano park visits, turtle ogling, sushi, Kona coffee, local jewelry shopping (oops) and sunset cocktails. I think one of our campers walked the Ironman run course!
To crystalize the week-long experience, we celebrated our accomplishments with homemade lasagna and cookies and relished in our newly formed life-long connections and spectacular sunsets over mystical waters.
Upon return I competed in our state meet and scored one minute faster in my 1000!
My sister asked when I was going back – maybe thinking about camp in Sicily – Italy sounds fun!
Majalo
Contact Karlyn Pipes – Hall of Fame Swimmer, NCAA Champion, Olympic hopeful and Author of The Do-Over with roots in Coronado currently residing in Kona
For questions contact Lisa Harris
- It’s A Wrap: 2023 Nationals Held in Irvine
By Jeff Commings – Dolphins of the Desert Masters
During my warmup on the first day of competition at the 2023 USMS spring national championship, it suddenly dawned on me that this was the 20th anniversary of my first national championships, which was held on the campus of Arizona State University in May 2003. As I made my way through the yardage of my usual warmup routine, I flashed back to those hot days in Tempe, when I was in awe of the environment of my first Masters nationals, seeing men in their 90s swim freestyle and backstroke races.
Not much has changed in my view of the scene at nationals. I am still in awe of the variety of people on deck, including first-time competitors, Olympians, grandparents, recent college graduates, and 101-year-old Maurine Kornfeld, easily the top celebrity of the meet. The only thing that has really changed about nationals is the size. Nearly 2,500 people attended this year’s meet in Irvine, California, a record number of swimmers and a positive sign for the growth of U.S. Masters Swimming.
This was the first time I’ve attended the national championships as a full-time coach, guiding 13 members of my team, Dolphins of the Desert Masters, through four days of events. Last year in San Antonio, I was also coaching and swimming at the same time, but with only four other members of my team in Texas, it was easier taking on the dual roles. This year, being coach and swimmer was challenging, but very rewarding. All of my swimmers swam at least one Masters-best time, and many were already making goals for their next nationals.
I am always amazed at the efficiency of the meet, and this might have been the first nationals in a few years to end every session within 10 minutes of the timeline. A lot of moving parts combine to make that happen, and when a meet is run efficiently, everyone has a good time and can concentrate more on their swimming.
In between watching my own swimmers and competing in my own races, I cheered for as many people from Arizona as I could. The Arizona Masters regional club was one of the best teams in the pool, placing third out of 20 regional teams with 1,159 points.
Ten men and seven women from Arizona won individual events, led by Doug Springer and Kelly Harrigan as the only Arizonans to win all of their individual events. Springer won five events in the 75-79 age group, highlighted by a 1:15.92 in the 100 breast. That time was only seven tenths off his own national record! Harrigan’s top swim was the 100 backstroke, in which she chopped more than a second off her seed time with a 57.14.
The mixed 200 medley relay and the mixed freestyle relay in the 75+ age group were the only national record setters from Arizona in Irvine. The foursome of Craig Shaffer, Doug Springer, Mary Ann Case, and Lyn Moreno were part of both relays. Up first was the freestyle relay, where they combined for a 2:23.90. Two days later, they swam 2:43.23 in the medley relay.
Below is a list of individual event winners from the 2023 spring nationals:
- Melissa Belote Ripley
- Mary Ann Case
- Devon Colgan
- Jill Fritz
- Kelly Harrigan
- Judith Laney
- Joanne Menard
- Patrick Brundage
- Peter Churchill
- Jeff Commings
- Jack Fritz
- Richard LeRoy
- Mark Modjeska
- Scott Shake
- Doug Springer
- Matt Ulrickson
- Jeff Utsch
- Judy Gillies
Jeff Commings is a Masters world and national world record holder. He is the head coach of Dolphins of the Desert Masters in Tucson and the co-owner of Dolphins of the Desert Swimming Academy.
- The Road to S.C.A.R./Arizona Open Water Challenge
Masters Swimmers take the plunge!
Follow us here for on-going articles on this amazing race and the brave hearts that participate.
Lucky us. A renowned, global open water swimming event is right in our backyard and covers the oasis of four watering holes —- Saguaro Lake (swim 9.5 miles), Canyon Lake (swim 9 miles), Apache Junction (swim 7 miles) and Roosevelt Lake (swim 5 miles).
“We capture the beauty of our lakes and offer an extreme open water marathon swimming challenge for the strong of heart” shared Kent Nicholas, Race Founder/Director and finisher.
S.C.A.R has been swimming for 12 years and has a reputation for being a stepping-stone for brave challenges such as the English and Catalina Channel events.
Former finisher Kelly Harrigan, world class competitive swimmer shares, “Open Water Swimming is a different experience than pool racing. Outside of the ice bath preparation, I trained very hard for S.C.A.R. and it’s one of my favorite distance experiences”.
S.C.A.R. 2023 will be held from April 25 – 29.
Seasoned long distance cold water and open water champion, Claire Russell says “Honored to have been accepted to swim S.C.A.R. I’m new to Arizona area from the great seas of the UK – this will be a special experience – the cold-water training is in full gear.”
S.C.A.R. is sold out for 2023. Not too late to volunteer to Kayak and start training for 2024 (registration opens November 1, 2023)
- Swimming Fun and Records Reached: The Annual Ron Johnson Invitational 2022
The annual Ron Johnson Invitational, affectionately known as the “Ron John”, was held October 29th and 30th at ASUs Mona Plummer Aquatics Center. Inspired by Ron Johnson and the commitment to the sport 100’s of swimmers competed from here and near – where we welcomed competitors from Colorado, Montana, and Nevada.
Ron Johnson was a decorated and passionate swimmer who coached ASU Men’s Swimming, co-coached ASU Women’s Swimming, and started the Sun Devils Master’s program. In 2007, he was inducted into both the ASU Sports Hall of Fame and into the Masters Swimming Hall of Fame. As a Masters swimmer, he broke over 50 world records.
The swimmers were on fire! (Hi Joan!)
There were 2 world records set!
- Heidi George (Swim Devils) age group 45-49 set a record in the 800 free 9:01.52
- Rich Abrahams (Colorado Masters) age group 75-79 set a record for the 100 fly at 1:17.51
“This meet is globally recognized as one of the most organized and spirited in the name of an athlete we all admire” stated race director and Swim Devil Katy James, Chair of the AZ Masters LMSC.
More information on upcoming meets are at https://azlmsc.org/events/
- 2022 National Coaches Clinic
By Terry Heggy
Coaches from all over the country attended the USMS National Coaches Clinic (NCC) held in Las Vegas in October, 2022. The 125 attendees came in with diverse backgrounds, from those who recently began coaching all the way to coaches with 40+ years of experience. Organized by the USMS Coaches Committee and supported by USMS professional staff, the clinic offered updates on the latest swim science, tips on creating workouts and leveraging drills, and tons of advice on how to run a team, motivate swimmers, and lead athletes to achieving their health and performance goals.
Coaches from all over the country attended the USMS National Coaches Clinic (NCC) held in Las Vegas in October, 2022. The 125 attendees came in with diverse backgrounds, from those who recently began coaching all the way to coaches with 40+ years of experience. Organized by the USMS Coaches Committee and supported by USMS professional staff, the clinic offered updates on the latest swim science, tips on creating workouts and leveraging drills, and tons of advice on how to run a team, motivate swimmers, and lead athletes to achieving their health and performance goals.
Olympic Champion and beloved swimming broadcaster Rowdy Gaines shared inspirational tales of his experiences in the pool and behind the mic, including examples of how his coaches helped him perform his best when the gold medal was on the line. He also shared his enthusiasm for Masters swimming and the joy he gets not only from watching the best athletes, but also from seeing athletes of every age thrive from the benefits of swimming.
Physical Therapist from the Strive Swim Science Center Dean Hutchinson taught an informative session on how to identify and correct swimming stroke flaws, and emphasized the importance of stretching (including massage and focused rolling), as well as strengthening the oft-neglected back and abdominal muscles with superman arches, planks, and dumbbell flys.
Cyndi Gallagher, who was Head Coach at UCLA for 31 years, noted that achievement is built upon a foundation of character, and that coaches must set an example of reliability and trustworthiness. The questions she constantly asks herself is “Would I want to be coached by ME today?” Her favorite dryland exercise is stretchband pulldowns on an unstable platform (e.g. BOSU).
Genadijus “Dr. G” Sokolovas shared the results of his decades of scientific research in swimming. Formerly the Director of Sports Science for USA Swimming, Dr. G is now a leader in computer analysis for sports performance. In addition to discussing his research results, he led a session in the UNLV pool that included his suggestions for effective drills to improve swimmer balance and core strength.
These drills included:
- Forearm paddle swims
- Kicking body position drills with small weights (2-lb dumbbells or full 12-oz. water bottles
- Paddle on head swimming, including corkscrew rolls and flip turns
- Dolphin and breaststroke kick drill with pull buoys to help refine leg motions
Dr. G’s other tips included:
- Always explain the “why” behind a drill set
- Even pure sprinters need aerobic training (long slow distance) to perform best
- Optimize workout and competition performance with proper fueling schedules: Finish meals 1-2 hours before swimming, consume carbs (chocolate milk is good) during intense workouts, eat immediately after practice; don’t wait until you get home
- Plan your rest as carefully as you plan your workouts; get good sleep at night by reading at bedtime (no TV), and take naps as needed
- 2022 USMS Annual Meeting – from a First Timer
In August, Celeste Jacroux applied to attend the USMS annual meeting as an Arizona delegate. Her reason was simple: she wanted to see if there was a way for her to give back to the sport that has given much to her.
From Celeste:
Swimming has served me well, both as an age grouper, and Masters swimmer. I was interested in seeing how the organization operated to support lifelong swimmers, and how I might be able to help those efforts.
As a lifelong swimmer, I’ve been a USMS member off and on for 20-some years. Some Masters programs required membership, others encouraged it, and others only required it if you wanted to swim in meets. Attending the Annual Meeting provided really great insight into the USMS organization and the people supporting it, and I appreciate the AZLMSC giving me the opportunity to experience it.
There are 3 things I walked away learning about the USMS organization and the Annual Meeting as a newbie:
- Everyone is passionate about promoting the sport of swimming, even though there are differences in opinion on what might be the right path to get there
- The organization is fairly progressive in policies and tries to be inclusive.
- The Annual Meeting is run professionally, which allows attendees to voice their opinion.
The first thing I noticed is that the people involved are all passionate about swimming and providing the best path forward, whatever they believe that is. From what I’ve been told, the voting this year was some of the most decisive in the history of the organization. This was the basis of many of the informal conversations in the public spaces. But it was obvious that regardless of opinion, each person was pursuing what they felt was the best path for the future success of USMS.
I listened in on a few of the committee Zoom calls prior to the Annual Meeting, including the Diversity and Inclusion committee. I was impressed that, even without the updates to the language, the existing amendments were fairly inclusive. With the passing of the amendment, the USMS amendments clarify that gender identity in the USMS Equal Opportunity statement (article 501.3) include gender expression. Inclusive language like this is so incredibly important to help people feel comfortable and welcome at any USMS club.
Attending a large meeting like an Annual Meeting for an organization like USMS was an eye-opener. I’ve been to corporate board meetings which are yawners because everyone pretty much knows what will happen. I’ve also been to HOA meetings which are full blown circuses, mostly due to wildly conflicting views and not following any sort of meeting process. The reason the USMS meeting was eye-opening is because while there are different points of view, the meeting process is dialed in to provide a voice for all that wish to speak, while maintaining control of the meeting. In the rare chance that a process wasn’t followed correctly, there was someone there to return to the process to ensure all i’s dotted and t’s crossed.
I was glad for the opportunity to attend this meeting, and learned a good deal about the priorities of the paid staff of the organization. They are well aware of the weaknesses in the USMS products and services, but also have decades of experience to know how to build the membership.