The Paul Cate Sedona Spring Classic Swim Meet and Social was held May 4^th this year.  It was one of the best weekends to spend in the beautiful Sedona Community Pool. 

This year’s theme was Star Wars. May 4th is Star Wars Day, an informal day to celebrate the Star Wars franchise. The date comes from the popular line, “May the force be with you”, which is often said by Jedi masters in the movies as a sentiment of goodwill. At some point the saying became May the 4th be with you and thus the theme of this year’s swimming meet. The swimmers got into the act celebrating the day.

Sun City Masters and Sun City West Masters brandishing their light sabers

The meet was named in honor of Paul Cate. He had been honored in years past. It’s only recently that the swimming meets have started up again in Sedona and once again named in recognition of Paul.

Paul grew up swimming in Tucson. Around 1985 or 1986 he along with Kelly Donatell’s mom, K. Busche, started a summer swim team in Sedona. The team grew quickly and joined USS for the few swimmers who wanted a longer swim season. They founded the local U.S. Masters division of the Sedona Swim Team as well as what is now the Sedona Swordfish in 1987. He transitioned from the Swordfish to an assistant coach with the Sedona Red Rock High School swimming teams when the program started. Paul grew the program from nothing to its peak of 80 kids,”. Paul’s wife Monika donated to this year’s high point winners. Paul won his decade for high point winner at the meet. Cups were given out in his honor.

Even though he is retired, Paul continues to help where needed and can always be found cheering on the pool deck. He has always done what he could to provide opportunities for people to swim. He is a huge reason why there has been and still are opportunities for both kids and adults to swim competitively in Sedona.

People came from all over the country to participate in the Paul Cate Sedona Spring Classic and Social. Haley Penfield (previously Holverson) flew from Tennessee specifically for the event.

Paul was her coach for 3 years when she swam at Red Rock. Cathy Harrington came for her first competitive pool meet since 1977 after being encouraged by Kelly Harrigan. Lynn Morrison and Paul have been best buddies since grade school and the neighborhood swim team Kingston Knolls. Paul was her superhero. She called him “Fido.” When she was being bullied, she would call out “Fido” and within seconds Paul was by her side – to be her protector. They won all their swimming events as long as it wasn’t breaststroke. Lynn said, “he will always be my Fido and definitely why I traveled from Dallas to be here with everyone to celebrate Paul Cate (Fido)”. This was Linda Marousek’s first swim. She’s been swimming for about 1 ½ years but was mostly on top of the water with competitive rowing in California. She cam from New Mexico and is happy to be participating. Devi Piper said Sedona is her favorite place and was delighted to attend this meet with a couple of swimmers from her club in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

A huge thank you to everyone for a fun, competitive experience.  Great swim everyone!!

Article by Terri Stauffer-Schmidt