The participation in the short course yards meet was the lowest since the meet began back in the late 1980’s.  A mere 57 swimmers participated this year.  The low turnout did not deter swimmers from having a good time or from making a substantial impact on the state records and Alaska top ten times however.

The youngest swimmers were 23; the oldest was 74.  Every age group from 18-24 to 70-74 was represented by at least one swimmer of each gender.  At least 8 swimmers participated in their first Alaska masters swim meet.  Angie Taggart and Nell Klein from Ketchikan traveled the farthest to participate. 

Kim Olmsted swam the most distance competitively, 2950 yards, just 200 yards shy of the maximum possible.  Close behind was Ray Hamilton with the most distance for the men, with 2850 yards.

For the first time ever, there was a relay in the 65+ age group.  Margret Van Flein, Judy Judge, Ron Taylor, and Jon Nauman made up a 200 free relay on the first day.  Also for the first time there was a women’s 55+ relay.  Judy Judge, Susan Ellis, Colny Tucker, and Kate Troll teamed up for a 200 medley relay.  Christine Tait, Holly WIllman, Shannon Titzel, and Ginger Schaaf teamed up to swim the first ever women’s 25+ 400 medley relay.

There were 36 individual state records set.  Of these, 20 were by the women (17 broken and 2 new) and 16 were by the men.  In addition 4 relay records were set, one broken and 3 new.

Colny Tucker, Judy Judge, Daniel Blake, and Ray Hamilton each set 5 new records.

Judy Judge’s record in the women’s 65-69 100 back (1:53.85) was faster than the record she set in the same event in the 50-54 age group in 1993.

The women’s 25+ 400 free relay team of Shannon Titzel, Holly Willman, Vicki Hauff, and Angela Elmore broke an 11-year-old record by more than 15 seconds.  Their time of 4:00.65 has been validated as a new zone record. Way to go ladies!

Rick Abbott broke his own state record in the men’s 50-54 100 free with a time of 49.66.  This time also has been validated as a new zone record. Way to go Rick

Daniel Blake and Ray Hamilton teamed up to re-write the 60-64 men’s record book.  Between them, they set 9 records (out of 12 swims).  Perhaps they will take on the other 9 events next year?

Mixed 65+ 200 Free Relay 2:55.80
Margret Van Flein (72), Judy Judge (65), Ron Taylor (74), Jon Nauman (68)

Women 25+ 400 Free Relay 4:00.65
Shannon Titzel (37), Holly Willman (28), Vicki Hauff (38), Angela Elmore (31)

Women 25+ 400 Medley Relay 4:46.41
Christine Tait (42), Holly Willman (28), Shannon Titzel (37), Ginger Schaaf (30)

 Women 55+ 200 Medley Relay 2:53.57
Judy Judge (65), Susan Ellis (60), Colny Tucker (56), Kate Troll (55)