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Pacific Masters Short Course Meters Championships - Olympic Launching Pad
The September-October 2016 Swimmer magazine contained a feature article titled Olympians Among Us. The piece profiled several Olympians from previous games who continue swimming in USMS programs. In Pacific Masters it is not uncommon to see current Olympic stars at local events. For example, 5 months before she would win the Olympic gold medal and set the world record in the 100 Fly at the 2012 London games, Dana Vollmer swam 5 events at the Rinconada Masters Swim Meet.
A few months earlier, Anthony Ervin began his swimming comeback at a couple of Pacific Masters meets. With the encouragement of his friend, Natalie Coughlin, he swam at the 2011 Pacific Masters Short Course Meters Championships in Walnut Creek. Ten months later he was a member of the US Olympic Team and placed fifth in the 50 free. As we all know, Anthony continued on his Olympic quest winning the 50 free gold at the 2016 games at the improbable age of 35, sixteen years after winning his first Olympic gold in the event. His friend and fellow Olympian, Natalie also swam at the 2011 Walnut Creek meet but under her married name, Hall. She requested that her times be removed from the results to avoid detracting from the accomplishments of other Masters athletes.
While we can’t guarantee the attendance of elite Olympians every year, the Pacific Masters Short Course Championships offers a great experience for swimmers of every level. Swum in an all deep, 6 lane pool the meet features every short course meters event. Walnut Creek Masters, perennial hosts, put on a meet that is efficient yet relaxed. This is the last Championship and last swim meet of any kind for the 2016 Pacific Masters Swimming year. Registration closes September 28. Information
Custom Finis swim suits have been designed for the meet. Check them out!
