Mission
Viejo
Masters
Swimming
Nadadore News
Mission Viejo Masters Swim Club’s mission is to continually improve
and enhance Masters swimming opportunities for its members.
March/April 2015
Santa Barbara, here we come!
Issue #22015
SCY Zone Championships in Santa Barbara
SCY regionals are coming up soon! Use this meet as a trial for
Nationals- see how close you really are to a National Qualifying
Time. The swim meet will be held at Elings Aquatic Center, Dos
Pueblos High School, 7266 Alameda Ave, Goleta, CA 93117 on
Saturday, April 11-12, 2015. The meet is set over the course of 2
days. If you don’t want to swim the 1650, the meet doesn’t start
until 2 pm on Saturday. Santa Barbara has so much to see and
experience. There’s plenty of time to explore what Santa Barbara
has to offer. There’s the Urban Wine Trail, which goes through
19 different wineries. The entire trail is accessible by bike or car.
http://urbanwinetrailsb.com/images/UWT-web-map-hr.jpg **(can
we add the jpeg image, not just the link?) More info can be found
here: http://www.santabarbaraca.com/things-to-do/wine/urbanwine-trail/ Get a group, bring some bikes, and have fun! There are
also many, many different museums in Santa Barbara. From a doll
and teddy bear museum to a surfing museum to a museum of art, there is something for everyone.
The official hotel for the Nadadores is the Best Western Plus South Coast Inn, which is less than 5 miles from
the pool. Each room comes with a complimentary fridge and microwave, and free (!!!) wifi. Rooms are filling up
fast, so book now or look for other hotels nearby. Below is the event order to help you plan the weekend.
Order of Events
Saturday, April 11
Warm-up at 7:15 a.m. Meet starts at 8:30 a.m.
1650yd Freestyle
Warm-up at 1:00 p.m. Meet starts at 2:00 p.m.
200 yd Freestyle
50 yd Backstroke
200 yd Medley Relay (Women, Men, Mixed)
100 yd Breaststroke
100 yd Butterfly
100 yd Individual Medley
400 yd Freestyle Relay(Women, Men, Mixed)
200 yd Backstroke
50 yd Butterfly
500yd Freestyle
Sunday, April 12
Warm-up at 7:15 a.m. Meet starts at 8:30 a.m.
Check in for the 400 yd. Individual Medley closes at
8:00 a.m.
400 yd Individual Medley
400 yd Medley Relay(Women, Men, Mixed)
100 yd Freestyle
50 yd Breaststroke
800 yd Freestyle Relay (Women, Men, Mixed)
200 yd Butterfly
100 yd Backstroke
200 yd Freestyle Relay (Women, Men, Mixed)
200 yd. Individual Medley
50 yd Freestyle
200 yd Breaststroke
1000 yd Freestyle
Let’s go play in San Antonio, TX
2015 Spring National Championship
San Antonio, Texas
April 23-26, 2015
The 2015 U.S. Masters Swimming Spring National
Championship will be held April 23-26 at the Northside ISD Aquatic Complex in San Antonio, Texas.
8400 N Loop 1640 W, San Antonio, TX 78249. This
beautiful facility boasts two 10-lane 25-yard competition courses plus up to 30 warm-up lanes. The Mission Viejo team hotel is the Drury Inn & Suites Near
La Cantera Pkwy (**SHUTTLE STOP**) 15806 IH10 West, San Antonio, TX 78249 Contact: (210) 6960800, www.druryhotels.com . Distance from the Swim
Center - 4.2 miles
Group Rate: King Bed - $99, Two Suite Options - $109,
includes complimentary wifi and breakfast. Cut-off
Date: March 22, 2015. For room reservations: Call
1-800-325-0720, using the group #2216960 or go to
www.druryhotels.com and enter group #2216960
PLEASE LET US KNOW THAT YOU WILL BE ATTENDING SO WE CAN ORDER CAPS AND SHIRTS
FOR YOU!
If you plan to attend, please make hotel reservations
ASAP as the rooms fill up very fast. Meet information
can be found at the following link http://www.usms.
org/content/scnats15meetinfo. San Antonio is an
amazing city with lots of sites to see. Visit their website at visitsanantonio.com to plan things to do in your
non-swimming time.
ISD Aquatic Complex, San Antonio, Texas
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March/April 2015
Nadadore News
2015 Check-Off Challenge
MISSION VIEJO NADADORES
2015 Check-Off Challenge
The Check-Off Challenge is a postal
event designed to motivate swimmers to complete 18 pool events and
an open water swim during the 2015
calendar year. It challenges all levels
of swimmers. Novice swimmers can
swim new events. Experienced swimmers can try for their personal best
times in as many events as practical. Where and
when do I accomplish the Check-Off Challenge?
The events may be swum in meets, in yards or in
meters, any time during 2015. Each swimmer that
completes ALL
19 events before
Dec. 31st will
receive a 30”x60”
beach towel with
the logo above
printed on it
compliments of
the Nadadores
Masters team.
Good Luck and go swim some events that you
might not usually swim. The towels will be presented after December 31 and all events have been
verified by Coach Mark.
Polar Bear Party
On Sunday, February 8th John Parker once again opened his home for our annual Polar Bear Party. It was well
attended as the caps and T-shirts earned through struggling through numerous practices during our Southern
California frigid, bleak and bitter Holiday season were to be distributed by Coach Mark.
There was plenty of pizza, plenty of drink, lots of chatter and laughter. Friendships developed on a deeper level
as finally those all too brief conversations with lane mates between intervals and sets could actually be completed......no one needed to rush out to get to work or get kids off to school. Some of us got to know others better
and now had a new appreciation for that dorky guy in the next lane who can barely swim...... Found out he’s a
world renowned physician who decided to learn to swim at age 48 so he could relieve tension by swimming in
the hotel pool after long overseas flights before his 8am lecture on the new surgical procedures in biophysical
medicine. He’s so glad to be honing his skills in a real pool and loves being part of a team.
I’m just sayin’ .......there’s a lot you can learn by attending our Masters social events. See you at the next one....
right?
Keep on swimming! - Bev Montrella
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March/April 2015
Nadadore News
Palm Springs Meet Results
On Saturday morning, January 24th, 2015, the sun rose
over the San Bernadino National Forest as three devoted
Nadadores made their way along Highway 10 East. They
were determined to meet up with their Mission Viejo
teammates at the Palm Springs Short Course Yards swim
meet at the Palm Springs Swim Center hosted by the
Piranha Masters.
The teammate to my left, driving the car, was John
Lindgren, a 40-year old former collegiate swimmer.
Behind me in the backseat was my other teammate along
for the ride, James (“Jim”) Santy, a 52-year old father of
four boys.While we sat in John’s Volkswagen speeding
along the freeway at about 65 mph, it occurred to me
that this was probably the only time today that we’d all be
traveling at the same speed.
Our leader, the celebrated swim coach Mark Moore,
greeted us shortly after we arrived on the concrete area
around the pool. After a brief warm-up period, the
games of swimming speed officially began with the 1650
yard mixed freestyle race. I competed in the first heat,
having seeded myself with a time estimate of 30:00.00.
In a last-minute burst of optimism, I changed my seed
time to 29:00.00, to give myself an extra challenge. This
psychological trick worked, as I clocked my 66th lap at the
total time of 29:03.60, a new personal record for me.
My next event was the 200 yard mixed Freestyle, in
which I faced copious competition. I finished in 3:07.64,
besting my 3:10.00 seed time, and setting a new personal
record. I was far from the fastest 200 free result on the
team, however. Michael Colonnese, some 27 years my
senior, beat me by exactly 14 seconds, completing his 200
free in 2:53.64. David Hayward, 11 years older than me,
beat me by even more, completing his 200 free in just
2:44.60. Wendy Theders, Michael’s daughter, did even
better, finishing her 200 free in a lightening-fast 2:35.36.
Amazingly, other Nadadores did even better than this.
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The unassuming
Jim Santy pulled off a 2:28.50 for his 200 Free, and
then, the fastest 200 Free of any Nadadore that day, the
mysterious George Polizos, finished the event in an
unbelievable 2:12.79. I felt like I was in the presence of
swimming greatness.
Other highlights of the day included our gregarious
and often singing teammate Miguel Ramirez posting a
1:06.74 in his 100 Butterfly. At just 35 years old, he was
the youngest Nadadore to compete that day, which might
help explain his ability to inhale a breath of air only every
second butterfly stroke, a feat which I’ve tried in practice
and found to be impossible. Immediately following
his 1:06.74 performance, I asked him how he could do
butterfly at race pace while breathing only every other
stroke. He replied that he wasn’t even aware he was doing
that. This, I figured, is a feature of an innately talented
swimmer – they are often not consciously aware of their
motions in the water – it’s all being run by the cerebellum
and the thoughts never even involve the cerebrum. By
contrast, I, as an adult-onset swimmer, have to consciously
think about nearly every motion my body makes in the
water. When the meet concluded, the 14 Nadadores who
competed that day had bested many of their opponents on
rival Masters teams, such as the Rose Bowl Masters and
the host team, The Palm Springs Piranhas. Spirits ran
high, however, without anyone who lost taking the affront
as anything other than friendly competition. The spirit of
Masters Swimming lived on.
On the ride home, we stopped at Nadadore swimmer
Kelly Richel’s Palm Springs home for some carousing and
libations before hitting the freeways back to Mission Viejo.
Jim, John, and I resolved that we would be attending the
Pasadena Rose Bowl Masters’ meet, occurring two weeks
hence, that we’d all try the 400 IM, and that I would drive
the carpool. - Alex Arrow reporting.
March/April 2015
Nadadore News
Caltech Pentathlon
Ten of the Nadadores bravest and most dedicated swimmers faced a long commute to Pasadena and sunny but
cold conditions in order to compete in the 2015 Caltech Pentathlon. The forecast called for heavy rain with
thunder and lightening putting the event at risk of being cancelled for safety reasons. But Sunday morning came
and the skies were blue and air temperature was a brisk 47 degrees. The rain and clouds stayed away until just
before the finish of the meet but there reamined a constant chill and shivering was experienced by all. A huge
thank you to Caltech for providing a very warm warm-up pool and showers in the bathrooms that actually had
HOT water.All of the 191 swimmers each swam the 50 butterfly, 50 backstroke, 50 breaststroke, 50 freestyle
and 100 Individual Medley. The times were combined and the top 3 swimmers in each age group were awarded
medals. As of this writing the final results have not been published but below is a re-cap of the swimmers average
finish in each event. Miguel Ramirez 9th place, Tami Berrera 8th place, David Sumner 3rd place, Steven Lindelof
10th place, Alex Arrow 16th place, Wendy Theders 8th place, Kim Burton 9th place, Jim Santy 17th place, John
Huty 19th place and of course our very own Maureen Kornfeld finished 1st in every event! After the meet a
group of the Nadadores had worked up an appetite so they went straight to a local favorite Pie & Burger on
California Avenue and enjoyed huge burgers, fries, malted milk shakes, fresh made pies and hand mixed soda.
Miguel Ramirez in the 50 butterfly
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David Sumner competing in the 100 IM
March/April 2015
Nadadore News
Nadadore Pot Luck Party
The first ever potluck and karaoke social proved to be successful with about 20 Nadadores attending the event.
There was a delicious selection of food available to satisfy any foodie’s appetite. Various brave Nadadores took
center stage and sang their heart’s delight, especially after adult beverages were consumed. There’s nothing like a
little liquid courage to inspire people to sing amongst your peers. Things got more interesting with the shots of
Jagermeister being handed out by one of our fellow teammates. Yep, never having those again.
There was no need to sing in order to have a good time at this event. Many enjoyed the social aspect of it and
hung out enjoying stimulating conversation. Some of the food standouts for the night were Patty George’s
delicious beef stew and Jen Batcheller’s “Baby Jesus” creation. If you don’t have a clue as to what those are, ask
Jen. Thanks to Kim Burton and Kevin Weissman for providing the equipment necessary for the karaoke portion
of the night. Thank you to Alex Arrow for volunteering his home to host this event. Unfortunately for his eightpack abs, there were lots of leftovers, rich in carbs, which will not fare well with his physique.
Great job NADS! Keep singing and don’t this event in the future. - Miguel Ramirez reporting.
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March/April 2015
Nadadore News
Swimmer Spotlight - EILEEN SPAN
Don’t let the witch costume fool you, Eileen Span is one fine lady. Her beautiful hair and radiant smile can light up any
pool deck. You may have seen her swimming in the cold mornings or maybe on the deck, as a coach. But before we focus
on the now, let’s go back just a few years to when her swimming adventure all began.
Swimming is important to her because she great up in an unhealthy household and this was her outlet that became more
than a hobby; it became a way of life. At the age of 7, she eagerly passed all of the Red Cross swim lesson levels, in one
day, and decided to join the swim team the next day. Her passion for swimming transformed into a passion to coach. At
15, she coached her first team and coached all throughout the East Coast. She even started her own team, the Winchester
Masters. Currently, she coaches not only our team, but also several other local teams.
She’s not only a great coach, but also a devout open water swimmer. While in the East Coast, she achieved her biggest
swimming accomplishment by swimming from Virginia to Maryland, a total of 7.5 miles! It’s an impressive feat and
continues to endure the cold water temperatures in the ocean to this day. As much as she loves open water events, she does
hate when swimmers swim on top of her to get ahead. Swim around her PEOPLE! Her words of wisdom to those who
have never braved the open water? “Go in the water with a friend, relax and enjoy the swim. Revel in the fact that you are
one of the few in the world that have the opportunity to swim in a natural aquarium.”
Her passion for swimming has also been passed down to her children Kati(28),
Mary(24), and Michael(19), whom all have their own swimming accomplishments.
She has been married to her husband, Mike, for 31 years and has travelled many years
due to his service in the Navy. This athletic family (the Span Clan) has even competed
in several team triathlons all over the US. As a Nadador, she loves the history behind
the program and looks forward to the future. She currently has been participating in
swim meets, crossing off all of the events to achieve Check-off Challenge greatness. If
she could be any stroke, she would be the butterfly, because it’s a complicated stroke
that looks so cool when done correctly. Eileen is one cool lady for sure! Outside of
swimming, she enjoys rollerblading (so retro), kickboxing, reading books, and listening
to music.Eileen Span, a versatile swimmer, a passionate coach, and loving mother and
wife. These are all great qualities that add so much to our team. She even has amazing
hair! Her secret? Naturally curly hair and a severe allergy to hair dye. Who knew?! Miguel Ramirez reporting.
Swimmer Spotlight - ALEX ARROW
Alexander K. Arrow, MD, CFA, was born in Philadelphia, PA, but his formative years were
spent in Colorado. Alex has an MD from Harvard Medical School and began his surgical
residency at UCLA, when he came to CA. He then spent nine years running medical
technology research departmens at three Wall Street Firms with his Chartered Financial
Analyst pedigree. He went on to be President, COO, CFO and CMO of several successful
medical technology companies, most recently President of the Irvine-based, NASDAQ-listed
Biolase, Inc. Currently he is CEO of Snorx Inc., a startup company developing a new surgical
tool for use by otolaryngologists who treat snoring and obstructie sleep apnea.
Alex Arrow, teammate and friend. Alex is a single Dad who is new to swimming. He started
in 2010 with his first triathlon and by 2012 entered his first swim meet with the Menlo Park
Master’s program. Alex was surprised to make the front page of the Sports section of the San
Mateo Daily Journal after a number of completions of the Escape from Alcatraz triathlons!
After moving to Southern California in June 2013, Alex joined the Nadadores. He is
currently in the middle of the check off challenge (1650 free, 400 IM & 200 Fly completed)
and is a devoted 6 am swimmer. Alex is always looking for teammates to join him not only
for the check off challenge but also to participate in triathlons. Welcome aboard Alex! - Jim
Santy reporting.
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March/April 2015
Nadadore News
Open Water Events Coming Up
DATEEVENTLOCATIONVENUEDISTANCE
4/25/2015 OC Swim Series Mission Viejo lake 1M, 2M
5/16/2015 Nadadores Roughwater Dana Point ocean 2.4M
5/16/2015 OC Swim Series Mission Viejo lake 1M, 2M
6/6/2015 Santa Monica Pier Ocean Fest Santa Monica ocean 1M
6/13/2015 Seal Beach Roughwater Seal Beach ocean 1M 5K
6/13/2015 Huntington Beach Pier Swim Huntington Beach ocean ~0.5M
6/20/2015 Pier to Cove Swim La Jolla ocean 1.5M
7/4/2015 Coronado Roughwater Coronado ocean 1M
7/5/2015 Semana Nautica 3-mile Santa Barbara ocean 3M
7/11/2015 Semana Nautica 1-mile Santa Barbara ocean 1M
7/11/2015 Newport Pier 2 Pier Newport Beach ocean 2M
7/12/2015 Semana Nautica 6-mile Santa Barbara ocean 6M
7/18/2015 San Clemente Ocean Fest San Clemente ocean 1M
8/2/2015 Dwight Crum Pier-to-Pier Manhattan Beach ocean 2M
8/22/2015 Don Burns Corona Del Mar Swim Corona del Mar ocean 1M
9/13/2015 La Jolla Roughwater La Jolla ocean 1M, 3M
9/27/2015 Tiki Swim Oceanside ocean 1.2M, 2.4M
9/27/2015 LJC 10-mile Relay La Jolla ocean 10M
10/18/2015 San Diego Sharkfest/Coronado San Diego harbor 1M
Bridge Swim
Joke Corner
Ten Compliments a Female Swimmer will NEVER hear!
10.I think your tan lines are really cute.
9. Those goggles really bring out your eyes.
8. No, you don’t need a pedicure. Your feet are
gorgeous!
7. That suit does not make your butt look big.
6. Your skin smells so good.
5. Right after practice, will you send me a “selife”?
4. You are so beautiful at 5am.
3. I look forward to snuggling with you after
practice.
2. I really enjoy going to your swim meets.
1. I love your hair like that.
If you know if any really good, tasteful, and funny swim related jokes, please email them to [email protected]
2015 MVN Masters Swim Committee
Duncan Houldsworth – Chair
[email protected]
Miguel Ramirez – Vice Chair
[email protected]
Alex Arrow - Secretary
[email protected]
Kim Burton - Publicity
[email protected]
John Parker - Development
[email protected]
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Workout Captains
Jim Santy – 5am
[email protected]
Nora Gard – 6am
[email protected]
Audrey Viers – 9am
[email protected]
Bev Montrella - noon
[email protected]
March/April 2015
Nadadore News
Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday to You!
MARCH BIRTHDAYS
March 2 - Janet Toohey
March 4 - Michael Colonnese, Rich Seager,
Mary Span
March 7 - Kelli Cavaliero, Duncan Houldsworth
March 10 - Chris Downey
March 13 - Danielle Chapman, Dean McElroy
March 20 - Kendrea Rivera
March 23 - Jim Bergen, Wayne Deloney,
RoseMary Price
March 27 - Suzanne Borzone
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
April 2 - Brian Goodell
April 3 - Tami Berrera, Jeanne McCleave
April 4 - Steve Ripic
April 5 - Mitchell Spezzaferri
April 11 - David Berlin, Chris Wilson
April 13 - Frank Walker
April 18 - Colin Wetmore
April 20 - Greg Olson, David Rines
April 21 - David Matl
April 23 - Jennifer Burch-Ascencio
April 24 - Katie Moore
April 26 - Jeanne Little
April 29 - Wayne Aschenbeck
The Social Committee would like to wish everyone above a very Happy Birthday. If you see these lovely
people at practice or at a swim meet, please make sure to give them birthday wishes.
Let’s get social
Our next social event will be on Friday, March 20 at 6:30pm at Saddleback Bowling
Lanes on Marguerite Parkway. $10 per person includes bowling for one hour and
shoes. You must RSVP to the evite and if you commit you must show up or be
billed for the $10 as reservations are paid for in advance. See you there!!!!!
Upcoming Swim Meets
Make Your Travel Plans
March 8 - Yucaipa Short Course Yards
March 15 - Mission Viejo SCY Meet, Mission Viejo
March 21&22 - San Luis Obispo LCM
March 22 -Mission Valley YMCA 2015 Masters SCY
Pancake Pentathlon, San Diego
March 22 - CVMM Matt Biondi Short Course Yards
Masters Classic, Simi Valley
March 29 - UCLA Short Course Yards, Los Angeles
May 16 - 4th Annual Mission Viejo Nadadores
Rough Water Swim, Dana Point
May 17 - Santa Clarita Long Course Meters
June 7, 2015 - California Senior Games
June 13 - Las Vegas Long Course Meters
June 28 - Yucaipa Long Course Meter
July 5 - Patrick Moore Memorial Relay Meet, MVN
2015
April 11-12, 2015 SCY Zone Champtionships, Santa
Barbara
April 23-26 - USMS Short Course Nationals, San Antonio, TX
June 17-27 - Pan American Championships, Medellin,
Colombia
August 5-16 - FINA World Championships, Kazan,
Russia
August 6-9 - USMS Long Course Nationals, Geneva,
Ohio
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Info available at www.usms.org
March/April 2015
Nadadore News