Ted Pierce
Lyn Moreno
Over 2,000 swimmers from all over the United States converged on Mesa April 25-28 for the 2019 national USMS swim meet. The four-day meet is a culmination of the season, bringing the best of the best swimmers together for a final showdown. Many former Olympians were present and many national and world records were broken during the four day meet.
Swimmers 19-99 years old swam in the meet earning medals for first through tenth place. Results are based on five-year interval age groups. Some events had over 500 swimmers competing for top places. SaddleBrooke swimmers, competing for Arizona Swim Club, held their own and brought home many medals. Our workout group scored 526 points out of the 2,572 points earned by the total Arizona team. We accounted for over 20% of the total points with only 10% of the swimmers!
Swimmer and coach Doug Springer led the group with five gold medals and one silver medal. Doug dominated the breast stroke and IM events. He was one of the top scorers for the first place Arizona team. Jack Fritz medaled in all six events that he swam, placing second in 100 free and 100 breast stroke. He was also part of the 85-year-old relays that took first place and broke the national record along with teammate Glen Tewksbury. Glen was a star placing second in all five of the events he swam. Swimmer Ted Pierce earned five medals placing in all five of the events he swam; he swam the fastest time of his life in the 200 freestyle. Jim Spiegel earned five medals placing fifth in the 200 free and swimming an outstanding race in the fly. Bill Ton medaled in four events, placed third in the 50 backstroke and swam four personal bests.
Our two women competing in the meet had fantastic swims. Jill Fritz came home with four individual medals and had outstanding swims in the 500 free and 200 back. Lyn Moreno medaled in all six of her events, swimming personal bests in 50 and 100 backstroke.
Probably the most exciting performance of the weekend was the 85-95-year-old relay team that broke the National record in the 200-yard medley and free mixed relays! Jack Fritz, Glenn Tewksbury, Gloria Tolaro and Vel Perry swam in both of those record setting relays. Outstanding! All in all, we can be very proud of our SaddleBrooke swimmers!