August
2009
RECOVERING AT
HOME
Shelley Lantz had surgery last week
at St. Mary’s to correct scoliosis. She is at home now and
her mother (Cynthia) reports that she is doing well, up and walking
around. She will be out of the water for about 6
months. I have a card that I’ll bring to practice
tomorrow morning for us to sign and send. If you would like
to send a personal card, the Lantzes are at 9512
Pine Shadow Dr., Richmond, VA23238.
MEET RESULTS
June 28: I Love The Tavern
Triathlon, in Richmond. Kim Krongaard won the aquabike division for
women, and Leigh Robbins was 6th in her age group for
the tri.
July 11: ChrisGreeneLakeSwim, Charlottesville. Six members of our team
(Chris Stevenson,
Heather Stevenson, Betsy Turner, David Fellowes, Ed Bush, Michelle Kitt), our
coach Mark Kutz, and NOVA business manager Scott Campbell competed at the annual Chris Green e Lake cable swim. For Mark, it was his first
time back to CGL since 1983. In the 1-mile race, Dave Fellowes won
his age group (45-49), Heather Stevenson was second (45-49), and
Michelle Kitt was third (30-34). In the 2-mile race, Betsy
Turner finished second among women 25-29, Quad was fifth (35-39),
Chris was first (40-44), Scott was sixth (45-49), and Mark was
second (50-54). Congrats to Chris for breaking his own national
record (41:03.05) and for finishing second overall (NOVA’s own Abby Nunn won the
event in 40:39.67). Full results and the press release are
here: http://www.cableswim.org/
Dave Fellowes took photos and a few
can be seen here:
If anyone has some more, please
send them my way!
Aug. 6-9: U.S.Masters LC
Championships, Indianapolis. Dave Holland and Chris Stevenson made the
long drive to the Midwest together (12 hours in a Honda Civic, and still friends
J ). Dave defected from VMST
for this meet to compete with a group of IndianaUniversity alumni (Doc IU Masters). He
finished 2nd in the 200 fly (2:21.38), 3rd in
the 100 fly (1:02.26), and208th in the 50 fly
(28.02). The highlight for him was swimming on the
1st place 400 medley relay (160-199 age group) with
former Sullivan Award winner and marathoner John Kinsella.
Chris had a phenomenal 200
backstroke, going 2:12 in his first event and obliterating
the world record (45-49) by 6 seconds. Unfortunately, he was
disqualified for going past 15 meters on the start. He
handled the news much better than the rest of us, claiming it was
“easy come, easy go”. Chris rebounded to win the
100 back (1:00.55) and 100 fly (59.10), and also finished
2nd in the 200 free (2:01.76), and 3rd in the
400 free (4:21.26). All four of his times were new LMSC
records for men 45-49.
UPCOMING MEET S
ANDOPEN WATER SWIMS FOR YOUR
CALENDAR
Sept. 12, 2009, Chicago: 19th annual
Big Shoulders 5K Swim.
This year the event is also a U.S. Masters 3-6 mile National
Championship. Bill Winters has competed several times and
will return this year. Enter now if you’re interested
as the cap is fast approaching: http://www.bigshoulders.org/
Sept. 26-27, 2009: SmithMountainLake swims (5K on Saturday, 1 mile on
Sunday). Info and entry form is here: http://www.lakeswim.net/
October 25, 2009: Sprint Classic at George Mason. This meet has Rob B.
written all over it. The 25 breaststroke is on! Entry
details later.
April/May, 2009
NOVA MASTERS MAKES THE COVER OF USMS
SWIMMER
If you’ve already received your May issue
of the magazine, you might have noticed that the cover photo
shows a cartilaginous creature emitting bubbles in a familiar
setting. Yes, it’s none other than Chris
Stevenson! Although we get the opportunity to observe his
underwater proficiency on a regular basis, it is nice to see him in
focus for once. In addition, the feature article is written by
our very own Mark Kutz. Congratulations to both Chris and Mark
for some well-deserved recognition.
A WARM WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST
REGULARS
Daniel Owens, Betsy Turner, and all the young
college kids who try to keep up with us.
MEET RESULTS
On May 3, Allison Czapracki competed in
the Nanticoke River 3-mile
swim and sprint triathlon” in Bivalve, MD. She finished
6th in her age group in 1:38:42. Results can be
found here: https://www.lin-mark.us/results_files/resnan09.htm
and more info about open water can be found on Allison’s
blog: http://owswimrva.wordpress.com/
Allison Czapracki, Kim Krongaard, and Dave
Holland traveled up the road to George Mason University for the
annual Colonies Zones Championships April 24-26. Kim had the
best cheering squad as her parents were in the stands. They
didn’t seem to notice when she false started in her 200
breaststroke. Unfortunately, both officials on deck
did. You should have seen Kim’s expression when the
Referee broke the news to her with a polite
“ma’am”. Full results can be found here: http://www.patriotmasters.org/Colonies.2009.Results.htm
Last week, our underwater superhero, Christopher
Stevenson, represented us quite well at the U.S. Masters National
Championship (SCY), held in Fresno, California. Swimming at
the “top” end of the 40-44 age group, Chris put up
quite a showing against the younger forty-somethings. Of the
1,582 participants in the meet, Chris was one of a handful to win
multiple events. His individual results were as
follows:
200 free: 2nd, 1:45.55,
100 back: 1st, 50.97, 200
back: 1st, 1:51.10 (LMSC record), 100
fly: 1st, 50.81 (LMSC record), 500
free: 3rd, 4:42.67 (LMSC record), 200 fly:
2nd, 1:54.85 (LMSC record).
Another noteworthy performance that must be
mentioned here was the 100 breaststroke turned in by Richmonder and
LMSC Registrar Lisa Bennett, who set a NATIONAL record in the
women’s 50-54 100 breast (1:12.85). As an aside, Lisa
grew up swimming in New Jersey on an AAU team with Mark
Kutz. Congrats, Lisa!
Full results from the meet are
here: http://www.usms.org/comp/scnats09/realtime/
UPCOMING MEETS AND OPEN WATER SWIMS FOR YOUR
CALENDAR
Saturday, July 11: Chris Greene Lake 1
& 2 Mile Cable Swims in Charlottesville:http://www.cableswim.org/
(HOSTED BY VIRGINIA MASTERS)
MASTER’S SPOTLIGHT- DAVID
FELLOWES
·
Swimming with NOVA Masters
since: I
joined NOVA about 1.5yrs ago and have enjoyed it ever
since.
·
What is your background as a
swimmer and athlete? I started swimming in small summer programs when
I was 10yrs old --- at the British Embassy and American base pool
in Ankara, Turkey. I swam another year when living in
Iran. Swimming then took a 30-year break when I moved
to Elizabeth City NC (city without a pool at the time).
As for other sports, I was a distance runner with HS
records and lots of 10k races plus more than a decade of volleyball
and windsurfing competitions and golf. Cycling has been added
in the last two years.
·
What motivates you to wake
up and swim at 5:45am: Let’s see… listening to Kim K
chatter, coach Kutzisms and working my way into fast lane 8 one of
these days… It’s actually a great way to start
off the day and the best way to stay in shape. I even go out
of my way to swim with other Masters programs when on business
travel 70+ nights a year… From outdoor competition
pools in Phoenix and Ft. Lauderdale, open water swims with the
Waikiki Swim Club to outstanding HS, collegiate and public pools
throughout the US and Canada – and even George Mason
University’s pool in Fairfax last week.
It’s great being able to swim on the road!
·
Outside of the pool, who are
you? Married
to a wonderful wife (Lynn) with two great kids - Miranda(10) and
David(9) who are NOVA swimmers too. I’m also an area
vice president of sales for an international telecommunications
company --- selling high capacity data services to other
telecommunications service providers like AT&T, Verizon, Google
and Sprint.
·
People might be surprised to
know that: I dropped 65lbs over 18 months…
starting with lap-swimming at a local health club before NOVA
Masters, cutting back on meal portions and cycling on
weekends. Getting back into shape last year (’08)
allowed me to compete in my first swim meet in over 30 years and
finish with respectable times in a 2-mile cable swim and an Olympic
distance triathlon.
·
Favorite Kutzism:
“I don’t
care WHO you are – this is FUN!”
Followed closely by “Age has its
privileges.”
To see Dave’s photo, visit the NOVA
Masters Spotlight page:
March 25, 2009
MEET
RESULTS
WHEREAS, on March 15, Kim Krongaard, Jocelyn Adelman,
and Dave Holland attended the 1st Annual “Dreaming
of Spring” Meet (SCY) hosted by Warrenton Masters;
and
WHEREAS, the meet was the first masters’
competition held at their new 10-lane natatorium; and
WHEREAS, the mayor of Warrenton was on hand signing
“Pool Record Proclamation” certificates for anyone
winning an event; and
WHEREAS, the NOVA contingent collectively claimed ten
first places;
THEREFORE; IN WITNESS
WHEREOF, let it be
herewith decreed that I don’t care who you are, it’s
fun to get a parchment with gold seals and blue ribbons and
whereas(ses) all over it. Fu ll meet results can be
found here:
Chris Stevenson is currently on
“sabbatical” but obviously that term does not apply to
his swimming. The only one who has been to more swim meets
this month is Mark. Chris and Mark both attended Senior
Champs at UVA a few weekends ago and showed the young kids the true
meaning of a “senior” champ. Mark was the
paceman, and Chris was the raceman. He qualified for finals
in the 100 back (50.67 prelims), 200 back (1:52.93 prelims)20and
100 fly (50.85 prelims) and led off NOVA’s 400 medley relay
that finished second. NOVA won the team competition in
convincing fashion. Results:
Chris’s times in the 100 back, 200
back, 100 fly, and 200 free (1:44.37) were new LMSC records for the
40-44 age group in short course yards.
Chris was coerced into taking an
obligatory weekend off but was back in the water at the annual
Albatross Open (SCM) in North Bethesda, MD on March 22.
Because your age for meets in meter pools is your age as of Dec.
31, Chris competed in the 45-49 age bracket for the first time (he
really doesn’t turn 45 until October). Despite the
premature aging, he found his way to the right pool, setting two
new LMSC, USMS, and WORLD records in the 100 back (58.33) and 200
back (2:09.05). Premature aging has its privileges!
CONGRATULATIONS, CHRIS !! Results are here:
UPCOMING MEETS FOR YOUR
CALENDAR
Fri-Sun, April 24-26: “Colonies
Zone SCY Championship” in Fairfax, VA:
Sun, May 3: “Nanticoke River
3-mile swim and sprint triathlon” in Bivalve,
MD:
Saturday, May 16: “First Annual
Gator Swim Meet” in Roanoke, VA:
MASTER’S SPOTLIGHT- KIM KRONGAARD
Kim has been a regular devotee of NOVA
Masters since 2006. We asked her to share some words about
her athletic background, the path that brought her to NOVA Masters,
and her life outside of lane 10:
I grew up being a part of a wonderful
summer league swimming program in Northern Virginia, but stopped at
the age of 11. Swimming came easily for my five siblings and me
(especially breaststroke). I just wished I had stayed with
it. I ran cross country my senior year in high school and was a
walk-on at Radford University.
I became involved in triathlons wh en
I lived in San Clemente, CA- my husband Mike was an officer based
at Camp Pendleton and I was based in LA as a=2 0flight attendant -
plenty of down time to train and get my Masters of Education at
Cal.State LB. I swam with a masters’ program in San
Onofre- an outside pool with a view of the Pacific Ocean! Oh, how I
miss that! I was in lane 10 then, and I am still in lane
10!
I competed in a few Body Building shows, judged purely on muscle
development- none of that beauty stuff. Thank goodness Mark &
Leigh pegged me as a “sprinter”-now I am learning to
capitalize on that quality!
I returned to Northern Virginia to
begin family life and start a business with the Golds Gym Family.
We currently own three Golds Gyms in the Richmond area, and I teach
a few classes in my spare time. Once my three kids were in
school, I started training with my husband for the sprint
triathlons, and began training with the NOVA
studs! I comp eted in my first Masters Swim Meet
last year and it keeps me training hard. I learn something new
every time I swim with these dedicated athletes! I love to bug the
coaches with my questions. Just like I tell my kids, “hard
work DOES pay off, and being uncomfortable is part
of the process. So stop complaining and make something
happen!” My biggest obstacle to date (besides the
200 test sets!) is teaching my three kids to follow the above
advice!
