Lake Monsters make splash hosting Masters' swim meet
Carrie Pichler
Matt Seeley competes in the 400 yard IM. Seeley finished with a 5:51.25 time in the event which helped the Lake Monsters to an overall team bronze.
Carrie Pichler
Lake Monster Treasa Glinnwater makes her way accross the pool in the 200 yard freestyle event.
Carrie Pichler
The Bozeman team cheers on their teammate during the 100 yard butterfly event. Bozeman went home with the first place trophy for the second year in a row.
Carrie Pichler
Carrie Pichler
Carrie Pichler
Carrie Pichler
Carrie Pichler
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POLSON – Polson was booming last weekend as Masters swimmers from around the State jumped in the pool at the Mission Valley Aquatic Center to compete for State hardware.
This year’s total of 17 teams with a combined 118 swimmers breaks the old State record of 108 set at last year’s Masters State meet, according to Mission Valley Aquatics Director Ali Bronsdon.
“It was a really great weekend. I couldn’t be happier,” Bronsdon said. “People were excited to be here and they had fun.”
Though the word “championship” can sometimes intimidate, Bronsdon said that’s not what the Masters program is all about. Boasting competitors of all shapes, sizes, ages and fitness levels, its more about just having a good time while incorporating exercise into good old fashion competition.
“Everybody just gets in and does their best,” she said. “I was really proud of the people in our community who really stepped up and showed that they were not afraid to jump in. The atmosphere was really positive all weekend and we had tons of records fall.”
Local water aerobics and warm water therapy instructor Lorie Allred competed in her first Masters State event. Though it’s serious business for some of the athletes, she said, overall the atmosphere was relaxed and people seemed to be having a good time.
“This is a happy place,” she said. “Every age, every size. That’s what its all about.”
Allred also said some of the athletes were there to raise money for charity, including Emily von Jentzen, who founded Enduring Waves Foundation, which raises money to help children battling serious diseases.
For fellow MVAC employee Bonnie Klein, it was a fun event for the staff to come together and enjoy.
“We’re just cool staff showing our support,” she said.
Out of the 17 teams competing, the Lake Monsters placed third behind second-place Missoula and the champion team from Bozeman that won last year and boasts “young college blood,” according to Bronsdon.
Ages included adults 19-92. Honored at the event was 92-year-old Charlotte Sanddal from Helena. Sanddal has been in the pool since age 70 and has been competing ever since, setting female world records for her age along the way.
“Its super inspiring to see her this weekend and to see how fit she is and to see how healthy and happy she is,” Bronsdon said. “Swimming is the kind of sport that you can pick up in your later years if you’re not afraid to jump in and swim; … Charlotte is not afraid to jump in and swim against the young people.”
All in all the State meet was a success and MVAC hopes to possibly play host again next year.
“It was a very exciting thing for us to have and we had a lot of great volunteers,” Bronsdon said. “We had a really solid host year.”
Results
Team scores - Bozeman Masters 2,915; Missoula 1,672; Lake Monsters 1,570; Helena 1,213; Hamilton 1,179; Kalispell Masters 622; Great Falls 579; Flathead Lake Open Water Swim 268; Billings 148; Butte 116; Gold Coast Masters 100; Troy 80; Havre 74; Plains 68; Virginia Masters Swim Team 57; Dillon 51; Bigfork 40.
