Written by and pictures taken by Dennis Ray Gimlin

Sixteen masters entries to the annual Pueblo Open Long Course, 15-17 June, created a fun, "this is a sport for all ages and abilities" atmosphere.

There were several reasons Pueblo Masters approached Pueblo Swim Club (PSC) about adding masters sanctioning to the meet. The primary promoter of the idea had enjoyed "swimming with the kids" at USA Swimming sanctioned meets the prior 4 summers, but recognized that obtaining a USA Swimming card and finding a team to enter with were obstacles for other masters who would also otherwise enjoy the experience.

PSC‘s amiable attitude put both a summer and long course meet on the COMSA calendar. The Highlands Ranch Long Course had been the only similar event the past two years.

It was also an opportunity for Pueblo Masters to co-host a meet, and not worry about a spotty turnout that had plagued prior masters meets in Pueblo.

Days before the meet, it appeared it might turn into a SCY indoor meet. The classic Mineral Palace Pool was found to have a 20 gallon/minute leak shortly after it opened, and it was feared it might have to be shut down the weekend of the meet. Fortunately, two days prior to the meet, the problem was located, corrected without completely draining the pool and the water level brought back up.

Perhaps the swim of the meet belonged to 45 year old Ellie Najjar (picture) of DU Aquaholics. Swimming her first 1500 LC in 23 years, she posted a 20:14.09, the best time of the meet irrespective of age or gender. This was particularly noteworthy in light of the one significant problem at the meet, a too warm temperature in the refilled pool on Friday.

A number of masters obtained nationals qualifying times, but there were also those who were still getting acquainted with the sport, especially long course. Just like the kids.

Click: Full Results at COMSA Site

Event/Participant                                 Time     

=============== FREESTYLE ==========================================

Boys 15 & Over 400 LC Meter Freestyle Masters Group
1 Townsend, Cecil           59 CMS-CO               5:58.54 
2 Gimlin, Dennis R          51 CMS-CO               6:59.06 

Boys 15 & Over 1500 LC Meter Freestyle Masters Group   
1 Townsend, Cecil           59 CMS-CO              24:36.22 

Boys 15 & Over 50 LC Meter Freestyle Masters Group
1 Gimlin, Dennis R          51 CMS-CO                 33.63 
3 Freeman, Ted              67 CMS-CO                 39.61 

Boys 15 & Over 100 LC Meter Freestyle Masters Group
2 Townsend, Cecil           59 CMS-CO               1:13.95  
3 Gimlin, Dennis R          51 CMS-CO               1:23.83 

Boys 13 & Over 800 LC Meter Freestyle Masters Group
2 Townsend, Cecil           59 CMS-CO              12:28.76 
3 Gimlin, Dennis R          51 CMS-CO              14:15.57   
 
============ BACKSTROKE ============================================== 

Boys 15 & Over 50 LC Meter Backstroke Masters Group
2 Freeman, Ted              67 CMS-CO                52.63
				  
============ BREASTROKE ==============================================

Boys 15 & Over 100 LC Meter Breaststroke Masters Group
4 Gimlin, Dennis R          51 CMS-CO               1:44.09

Boys 15 & Over 50 LC Meter Breaststroke Masters Group
4 Gimlin, Dennis R          51 CMS-CO                 45.33 

Boys 15 & Over 200 LC Meter Breaststroke Masters Group
2 Gimlin, Dennis R          51 CMS-CO               3:53.75  


===================== BUTTERFLY ======================================

Boys 15 & Over 100 LC Meter Butterfly Masters Group
1 Gimlin, Dennis R          51 CMS-CO               1:57.61