The Latest News

This page is home to our Menlo Masters news. Visit often to see what's most current and to check for latest results, upcoming deadlines, and fun features. Subscribe to receive news via email by logging into My Account and opting in.

Masters Newsletter
May 21, 2007
by Tim Sheeper
In this edition:

Best Masters Team in the Country

Save the date, Tuesday June 26, 6:00-8:00pm.  We will have a team gathering at the Sharon Heights Country Club in Menlo Park to layout the strategic plan that will separate Menlo Masters from every other masters swim team in the country. 

This plan does NOT address the number of swim practices you need to make per week or the speed of your swimming.  We are going to unveil a project that we have been working on behind the scenes for almost a year. 

I am excited to share this unique plan, so I want to make sure that there is enough time for members to clear calendars for this special night.  All you will need to bring with you is an open mind and an open heart.

More information and an evite will follow before the end of this week.  Remember that is Tuesday June 26, 6pm.


<top>

Short Course Championships

The Championships were contested in mid April at the expansive Pleasanton Aquatic Center.  We had two dozen Menlo Masters competitors striving for personal bests against some of the toughest competition in the region.  Pacific Master Swimming is consistently the top region as far as number of competitors and record setters in the country.

Our Menlo Masters top swims are as follows:

Barbara Breen- 6:19 for 500 free
Sandy Dutro-2nd place 200 fly
Ken Fine-1650 top 8
Joan Gerber-2nd place 200 fly
John Goldman-29.3 50 free
Dana Hayse-7:03 500 free
Virginia Justus-2nd place 1650 free
Eduardo Llach-top 6 in all 7 of his events
Scott Marshall-20:44 1650 free
Jana Matena-5 first places, age group high point, 55.9 in 100 free
Sue McGlennon-2nd place 200 free
Martin Michael-2nd place 1650 free
Sally Phillips-competed in maximum 7 events
Joel Phillips-32.0 50 free
Rebecca Pinto-3rd place 200 fly
Lisa Sheeper-1st place 1650 free and 50 breast
Peter Shepherd-4th place 200 fly
Judy Strauss-3rd place 1650 free
John Sulzbach-2nd place 200 fly
Jane Walker-2nd place 200 fly

We always have a great deal of women at every swim meet tackle the 200 fly with great success.  Congratulations to those women and to all that competed with great enthusiasm and dignity.

Full team results can be found at:
http://www.teamsheeper.com/teams/menlomasters/results/pmsscy2007.html


<top>

Duathlon Wrap Up

The Menlo Masters Duathlon was held Saturday May 12 at Burgess Pool and Park.  The sunny but brisk morning proved to be perfect weather for the nearly 60 competitors that accepted the run/swim/run/swim/run challenge. 

For some, this was the first time that they took part in such an event, while others were veterans with more than four masters duathlons "under their belt."  We even had  Ed Owen and Lisa Sheeper competing as the only surviving members of the first ever duathlon dating back to 1996.

The first race kicked off at 7:15am with an .8 mile run where Mike Fero and Maggie Smeal displayed their run prowess and opened up large margins on their competitors that were never to be closed or challenged.  The 400 yard swim was broken half way through so the competitors could get out and do push-ups (to help with lap counting).  The second run was a lap around the park or .4 mile where a majority of the competitors decided to run without shoes since the course was mostly on grass.  The second swim was 200 yards, which at this point in the competition was more challenging that it seems.  The final run was a half a lap sprint around the park entirely on grass that made for exciting sprint finishes.  All participants were awarded a Clif Gift Package consisting of bars, gels, bloks and a piece of fruit.

The results were:
Mike Fero- 17:33
Tom Anderson-         18:59
Dave Andeen -         19:14
Mike Taylor- 19:29
Gary Swart- 19:55
Matt Simson- 19:57
Maggie Smeal-         21:10
Eva Gottstein- 22:55
Barbara Breen-         23:40
Virgina Justus-         23:42
Angie Weinberger- 24:23
Greg Gaffney- 24:47
Sally Phillips- 25:10
Sierra Sheeper-         25:58
Frances Reneau-         28:30
Katy Basil- 28:57
Karen Sing- 29:18
Tina Lount- 29:27
Rebecca Pinto-         29:29
Martin Michael-         30:13
Judy Strauss- 32:55
Anna Lippi- 34:28
Kyra Sheeper- 36:01
Lisa Sheeper- 36:03

The 8:00am duathlon was advertised as a bit longer in distance and it lived up to the billing.  The first run was 3 loops around the park (1.2 miles) followed by a 600 yard swim (push-ups half way) then 2 run loops around the park followed by a 400 yard swim (more push-ups) and then a short half lap around the park. 

Lennard Hachmann took off to an early lead completing the three laps around the park in first in a little over 6 minutes.  Peter Borak took over the lead near the end of the first swim and then never relinquished, and held off a fast finishing Jason Shroedl at the finish.

Kathryn Cronje had a wire to wire victory that placed her in the top of the field including the men. 

Some athletes enjoyed success in both races, but were glad to finish.  The Ironpeople were:  Mike Fero, Matt Stimson, Gary Swart, Barbara Breen, Sally Phillips and Martin Michael.

The 8:00am results:
Peter Borak 27:29
Jason Shroedl 27:59
Lennard Hachmann 29:25
Jan Jindra 29:49
Derrick Hansen         30:11
Mike Fero 30:14
Jorge Pont 30:14
Ed Owen         30:57
Kathryn Cronje           31:27
Pierre Pujol 31:30
Mike Osmond 31:48
Matt Stimson 32:09
Gary Swart 32:09
Bob Carlin 32:47
Paul Gorman 32:47.1
Jesse  Florez 32:50
Doug Fujii 35:59
John Collin 36:32
Beth Boersma 37:27
Vinod Herur 38:07
Barb Breen 38:08
Sally Phillips 38:42
Cindy Welton 39:36
Michael Leon 40:19
Martin Michael         46:49
Neerav Berry 47:34
Donna Smith 47:49
Charlie Ammanns         50:00+


<top>

Summer Swim Team-Mavericks

The Mavericks are the Burgess Pool kid's summer swim team.  The summer session kicks off on Monday June 18 for a power-packed 6 week swim season, with the option of extending it to 12 weeks. 

The mission of the team is to give the kids and the families involved a positive, healthy summer experience with the emphasis on building aquatic foundation skills and team dynamic skills.

The Mavericks are currently in the spring session, although the program can be started or stopped at anytime. 

For more information go to:
https://www.menloswim.com/menlo/youth_swim_teams/summer_mavericks.html


<top>

One Year Anniversary

Today, May 21, 2007 marks the first day of Menlo Swim and Sports and Menlo Masters second year at the Burgess Park facility.

I am looking forward to the another fine year in 2007-2008.      


<top>

Catalina Channel Relay Swim

I have mentioned this in a previous newsletter, so I wanted to provide an update.

Two swimmers from Menlo Masters, Michelle Santilhano and Virginia Justus have teamed together to put together a six person Catalina Channel Relay Swim Team. 

This is not a race, but an event.  They plan to attempt the crossing this coming August.  The challenges are the distance (26 miles), the water temperature (low 60's) currents, shipping traffic and sea partners.  Nothing that this group of people is not willing to work to overcome. 

The individuals have formulated the training program and itinerary for the team.  They are already in the midst of the schedule and they are looking for another swimmer to comprise their team of six.

The following is their schedule:

Sat  5/19  Spring Lake 
http://www.lifeguardsforlife.org/events/SpringLakeSwimEntry07.pdf
Sun 5/20  Lake Del Valle - 10:00 am (Bring a kayaker.  Kayak rental
available at the lake.)
Sat  5/26  Redwood Shores Lagoon 8 p.m.
Sun 5/27  Santa Cruz Main Beach - 2:30 pm
Sat 6/02   Lake Berryessa   http://www.damfast.org/berrywelcome.html

If you are interested please contact either Virginia Justus Michelle Santilhano.  Contact info at http://www.teamsheeper.com/teams/menlomasters/roster/


<top>