VACA Masters Participate in 40th Annual Sprint Pentathlon

On the last weekend of September, ten adults represented the Vacaville Swim Team Masters program at the 40^thAnnual Sprint Pentathlon held at the Schaal Aquatics Center at UC Davis. Cheered on under beautiful skies by their children, parents and friends, it was an incredibly fun meet. Two of those swimmers –  Karen Jensen, and Dave Stewart – competed in last year’s pentathlon. The remaining eight swimmers – Sue Gibbs, Jennifer Orfin, Samantha Buckner, Mel and Brian Michaluk, Nick Hanley, Brandon Myers and Stephen Fournier – competed in the pentathlon for the first time.

The format is set up where you can compete in all five of the events – 50 Fly, 50 Back, 50 Breast, 50 Free and 100 IM – or you can choose to compete in any of the individual events. Those swimmers who compete in all five events not only place in individual races, but are given a cumulative time for all five. The winner in each division for cumulative time is awarded a special Pentathlon Towel.

This year we had three (!) Pentathlon Towel recipients – Nick Hanley (30-34 age group), Brandon Myers (35-39 age group) and Karen Jensen (45-49 age group).  Congratulations swimmers! And an additional congratulations to those swimmers who stepped out of their comfort zone and tried their first pool meet ever, or if not ever, then the first one in a very long time. We ALL know what it takes to do that!

We had some exciting 200 Medley Relays at the end. The women’s team (Sue Gibbs – back, Sam Buckner – breast, Jennifer Orfin – fly, and Karen Jensen – free) garnered 2^ndin their division. The men’s team (Nick Hanley – back, Brandon Myers – breast, Dave Stewart – fly, and Brian Michaluk – free) took first in their division. It was a rousing finish, with Brian Michaluk, in his first pool meet, swimming the anchor leg, holding off the closing competitior, and breaking into the 29s for the 50 meter free!

Highlights

 Samantha Buckner (25 - 29) – 3^rdoverall in division

Stephen Fournier (50 – 54) – first pool meet; scored in 50 fly, 50 back and 50 free

Sue Gibbs (55 – 59) – Swam 50 meter back in 38.60 which is 3 seconds under a AAAA motivational time

Nick Hanley (30 – 34) – 1^stoverall in division; 1^stor 2^ndin all races

Karen Jensen (45 – 49) – 1^stoverall in division; 5 out of 5 personal bests; 1^stin every event

Brian Michaluk (40 – 44) – first pool meet; scored in 50 free and 50 back; anchored relay with a PB

Mel Michaluk (35 – 39) – first pool meet; scored in 50 fly and 50 free

Brandon Myers (35 – 39) – 1^stoverall in division; 1^stor 2^ndin all races

Jennifer Orfin (18 – 24) – 2^ndoverall in division

Dave Stewart (50 – 54) – 2^ndoverall in division; personal best in the 100 meter individual medley