SOBA Success at Caltech Pentathlon

Cal Tech Pentathlon - By Coach Steve Hyde

The Cal Tech Pentathlon is the place to be for swimmers who feel the need for speed. This event grows larger and faster every year and this year was no exception. Two hundred and thirty-eight swimmers representing thirty-two teams made the trek to Pasadena to participate in this five event drag race.

Thirteen swimmers from SOBA were in attendance which tied us for the fourth largest contingent at the meet.  SOBA was represented by Sydney Gitelson, Kobe Salstrom, Jeff Hart, Pat Jacobsen, Nathan
Stalker, Sue Stohrer, Jay Hoeschler, Ricardo Monroy, Dave Neilan, Beverly Baird, Dave Sundius, Melinda Kalin, and Marc Kelly.

The event consists of 50 Yards of each Stroke and a 100 Individual Medley.  The times for all five events are added to determine overall and age group places. SOBA was well presented   in the final medal count.  Sue earned first place in her group, Kobe was 2^ndin his (18+) Patrick and Jeff were 2^ndand third respectively (25+) and Nathan Finished 2^ndin the 35+ division.

Several swimmers claimed personal bests.  Dave Neilan earned PR’s in three strokes!  Sydney PRed in the 50 Free and Jeff set a new personal standard in the 50 Back. Dave Sundius stated that he is approaching some of his high school freestyle times!.

The meet was made little more interesting for Jeff, Patrick and spectators by the presence of Erik Carlson, a Rose Bowl swimmer who has already qualified for the 2012 Olympic Trials in the 100 and 200 Yd. Breast stroke.  The meet started off with Erik edging Patrick in the 50 Fly 23.83 to Patrick’s 24.09. Jeff was next to face the Olympic hopeful in the 50 back – the margin was even smaller. Eric posted a 25.03 Jeff touched at 25.56.  It was Patrick’s turn in the 50 Breast. Carlson touched at 25.96 in his signature stroke - Patrick was second at 27.79.  The tables turned in the 50 Free Style!  Patrick touched first at 21.16, Jeff was second at 21.40 and Carlson 3^rdat 22.03. In the 18 +Age Group Kobe earned 1^stwith 22.4, and in the 35+ group Nathan posted a 23.16 for 2^nd(This might explain why our 200 free relay is pretty good!) This led to a winner take all show down in the 100 IM!  Carlson took first with a 53.7 Patrick was second at 54.95 and Jeff third at 57.31. Now that’s racing in the animal heat!!

Sue made the outcome little more certain with first place finishes in every event!!

For Data Freaks and swimmers who want to track their performance,  SPMA and USMS offer a fun feature.  If you click on your name in the meet roster of this or any meet that you have participated, in a window linked to USMS records pops up. If you click on the “USMS” profile Link or the” USMS Result” link-your entire masters swimming history can be accessed.

The next swim meet takes place at Irvine on March 18 and the final SCY meet of the season is at UCLA on April 1.   These two meets contain every conceivable swim event and will serve as great opportunities to get some splashes in before the Championship meet at Santa Clarita on April 14^thand 15^th.