Libertyville
Masters

Februrary 6th 2011 -
After an early rise, an unexpected snow and a scary drive our swimmers arrived at St. Charles North High School in time for the 14th Annual Superbowl Meet. Early patrons of the meet arrived to an 8 lane pool full of swimmers ready to swim bright and early for the 400 IM and the 500 Free.

The 500 Yard Freestyle was the event of choice by Team LIB who fielded 5 swimmers in the event,  Jennifer Gitzinger, Tiffany Sullivan, Jamie Mills, Michael Reed and Michael McDonnell. The team worked and cheered for each other and created a tidal wave of energy. There were some flops throughout the races though as Tiffany Sullivan swam the entire 500 with her cap on backwards, but forgiveness was doled out as a result of her excellent swim. Michael McDonnell swam a lifetime best time in the event, clocking a 7:04, which he hopes to better at the state meet and get under the illustrious 7:00 minute mark.

The meet continued with a lot of great swims, including 2 nail biting heats involving both Jamie "not your run of the" Mills in the 50 free and Laurel "Coach" Liberty in the 200 free. Jamie managed to pull ahead and nearly lapping his opponents laying out a 50 in 23.94. While Laurel, who later quoted her self as "old fat and out of shape" for swimming a 2:10 on in her 200 Free and lapping her opponent and beating her by well over 2 minutes.

Scott "I can't be called a sandbagger yet!" Melcher kicked his way through a 33.57 50 Breast. While Michael "Gold Medal" Reed swam his first ever 50 breast swimming a 45.47. Jim Rowland showed up a little later in the day and jumped in the pool to crush his age group swimming a 25.56 50 Free.


Tiffany "Knockout" Sullivan pulled out a fantastic 50 back swimming a 35.23 after knocking out several people in the pool during warm-ups. Jennifer "I'm pretty sure she could kill me" Gitzinger wrapped up her meet and age group by swimming a 1:21 100 Breast.

Even with just 8 swimmers Team LIB proved to be small but might snagging 5th place out of 22 teams with a total of 590 points. The team high point winner (excepting relays) was actually a tie between both Jen and Coach each pulling in 100 points of our entire total!

So team, it's just under 3 short weeks until the Central Illinois Spring Classic in B-Town. And just 3 weeks until the next Finn's night! We hope to see you all there!