Congratulations to team CMS for winning first place for Regional Teams at the 2015 USMS Spring Nationals! There were many amazing accomplishments during the meet for our Colorado swimmers. See the details below.

Short course season is wrapped up, long course season begins, and
for the open water swimmers, the Gravel Pond at Chatfield is now open!

Hope you all enjoy the transition and venture out and try something new this spring!

As always, for up to date Information about meets, events and swim news, see the website, Comsa.org

Like us and share photos and posts on Facebook -- Colorado Masters Swimming Association.
Follow us on twitter @COMSASwimming.

Thanks and have fun swimming!!
Heide Crino
heidecrino@gmail.com

Be Our Guest : Denver Masters May 16, 2015

When: Saturday, May 16, 2015
Time: 9:25am-11:45am
Location: University of Denver El Pomar Natatorium, 2201 East Asbury Avenue, Denver, CO 80210
Cost: Free entry to the pool and practice, $5.00 for breakfast, Santiago's Breakfast Burritos, Fruit, Coffee
and Juice. COMSA membership not required, although always recommended.

COMSA "Be Our Guest" scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 9:30am during our regularly scheduled Saturday morning practice. Denver Masters will be hosting about 40-60 swimmers from across the
metropolitan area for a visiting swimmer practice and breakfast social hour immediately following practice. The cost for this breakfast at this event is just $5.00. To help plan, please order your $5.00
breakfast in advance by responding to Andrew LeVasseur at swimmin4fun@msn.com by the
9:00pm deadline on Thursday, May 14, 2015

Denver Masters Coaches Charity, James, Scott, Teri and Andrew will be on hand to offer coaching advice!

Plan on attending and help us show new swimmers how adult swimming can be a fun and enjoyable experience for all Colorado swimmers.

Free Denver Masters welcome caps and other USMS swag for the first 48 swimmers to arrive on Saturday, May 16, 2015.

Volunteers are being coordinated by Celeste Jacroux. Be sure to let me know if you want to help and I will put you in contact with Celeste.
Thanks for your help in recruiting swimmers of all abilities to participate in this COMSA Social event,

April is USMS Adult Learn to Swim Month. Support USMS goals of increased membership and the Swimming Saves Lives initiative by supporting this event through your swimmers attendance and participation.

Best to you,
Coach Andrew
Denver Masters

The Gravel Pond at Chatfield is now open!

Open Water Swimming at Chatfield State Park in the Gravel Pond

Saturday 7:30 am to 10:00 am
Monday and Wednesday 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm
May 2 - September 30

Contact: the openwater chair
email: shelleswims@gmail.com

Swimming at the Gravel Pond at Chatfield State Park, begins on the far west side of the pond, on the north end.

Water temps May - low to mid 50s
June - low to mid 60s
July - low to mid 70s
August - mid 70s to high 60s
September - high 60s to high 50s

Approximate length 900 meters from westside, north end to eastside south end cove.
Approximate length to gravel bar 250 meters from the westside, north end.

If you sign up for USMS less than 48 hours in advance of when you plan to swim at the pond, or if you are a member outside of the Colorado LMSC (COMSA), you must print a copy of your USMS card and bring it with you to check-in.

We will be using Sign Up Genius for monitor sign up. All members that swim at the pond are expected to monitor one time during the summer.
The monitoring sessions will be split so that you can monitor half the time the pond is open and will be free to swim the other time.

To view the current list of signups or to sign up for a monitor slot, please do the following:
1. click on http://www.signupgenius.com/FindASignup
2. Type in the following email address: comsaswimmer@gmail.com
You will get a list of all current sign up sheets available.

Thank you to those who have already signed up !

Read more about the SPECIAL ACTIVITIES AGREEMENT CONDITIONS for swimming in the gravel pond on the
open water page of comsa.org

2015 USMS Speedo 5K & 10K ePostal National Championship July 5th and 26th, 2015

Spring is finally upon us! That means outdoor pools are opening soon and our beautiful Colorado Lakes and Reservoirs are preparing for Open water swimming! It is also time once again to challenge yourselves by participating in the 2015 USMS Speedo 5K and 10K ePostal National Championships, hosted this year by the Central Oregon Masters Aquatics. The object is to swim a 5K or 10K in a 50 meter pool between May 15th and September 15th, then submit your entries and splits online and see how you compare with the rest of the country! Whether you swim either or both for competition, fitness or for some form of "fun", you will feel ever so accomplished once you are done!

COMSA is sponsoring 2 opportunities to participate as a group at the beautiful outdoor 50 meter pool at Lowry this summer on Sunday, July 5th and Sunday, July 26th from 7 am to 10 am. All you need to do is e-mail nicolevanderpoel@msn.com with the dates and distance you would like to swim.

You will need to bring a counter/verifier person with you as well. Clip boards, pencils, split sheets, extra stop watches and encouragement will be provided. Almost forgot, you will also receive a collector's item..COLORADO GOES POSTAL CAP!!

We are super fortunate to have COMSA support us in fulfilling our long distance swimming goals by sponsoring these events every year! There is no cost to you other than the $12 entry fee once you submit your splits to the host team online. Don't forget to list CMS as your team!

We had a record number of participants in the 2015 One Hour Postal. I challenge each of you One Hour Postal Swimmers to continue the USMS Speedo ePostal National Championship Series and participate in the 5K & 10K! In addition, Masters Coaches, please announce these Postals to your swimmers and encourage them to participate as well! We have so many amazing distance swimmers that we need to show the rest of the Country how Colorado Goes Postal!

E-mail nicolevanderpoel@msn.com to reserve your dates!

Happy Training! Nicole Vanderpoel, Long Distance Pool Chair

USMS Spring Nationals

How many Colorado swimmers went to the meet?
75 swimmers were registered with CMS (Colorado Masters Swimming) of 1,888 swimmers entered in the meet. Andrew LeVasseur of Denver Masters served as CMS Lead Coach.

What was our team placing?
We received First in regional team competition. There were 22 teams competing in this division. CMS had 64 members contribute to individual points in 234 events entered and scored 1,856 points.

MEN NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Rich Abrahams, 70 - 6x

Mehdi Addadi, 37

Alon Mandel, 26 - 5x

Michael Mann, 60 - 2x

Chris O'Sullivan, 40

Craig Petersen, 55 - 3x

Greg Scott, 55 - 3x

David Smith, 27 - 2x

Reuben Trinidad, 35

WOMEN NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Marcia Anziano, 70

Lindsey Linke, 34

Janet Sachs, 78

Collette Sappey, 50 - 4x

RELAY NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Men 35+ 200 Medley Relay

O'Sullivan - Trinidad - Addadi - Eisenhuth

Men 55+ 200 Medley Relay

Petersen - Scott - Bank - Mann

Women 45+ 200 Medley Relay

Seavall - Campbell - Sappey - Garnier

Mixed 55+ 200 Freestyle Relay

Mann - Rosener - Cotton - Bank

Men 35+ 200 Freestyle Relay

O'Sullivan - Trinidad - Addadi - Eisenhuth

Men 55+ 200 Freestyle Relay

Orten - Scott - Mann - Bank

Women 45+ 200 Freestyle Relay

Garnier - Nelson - Seavall - Sappey

NATIONAL RECORDS

Richard Abrahams, 70 (70-74)

100 Freestyle

50 Butterfly

100 Butterfly

Mike Mann, 60 (60-64)

1000 Freestyle

MEN TEAM SCORES

Colorado Masters 1028

Arizona Masters 730.5

Puget Sound Masters 601

WOMEN TEAM SCORES

Puget Sound Masters 812.5

Colorado Masters 712

Wisconsin Masters 393

COMBINED TEAM SCORES

Colorado Masters 1856

Puget Sound Masters 1595.5

Arizona Masters 1116.5

CMS Medal Count

GOLD = 38
SILVER = 30
BRONZE = 37

How many individual and relay gold, silver and bronze medalist did we have?

Gold - 31 ind, 7 relay

Richard Abrahams, m70-74: 100 fly

Richard Abrahams, m70-74: 200 free

Richard Abrahams, m70-74: 100 IM

Richard Abrahams, m70-74: 50 free

Richard Abrahams, m70-74: 50 fly

Richard Abrahams, m70-74: 100 free

Mehdi Addadi, m35-39: 50 back

Marcia Anziano, w70-74: 1650 free

Lyndsey Linke, w30-34: 200 IM

Michael Mann, m60-64: 1000 free

Michael Mann, m60-64: 400 IM

Michael Mann, m60-64: 500 free

Alon Mandel, m25-29: 100 fly

Alon Mandel, m25-29: 100 back

Alon Mandel, m25-29: 100 IM

Alon Mandel, m25-29: 50 fly

Alon Mandel, m25-29: 50 back

Chris O'Sullivan, m40-44: 50 back

Craig Petersen, m55-59: 1000 free

Craig Petersen, m55-59: 500 free

Craig Petersen, m55-59: 200 back

Janet Sachs, w75-79: 50 back

Collette Sappey, w50-54: 100 back

Collette Sappey, w50-54: 50 free

Collette Sappey, w50-54: 100 free

Greg Scott, m55-59: 200 free

Greg Scott, m55-59: 100 breast

Greg Scott, m55-59: 200 breast

David Smith, m25-29: 1650 free

David Smith, m25-29: 1000 free

Reuben Trinidad, m35-39: 200 breast

m35+ medley relay

m55+ medley relay

w45+ medley relay

mixed 55+ free relay

m35+ free relay

m55+ free relay

w45+ free relay

Silver - 27 ind, 3 relay

Mehdi Addadi, m35-39: 100 back

Marcia Anziano, w70-74: 500 free

Holden Bank, m55-59: 50 breast

Holden Bank, m55-59: 100 IM

Holden Bank, m55-59: 50 free

John Batchelder, m30-34: 1650 free

Suzy Cotton Tatnall, w55-59: 200 free

Kevin Doherty, m40-44: 1000 free

Kevin Doherty, m40-44: 400 IM

Rebecca Friedlander, w45-49: 200 fly

Alon Mandel, m25-29: 50 free

Michael Mann, m60-64: 200 free

Michael Mann, m60-64: 100 breast

Michael Mann, m60-64: 200 IM

Chris O'Sullivan, m40-44: 100 fly

Chris O'Sullivan, m40-44: 50 fly

Bob Patten, m80-84: 50 breast

Craig Petersen, m55-59: 200 free

Janet Sachs, w75-79: 100 back

Janet Sachs, w75-79: 50 free

Greg Scott, m55-59: 400 IM

Greg Scott, m55-59: 200 IM

Melissa Sundberg, w18-24: 100 back

Melissa Sundberg, w18-24: 50 back

Reuben Trinidad, m35-39: 100 breast

Louise Wise, w70-74: 1650 free

Louise Wise, w70-74: 1000 free

mixed 35+ free relay

m65+ free relay

mixed 55+ medley relay

Bronze - 35 ind, 2 relay

Holden Bank, m55-59: 100 breast

Holden Bank, m55-59: 100 free

Ellen Campbell, w50-54: 50 breast

Suzy Cotton Tatnall, w55-59: 200 back

Suzy Cotton Tatnall, w55-59: 50 back

Suzy Cotton Tatnall, w55-59: 100 free

Kevin Doherty, m40-44: 200 breast

Kevin Doherty, m40-44: 200 IM

Matthew Eisenhuth, m40-44: 100 IM

Matthew Eisenhuth, m40-44: 50 free

Rebecca Friedlander, w45-49: 1650 free

Robert Garland, m45-49: 1000 free

Robert Garland, m45-49: 200 free

Ignacio Jimenez, m45-49: 200 breast

Ryan Jones, m35-39: 1000 free

Judith Laney, w60-64: 1650 free

Judith Laney, w60-64: 1000 free

Lyndsey Linke, w30-34: 100 IM

Ellie Najjar, w50-54: 1650 free

Chris O'Sullivan, m40-44: 100 back

Bob Patten, m80-84: 200 breast

Craig Petersen, m55-59: 400 IM

Craig Petersen, m55-59: 200 IM

Jodi Quinnell, w30-34: 400 IM

Jodi Quinnell, w30-34: 200 back

Janet Sachs, w75-79: 50 fly

Collette Sappey, w50-54: 50 fly

Kelly Seavall, w45-49: 200 free

Kelly Seavall, w45-49: 100 IM

Kelly Seavall, w45-49: 100 free

David Smith, m25-29: 500 free

Melissa Sundberg, w18-24: 200 back

Reuben Trinidad, m35-39: 50 breast

Louise Wise, w70-74: 500 free

Karen Zentgraf, w70-74: 1000 free

w18+ medley relay

w65+ free relay

Congratulations Swimmers!

Submitted by Andrew LeVasseur

Swimming and Eye Health from USMS.org

Swimming and Eye Health
Answers to several common eye-related health questions

Shlomit Schaal | March 4, 2015

by Shlomit Schaal, MD, PhD, with Yam Schaal and Shivani Reddy, MD

We all know the feeling of getting out of the pool, physically sore yet pleasantly rejuvenated. But another perception many swimmers have immediately after practice is a stinging and burning sensation in and around their eyes. In fact, eye irritation, or "swimmer's eye" as some call it, is one of the most commonly reported complaints from avid swimmers. So how exactly does swimming affect your eyes and what can you do to prevent swimmer's eye?

Pool Chemicals and Your Eyes

The external surface of the eye is coated with a chemically complex thin tear film. This tear film is composed of multiple layers (water, protein, and lipid) that perfectly interact with each other not only to keep your eye lubricated, but also to keep your tear film from evaporating too quickly. Chemicals in pools, such as chlorine and saline, are used as disinfecting measures and can wreak havoc on the tear film, causing water from the film to evaporate, leaving the surface of your eye unlubricated and exposed to other chemicals and bacteria in the pool. Also, chlorine by itself can be a major irritant to the eye, resulting in a condition known as chemical conjunctivitis, an inflammatory condition that causes redness, irritation, itching, and tearing in the eye.

The best way to protect your eyes from harmful pool chemicals is to minimize exposure to them. Wearing goggles can offer good protection. Rinsing your eyes with fresh water while showering after a swim is a good way to get rid of chlorine deposited around the lids and lashes. For sensitive eyes, over-the-counter lubricating eye drops may restore the composition of a healthy tear film and provide immediate symptom relief.