Wednesday, June 20, 2001
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Wednesday, June 20, 2001 |
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Fayette triathletes excel at half ironman Members of the Southside Seals Masters Swim Team held their own in Gulf Coast Half Ironman Competition recently. This event brings together the best triathletes in the Southeast for a "half ironman" featuring grueling swim, bike and running legs. These local triathletes trained this year in a specialized program for triathletes under the direction of Southside Seals head Coach Karen Urzpurvis. This specialized training proved its worth with many high finishes for the team members. Martha Boone, 50, was the highest Seal finisher with a fantastic third place, while Ann Shoemaker, 45, finished in the points with a 13th place finish. On the men's side, three Seals finished in the top 15. Doug Dountz, 55, led the men with a sixth place finish, followed closely by Gary Pretzer, 40, in eighth place,and Louis Boone, 62, in 10th. In an event where finishing is a major victory, 11 other local triathletes crossed the finish line: Robert Berschinski, Kimberly Brown, Edward Finucan, Dan Johnson, Gary Brown, Kimberly Garwood, Gerald Shoemaker, Daniel Twineham, Chuck Garwood, Dave Piet and Rob Kasper For the second year in a row, members of the Southside Seals Masters Swim Team were recently named as All-Americans by United States Masters Swimming. All-American status is given to those individuals that place first or second in the annual Best Times listing, and to relays that post the best time of the year. Karol Welling was named a USMS Relay All-American as part of the record-setting Georgia Masters Women's 160+ 400-meter freestyle relay. Rob Copeland was named a USMS All-American by virtue of his winning time at the 2000 USMS three-mile open water championship. USMS also recently released the National Top Ten and Dixie Zone Top Ten lists for 2000. Karol Welling, Steve Justice, Steve McDonald and Ken Sharpe were listed in the long course meters and/or short course meters National Top Ten listing as part of Team Georgia relays. The Dixie Zone LCM Top Ten listing included Seals swimmers Karol Welling (800/1500M freestyle, 50/100/200M backstroke, 200M breaststroke, 50M butterfly, & 200M IM), Steve Justice (50/100/200M freestyle, 50/100/200M backstroke, 50/100M breaststroke, 50M butterfly, & 200M IM), Ken Sharpe (50/100M freestyle, 50M backstroke, 50M breaststroke, & 50M butterfly). The Dixie Zone SCM Top Ten listing included Seals swimmers Karol Welling (200/400M freestyle, 100/200M backstroke, 50M butterfly, & 200M IM), Steve Justice (50M freestyle, 50/100/200M backstroke, 50/100/200M breaststroke, 50M butterfly, & 100/200M IM), Ken Sharpe (50/100M freestyle, & 50/100M breaststroke). The Southside Seals is a member club of United States Masters Swimming and is open to adults over 19. Swimmers of all skill levels are welcome including competitive swimmers, triathletes and fitness swimmers. Practices are Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7 p.m. at Kedron Aquatic Center in Peachtree City. Phone Steve Justice, secretary, at 770-964-5323 or e-mail sjbj@bellsouth.net. |
