Nova Masters Swimming (Orange County, CA)

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Competing in his first open water race, Nova Masters swimmer Bernie Zeruhn 34, showed no signs of being a rookie as he set a new course record over the 2 mile distance finishing in 34:50. Patrick Didium was 4th overall and won the 25-29 age group. Craig Taylor placed 2nd in 50-54 by 1 second after getting out-run up the beach. Many other Nova swimmers participated and further details will be posted here once race results are posted.

Fort Myers Beach, Fla - Nova Masters swimmer Patrick Dideum placed 12th at the USA Swimming 10K National Championships held Sunday June 5th, 2005. Patrick swam a time of 2:07:25. In addition to swimming the 10k, Patrick also competed in the Dash For Cash 1 Mile event at placed 6th in 16:31.16. Full results are avaialable HERE.

BEFORE THE MEET Enter meets well before the deadline. Possibly discuss with a coach the best events to enter. Go to your Nova Upcoming Events and RSVP for the events you are atteneding so you will receive the email updates on the meet. Let the coaches know what events you are swimming and what goals you have or what you would like help working on before the meet (like a specific turn, or breathing pattern, or pacing strategy) If you are not able to attend the meet for some emergency please let Coach Mike (949.338.6682) or Coach Paul (310.877.4784) know so they can rearrange the relays if necessary THINGS TO BRING TO THE MEET Copy of the meet entry form including Directions & Event Order (So you don't have to ask the coach so many questions) Nova Suit (possibly more than one suit) Nova Cap Nova Team Apparel (T-shirt Sweats, Parka, etc) Goggles (more than one pair, and not real old ones) 2-3 towels to have a fresh one for your last shower. Water bottle, Fluids, & Snacks Sunscreen & Hat if outdoor meet Folding Chair or Yoga Mat to sit on Personal Entertainment (Reading Material, Ipod, Game Boy, etc.) AT THE MEET Help set up the team area if you are there early (Team Canopies, Team Banner etc.) Check in for your events before warm-up Talk to the coaches before scratching or skipping any events Discuss with the coaches whether you will be needed to swim on relays Don't ask the coaches any questions that can be answered by looking it up on the board or in the program. (They get a little kooky after 100+ questions in about the first 10 minutes) Talk to the coaches before your events to discuss racing strategy or specific details to work on. Wear Nova logoes suit and cap so you are easily spoted on the blocks for video taping Introduce yourself to other team swimmers that you don't normally get to train with AFTER THE MEET Pick up your own ribbons and medals or ask another swimmer to get them - The coaches don't do medals :-) Help clean up the team area and fold the Nova canopies if they are up Find out if the team is going anywhere to eat & celebrate after the meet and join the fun Send any good photos you took at the meet to coach Mike to post on the website Check the MEET HIGHLIGHTS AREA a day or two after the meet to see if a story or photos have been posted.

MISSION VIEJO, CA - Over 40 Nova Masters swimmers contributed to a dominating performance at the 2005 SPMA Short Course Regional Championships held April 22-24 at Saddleback College. The Nova's finshed more than 700 points ahead of runner-up Misson Viejo Nadadores who were the meet hosts. The team performed amazingly well, breaking 103 individual team records and also setting 38 new relay records. Updated Nova Team Records are now posted. "Superman" awards go to Patrick Diedeum & Bernie Zebruhn who each set 9 new individual team reocrds, won their age group high point and contributed to several relay victories and records. Rookie of the meet honors went to 62 year old Jan Anderson competing in her first meet ever. In addition to setting several team records in the 60-64 age group, she also contributed to several outstanding relay performances. She has only been swimming with the team about 2 months and has never competed in a meet. Outstanding Warrior of the meet went to Dan Neyenhuis who competed in 8 events plus relays only a few weeks after having knee surgery. Despite barely kicking and using quite "original" style turns he swam several fast times and won the Age Group High Point Award and set 4 Nova team records. First time Nova Masters meet competitors included Kylie Evans, Joe Rowland, Matt McCutchen, Danielle & Ryan Chapman, Dean Ledger, Lucia Minervini, & several others. Photos from meet are posted in the EVENT PHOTOS section (on the left side bar of the home page) Full Meet Results, Team Scores, & Individual High Point Standings are posted at www.coach-mark.us/saddleback/2005meet.htm Final Team Scores: 1. Novaquatic Masters 2336.5 2. Mission Viejo 1674.0 3. L.B. Grunions 874.0 4. UCLA Masters 635.0 5. UCI Masters 438.0 6. San Diego Masters 318.0 7. South Bay Swim Team 240.0 8. Carlsbad Masters 216.0 9. Team TYR 189.0 10.West Hollywood Aquatics 172.0 Nova Individual Age Group High Point winners: Patrick Dideum 18-24 Kathy Barris 25-29 Fiona Petersen 30-34 Meg Reilly 35-39 (tie) Bernie Zebruhn 30-34 Paul Carter 45-49 Dan Neyenhuis 60-64 The following swimmers combined to break a phenominal 103 Nova Masters individual team records: Patrick Diedeum 19-24 (9) Bernie Zebruhn 30-34 (9) Meg Reilly 35-39 (8) Lucia Minervini 50-54 (8) Nina Jordon 45-49 (6) Paul Carter 45-49 (6) Hank Greenberg 55-59 (6) Dionne Caldwell 70-74 (6) Debbie Sutherland 45-49 (5) Craig Taylor 50-54 (5) Jan Anderson 60-64 (5) Dan Neyenhuis 60-64 (5) Everett Smethurst 70-74 (5) Fiona Petersen 30-34 (4) Dean Ledger 35-39 (3) Tim Shumate 40-44 (3) Tord Benner 45-49 (3) Libby Deschenes 50-54 (3) Kathleen Barris 25-29 (2) Brian Pharris 25-29 (2)

Here are some quotes from athletes in the program, or who have attended our camps, clinics, classes or lessons: ==================================================================== Recently, I was talking with my pastor and I told him for the umpteenth time what a great group NOVA Master’s is. It’s hard not to mention it when we get together. I mentioned a workout once when (wearing fins) I swam 100 free in 1:10. And when I got back to the wall, Coach Mike shouted “1:10 – Alan! That’s awesome!” “How often and where else do people our age get encouragement like that?” I said. Sometimes you get out of the pool and people you barely know are patting you on the back and saying “Great job!” If the rest of the day were filled with such encouraging people, the world would be a very different place. He said, “’Well, when you combine the hard work and fun you’re all having with the fact that you’re building up your endorphins every time you’re together – Master’s Swimming probably feels a lot like getting together with a bunch of drinking buddies." That made me laugh. And I hope it's encouraging, because it's true. I do end up swallowing a lot of water there. - Alan ====================================================================== Thank you for creating a positive environment where excellence is inevitable to steal a phrase. Your slogan has been tested and proven and I thank you for being the encourager by getting me to see that I can do more than I think. You are a great coach and I so appreciate that you bring the team together in social events as well as coaching us as a team. Thank you Mike, it is hard work, often thankless, takes so much of your energy and patience and it all turns out so well. Congratulations on coaching a winning team, for putting so much of yourself into making this a wonderful swim club. You are the best Mike, thank you. - Jayne ==================================================================== I can't tell you what a huge confidence booster part 1 of the Triple Crown was. I have never swam that far in that time. Thank you very much for everything. After just two months with the club, I am beyond impressed. If you offered a lifetime membership, I'd sign up! - Bob J. ================================================================================== I wanted to let you both know the top ten things you guys have helped me accomplish and that I am grateful. Things that have improved or am thankful for since joining NOVA. 1. I swim 14 seconds faster in freestyle than when I started in January. ( I got my personal best time today). Still in shock.. double checked my math each time. 2. I now swim straight on the backstroke...well straighter than when I first started & I no longer hit my head against the pool edge when doing backstroke. 3.I learned how to swim butterfly.I can now go 75yds straight... goal 100yds and then 200yds eventually. 4. I re-learned how to do flipturns... still need to work on them. 5.I can now do bi-lateral breathing. It has helped me out in the Pacific. 6. I have learned to decipher your workout code and remember the set. Still need to work on lap counting though. I sometimes lose track. Thank God for Gene he keeps me honest. 7. My breaststroke is a lot better .. I no longer swim up hill but it is still me least favorite stroke.. I am still really really slow. Goal: Improve times next year. 8. I can push myself out of the pool in 4 ft 6 feet and not use the stairs... Still working on trying to get out of 7 feet of water..... 9. I learned how to use the pull gear, but using my fins are lot more fun. 10. I can now swim a full hour non-stop (at-least in the pool...I still freak out every once in the while in the ocean when it is really choppy) And most importantly : I have lost 2 dress sizes since I started swimming... Thanks! A year ago in Novemeber Kerri managed to convince me to go to a practice with her to check out what you guys had to offer. I just want to say that in that year I have learned a lot and I am super happy I joined. Thanks for keeping me motivated. - Veronica ================================================================================ My family and I are moving to Colorado early December so I guess I'll have to make this my last month of swimming at the Nova Masters Swimming program. Thanks for your excellent coaching - I never dreamt I would enjoy swimming this much. - Tim ================================================================================= I wanted to make sure I sent you a big THANK YOU for all the effort you put into making the World Masters meet in No. Cal a fun meet for the team. You did a great job putting the relays together and making sure everyone had a good time. I had a lot of fun and really appreciate being a part of a masters team that encourages everyone to have fun and swim fast :-) Thank you. - Alison M ===================================================================== Thanks so much for making World's so special for me. You are truly a great coach in addition to being a really fun guy. I appreciate your video tape analysis and race strategy very much. People like you keep Masters Swimming fresh and exciting! Thanks, - AJ ===================================================================== Just got back today from the World's after the open water swim yesterday! What a swim!! Thank God for the water temperature...70 degrees!!! The wind was strong and cold, even with the sun out, and the tide was coming in..In the swim I made a couple of mistakes in sighting, but got 2nd, the silver medal behind a well respected. long time, FINA rep., good swimmer in my age group! Loved the meet Mike, love Stanford, and had a great experience. Thanks for the encouragement and help. I felt my turns reflected your help, along with the starts (from the practices with Paul), it was a wonderful experience for me after being out of LC meets for 11 years! I really enjoyed swimming the relays too with Katherine, Kim, Dick and Tom. Thank you! - Carol ========================================================================== "I am impressed by you and Paul. You put together a first class program and are complementary in your coaching styles. The pool is at a good temperature, the showers clean and hot and the work out times work for me." - Mark ========================================================================== "Just wanted to say thanks for the great lesson a few weeks ago. Since I broke my collarbone 3 months ago I hadn't been swimming much but after the lesson I went from the 1:50 lane (long course) back down to my 1:35 lane in two days with my new stroke! Thank you!!!" - Marisa ========================================================================== "I just wanted to let you know that the swimming class has been great. I think the combination of classroom videos and in-pool drills and coaching have been VERY beneficial. The locker room chatter that I've heard from some of the other participants echoes my sentiments. Thanks!" - Annie ========================================================================= "Thank you so much for the highlights and the strengthening program. I don't think I've ever had such complete coaching." - Helen ========================================================================= "THANK YOU for giving me a final opportunity to cap off my weekend with the 800 free relay leadoff swim. It was a weekend beyond dreams .... just 3-4 weeks ago I had written off the SCY season. .... 8 swims and 6 new best times!!!!!" - Hank ========================================================================= "I wanted to thank you for your coaching, and say that even though I haven't achieved what I would like to yet, Thanks to you, I am now comfortable in the water and feel relatively good while swimming upwards of 3500 meters. " - Finney ========================================================================= "I was so overwhelmed on the way home I started crying....I had such an AMAZING experience at LB this weekend. I don't know if you realized this, but I hit every GOAL I set for myself for the meet!(except the 200 where I stopped early by mistake!!!) They were a bit aggressive, so I was sooo stoked! Take care and keep up the great work at NOVA." - Beeeeeeee ========================================================================= "I couldn't have made those stroke improvements without both of you helping me day in and day out and giving me lots of coaching advice during competitions. I really appreciate the recognition and I have had a lot of fun at all of the meets. Thank you for the Nova 2005 Outstanding Female Competitor award." - Libby ========================================================================= Mike, you and Paul are the two best coaches I've ever had and I really appreciate you have done for my stroke and all. Without those changes there is no way I would have been able to do as well as I did, only training twice a week since May, at SCM regionals. Thank you to both of you. :) - Meg ==========================================================================