Applegate Lake Swim Series 2019


The Rogue Valley Masters are alive and well! In fact, so well, they won the small team state 1500m championship. RVM hosted the glorious Applegate Swim Series July 13-14. The open water 2.5k, 5k, 10k, 1500m, and pursuit relays allowed swimmers at many levels to participate. Todd Lantry was the Race Director, and his wife, Celeste Marokus was Safety Director. Add Bob Bruce giving his famous safety talk and Jocelyn Sanford handling campers and organizing, and the weekend was top-notch.

All open water races in Oregon are well-run, and Rogue Valley Masters added their own spices. Jocelyn wrote campers’ names on the asphalt at Hart-Tish; I admit I felt ever-so-famous. Tent campers were guided to their sites with colored chalk messages, too. Lunches were hearty meals of teriyaki chicken, pulled pork, salads, rolls, and rice catered by Auntie Carol’s Hawaiian Cafe and Catering. Seconds and thirds were encouraged! Todd announced all swimmers’ times, honoring each swimmer. Winners of the 10k were awarded a pottery piece from Frank Philipps, a generous award donor for many years. John Weston Woodworking donated cutting boards to other distance winners. Age group winners received wine glasses. Jocelyn gave each final swimmer in the races a copy of Blue Mind, by Wallace J. Nichols. But wait… The beer truck arrived both days, and I enjoyed a pineapple cider.

The word is out: Applegate is a relaxed, fun, safe place to swim, with wonderful hosts and hostesses, and noteworthy “extras.” Did I mention the hillside viewing of races and the 74 degree water? Life is Good in Southern Oregon.

Michael Grant (middle) - coach of GPY - with Denise Silberman and Cathy Milner from Grants Pass YMCA (GPY) swimmers

Michael Grant (middle) – coach of GPY – with Denise Silberman and Cathy Milner from Grants Pass YMCA (GPY) swimmers

Mike Dix, Megan Tosh and Christian Tujo at Applegate Lake feeding table

Mike Dix, Megan Tosh and Christian Tujo at Applegate Lake feeding table

SOMA Swimmers Erika Schumacher, Kari May and Julie Hall

SOMA Swimmers Erika Schumacher, Kari May and Julie Hall

Start of 1500m at Applegate

Start of 1500m at Applegate

These three swimmers are (left to right) Susie Rabiah, Erica Schumacher, and Natalie Schrik (from TEME in California)

These three swimmers are (left to right) Susie Rabiah, Erica Schumacher, and Natalie Schrik (from TEME in California)

Christian Tujo, Coach Bob Bruce and Mike Dix

Christian Tujo, Coach Bob Bruce and Mike Dix

Christian Tujo, Linda Parmentier-Nesbitt, Matt Osborn and Connie Wilson

Christian Tujo, Linda Parmentier-Nesbitt, Matt Osborn and Connie Wilson

GPY swimmer Karen Whelden finishing her 1500

GPY swimmer Karen Whelden finishing her 1500

GPY team at Applegate Lake

GPY team at Applegate Lake

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *