Oregon Swimmers Set Records, Place Well at SPMS Champs in December 1

With 415 registered swimmers, the Southern Pacific Masters Swimming Short Course Meter (SCM) Champs was the largest SCM meet in 2019.  There were 13 Oregon swimmers who made the trip down to southern California to compete this year: Arlene Delmage, Kurt Grote, David Hathaway, Alexis Higlett, Rick Howell, Julie Kamat, Christine Mcclafferty, Matt Miller, Jessica Stacy, Allen Stark, Carol Stark, Scot Sullivan and Brent Washburne.

MAC swimmers at SPMS—Brent Washburne, Scot Sullivan, Lex Higlett, Jessica Stacy, Kurt Grote

Oregon team dinner at the SPMS meet in Commerce, CA. Left to right: former MAC swimmer Max Bley-Male, who lives in the Los Angeles area now; Alexis Higlett, Jessica Stacey, Scot Sullivan, Matt Miller, Brent Washburne and Kurt Grote. Six members of the team were missing in this picture.

There was no shortage of outstanding swims by Oregon swimmers.  Oregon took 8^th place out of 51 clubs in attendance, besting even the host team, the Long Beach Grunions.  Kurt Grote says that is to be expected since grunions are just tiny fish that go on land to lay eggs and be eaten by birds!  Hah!!

In total, there were 11 Oregon and 6 Northwest Zone records set by Oregon swimmers.

Jessica Stacy set an Oregon record in the 100 IM (1:08.28) for women 30-34.

Allen Stark set three Oregon records in the 50 breaststroke (37.95), 100 breaststroke (1:22.17) and 200 breaststroke (3:07.07) for men 70-74.

Lex Higlett and
Jessica Stacy at
the SPMS meet

Alexis Higlett set three Oregon and two Zone records in the distance freestyle events for women 35-39.  Alexis’ 400 free (4:44.23) was an Oregon record and her 800 free (9:49.21) and 1500 free (18:40.02) were Oregon and Zone records.

Kurt Grote swam his way to four Oregon and four Zone records in the 50 freestyle (25.04), 200 backstroke (2:15.91), 200 breaststroke (2:23.61) and 200 IM (2:10.47).  Kurt’s time in the 200 IM was less than a second off of the National record in that event for men aged 45-59!  Nice swimming, Kurt!!

In addition to these record-setting swims, there were many first, second and third place finishes by the Oregon swimmers in attendance.  Many of those who attended posted times that will be national top 10 times in their respective age group.  Congratulations and well done, Oregon swimmers!