On Saturday, May 16, 9 members of the Penobscot Bay Masters Swim Team traveled to the Waldo County YMCA to compete in the annual Dan Horton Invitational.
Ranging in age from 29 to 60+, the team is a testament to the diversity that defines masters swimming: former college swimmers, triathletes, brand-new competitors, and everyone in between. They came home with 2 winning relays, and several athletes pushed themselves to the limit by swimming the maximum five individual events, including the grueling 500 freestyle.
The roster was equally impressive off the blocks. Among the competitors: three active Sailfish swim team coaches, a traveling nurse, an Ironman athlete, and a research technician who finished her final race, sprinted to her car, and made it to Damariscotta in time to volunteer at the Fish Ladder event. Just another low-key Saturday.
The meet was also a milestone for a program on a comeback. The Penobscot Bay YMCA has long been home to a masters swim team, but COVID curtailed participation. Over the past year, volunteer coaches Morgan Schreiber and Erin Cochran, supported by Aquatics Director Jodi Maltese, have brought it back to life. The team now counts more than 20 active members and is growing.
Practices are held on Tuesdays and Fridays from 7:00–8:00 AM, and membership in the program is free to any Y member. No competitive background required; just the ability to swim one length of the pool without stopping. After that, who knows? You might find yourself racing in Belfast next spring.
