While many of our swimmers have been competing on the triathlon and open water circuits, few have decided that the pool would be where they would showcase their abilities this summer.  As the lone representative for Porter Valley Masters, Justin made his and PVM’s presence known, by dominating the men’s 25-29 year-old category, at this weekend’s SPMA Long Course Regionals.  After two long, hot days in the pool, Justin walked away with 6 golds, 1 silver, and the overall 25-29 year-old title.  Large margins of victory came in the 50,100, and 200 backstroke.  A former Cal State-Northridge swimmer and school record setting backstroker, Justin impressed with his technique, and versatility, also capturing wins in the 50 butterfly, 100 freestyle, and 200 Individual Medley, with his silver coming in an off event, the 50 freestyle.

Although he comes from a strong swimming background, Justin gave credit for his performances to the workouts and overall atmosphere he has been a part of while at Porter Valley, and he looks forward to continued training and success while swimming at PVM.  Be sure to check out the meet pictures posted on flickr to get a visual recap of the meet.

Next up for Justin and all Porter Valley Masters will be the Mission Viejo meet on October 5.

We are very proud and pleased to welcome Kelsey Leckovic as the new head coach of Porter Valley Masters. Kelsey will take over the reins from outgoing coach Dan Sigafoos effective Monday, June 30.

Kelsey is extremely excited about the prospects for PVM; she already has written the first year’s workouts! (j/k - she’s only written six months’ worth… ) She is looking forward to expanding the team’s focus on open-water swimming and triathlons, as well as making an even bigger splash on the local Masters competition scene by attending more SPMA meets.Kelsey will be inheriting a program from Dan that has grown from a small handful of swimmers to around 50 athletes in less than a year. We are very much looking forward to the coming year on the training and competition calendar.

Click here for a bit of background on Kelsey

Members of the Porter Valley Masters swim team gathered to send coach Dan a fond farewell and to pass the torch to their new head coach Kelsey. Good journeys Dan… you will be missed.

Click here for more pics…

Good Guys Always Wear White

It’s no surprise that the Folks In White swept to victory in the First
Annual and Best Yet KIDZ n’ Codgers Meet last Saturday at Rancho Simi Park in Simi Valley.

The White Team took an early lead in the running events (after a three-way tie in the opening cycling competition), and never looked back. Final scoring showed the Red Team in a strong second place, with Blue coming in a very close third.

Running events included the 4 x 400-meter relay, the 1600-meter (mile) run, the Egg Relay and the 100-meter dash. Very few pulled muscles were suffered among the Codgers (all things considered), while the KIDZ demonstrated admirable land-based locomotion skilz.

Competition then moved to the Rancho Simi 50-meter (truly Olympic-size) pool. One of the highlights of the swimming races (besides the chance to see Coach Dan with his shirt off - swooon) was the chance to see PORT’s Meghan Hawthorne, who is headed to the Olympic Trials in three weeks, take on the 800-meter freestyle.

A delightful, eclectic potluck followed, with culinary contributions
ranging from Doritos to marinated flank steak and pizza.

Looking forward to next year’s event. I can already hear the Blue Team members: REMATCH!!

2008 Olympic hopeful, Meghan Hawthorne (15), Porter Valley Aquatics will be participating in the Olympic Team Trials, swimming in both the 200 IM and 400 IM events.

Meghan will be swimming during the following dates:

Sunday, June 29
400 IM (4:52:57)

Tuesday, July 1
200 IM (2:19:51)

Be sure to tune-in to watch Meghan compete with our Country’s elite swimmers!

TV broadcast schedule

Schedule of events

2008 Olympic swim team trials info

PVM vs Pierce Masters meet 10 Feb 2008, originally uploaded by portervalleymasters.

In an unseasonably warm and balmy So Cal Sunday, the Porter Valley Masters’ women’s team emerged victorious in a friendly dual meet –their first with crosstown rival Southwest Aquatic Masters.

Under the direction of Coach Dan, PVM outscored SWAM 28-27.5 at the Pierce College pool in Woodland Hills. PVM’s men were bested 70-12 by SWAM’s large contingent.

PVM’s women’s scoring was led by Susan, who won the 200-yard individual medley and the 50 freestyle, while also finishing in the money in the 100 free. Teammate Amy, meanwhile, took first in the 500 freestyle and racked up points in the 200 free and 100 breaststroke. Tracy rounded out the women’s effort with her finishes in the 50 and 100 free and the 100 back.

In the men’s division, Coach Dan set the pace with his win in the 100 free. Greg, though, got the team’s all-around honors, as he scored in the 200 individual medley, the 100 breaststroke and the 100 butterfly. Billy threw down against some heavy competition. Don and Mike each scored as well, Don in the 500 free and Mike - returning to the pool after a long hiatus - in the 200 free. Terry, Bill and Bob also contributed to the PVM effort.

Special thanks to volunteers Dave and Coach Chris. Dave, for his support and timing efforts; Coach Chris for providing PVM members with helpful racing techniques (including racing starts, flip turns, streamline form,  and strategy).

Coach Dan said he plans to bring the team to more such dual meets in the next several weeks.

PVM proved victorious at the Turkey Shoot Masters Swim Meet held at Pierce College on Sunday, November 18 in Woodland Hills, California.PVM dominated their first-ever swim meet with the largest team presence and cheering section, and came home with a plethora of awards including 24 “First Places” and nine “Second Places.” All of PVM’s nine swimmers entered at the meet came home with awards, including setting Porter Valley masters team records.

(Porter Valley Masters Swim Team and their hard-won awards)