I have a few questions for each of you. Some are related to the one-hour swim, others mostly related to the Oregon State Champs meet and one related to our first team party.
Yeonjoo has graciously offered to host our first SOMA team party at her house in Medford shortly after the state meet. It will give us an opportunity to interact outside of the pool for the first time for many of us. It will also provide a chance to reflect on a fun time at OMS Champs. I hope most of you can make it!
Please answer question #1 ASAP and respond soon, but before April 6th, to questions #2 thru #5:
- Did you do the 1-hour swim? If so, what was your total yardage? Also, today is the last day to do the swim and tomorrow is the last day to enter. Be sure that you are entered by checking the list here: https://www.clubassistant.com/
club/competitions/team_ rosters.cfm?c=1308&smid=9629) - Are you planning to come to the Oregon Association Champs meet in Corvallis?If you answered yes to #2, continue to #3 & #4, otherwise, skip to #5.
- Will you be able to attend the SOMA team dinner on Friday, April 20 at 6:30 at Sky High Brewing in Corvallis?
- What is your preferred T-shirt style (men or women) and size (S, M, L, etc.)? If you are coming to the meet and positively DO NOT want a shirt, please let me know.
- Which date works better for you for our first SOMA team party?:
- Saturday, April 28th (weekend after OMS State meet)
- Saturday, May 5th (2 weekends after OMS State meet)
- Either day works fine for me
Please respond no later than Friday, April 6th if you plan on attending the meet and want a T-shirt.
A couple of other facts about the OMS State Champs (aka Oregon Association Champs) meet:
- Only the 200-yard relays count for points for the team, so unless going for a record, 400 and 800-yard relays aren’t typically swum
- There are men’s, women’s and mixed relays (2 men, 2 women) and they are by far the most fun part of the meet! Everyone should plan on doing SOMA relays! Closer to the meet, I will be asking for your stroke preference for medley relays and if you have any particular people you’d like to swim with. Unfortunately, not everyone will get to do a relay with SOMA’s 95-year-old Willard Lamb!
- You are NOT required to start on the blocks. In-water or even deck-level starts are allowed. I know quite a few people don’t have the opportunity to practice block starts, so don’t let that deter you from coming to the meet! Many masters swimmers start in the water for their events and you should do the same if that is more comfortable for you for any reason.
If you have any other questions about the meet or anything else, feel free to email, shoot me a text or give me a call.
Thanks for your responses, SOMA people. I’m getting so excited about the state meet this year I can hardly stand the thought of waiting another 8 weeks to attend!!