The COVID-19 crisis will have long-term and far-reaching effects on all of us. But we are swimmers. We are a tight-knit resilient tribe. When we stick together, we can overcome any challenge in our way. Because your health and wellness is our primary focus during these unprecedented times, USMS has put together information, resources, and updates pertaining to the COVID19 pandemic as it relates to U.S. Masters Swimming and its members, clubs, coaches, volunteers, events, and fans. CLICK HERE to be redirected to the USMS COVID-19 informational website.
With the cancellation of the 2020 Michigan LMSC State Championship, the usual on-deck awards presentation to this year’s recipients was not possible. However, we would still like to present this year’s recipients to the LMSC in a virtual format online. So, here are this year’s winners:
The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award is an individual who has demonstrated continuous swimming accomplishments along with outstanding voluntary contributions and a lifetime of dedication and devotion to the objectives of Masters Swimming in Michigan. This year’s Lifetime Award winner is Fred Nelis.
As a swimmer, coach and volunteer, Fred Nelis has had a long history of supporting Masters Swimming and the Michigan LMSC. As the founder of the Dutch Masters swim team, Fred has been an integral part of Michigan Masters in Western Michigan for many years. His work with the Dutch Masters Team earned Fred the 2008 U.S. Masters Swimming Kerry O’Brien Coaches Award.
Since joining USMS, Fred has held many posts at the local and national level, including LMSC Treasurer, Vice Chair, Chair and a number of years on the USMS Finance Committee.
Fred also organized and hosted four Michigan LMSC State Championships at the Holland Aquatic Center.
In response to his work as a volunteer and meet host, Fred was awarded the 2010 U.S. Masters Swimming Dorothy Donnelly Service Award.
One of the most lasting influences Fred has had on the Michigan LMSC, was his work as one of the co-creators of the Michigan Masters Scholarship Fund. This annual $1,000 scholarship provides financial assistance to eligible Michigan Masters swimmers and family members who are attending college as undergraduate or graduate students. Since its inception, the scholarship fund has awarded over $10,000 in grants over the past decade.
In addition to all this volunteer work on behalf of the Michigan LMSC, one of Fred’s most monumental achievements was returning to the pool after a heart transplant in 2014. Returning to competition as a participant in the World Transplant Games, Fred has accumulated numerous medals, including multiple gold medals at the 2016 games in Cleveland.
Fred’s current project is his work to chronicle his experiences as a competitive swimmer and transplant recipient in a new book that aims to give hope and inspiration to others facing a similar life challenge. With the book nearing completion, the next step will be working with publisher’s on the final printed version.
A few excerpts from the book have been shared and help sum Fred’s outlook on life. First, “Only the father knows the proper balance between grief and gratitude.” plus, a perspective on life after experiencing a major setback, “Reach-stop trying to live, start living to try.”
For a swimming life well lived, we are pleased to present the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award to Fred Nelis.
The recipient of the Lawrence Award is a Michigan Masters Swimmer who has achieved outstanding performances in a National competition over the last year, as well as over their long-term swimming career. This year’s Lawrence Award winner is Tony Anderson.
Tony’s exceptional performance took place at the 2019 Summer USMS National Championships in Mission Viejo, California. By the time the meet completed, Tony had won all 4 events he entered and set Michigan LMSC Records in the 100 Free, 200 Free, and 1500 Free. He was also the Michigan Masters Men’s High Point winner with 44 points.
If placing first in all his events wasn’t enough, the high point was when Tony raced against his son in the 1500 meter freestyle. In order to enjoy every minute of the race, Tony and his son Kyle entered with almost the same time (17:57.97 for Tony and 17:57.90 for Kyle) so they would swim near each other.
They ended up in adjacent lanes in their heat, with Kyle taking an early lead before Tony passed him for good at about the halfway mark. In the end, Tony, 55, won his age group with an 18:02.60 and beat his son Kyle, 27, who was disqualified. Winning his age group was not the best part, though, as Tony put it after the race, “Just being able to spend that time with him, all that time we can talk—going to the pool, at the pool, leaving the pool, in the locker room, whatever—that’s all like gold for me.”
For an amazing 2019 Summer Nationals, we are glad to award the 2020 Lawrence Award to Tony Anderson.
The recipient of the Chetrick Award is an individual who has exhibited outstanding service and commitment to the spirit of Michigan Masters Swimming. This year’s Chetrick Award winner is Samantha Snyder.
Samantha is currently the Michigan LMSC Safety Director and has been a swim coach and instructor for over 20 years. She has been coaching Masters Swimming at Lifetime Fitness since 2012 and is currently the Masters Swim Coach at Lifetime Fitness in Rochester Hills.
In addition to her work as the Michigan LMSC Safety Director, Samantha has played a key role in helping to organize a number of key events in the past few years.
Recent events she has taken the lead on include the first Michigan LMSC Smarty Pants Vitamin Swim Challenge, which helped to raise funds for the USMS Swimming Saves Lives Foundation.
As an Assistant Coach, Samantha helped Olympians Janet Evans and Elizabeth Beisel during our two recent Masters Swim Clinics, allowing each participant to benefit as much as possible from the experience and advice of our guest Coach/instructors.
Last year, she worked on the inaugural Swim Across America Motor City Mile as the Lifeguard Coordinator helping to manage a crew of open water lifeguards on the Detroit River.
Her assistance and contributions have been felt throughout the swimming community.
For these and other volunteer contributions, we are happy to award the 2020 Chetrick Award to Samantha Snyder.
Michigan Masters member Skip Thompson received the Capt. Ransom J. Arthur M.D. Award this year for his extensive volunteer service for U.S. Masters Swimming. Thompson has served his LMSC since 1983, one year after joining U.S. Masters Swimming
The coveted RJA Award annually goes to a volunteer who has done the most to further the objectives of Masters Swimming and has been awarded since 1973.
“This is the most important award I have ever received in my life,” Thompson says. “It spans almost 40 years of me being a member, competitive swimmer, coach, volunteer, event host, officer both nationally and locally. The people that I have met through the years are like family to me, and there are many like me that have over 40 years in this organization. I will cherish this for the rest of my life and will keep on supporting the organization as long as I am breathing and living on earth.”
The award is usually given at USMS’s Spring Nationals, which were canceled this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, Thompson learned of his receiving the award on a Zoom call with several past recipients and friends.
Thompson’s history of serving USMS spans nearly four decades.
After joining the organization in 1982, he began volunteering the next year as an LMSC club representative and then an LMSC treasurer. Thompson then served at the national level on the Championship, Zone, Planning, Coaches, Rules, and Legislation Committees and currently is the chair of the History and Archives Committee.
He served on USMS’s Board of Directors from 1992 to 1999 as the Great Lakes Zone representative and was a vice president on the board from 2015 to 2019.
Perhaps his biggest impact has come on the LMSC level, at which he’s served for his nearly 40 years in Masters swimming.
“Skip’s contributions and accomplishments are numerous, but what is so impressive is that he has never faltered in his support of USMS programs at all levels,” Oregon Masters member Sandi Rousseau wrote in her letter of endorsement for Thompson. “Skip is truly an ambassador for our sport and has the best interests of USMS in his heart. In all of his contributions over many years, Skip has demonstrated the very essence of what this award recognizes and is a very deserving recipient.”
Monday, April 27th was a big day for Bob Doud as he turned 97! With some help from Bob’s Daughters, the Battle Creek Y Masters team of 10 road tripped to his house on fine lake. Bob’s Neighbors were in on the surprise and coaxed him out of the house by saying something was wrong with is car! Unfortunately the weather was not helpful and the rain started. The neighbors got him to say out as we were a little behind schedule. All was worth it when 10 cars drove by honking with windows down. He was smiling ear to ear. After facetiming with his daughter who was in tears, we got out of the cars and put lots of signs in his yard. He got a cake and a few presents. Randy Parker also gave him the news that he was first on the top ten list in all of his events! Way to go Bob! Happy 97th Birthday.
Teleconference Meeting Minutes 3-22-2020 – 7:00 PM
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For information about the Michigan Masters Scholarship – Click Here.
