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Important updates and news from Greater Indiana Masters Swimming.
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GRIN News and Notes

Read the latest from our Chair, welcome our new Executive Board members, get involved with the Board, meet our hosts for the GRIN State Meet, and check out other upcoming area meets.
 

A Word from Our Chair

Spring is almost here!  If you are like me, these intermittent warm days have me longing for spring and swimming outside!
 
Thank you to all who participated in the GRIN Special Election this week! We have a great Board with some big ideas that are coming soon. Election results are below.
 
April is Adult Learn to Swim Month in the State of Indiana - please let us know if you would like your club's lessons schedule posted on the GRIN website's Swimming Saves Lives page!
 
This year, two Indiana Clubs will host State Swim Meets - Indiana and Illinois! April 15-17 will be the ILMSA Short Course State Championship at Munster and our own GRIN State Championship is May 7-8 in Terre Haute! What a fun way to swim in a meet - testing your skills against our fellow GRIN members and our neighbors in Illinois!

Swimmingly, 
Lisa L. Brown
 

Special Election Results

Welcome the Executive Board voted in during this week's Special Election: Lisa Brown, Chair; Michael Carlson, Vice-Chair; Karen Gernert, Secretary; and Sue Pollard, Treasurer. Learn more about your Executive Board below.

GRIN Chair - Lisa Brown
Lisa Brown is a USMS Level 3 Certified Coach, Certified Adult Learn to Swim Lead Instructor, and Head Coach of the Zionsville Aquatic Masters. She was first elected to the office of GRIN Chair in April 2015. Since taking office, Lisa has resolved the grievance regarding the GRIN 2015 election and led the By-Laws Committee.  Lisa has worked to get the GRIN State meet scheduled and is helping the new and current clubs grow and offer better programming. Lisa also attended the Adult Learn to Swim Lead Training in January and will bring Adult Learn to Swim training to the Midwest to help other adults learn to be safe and learn to love the water as we do. Learn more about Lisa.

GRIN Vice-Chair - Michael Carlson
Michael Carlson is a Masters swimmer with the Munster Masters Association. A swimmer since youth, Michael is a highly motivated, passionate person who pours his heart into our sport. He regularly competes in pool events and also has a few open water competitions under his belt. As the new Vice Chair, Michael wants to hear from GRIN members for their input and suggestions. He wants to focus on standardizing the GRIN State Meet bidding process and order of events, ensure additional support for coaches and clubs, and grow Masters Swimming in our state. Learn more about Michael.

GRIN Secretary - Karen Gernert
Karen Gernert is a USMS Level 3 Certified Coach, Assistant Coach with the Fishers High School swim team and FAST age group program, works as the Program Administrator with Indy Aquatic Masters, and serves as the GRIN Registrar. She believes that communication is vital to growing Indiana Masters swimming. Karen has instituted monthly newsletters to all members,updated the GRIN website, and will continue to streamline communication to all GRIN members. Also a members of the USMS Fitness Committee, Karen is dedicated to sharing the benefits of swimming to the greater Masters community.  Learn more about Karen.

GRIN Treasurer - Sue Pollard
Sue Pollard has been a USMS member for over twenty years and swims with Indy Aquatic Masters. She has actively participated in practices, clinics, meets, and social events over the years and is an enthusiastic volunteer. She has competed in both pool and open water events and is currently part of IAM's Adult Learn-to-Swim program. Sue's extensive professional background in banking, management, teaching, training, and customer service has served her well in the role of Treasurer. Since retiring, she has more time to devote to giving back to the sport that is such an important part of her life. Learn more about Sue.
 

Get Involved!

Do you want to learn more about how Masters swimming in Indiana is governed? Do you want your voice to be heard? Then get involved with the GRIN Board as a Club Representative! Each GRIN Club registered with USMS with at least 4 members is entitled to a Club Representative. The Club Representative can be any coach or swimmer that is a current USMS member in good standing and is affiliated with GRIN. Not sure who your rep is? Check out the current Club Representatives. If you're interested in being your Club's voice, please complete the Club Representative Form and email it to the GRIN Secretary. Help us make Indiana Masters swimming the greatest in the nation!
 

2016 GRIN State Championships

The 2016 GRIN State Championship Meet will be held from Friday, May 7 thru Saturday, May 8. This year's State Meet will be hosted by the Terre Haute Torpedoes Masters and take place at the Vigo County School Corporation (VCSC) Aquatic Center (2230 Prairieton Road, Terre Haute, IN 47802). The brand new facility features a 10-lane, 50-meter competition pool with 2 moveable bulkheads to allow for separate competition and warm-up / warm-down pools. The facility also includes spacious locker rooms, offices, a large classroom, and a concession stand - all designed to handle the needs of a large event. This year's meet will feature our typical events PLUS the 4 x 200 Free Relay! Registration will open soon, so make plans now to attend the State Meet in May!
 


Upcoming Events

30th Annual Spring Fever Sprint Invitational
The 30th Annual Spring Fever Sprint Invitational will take place on Saturday, March 13, at the Cole Center Family YMCA in Kendallville. This is a fun, low-key meet and a great opportunity for the first time Masters competitor.  At the conclusion of the meet, participants can watch a video replay of the meet while enjoying a free meal with their fellow swimmers. What could be better than that?

ILMSA Short Course State Championships
The ILMSA Short Course State Championships will take place on Friday, April 15, through Sunday, April 17, at the Munster High School Aquatic Center in Munster. This three-day championship meet boasts over 600 swimmers and is a great trial run for our GRIN Championships in May. Will you be there?

Open Water Swim Clinic
Jim Barber, Ralph Dixon, and Lisa Brown will be conducting an Open Water Swim Clinic to help you master the open water next summer. The clinic will be held on Saturday, April 30, from 1:00-4:00p at the Zionsville Aquatic Center. Video-analysis, drills, and open water instruction geared to the adult Open Water swimmer will all be offered. Register online.

2016 GRIN State Championship
Hosted by the Terre Haute Torpedoes Masters, the 2016 GRIN State Championships will be held on Saturday, May 7, thru Sunday, May 8, at the brand new Vigo County School Corporation Aquatic Center in Terre Haute. The GRIN State Meet is a great opportunity to race fast, meet new friends, and reconnect with old friends. Additional details, including the order of events, will be coming shortly. We hope to see you all in Terre Haute!

2016 USMS 2-Mile Cable Swim National Championship

This year's Indy Open Water Challenge will serve as the USMS 2-Mile Cable Swim National Championship! Taking place on Saturday, June 18, at Eagle Creek Park, the 2-Mile Course will be four circuits of  a ¼-mile length of cable on the U.S. National Rowing Course certified accurate to USMS standards. Back in the Midwest for the first time in 12 years, the event is expected to sell out, so register early!
 

What Do You Think?

Let us know what you think. We'd love to hear your suggestions for improving Masters swimming in Indiana. Check out the GRIN website, join our Facebook page, and get in the conversation. Contact us with your suggestions, feedback, and questions. We look forward to hearing from YOU!
 
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