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 GRIN News and Notes
Read the latest from our Chair, hear the latest Board news, check out the 2016 GRIN State results, recognize our 2016 Award Winners, and check out the upcoming opportunities for both certifications and competitions in our area.
A Word from Our Chair
 Spring Has Sprung! It is finally great to see the sunshine and hopes for outdoor swimming!
Thank you to the Terre Haute Torpedoes, volunteers, officials, and beautiful new facility for hosting a great GRIN State Meet! It was a well-run, friendly meet and the competition was tremendous! Hats off to Terre Haute!
Don't forget to register for the USMS 2-Mile Cable National Championship on Saturday, June 18th, at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis! Indy Aquatic Masters is hosting this event and there will be many world class swimmers, as well as some local swimmers trying open water for the first time!
Please make sure your club has a Representative registered with GRIN, so your team can be represented in all voting and policy decisions. All you have to do is designate a Club Representative and email Karen Gernert with the name of your club's Rep. The Club Rep will then be able to attend board meetings (many of which are conference calls). We need your input!
We will be determining dates for next year's GRIN State meet very soon. GRIN will be asking for bids earlier this year, so we can all plan ahead.
There are many opportunities for training this year - Adult Learn to Swim and Coaches clinics. If you are interested, there are scholarships from GRIN available for the classes.
We look forward to a wonderful long course and outdoor season. Swim on!
Swimmingly,
News from the GRIN Board
Upcoming Board Meeting
There will be a GRIN Board meeting via conference call on Tuesday, June 14, from 7:00 - 8:00p. All GRIN members are invited to call in. The main topic of discussion will be the approval of the GRIN Policy Handbook, which will be posted on the GRIN website for review shortly, as well as any new business.
Conference Call Details:
Members calling in for the meeting should use the following:
- Toll Number: (701) 801-1220
- Meeting ID: 947-708-061
Call for Club Representatives
Pursuant to our current By-Laws, any program that has 4 or more members is entitled to select one Club Representative to represent their Club's interests at the Board meetings of Greater Indiana Masters Swimming (GRIN). The Club Representative can be any coach or swimmer that is a USMS member in good standing and is affiliated with GRIN. Club Representative serve as the liaison between GRIN and their respective clubs. Please select your Club Representative and submit the Club Representative Form to GRIN Secretary Karen Gernert as soon as possible.
Results from the 2016 GRIN State Championships!
 Taking place on Friday, May 7 and Saturday, May 8, the 2016 GRIN State Championship Meet was a phenomenal success! Hosted by the Terre Haute Torpedoes Masters at the VCSC Aquatic Center, this year's meet featured great competition in an amazing facility. All told, there were 26 new State Records set, as well as a multitude of personal best swims. Congratulations go out to Indy Aquatic Masters, who won the Large Team Division, and the Noblesville Adult Swim Team, who won the Small Team Division. Check out the full championship meet results and congratulations to all who participated. See you next year!
2016 Annual Award Winners
At each year's State Meet, GRIN recognizes our annual award winners. This year's award recipients are:
Emeritus Award
  This year's Emeritus Award recipients are Dale and Marge Ostler from the Noblesville Adult Swim Team, Samuel Neff from Earlham Aquatic Masters, and David Bowell, Dave Costill, and Marty Mennen from Indy Aquatic Masters. Emeritus status is granted when swimmers reach 80 years old and have been active in GRIN for at least 3 of the past 10 years.
 Irv Merritt Award
Craig Bauer from Indy Aquatic Masters and Michael Carlson from Munster Masters are the 2016 Irv Merritt award winners, which is awarded annually to the Masters swimmer who best exemplified the standards and values of Irv Merritt.
 Strong Swimmer Award
Stephen Rouch from Indy Aquatic Masters is the 2016 Strong Swimmer Award winner, which is given each year to the swimmer who scores the most points in the long distance and difficult events that Doug Strong enjoyed.
Super Volunteer Award
 The Super Volunteer award was created to recognize the outstanding efforts of the volunteers who help GRIN succeed. This year's outstanding volunteers were Chris Long from Indy Aquatic Masters for his untiring efforts in rewriting the By-Laws, Byron Haflich from Noblesville Aquatic Swim Team for his outstanding officiating at Masters meets, and Karen Gernert from Indy Aquatic Masters for efforts at bringing GRIN news to all members.
Congratulations to all of our 2016 award recipients.
Upcoming Events
 ALTS Instructor Certification Class
U.S. Masters Swimming is conducting an ALTS Instructor Certification Class in St. Louis, Missouri, on Saturday, May 21. Taught by Lisa Brown, the class is intended for anyone who teaches or wants to teach adult swim lessons. The class is limited to 25 participants; register online for the certification class.
USMS Levels 1 & 2 Coach Certification Class
 U.S. Masters Swimming is conducting a USMS Level 1 & Level Coach Certification Class in Columbus, Ohio, on Sunday, May 22. Taught by Dominic Latella and Mel Goldstein, the class is intended for current coaches, as well as those interested in becoming a coach or starting a Masters program. The class is limited to 40 participants; register online for the certification class.
4th Annual Munster Masters Summer Splash
Taking place on Saturday, June 12, at the Munster High School Aquatic Center, the 4th Annual Munster Masters Summer Splash is another great opportunity to compete in this 10-lane, 50-meter competition pool. Great swims and fast water await those entering this LCM meet. Don't miss out; register today!
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!
3rd Annual Poseidon Swim Challenge
The 3rd Annual Poseidon Swim Challenge will take place on Saturday, July 17, in the Indianapolis Canal. The canal is approximately 3.5 feet deep and 40 feet wide throughout the majority of the course. The 2K swim starts at the Headwaters near 11th Street and ends at White River State Park. Online registration is now open and race day entry is available.
2nd Annual PPSC "Kitchen Sink" Invitational
The 2nd Annual PPSC "Kitchen Sink" Invitational is taking place on Saturday, August 6, at the Portage High School East Pool in Portage, Indiana. Hosted by the Portage Porpoise Swim Club, this SCM meet features the "typical" meet events, 25's of each stroke, and a "Mystery Event" (#21). Note: The Mystery Event may involve use of pull buoys or kick boards. This meet is always a lot of fun. Register now!
2016 USMS Summer National Championships
 The 2016 U.S. Masters Swimming Summer National Championship will be held August 17-21 at the Mt. Hood Community College Aquatic Center in Gresham, Oregon. Competition will be held in an outdoor 8-lane, 50 meter pool, and an indoor 25-yard pool will be available for warm-up and warm-down during the meet. The full meet information will be available in the May-June 2016 issue of SWIMMER magazine and online entry will be available by the end of May. Get this National Championship meet on your calendar and stay tuned for details....
Rock the Quarry Triathlon and Mile Swim
Taking place on Saturday, August 20, the Rock The Quarry Triathlon and Mile Swim is a USAT-sanctioned Triathlon that also offers a Mile Open Water Swim. The unique venue is a former rock quarry that is filled with pristine water. Swimming (and motor boats) is not normally allowed in this water. This is a once-a-year opportunity to swim in the deep, clear water! We will "own" the pond on the day of the event, so be sure to register for Rock the Quarry today!
2nd Annual Indianapolis Sharkfest Swim
The Indianapolis Sharkfest Swim will take place in the Indy Canal in downtown Indianapolis on Sunday, September 4. Two distances will be available in this point-to-point open water swim: a 1500 meter swim and the Indy 501. The 1500 meter swim starts at Ohio Street Basin behind Fire Station #13 and the Indy 501 (501 meters) starts at the Walnut St. Online registration is now open.
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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