Swim club awards banquet for the 2023 - 2024 season
top ten awards
Several Saddlebrooke Swim Club athletes received recognition for swimming race times that ranked in the top ten - nationally - in 2023. Several of the award winners are pictured here.
Coach's awards
Head coach Terry Heggy recognized four swimmers for their contributions to the club during the 2023 - 2024 swim season:
- Rome Yount
- Paige Szajnuk
- Arlyn Melcher
- Kathy Peterson
special recognition award
Club President Mark Randall recognized coach Lyn Moreno for leading 20 "Let's Swim" clinics over the past ten years. Through Lyn's efforts, many Saddlebrooke residents have learned proper swimming techniques and new strokes, developed confidence in the water, and now enjoy swimming for fun and fitness. Many "Let's Swim" graduates have gone on to join the Swim Club and several even compete with the team.
Thank you, Lyn!
President's award
Rome Yount received the President's Award from club President Mark Randall. A relative newcomer to Saddlebrooke, Rome brought years of swimming and officiating experience to the swim club. It was largely due to Rome's efforts that the Saddlebrooke Swim Club successfully hosted the recent State Championship Meet. A man of many talents, Rome trained and managed the administrative staff, served as the meet's head referee, and even competed in a few races. He did it all with endless patience and a smile.
Thank you, Rome!
heritage hall inductees
Heritage Hall recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the SaddleBrooke Swim Club in ways that have served the membership, strengthened the club, inspired others, and supported our mission of promoting swimming as a joyful and healthy activity throughout the community and beyond.
This year, Claire Guidas and Larry John were inducted into Heritage Hall.Claire is currently the Swim Club's Vice-President. Larry, one of the club's coaches, served as Meet Director for the recent 2024 State Championship Meet. Congratulations, Claire and Larry!
Saddlebrooke Swim club wins 2024 state championship
On April 20 and 21, 2024, the Saddlebrooke Swim Club hosted the 2024 Arizona LMSC SCY State Championship at the Oro Valley Aquatic Center.
And once again, SaddleBrooke Masters reigns as Arizona State Champions!
It was truly a team effort that included the 37 swimmers who competed in the meet as well as many amazing volunteers and organizers who made the meet a delightful experience for everyone involved.
Highlights include:
- Saddlebrooke Swim Club finished first in the Large Teams Division with 1523 points. The second place team received 853 points.
- Four SaddleBrooke swimmers won High Point awards in their age groups:
- Ke Wang (M 65 - 69)
- Lyn Moreno (W 75 - 79)
- Jim Spiegel (M 75 - 79)
- Arlyn Melcher (M 90 - 94)
- Saddlebrooke swimmers won 68 gold medals, 40 silver medals and 39 bronze medals.
- Women's relay 400 freestyle relay team (below) took Gold and were named All-American.
Many thanks to the Swim Club's coaches who devoted much time and energy getting the swimmers in peak condition at just the right time!
women's 1st place relay team
Women's 400 Freestyle Relay Team not only takes the gold at AZ State Championship, they were designated All-American for having the number 1 time in the nation for the 2023-2024 season! Congratulations Molly, Allison, Noelle and Julie! Good job, ladies!
easter fun in the sun!
Grandkids Day Easter Egg Hunt
Excited children’s laughter filled the air on the Saturday morning before Easter during the annual Grandkids' Easter egg hunt, organized by the Saddlebrooke HOA2’s Fitness, Wellness, and Recreation Committee and hosted by the Saddlebrooke Swim Club. This year, over 50 grandchildren of residents and staff participated in the event held on the grass outside the Mountain View Bar and Grill.
While their teammates hid eggs and dollar bills in the grass, Saddlebrooke Swim Club members entertained early arrivals in the Clubhouse. The children were then gathered to begin the hunt.
The children were divided into two groups: kindergarteners and preschoolers hunted first at 10 a.m., followed by first through third graders at 11 a.m. The plastic eggs filled with candy and the hidden dollar bills were generously donated by Swim Club members, who have hosted this event for the past 10 years.
If you have young grandchildren visiting during Easter weekend, don’t miss this fun event next year!
Third Annual Glen Peterson Aquatic Festival
What a fantastic day at our own DesertView Pool! We had great weather, twenty-eight enthusiastic swimmers and a bunch of cheerful and hard-working volunteers - all coming together to celebrate swimming in honor of the memory of Glen Peterson.
swimming with toys
Peggy was happy to compete with fins! And socks??
Kickboard challenges included "surfing" and kicking against one another face-to-face with a kickboard in the middle. Kathie Dinges quickly forced yours truly to the wall using her powerful breast stroke kick.
dryland challenge
Several swimmers held the plank position for the two-minute challenge.
Seven members of the club scored extra points for "planking" a full five minutes.
Julie Adamen and Phil Szajnuk provided a welcome distraction by singing "God Bless America" and the National Anthem. Plankers joined in as they were able. ;-)
Saddlebrooke Swim Club wins 2024 polar bear meet
Freestyle
breast stroke
Backstroke
Twenty-five members of the SaddleBrooke Swim Club (SBSC) participated in the 2024 32nd Annual Polar Bear Meet held on February 4 at the University of Arizona Hillenbrand Aquatic Center.
Molly - where are your goggles??
Backstroke
breast stroke
Backstroke
Seventeen teams participated in the Polar Bear Meet coming from as far away as New England.
The SaddleBrooke women earned first place in the team competition while twelve SBSC women won one or more individual events.
breast stroke
breast stroke
breast stroke
After a cool start to the morning, the sun warmed the pool and deck nicely.
Team members shared food and laughs while encouraging and cheering one another on.
This meet was a helpful measure of progress as swimmers prepare for the State Meet in April.
butterfly
breast stroke
breast stroke
The SaddleBrooke men also won first place in the team competition, earning more than twice as many points as the second place men's team.Twelve SBSC men won one or more individual events.
Congratulations to all SBSC swimmers and coaches!