Contributed by Mike Leake
BENNINGTON, VT -- Amid light snowfall and Vermont Maple Weekend, 30 swimmers and their supporters came together on Saturday, March 25, at the Bennington Recreation Center for the 6th Annual Monumental Masters Swim Meet. Swimmers of all abilities enjoyed a fun morning of easy-going competition and encouragement. The proceeds of the event benefited the Bennington Marauders swim team, which provides youth swimming in southwestern Vermont.
This year, folks traveled from as far away as New Jersey and Niagara Falls, NY, with many of our aquatic neighbors from the Adirondacks making the shorter drive to attend. Western Massachusetts was also well represented, with swimmers from Williamstown, the Pittsfield Polar Bears, and the Simon's Rock Pace Makers competing for the day. All who came were able to take home free U.S. Masters Swimming caps and stickers as well as some fun giveaways, including stroopwafels from Bakkerij Krijnen and maple syrup from Dunn's Leak-ee Bucket Sugar House.
Swimming for the first time with host team Monument Masters were Eric Florio and Tim Russell. Returning to the pool again were Amanda Robson, Carol Newell, Matt Moon, Gabrielle Betit-Mattison, and Rebecca Healy. Siblings Jeff, Jill, and Mike Leake were joined by Kevin Murphy in the Monumental streak of swimming in every installment of the meet so far.
With fun events that included the Tarzan Swim and Monument Kick Sprints in addition to relays, excitement is building for our next installment in the spring of 2018!