Yes, it is that time of year again...time for the Triple Challenge!  For the uninitiated, we do special workouts in October through December in preparation for the USMS 1 Hour Swim in January.  The first stage is 50 repeats in October, the 2nd stage is 75 repeats in November and the final stage is 100 repeats in December.  The coach determines the send off times while the swimmers get to choose the distance. So if the coach says "10 on 1:45, 10 on 1:35, 10 on 1:25, 10 on 1:15, 10 on 1:05" the swimmers may choose to do any distance and any stroke/drill/kick/pull that they can make on those given send-offs.  Each lane tends to do the same thing (or close to it) as usually somebody in the lane will have made up a workout once the intervals are announced (usually a few days before the workout)  but it is up to each swimmer to decide whether they want to follow someone else's plan or do their own thing.  All swimmers who complete EVERY repeat (all 225 of them) get a prize, usually with a GA or GAAC logo as well as 3 free swim practice tickets.

Additionally we have a contest to see who can come closest to their 1 Hour pace. In October we do a 15 min swim at 1 Hour goal pace, in November we do a 30 mins swim and in December we do everyone's favorite - the 45 min swim.  After the hour swim has been completed we then calculate who came closest to their predicted 1 hour swim yardage. Often the winner is within a few yards of their predicted yardage.  This person receives a prize.

The tentative date for the 50 repeats is Friday October 19th and the week of October 22nd for the 15 min swim.

Congrats to all who participated in the final Smack Down. With the male and
female series leaders absent we had new winners this time. Top three men were
Andrew Degroat in the even-steven format(42:29), Mike Degroat in the landshark format (close behind in 42:48)  and Roger Hahn in the landshark format (43:33).

On the womens side, the coach  got a chance to give it a go and in the landshark format won in 41:18.  Barbara was  2nd (also landshark in 47:07) and Donna, placed 3rd in the even-steven format  (VERY close behind in 47:13).

Men's order of finish:
Andrew DeGroat 
Mike DeGroat 
Roger  
Jamie 
Francois 
Geoff Meyer SR 
Peter Alberti
Tom Douris

Women's order of finish:
Laurie 
Barbara 
Donna 
Hannah

Times with splits will be sent via email.

In the final series standing we have Roger Hahn as the winner!  Andrew DeGroat was 2nd and Francois Springuel was 3rd.  All three knocked the former leaders (Ken and Geoff Jr), who were no shows, down to a tie for 4th.  On the women's side, none of the top 3 series leaders competed but all held on to the same positions. Jen Sung won it with Stephanie Saucy and Michele Pollio tying for 2nd. 

First place receives a prize and 3 free masters workouts, 2nd place receives 2 free masters workouts and 3rd place receives one free masters workout.  Good job to all who participated this year!

Complete final standings will be sent via email.

Click below to see fellow 1776ers' results from Omaha.

GAAC Swimmers:
Laurie Hug
Sue Watts
Tina Woods
Barbara Burke

http://www.usms.org/comp/meets/meetsearch.php?club=1776&MeetID=20120705LCNATSL