In preperation for Manhattan Island - some history

Reading up on our marathon swim for Saturday, here are few historical notes about the MIMS.

This will be my second year as part of the 'Vicelords' relay team... a team comprised exclusively of Kenyon College swim team Alumni. The Kenyon swimming dynasty took control of NCAA Division III swimming in 1980, and has maintained it's "streak" ever since, winning 49 NCAA titles... more than any other college in any sport in any division... literally the most winning program in history! (Incidentally the longest winning streak for Men's NCAA Division I swimming is held by James "Doc" Counsilman of Indiana at 6 - the Counsilman Centre for the Science of Swimming is where I studied my graduate work in Sports Science.).

In 2007 the Vicelords team made it's debut with the 6-man relay at MIMS, which featured by brother, former WDSC and Kenyon College swimmer ,Elliot Rushton. Elliot also represented Canada at the World Championships for the openwater 5k and 10k (this was before openwater swimming was an Olympic sport). One member of the 2007 team was W. Hodding Carter. Most people that pick up Hodding's book will be amused and perhaps gain something from it, but in actuallity from a performance perspective his contribution to the relay team was lacking.

So last year (2008) I was added to the team in his place. I think that there are a few swimming memories that I hold most important, and relays with my brother are always in the forefront of my mind - I distinctly remember our age-group team winning the 4x 50 Medley relay at LC BC Provincial Championships which would've been easily forgettable except that I did the butterfly leg and he did the Freestyle leg. That medal still sits on my desk. Another event we completed together was the Skaha Lake Ultraswim, an 11.8km marathon swim in which we tied for the first place trophy (a large vase that now sits on our mother's mantle). Finally, last year's MIMS was a great shared experiance, as well as a great way to see the city of New York from a unique perspective.

This year we hope to win the overall title after being second the year previous, and who knows where the prior year. I feel that I am in better swimming-shape than in 2008, after competeting in the BC Master's Provincial Championships and setting Canadian records for my age-group in the 400 Free, 800 Free and 200 Backstroke. I get to start the race this year, swimming under the Brooklyn Bridge, and (hopefully) getting us an early lead. Other members of our team are; George Pond, Dennis Mulvihill, Jeff Pearson, Karel Starek, and Alan Schmidt. Our perennial substitude is Craig Hummer who can never actually be there because of his other commitments.