Welcome to Butternuts!
The Butternuts, the 500+ butterfly club, is now nationwide! Team NASTI would like to extend membership to anyone “brave” enough (i.e., nutty enough) to try this! Please fill out this form and send it to the address indicated. ButterNut Club Members will receive a color certificate and custom full-color T-shirt to wear with pride!
Butternut Rules:
1. Continuous butterfly swim - 500 yard minimum
2. Swim duration must be USA/USMS legal (all regulation butterfly; no one-armed strokes or turns, fins, etc.)
3. A witness who’ll vouch for your success!
We have members ranging from
nine to eighty years old, and we stretch from
Maine to Texas, Montana, California and even
Hawaii! And the Butternuts haven’t stopped at just 500
yards! Doug Strong, 80, from Bloomington, Ind.,
swam a 2,500! We wanted to share one of the comments
we’ve received:
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"On February 28, I swam a 1100 yard continuous butterfly.
My witness is Jason Amos, our assistant aquatics
director, here at the Penobscott Bay “YMCA” in
Rockport. Since we don’t have any 50-meter pools in
Maine, it had to be in yards. I’d set out to swim a 600
fly, but gee, it felt so good, I decided to see how far I
could go before either getting bored or was too tired to
continue. The former was the result. After about 40
minutes, I just flat got too bored to go for more. Since
fly is my “resting and cool down” stroke, it wasn’t difficult,
when taken slow and relaxed. I’ve come to
believe that most people shudder away from butterfly
because they try to “kill” the stroke and end up doing
themselves in. To me, the key to butterfly, is to just
stay relaxed and keep up a steady rythmn. ... I’ll gladly
pay for the T-shirt and shipping. At 72, most other
swimmers think that I’m nuts to swim butterfly distances,
anyway. I might as well make it official!" – Dolly Slater, Maine Masters, Owls Head, Maine |
Girl, 14, Emerges from Lake Erie as a Champion
On Februaury 18, 2012, a group of Prairie Masters swimmers decided
to do their 500 fly as a group! Here's a photo of the 'Nuts!
From left are Anna S., Morgan S., Anita, Edie, Trever and Paula
Another group of women, this time from Michigan, decided to do a group swim after practice!
Their teammate Cathy Vila joined them a few days later.
"We did it because we love to swim and we are not afraid of distance, IMs, or hard work of any kind. We love each other. We love the camaraderie of swimming together. We swim regularly and most of us compete at random swim meets, running races, cross country, triathlons, and the Masters State Swim Meet. We are all professional (well, Rachael is in college training to be a professional, and I am retired - whoo hoo!). Rachael is a great runner at Aquinas College and I ran for years until hamstring tendonditis brought me down in 2002 and I was back in the pool in a completely different role (I had been a diver at WMU back in the day). Our swim group is mostly women with a few token guys and we share social lives as well as our athletic lives. We are tight. We are happy. We have a great bond. We did the ButterNut Club as a part of that bond and for our love of being fit and tough. Thank you so much for putting this event out there!"
| Larry Ahlgren, 57 - Stony Brook Seawolves 2/13/2012 - 500 yds., pool, NT |
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| Laurie Alioto, 49 - WMAC 2/10/2008 - 500 yds., pool, 7:03.8 |
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| Viki Anders, 58 - MMEST 3/17/2009 - 500 yds., pool, 10:00.28 |
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| Christie Anderson, 29 - NASTI 4/4/2006 - 500 yds., pool, 7:40.72 |
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| Amber Anthony, 42 - MOST 7/15/2008 - 500 M, pool, 12:49.3 |
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| Aaron Applebaum, 13 - COPS 2/22/2007 - 500 yds., pool |
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| Susan Aud, 57 - Saluki/St. Louis Area Masters 2/29/2012 - 1500 M, pool The night before I went to my first Master's practice, I had the most beautiful dream of me swimming the butterfly, in perfect form. I never swam it as a kid, and have only become a "competitive swimmer" since joining Masters at the age of 47. I enter meets, but I really compete against myself--qualifying times are a distant dream. Still, I did finally develop the fly timing so that I don't get disqualified, and I will keep trying to improve for the rest of my life. Butterfly is the best stroke! |
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| Rodney Bailey, 55 - UA 500 yds., pool, 10:27 |
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| Randy Barr, 44 - Portland Maine Y Masters 11/2011 - 500 yds., pool, 8:55 |
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| Patrick Barrett, 62 - SWYM 12/12/2011 - 500 yds., pool |
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| Todd Barton, Sugar Creek 4/25/2009 - 500 yds., pool, 9:21.01 |
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| Lauren Battistini, 39 - SWYM 11/2011 - 500 yds., pool, 8:45 |
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| Dan Behr, BOZE 3/9/2006 - 500 M, pool |
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| Marcia Benjamin, 50 - Walnut Creek Masters 5/13/07 - 500 yds., pool, 8:48 |
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| Miriam Benjamin, 10 - Walnut Creek Aquabears 4/25/07 - 500 yds., pool |
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| Kirsten Berger, 40 500 yds., pool, 8:10 |
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| Kat Boyer, 53 - MOST 7/15/2008 - 500 M, pool, 10:12.28 |
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| Trever Brenner, 11 - Prairie Masters 500 yds., pool, 7:25.23 |
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| Ann Brewer, South Texas 500 M, pool |
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| Jim Budde, AMST 2/06 - 1000 yds., ocean |
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| Linda Callaway, MOST 5/17/2008 - 500 M, pool, 13:08 According to tradition, Linda's workout group celebrated her birthday poolside when she turned 55 and they did a special challenge set - 55 laps all the same stroke. She swam butterfly while everyone else swam other strokes. When she finished, they sang "Happy Birthday" and gave her a goofy B'day cake (Clif Bar with a lighted candle). Also, in January 2007, she did the One Hour Postal Swim all butterfly, 2,180 SCY! At the end, some age group kids (12-15 years old) in the pool that day clapped and cheered her when she finished, their coach citing her as a real role model for them. Now we know why she is known among her teammates as the "Butterfly Queen". |
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| Anna Castle, 3/7/2007 - 500 yds., pool |
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| Doug Church, 62 - NASTI Summer '05 - 500 yds., pool |
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| Lorna Cialdella-Morehead, Berkley (NJ) Masters 1/14/2012 - 500 yds., pool, 7:44 |
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| Frank Cody, 70 - Michigan Masters of Kalamazoo 7/6/2011 - 1500 M, pool, 31:04 As far as I know, Jim D'Amour and I are the only Michigan Masters Butternuts. We were both honored Saturday night at a first annual awards banquet hosted by Michigan Masters for our achievement in being inducted into the Butternut fraternity. Before the banquet, and knowing the award was coming, Jim and I discussed the possibility of and committed to a swim off at a 1500 or 1650 event this year. Our times are similar enough that it should be a good race, if both of us can, indeed, finish. I think Jim has more credibility in that respect, since I am 21 years older and, unlike Jim, have never swum the 1500/1650 in competition. Jim regularly does not only that event butterfly in a meet, but I believe has done a 400 and a 200 butterfly in the same meet. He's quite a stud. So, stay tuned for the latest edition of the Michigan butterfly follies coming to some swim pool in Michigan before the nationals next year. |
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| Steve Conover, 61 - GRIN 1/27/2011 - 500 yds., pool, 9:56 |
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| Bill Crowley, 67 - Plano Wetcats 5/4/2006 - 500 yds., pool, 10:11 |
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| Patricia Cuero, 38 - MOST 7/14/2008 - 500 yds., pool, 11:37 |
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| James D'Amour, 46 - Ann Arbor Masters 11/11/2007 - 500 M, pool, 8:54.90 11/11/2007 - 1650 M, pool, 32:07.66 |
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| Suzanne Dowling, 39 - MOST 7/14/2008 - 500 M, pool, 12:32.16 |
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| Eric Dybahl, 46 - PNA 1/24/2007 - 3740 yds., pool, 1:00:00.00 |
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| Julie Eakle, 48 - MOST 6/27/2008 - 500 M, pool, 11:59 |
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| Tittia Elias, South Texas 500 yds., pool, 8:50 |
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| Todd Erickson, 53 - MOST 7/15/2008 - 500 M, pool, 9:51.3 |
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| James Evans, 59 - Virginia Masters 2/10/2007 - 500 yds., pool, 10:39.50 |
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| Lindsay Fairbanks, 11 - Winchester Country Club 7/5/2010 - 500 M, pool, 12:00 |
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| Mark Feinberg, 44 - Ursinus College 10/22/2011, 500 yds, pool, 9:07 |
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| Elizabeth Fox, Iowa Masters 10/8/2011 - 1000 yds., pool, 19:08 |
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| Michael Fox, 57 - Plano Wetcats 2/10/2007 - 500 yds., pool, 7:40.09 |
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| John Gale, 55 - Maine Masters 12/21/2011 - 500 yds., pool, 8:58 |
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| Renee Gallagher, 13 - Pierre Swim Team 11/2011 - 500 yds., pool, NT |
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| Jim Gibbs, 65 - Plano Wetcats 2/10/2007 - 500 yds., pool, 11:39 |
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| Heather Gillespie, 18 - Winchester Barracudas 7/14/2010 - 500 M, pool, 10:00 |
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| Peter Giustra, 67 - Maine Masters 500 yds., pool |
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| Duane Grassell, 51 - Ohio Masters 1500 M, pool, 33:28 |
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| Mike Greenleaf, 47 - SKY-MMM 7/14/2011 - 500 yds, pool |
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| Claire Gregg, 67 - MOST 500 M, pool, 17:39.53 |
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| Kyle Haflich, 10 - Noblesville Swim Club 8/28/2010 - 500 M, pool, 10:03 |
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| Henry Hallf, Masters of South Texas 600 yds, pool (SCM), 12:58 5/30/2008 - 500 M, pool, 11:07 |
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| Betty Hanson, 46 - PST 500 yds, pool, 13:18.87 |
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| Kelcey Hanson, 16 - PST 8/2008 - 500 yds, pool, 8:55 3/13/2011 - 1000 yards, pool, 19:48.59 |
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| Michael Hanson, 15 - PST 3/13/2011 - 500 yds, pool, 8:38.00 |
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| Diane Happel, 47 - Iowa Masters 11/2011 - 500 yds, pool, NT |
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| Emily Happel, 11 - Iowa 10/23/2011 - 1000 yds, pool, NT |
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| James Hasley, 40 - Masters of Orlando 11/2011 - 500 M, pool, 12:00+ The Butternut Swim is a fantastic event, especially for us “bad body” fitness swimmers who’ve always enjoyed the challenge, grace and power of the butterfly. At 5’11” and 250 lbs. I’m built as a Rugby prop and few things give me a greater joy than the looks I get after knocking out a few dozen laps of butterfly. Someone once told me “Neither bumble bees nor you are supposed to “fly” but yet you do! |
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| Rachel Haynes, 26 - UNAT 10/10/2011 - 500 yds, pool, 7:30 |
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| Jenny Hodges, 34 - PMST 6/18/2008 - 500 yds, pool, 9:55 |
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| Doug Holmes, 75 - Louisiana 11/15/2011 - 500 yds, pool, 10:28.73 |
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| Vic Holove, NASTI Summer '05 - 500 M, pool |
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| Donna Hooe, 49 - Savannah Masters |
10/14/2011 - 500 M, pool |
| Russell Hubbard, Southwest Y Masters 11/11/2011 - 500 yds, pool, NT |
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| Samantha Hughes, 13 - Georgia Coastal Aquatic Team 4/16/2012 - 500 yds, pool, 10:24.59 |
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| Laura Humphrey-MacKenzie, 36 - Baptist East Milestone Marlins 7/14/2011 - 500 yds, pool, 10:00.0 |
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| Anita Isch, 25 - Prairie Masters 2/18/2012 - 500 yds, pool, 8:26.95 |
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| Jakob Janson, 9 - Noblesville Swim Club 8/2010 - 600 M, pool, 14:22:30 |
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| Doug Jelen, 34, PNA 500 yds, pool, 6:48 |
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| Robert Johnson, 65 - College Station 10/17/2011 - 500 yds, pool, 10:15 |
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| Judd Jones, 54 - Greater Knoxville Masters 4/21/2012 - 500 yds, pool, 8:30.83 |
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| Tara Jorgensen, 11 - PST 3/13/2011 - 500 yds, pool, 10:48.21 |
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| Talia Jorgensen, 10 - PST 3/13/2011 - 500 yds, pool, 9:03.38 |
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| Benjamin Jumper, 18 - Ursinis College 1/5/2012 - 500 yds, pool, NT |
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| Patrick Kean, 36 - Indy Aquatic Masters 2/25/2012 - 500 yds, pool, 8:10 |
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| Tom Kline, 47 - NASTI 7/30/2011 - 500 M, pool, 8:15 |
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| Craig Kercher, 46 - MOST 7/2/2008 - 500 M, pool |
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| Jeri Kessenich, 55 - Grand Rapids/Michigan Masters 4/1/2012 - 500 yds., pool, NT |
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| Nancy Kranpitz, 64 - WMAC 3/21/2010 - 500 yds, pool, 9:47.23 |
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| Larry Kravitz, 57 - Nitro Masters - Austin, TX 12/7/2011 - 500 yds, pool, 8:34 |
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| Jerilyn Kucharski, 29 - Ursinus College 10/22/2011, 500 yds, pool, 7:59.2 |
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| Lana Lambert, 41 - Prairie Masters 10/4/2008 - 500 yds., pool, 12:34 |
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| Andrea Latell, 35 - Virginia Masters 12/18/2008 - 500 yds., pool, 9:21 |
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| Raena Latina-Lawson, 34 - NASTI Summer '05 - 500 M, pool |
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| Matt Laughlin, 19 - Baldwin Wallace 1/5/2007 - 500 yds., pool, 6:03 |
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| Alex Leer, 11 - NSC 500 yds., pool |
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| Ethan Leer, 9 - NSC 500 yds., pool |
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| Jill Lemone, 45 - Wilton Y Wahoo Masters 1/14/2012 - 500 yds., pool, 7:25 |
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| Jonathan Lenchner, 51 - Westchester Masters (NY) 11/13/2010 - 500 yds., pool, 9:45 11/20/2010 - 1000 yds., pool, 19:44 |
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| Ellen Lipolis, Vacaville 500 M, pool, 9:24 |
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| Lindsay Longest, NASTI 4/4/2006 - 500 yds., pool, 9:24 |
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| Jerry Lourigan, Madison Area Masters 2/11/2007 - 500 yds., pool, 7:35.22 |
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| Kevin Luster, 54 - Irving Masters 1/28/2012 - 500 yds., pool, NT |
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| Gretchen Martinez-Rodreguez, 15 - Georgia Coastal Aquatic Team 4/16/2012 - 500 yds, pool, 9:56.68 |
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| Chris Massonneau, 49 - Winchester Masters 8/6/2007, pool (LCM), 10:53 |
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| Danielle Maydak, 33 - NASTI 7/30/2011, 500 M, pool (LCM), 11:44 |
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| Jeff Maydak, 38 - NASTI 7/30/2011, 500 M, pool (LCM), 11:45 |
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| Chris Mayhew, 54 - Masters of South Texas 6/27/2008, pool (LCM), 10:51.61 |
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| Matt McGuriman, 22 - Ursinus College 10/22/2011, 500 yds, pool, 8:45 |
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| Veronica Morales, 39 - MOST 7/8/2008, 500 M, pool, 10:07.70 |
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| Kathy Morrell, VSCM |
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| Scott Mortenson, South Texas 600 M, pool, 14:02 |
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| Edie Mueller, 51 - Prairie Masters 2/18/2012, 500 yds., pool, 12:38.31 |
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| Kathi Mueller, 40 - Prairie Masters 500 yds., pool, 11:03 |
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| Michael Muma, 60 - Michigan Masters 2011 - 600 yds., pool, NT |
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 | Allen Murphy, 57 - CCAT 12/21/2011 - 500 yds., pool, 13:08 I started swimming only four and a half years ago just as an alternative to running. I never did swim in high school or anything, but I do enjoy it. Well for the first two plus years I could never do the butterfly. It wasn't till I broke my leg one summer ( tib and fib) and swimming proved to be good therapy. I jumped online and you tubed the butterfly stroke and started to practice in my own pool. I finally got it and kinda liked it. So my coach saw the butternut challenge and brought it to my attention. I thought I would have a little fun and because we are a masters swim I called my fly The Iron Butterfly ( circa 1970 heavy metal band) and to have the long version of Inna Gadda Na Vida ( the bands only hit) playing while I did the swim. On that morning I came with my I pod and I dock and swam the 500m fly to the tunes of Iron Butterfly! |
| Cindy Myer, 58 - Irving Masters 1/28/2012 - 600 yds., pool, NT |
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| Marcia Napier, MOST 7/28/2008 - 500 yds., pool, 13:52 |
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| Rhonda Nisman, 53 - MOST 5/30/2008 - 500 yds., pool, 9:25.80 |
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| Kathryn Pall, 21 - Ursinus College 1/7/2012 - 500 yds., pool, 7:58 |
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| Alex Pandelidis, 19 - Ursinus College 1/7/2012 - 500 yds., pool, 6:40 |
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| Paula Pardy, 43 - Prairie Masters 2/18/2012, 500 yds., pool, 8:31.63 |
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| Sarah Parise, 14 - Ashtabula Y Stingrays 4/21/2012, 500 yds., pool, 10:05.28 |
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| Stephanie Patterson, 27 - Omaha Masters 3/27/2007 - 500 yds., pool, 7:51.92 |
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| Tim Patterson, 49 - Omaha Masters 3/27/2007 - 500 yds., pool, 7:47.79 |
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| Judy Paukert, 60 - MOST 7/15/2008 - 600 yds., pool, 14:45 |
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| Isabel Pennington, 9 - Gateway Seadragons 1/25/2012 - 500 yds., pool, NT |
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| Tina Pettingill, 41 - Scarborough, Maine 12/20/2011 - 500 yds., pool, 9:03 |
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| Dick Pitman, WMAC 500 yds., pool, 9:21.99 |
Kathryn Platky, 29 - BEST Milestone Masters 7/14/2011 - 500 yds., pool |
| Esther Platsis, 39 - Virginia Masters 11/28/2009 - 500 yds., pool, 11:09.16 |
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| Alex Pondelidis, 19 - Ursinus College 1/17/2012 - 500 yds., pool, 6:40 |
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| Maciej Przybylowski, 33 - Premier Athletic Club, NY 10/8/2009 - 1100 yds., pool, 20:20.00 |
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| Charlene Puska, 43 - Connecticut Masters 11/2/2011 - 500 yds., pool, 7:56 |
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| Allen Raver, 38 - NASTI 4/8/2006 - 500 yds., pool, 9:13 |
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| Eric Rawlings, 25 - Charlottesville 3/14/2007 - 600 yds., pool, 6:03 |
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| Kelly Reynolds, 21 - Ursinus College 1/7/2012 - 500 yds., pool, 7:03 |
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| Ryan Reynolds, 18 - Baldwin Wallace 1/5/2007 - 500 yds., pool, 6:06 |
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| Brian Reeves, 45 - NASTI |
6/27/2008 - 1500 M, pool, slooooow... |
| John Richardson, 49 - Southwest Indiana Masters 11/24/2011, 500 yds, pool, 8:05 |
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| Rick Ringenwald, 45 - Ursinus College 10/22/2011, 500 yds, pool, 8:32 |
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| Elizabeth Robinson, 54 - Plano Wetcats 1/31/2007 - 500 yds., pool, 10:17 |
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| Bruce Rollins, 62 - WMST Houston 500 yds., pool, no time |
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| Greg Rotole, 57 - Florida Maverick Masters 1/2012 - 2550 yds., pool, 60:00.36 |
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| Michael Sabeh, Jefferson (Ohio) Swim Team 4/21/2012 - 500 yds., pool, 10:39.23 |
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| Jeanine Sanford, 48 - Plano Wetcats 1/18/2007 - 500 yds., pool, 11:05 |
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| DeEtte Sauer, 66 - MOST 500 yds., pool, 11:32.33 |
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| Jeff Schechter50, MOST 7/8/2008 - 500 M, pool, 12:12.62 |
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| Porter Schiavone, Winchester Masters 3/1/2007 - 500 M, pool, 10:12.88 |
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| Richard Scott74, Virginia Masters 11/28/2009 - 800 yds., pool, 25:06 |
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| Chad Simmons, MOST 500 M, pool, 8:05:06 |
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| Dolly Slater, PBM 1100 yds., pool |
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| Chris Smith, 21 - Ursinus College 1/7/2012 - 1050 yds., pool, 13:16 |
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| Susan Kay Smith, 58 - Grand Rapids/Michigan Masters 4/1/2012 - 500 yds., pool, NT |
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| Nancy Sohlberg, 8 - Springfield Aquatic Club 3/20/2011 - 500 yds., pool, 14:10 |
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| Anna Sonstegard, Prairie Masters 2/18/2012, 500 yds., pool, 7:45.83 |
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| Morgan Sonstegard, Prairie Masters 2/18/2012, 500 yds., pool, 7:45.28 |
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| Mary Span, 16 - Millbrook High School 8/8/2007 - 500 M, pool |
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| Nicole Stapleton, 17 - Jefferson (Ohio) Swim Team 4/21/2012 - 500 yds., pool, 11:02 |
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| Rachael Steil, 20 - Grand Rapids/Michigan Masters 4/1/2012 - 500 yds., pool, NT |
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| Tamara Steil, 57 - Grand Rapids/Michigan Masters 4/1/2012 - 500 yds., pool, NT |
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| Deb Stoner - Avilla, Indiana 8/26/2010 - 1650 yds., pool, 39:40 8/26/2010 - 500 yds., pool, 12:10 |
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| Doug Strong, 80 - DOC 1/14/2006 - 2500 yds., pool |
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| Sonja Stroot, Tri City Sturgeons 2/11/2007 - 600 M, pool, 13:57 3/4/2007 - 1000 M, pool, 23:33 |
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| Michelle Swenson, 19 - Ursinus College 1/7/2012 - 500 yds., pool, 8:15 |
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| Theresa Thompson, NASTI Summer '05 - 500 M, pool |
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| Olivia Truban, 12 - Winchester Country Club 2010 - 500 M, pool, 10:23 |
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| Tina VandeGuchte, 46 - Grand Rapids/Michigan Masters 4/1/2012 - 500 yds., pool, NT |
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| Cathy Vila, 47 - Grand Rapids/Michigan Masters 4/4/2012 - 500 yds., pool, 9:58 |
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| Robin Walker, NASTI 12/8/2007, 500 yds, pool |
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| John Weiss, 47 - ISF 12/8/2007, 1750 yds, pool, 30:00 |
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| Dan Welklin, 55 - NASTI Summer '05 - 1000 M, pool 7/6/2008, 4000 M, pool Summer 2010, 5000 M, pool It was a beautiful Sunday morning at the Forest Park Aquatic Center and one of the Butternut Founders, Dan Welklin decided to go for a swim. 5000 Meters of Butterfly later, Dan got out of the pool to the applause of his Nasti teammates with a new Butternut record distance!! Said Dan: “What’s for breakfast?!” |
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| Gayle Wichman 3/5/2006 - 500 yds., pool |
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| John Wiley , 58 - Cardinal Swimming 12/15/2010 - 500 yds., pool, NT |
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| Chris Young 12 - Power Aquatics 1600 M, pool, 27:30 |