Continuing the tradition of providing professional and amateur swimmers a side-by-side competition, the King Marlin Swim Club will host the KMSC Pro-Am Classic on Dec. 18-21 at the Oklahoma City Community College Olympic Festival Pool.
Meet information is now available for this premier competition that provides cash prizes to professionals and attracts top national, college, international and professional athletes, as well as elite amateur teams from around the country.
The meet builds on the vision of KMSC Head Coach John Brown, who in 1992 launched the Elite Pro-Am Meet to provide opportunities for professional swimmers and promote the sport of swimming.
In spring 2014, Brown formed the King Marlin Swim Club with coaches Kathy Mendez and Josh Everett, and he is continuing his commitment to the unique format with the Pro-Am Classic.
“We’re looking forward to a great meet and many fast swims,” Brown said. “Like in years past, we have outstanding athletes and teams coming, experienced leaders spearheading the event and a proven facility known for fast swims.”
Meet highlights include a 50-yard Freestyle Shootout and the opportunity for professional athletes to share their love of the sport and deliver gifts to patients at The Children’s Hospital and attend a meet-and-greet event with local age-group swimmers.
“The Pro-Am is an experience for my post grads that has no equal domestically,” said Schroeder YMCA Head Coach Dave Anderson, whose team will attend this year’s meet at OCCC. “To race as a pro for any swimmer – for the first time or any time – is unique, stimulating and fulfilling.”
Along with Schroeder YMCA, several of the nation’s top teams have committed, including Fort Worth Area Swim Team, Houston Swim Club, Kansas City Blazers, Mission Viejo Nadadores, North Texas’ Lakeside Aquatic Club, and Wichita Swim Club, Brown said.
“My swimmers talk about this meet all year and always look forward to it,” said Gilbert Legaspi, Houston Swim Club head coach, who has attended the pro-am meet every year since 1997. “Our younger swimmers can’t wait to qualify for this meet since they hear the senior kids talk about how much fun it is and how they swim fast at this meet.”
Professional athletes can earn cash prizes for placing in the top three in the championship finals of an individual event.
Prize money ranges from $1,000-$2,000 for varying individual events.
This year’s bounty events provide double the prize money for professionals who swim under the OCCC pool or Oklahoma state records held by swimming greats such as Chloe Sutton, Rachel Komisarz, Kristy Coventry, Ian Crocker and Jason Lezak. The women’s bounty events include the 1,000 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 500 freestyle and 200 backstroke. The men’s bounty events include the 1,000 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 500 freestyle and 100 freestyle.
In addition to Brown, the meet’s leadership team includes Meet Director Paul Thompson, Meet Referee Steve Potter and Senior Advisory Official Jim Sullins. George Young will announce.
This year the competition also serves as an Officials Qualifying Meet and will draw officials from coast to coast. Paul Memont, the Starter at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, will serve as the national mentor/evaluator.
“The meet will be in its traditional home, a well-known venue for elite-level swimming and home to many record-setting swims, including American records,” Brown said.
Added Anderson: “The OCCC pool is fast, and the meet’s vibe is so positive and welcoming. The meet ‘feels’ like something special, but the time standards allow me to bring developing athletes and they really appreciate the experience.”
The OCCC Olympic Festival Pool, which has hosted championship swimming for more than 25 years, is located within minutes of Will Rogers World Airport and a wide selection of restaurants and major lodging establishments.
Elite Swimmers confirmed so far: Adam Mania, Emily Brunemann, Ashley Steenvoorden, Lara Jackson, Conner Andrew and Zach McGinnis.
For more information, visit the KMSC Website at www.kingmarlin.com. Professionals may direct inquiries to KMSC Pro Liaison Elise King at [email protected]. Teams interested in attending may contact Thompson at [email protected] or Brown at [email protected]. Also, for the latest meet-related information, follow @KMSCProAm on Twitter.
Swimming News Courtesy of OKC’s King Marlin Swim Club.