Swimming World Presents: “Official Word – Teri White says, ‘Consider USMS!'”

This edition of “Official Word” has been brought to you by

Teri White

Chair of the USMS National Officials Committee

USMS Wants You!

Imagine the “perfect heat”: you seed by age, then by time, and you end up with a heat where the center lanes are vying for a world record. They’re locked, loaded and ready to explode off the blocks.

Now you’re at a USMS meet, and the outside lanes in this heat could be competing for the first time! Huh? Yep, welcome to USMS (Masters) competition!

Allow me to share some of the wonderful aspects of working these decks. They need our help, and you might discover that you’ve found a new place to enjoy officiating. In the process, you’ll be appreciated and reset before your next marathon meet.

Most USMS meets are timed finals. When you’re done for the day, you’re done. There’s time to socialize with new friends, your feet don’t ache, and your shoes might even still be dry. In the past 10 years, I’ve become more immersed in the USMS deck, and I find it an oasis that is irresistible.

Local Masters meets are also a great place to take novice/newer officials to hone their skills in a calmer environment. Many USMS athletes are former USA/NCAA competitive swimmers (national/Olympic level), and their techniques are perfect. Somewhat slower now, that makes them easy to observe and understand the mechanics as a new stroke-and-turn judge.

A truly motivational experience is watching a heat of 80-89-year-old athletes swim the 400 IM perfectly legal. As a new starter, you can learn the difference between “balance issues” and false-start motions at a pace that allows it to sink in. “Patience” takes on a clearer meaning as each heat could start from on the blocks, on the deck and in the water.

At USMS national meets, we often pause to watch heats of our oldest swimmers compete. Everyone celebrates their efforts. It gives you chills watching an athlete who needs a little help on land move with grace and expertise through the water.

It’s also common to see members of the USA national team join the meet for fun. The photo-ops that happen are priceless: 6-8 Matt Grevers standing with two 97-year-old women who barely come to his waist—all grinning ear-to-ear and celebrating their backstroke wins.

Or everyone watching Nathan Adrian and Anthony Ervin battle in the 50 free, but no times appear on the board because the pads weren’t set for less than 20 seconds. But cheering and grins are all that matter. The camaraderie on the deck is energetic and infectious.

To learn how you could become a USMS swimming official,
check out the March 2019 issue of Swimming World Magazine, available now!

Swimming World subscribers can download this issue in the Swimming World Vault!

[PHOTO CREDIT: PETER H. BICK]

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FEATURES

016 BUCKLE UP!
by Dan D’Addona
It has been four in a row for the Longhorns, but last year was the closest yet—with no less than three teams having a mathematical shot to win the team title heading into the final relay! Expect more of the same at this year’s men’s NCAAs.

020 STILL STANFORD
by Dan D’Addona
Stanford dominated last year’s women’s Division I NCAAs, and even though the Cardinal are favored to win their third straight championship, this year’s meet should be different.

023 ELITE TO REPEAT?
by Andy Ross and Cathleen Pruden
In NCAA Division II and III swimming and diving, the same elite teams seem to battle it out for the national championship each year. Both the Queens women’s and men’s squads have realistic shots at winning five titles in a row at D-IIs, while in D-III, Emory’s women will be looking for their 10th straight title, and Denison’s men are poised to win their third championship in four years.

026 BLUE-COLLAR SWIMMER
by David Rieder
Cal’s Andrew Seliskar has put in the hard work to enable him to swim at a higher level. He loves the sport, and he knows that if he wants to be successful at swimming, he has to be fully invested into it.

COACHING

010 LESSONS WITH THE LEGENDS: GUS STAGER
by Michael J. Stott

014 SPECIAL SETS: SEASON-LONG AND CHAMPIONSHIP PREP FOR 10-AND-UNDERS
by Michael J. Stott
When an elite swimmer shines, sunlight occasionally falls on the athlete’s coach. In the ensuing excitement, what is often overlooked is the contribution made years earlier by the 10-and-under coach who set the foundation for success and possible stardom by teaching proper mechanics, motivation and a love of the sport.

030 WHAT COACHES CAN LEARN FROM SWIMMERS (Part 1)
by Michael J. Stott
At first blush, education might appear to be a one-way street. Teachers teach, students learn. Same with sports—coaches give instruction, athletes absorb and, hopefully, execute. But time on the job often reveals a different dynamic. In the first of a two-part series, Swimming World shares epiphanies where swimmer interaction fundamentally altered coaching behavior.

040 Q&A WITH COACH JEAN-PAUL GOWDY
by Michael J. Stott

042 HOW THEY TRAIN: MADDIE KAUAHI
by Michael J. Stott

TRAINING

013 DRYSIDE TRAINING: EXERCISE EQUIPMENT SERIES—DUMBBELLS
by J.R. Rosania

JUNIOR SWIMMER

045 UP & COMERS: DANIEL BRANON
by Taylor Brien

COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS

008 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT
009 BEYOND THE YARDS
019 OFFICIAL WORD
025 DID YOU KNOW? TRACY CAULKINS
032 2019 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY
044 HASTY HIGH POINTERS
046 GUTTER TALK
048 PARTING SHOT

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