97-Year-Old Charlotte Sanddal Going for More Records
BOZEMAN, Mont. – The Bozeman Masters Swim Club is hosting the 2020 Montana Masters State Championship Swim Meet Presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana at the Bozeman Swim Center February 29 and March 1. This is the biggest meet of the year for masters swimmers in the state of Montana. The last time Bozeman hosted this meet was in 2016.
Among the swimmers expected to compete in this year’s meet is Charlotte Sanddal, 97, from Helena. Sanddal is well-known among masters swimmers in Montana. She currently holds nine U.S. Masters Swimming (“national”) records and dozens of Northwest Zone (“regional”) and Montana Local Masters Swimming Committee (“state”) records. One of the events that Sanddal has entered this year is the mile. No one currently holds the USMS record for that event for women 95-99, so if she completes the event legally, she should have another national record to add to her extensive list of accomplishments.
This is the first time this meet will be held at the Bozeman Swim Center. In prior years, this meet was held at the Marga Hosaeus Fitness Center pool on the Montana State University campus because it was the only indoor, competition-ready 25-yard pool in the Bozeman area. The installation of a removable bulkhead in the 50-meter pool at the Bozeman Swim Center a few years ago made it possible to host short-course meets there, which is fortuitous, since the MSU pool remains closed since the gymnasium roof failures at the fitness center last year.
Despite having the word “championship” in the title, this is an open meet, so no qualifying times are required, and Montana residency is not required. Swimmers interested in entering the meet can do so at http://bit.ly/2020Champs. The deadline for entry is this Friday, February 21 at 11:59 p.m. (MST). The entry fee is $40 for USMS members and $55 for non-members.
Spectators are welcome. There is no cost to attend.
Back-up timers are still needed. No experience is required, and you get one of the best seats in the house. Volunteers can sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050844a8aa28a57-2020.
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About the Bozeman Masters Swim Club
The Bozeman Masters Swim Club is an official U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) program and a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status. The volunteer-led program welcomes adult swimmers of all ages, abilities, and motivations. Members join our club for many reasons, including technique improvement, lifelong fitness, competitive swimming, open water swimming, triathlon training, cross training, injury rehabilitation and simply for the fun of it.
About the Montana Local Masters Swimming Committee
The Montana Local Masters Swimming Committee (LMSC) is a subsidiary of U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS). The Montana LMSC covers the state of Montana except for the counties of Dawson and Wibaux on the eastern edge of the state. In 2019 there were 206 swimmers registered with the Montana LMSC.
