DC Masters 55+ Women's Relay Team
How often have we heard that "the camaraderie" is one of the most enjoyed benefits of Masters Swimming? And a great way to build camaraderie is to participate on relays. Certainly these four DC Masters women would support that theory-- Jayne Bruner , Barbara Frid , Joann Leilich , and Barbara Zaremski .
Joann Leilich began her Masters career as a DC Master in 1981. Her teammates encouraged her to attend her first Masters Nationals at The Woodlands, Texas, where she met Barbara Zaremski, former teammate at Portage Park, Chicago in the 1950s. Joann became acquainted with Jayne Bruner at a clinic/meet in Pittsburgh. Jayne liked the idea of relays, especially those champagne finales sponsored by the New England Masters. So she joined the DC Masters in 1985. In the meantime Joann and Barbara Zaremski had been visiting and renewing acquaintance at several Masters Nationals. Eventually it led to Barbara joining DC Masters for the fun of swimming relays at National meets. Lucky for DC Masters, in 1991 Barbara Frid moved to the Washington, DC area.
When the youngster of the four, Barbara Frid, turned 55 at the Zone Meet held in Ft. Lauderdale in 1997 the ladies recognized a challenge. All five short course relays were on the program. What fun it was to celebrate Barbara's birthday with five new USMS records!
In August 1998 their ages added to exactly 240. Ft. Lauderdale and the Swimming Hall of Fame pool, here they come again. Two more records C this time world records for the 200 meter (LC) free and medley relays.
Jayne swam competitively from 1949 through 1951 with the Riviera Club in Indianapolis. When coach Bud Sawin left, the team temporarily disbanded and Jayne became involved with high school activities. At age 39 she got back into the water to lose some weight and was introduced to Masters swimming by her son's AAU swim coach. She went to her first Masters Nationals in Ft. Lauderdale in May 1974. In Ft. Lauderdale she was reunited with former teammates and competitors she had known as a teenage swimmer. Even today competition means making new friends and renewing old friendships from years past. Jayne won her first National Championship in 1974. The next 23 years of swimming accomplishments are well-documented in the ISHOF.
Jayne served USMS as local registrar in the Allegheny Mountain LMSC from the time that amateur swimming became separate from the AAU until 1985 when she resigned to join her relay buddies in the Potomac Valley and DC Masters.
Barbara Frid also swam in an AAU program through her high school years. After a 15 year break from swimming she joined St. Pete Masters, and then in 1977 a cross country move took her to Oregon. While in the Portland area she opened a retail swim shop, and for 10 years she and husband, Brian, ran the Swim Cellar Pentathlon. After 14 years it was back to the East Coast, this time Northern Virginia and DC Masters.
In all three locations, Barbara's fondest memories are those that come from the many relays. Attending USMS Nationals and meeting up with old teammates and friends makes every lap in the pool worth the effort.
Joann learned to swim at New Trier High School as a youngster during the summer "Learn to swim program." She continued to improve and advance her aquatic skills with the American Red Cross. At age 14 she quite by accident became involved in AAU swimming and continued until about age 20.
Some 20 plus years later, as a "swimming mom" Joann was introduced to Masters Swimming by Jane Malliet, Masters swimmer and "swimmer's mom." The low key, fun atmosphere of that first local meet, encouraged Joann to join a Masters workout group and the rest is history. Administratively Joann served as local registrar for Potomac Valley LMSC for some 13 years and chairman of the USMS Registration committee for several years.
Barbara Zaremski
DC Masters 55+ Women's Relay Team
Barbara Zaremski, Barbara Frid, Joann Leilich and Jayne Bruner
set five relay records at The Showdown at the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Ft. Lauderdale
over the weekend April 18-20, 1997:
Women 55+ 200 Yd. Free relay 2:02.97
Women 55+ 200 Yd. Medley Relay 2:19.50
Women 55+ 400 Yd. Free Relay 4:42.36
Women 55+ 400 Yd. Medley Relay 5:14.80
Women 55+ 800 Yd. Free Relay 10:38.43
