CAT’s president Jeffrey Haynosch said some 635 swimmers from 22 different
swim clubs are taking part in the three-day event, which began Friday and
continues throughout the day today. In addition, he estimated there are at
least 200-300 staff members who help out in every aspect of the meet, which he
said "takes about six months to organize."
"All the staff is volunteers," Haynosch noted.
Sara Massa, the Cougars’ coach, said the event has a dual focus: it enables
swimmers from all over the state (as well as some from Massachusetts) to come
and compete against one another while meeting a diverse group of friends.
But it also serves another function, Massa explained. "Because a lot of kids
put a lot of time into swimming and other activities, this is a good way for
them to experience community service," she said.
"As part of the entry fee, each person on each team has to bring at least one
item," either food or a hygiene item which will be donated to local charities,
Massa added.
"People give freely at the holidays -- Thanksgiving and Christmas. And then,
BOOM!" donations dry up, but the need does not, she said. "We always do this
the first full weekend after New Year’s," she added, "and we think it’s a
really good opportunity for the kids to take part in some community service. I
know my seniors will be tomorrow packing all these items up."
"I think some of them forget sometimes just how lucky they are," Massa added.
The mother of two daughters, Massa did not set out to become a coach, even
though she began swimming at age 7. She has a degree in psychology, and
expected role have her own practice. She was living in New Jersey when she
"kind of fell into" her role as a coach. She was asked to help out when the
swim coach became ill.
But once she started, she took it like -- dare we say it? -- a duck to water.
Unusually for a coach, Massa allows -- even encourages -- her pupils to call
her by her first name.
While it’s easy to know what to call her, it’s harder to define her role.
Massa said she is "not quite a teacher and not quite a parent." Leeann German
of Higganum, whose son Bob swims for Massa, described Massa’s role as
"confidant and role model."
"I’m a friend -- but there is a line they know not to cross," Massa said. As
for her pupils, "They’re my friends; we’re a family."
She acknowledged her preparation in psychology is a help in dealing with
swimmers who range in age between 7 and 22. She also instructs a master class
that includes swimmers from age 24 to 64.
Saturday, the younger swimmers were in the pool during the day. One by one,
her swimmers, many of them shivering despite the oppressive heat of the pool,
made a point of just happening to come by where Massa sat. That allowed her to
speak to each one, offering a comforting word to one swimmer or a challenge to
another. Like the best coaches, her affection for her charges is mixed with a
passion for her sport.
Children today "do not lack for self-esteem," she said, explaining schools go
out of their way to foster that sense of self-worth. But, Massa said, many of
the children who come to her "lack self-confidence."
"Self-confidence doesn’t come from being a little good at a lot of things,"
she explained, "but from being very good at a couple of things."
Swimming is something, Massa said, "that "will stay with you."
"All my kids continue swimming through college," she said, adding that "the
best thing about swimming is that you can do it all your life."
When Massa began swimming, there were few serious college swim programs for
women. Title IX legislation changed that, she said. "It’s a great sport for
girls right now, not only because of athletic scholarships but also to assist
in broadening admissions."
However, swimming does require a strong commitment, on the part of both the
swimmer and his or her family.
Leeann German, and her friend, Maryann Chamberlain of Haddam, both of whom
were helping tally race times, exemplify that commitment. The mother of three
children, Chamberlain had volunteered her time even though her children
weren’t swimming.
German’s son began swimming for Massa three years ago. Unusually, perhaps, Bob
German only began swimming when he was 11. Now, at 15, "he swims five or six
days a week, 10 months a year."
"Swimming and hockey are a lot alike," German said, "because pool time, like
ice time, is hard to get."
Both women agreed "swimming takes a huge dedication by the swimmer." But,
German said, "It’s worth every ounce of time, because it keeps them focused."
To contact Jeff Mill, call (860) 347-3331 ext. 221 or email jmill@middletownpress.com.