Michael and Cindy Blatt of Fillmore were part of the ten member contingent of the Ventura County Masters (VCM) swim club competing against 1,633 of the best swimmers in the nation at the 2013 US Masters National Short Course Swimming Championships in Indianapolis, IN. Competing over 4 days in the IUPUI Natatorium, VCM won 8 individual national titles, 2 relay titles, and amassed 50 total medals (top 10 finishes). VCM tallied 427 points to capture 5th place in the combined team standings against over 200 other clubs, and was only 20 points out of 3rd place (12 points out of 4th). VCM did this with only 8 men and 2 women, while other teams placing in the top 5 had between 17 and 116 swimmers. The 8-member men’s team finished 4th overall in the men’s division (345 points).

VCM’s eight individual titles were secured by 4-time World Master Swimmer of the Year honoree Jim Mc Conica in the men’s 60-64 age division [200, 500 and 1000-yard freestyle (1:59.52, 5:16.44 and 10:48.25, respectively), and 200-yard backstroke (2:13.89)], Stacey Warmuth in the women’s 55-59 age division [1000-yard freestyle (11:57.45)], Hubie Kerns in the men’s 60-64 division [200-yard butterfly (2:27.18)], and Mike Shaffer in men’s 45-49 age group [100 and 200-yard butterfly (:52.89 and 1:58.54)]. Michael Blatt anchored VCM’s two winning 200 freestyle relays with blistering 50 freestyle splits (:22.70). Blatt teamed with McConica, Kerns, and Glenn Gruber in the men’s 55+ category, and Gruber, Warmuth, and Cindy Blatt in the mixed 55+ category.

Every member of VCM’s team scored at the meet including first-time national participant Bob Owens in the men’s 65-69 age group. After a long absence from competitive swimming, former Buenaventura Swim Club and Rio Mesa High School standout Ben Pecht scored in 5 events in the men’s 35-39 age division. VCM’s senior member Larry Raffaelli moved up to a new age group (men’s 70-74) and continued to excel with Top 5 finishes in each of his 6 events.

■ Cindy Blatt (women’s 55-59) – 50 fly (6th), 50 free (18th), 100 IM (18th), 200 free (12th), Mixed 200 Free Relay (1st)

■ Michael Blatt (men’s 55-59) – 50 free (3rd), 100 free (3rd), 200 free (6th), 200 breast (4th), 100 IM (5th), 200 IM (8th), Men’s 200 Free Relay (1st), Men’s 200 Medley Relay (3rd)

Long Course swimming championships are being held in Mission Viego on August 7-11, 2013 and next year’s Short Course championships will be held May 1-4, 2014 in Santa Clara, CA. VCM swimmers train at the Ventura Aquatic Center under the direction of Head Coach Jason York. For more information go to www.buenaventuraswimclub.org