MCSL to Host Annual Long Course Classic

By Reach for the Wall Staff

July 9- Rockville, MD

Tonight marks the 50th year since the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL) has hosted the annual Coaches Long Course Invitational meet. Local historian, Sally MacKenzie wrote back in 2008-
“The MCSL history says the first Long Course Invitational Meet was held on August 17, 1964, at Twinbrook pool with 34 scheduled events.…It wasn’t until 1974 that the long course meet was sanctioned as an official MCSL event. Long time coach and early long course manager Dave Greene reports that back then the meet was completely managed by MCSL coaches–hence the Coaches’ Invitational Long Course title.”
As a reminder, the meet is set up for the kids to swim the exact number of lengths that are competed in the dual meets each weekend, but the pool itself is 50 meters, which doubles the actual distance for the swimmers. While this format may not be a ‘big deal’ for the year-round swimmers, it is certainly an experience for those 10 & unders who only know the Saturday morning swim meets. This year, there are two 7-year olds that made the meet & surely could use some extra encouragement from the crowd, you can find them in the Boys 8 & Under 50 Backstroke, Shane Young (Carderock Springs), and in the Boys 8 & Under 50 Breaststroke Rossi Cofield (Stonegate)!
In past years we’ve witnessed swimmers hit qualifying standards for Olympic Trials, Sr. Nationals, Jr. Nationals among other national level meets. Tonight, we will be fortunate to see recent Olympic Trial swimmers Evan Mackesy (Mill Creek Towne), who will swim the 15-18 200 IM, and 200 Backstroke. Also, Virginia Hinds (Chevy Chase Recreation) will swim the 15-18 200 Backstroke and 100 Butterfly.
Be sure to direct your attention to the announcers table after the backstroke events as they announce the 2024 MCSL Hall of Fame inductees. This year there are 4 inductees, that are representative of the three Hall of Fame categories:
Swimmer: Jeremy Fain (Daleview)
Parent/Rep, Board Member: Bob Hinke (Potomac Woods/Lake Marion)
Coaches: Connie Smink (Old Georgetown), Cara Chuang (Rockville) Both Cara and Connie are receiving their 2nd induction as they entered the HoF as swimmers, Connie in 2018 and Cara in 2022

If you haven’t already seen it, here’s the program for tonight…there should be quite a few close races!

Meet details can be found here: https://mcsl.org/all-stars-long-course/

Address:  Rockville Swim and Fitness Center, 355 Martins Lane, The facility will open at 4:30 p.m. and the meet will begin at 6:00 p.m.