Messages we received from the past MAC swimmers

Travis S. Hall


"I read about the swimming banquet in the Winged M and I would love to participate. I have a long past with the MAC swimming program. I was in swim lessons until I was 5 years old. Then, I joined the club program on Becky Roth's squad. I swam for Debbie Roth, Brandon Draws, and Alex Nikitin in pre-senior squad. I competed in State, and Regional Championships for the MAC club. I ended my MAC club swim career when I was 15 years old.

Currently, I'm the Assistant Coach for Lincoln High School's Swim Team, as well as the Assistant Coach for
Lakeridge High School's Water Polo Team, and the Head Age Group Coach for Iron Mountain Water Polo Club. I'm also currently on the Decathlon Committee at the MAC. Please feel free to contact me in any regards. Thanks!"

A response from Jon Waldum III
What years did you swim with MAC?
: 1966-1976
Who was your coach/coaches?: Mr. Simpson, Mike Hastings & Ray Conlon

What were your most memorable swimming accomplishments?: As a boy, I recall being able to travel to the Santa Clara Invitational with my mates and that my Mom was there for me. As a preteen, I recall the Long Course Junior Olympics, swimming the 200 meter butterfly, leading way ahead and setting the record with my Dad there watching. As high school freshmen, I struggled to swim a pool length but with my friends support and perseverance I started my way back. As a senior in high school; at the PIL Championship held that year at the MAC, swimming the 100 yd butterfly came from behind to break the event record swimming against an old adversary. In college, swimming intramurals at a school where I knew no one, I set a record for the 200 yd. IM; which for the next four years provided my name at the entrance to that facility; which always made me feel at home.

Now, I still enjoy swimming from time to time but most recently I've enjoyed giving back, to the community where I reside, by volunteering on the swim team just like all of parents I fondly remember.

Would you like to share an anecdotes or memory of your swimming experience at The MAC?: My family and I would be remiss if I didn't thank all of those who were there for me in times of need. That the camaraderie and athleticism make me want to come back to the MAC every day. To quote a MAC member and athletic icon -Larry Paulus -"How sweet it is"

Ari Berlin
What years did you swim with MAC? 1988-2002, then masters 2003-2007.
Who was your coach/coaches?: Becky Roth, Debbie Roth, Chris Doyle, Alex Nikitin and Skip Runkle

What were your most memorable swimming accomplishments?: My first Junior National cut at Washington Open in 1998.

Would you like to share an anecdotes or memory of your swimming experience at The MAC?: Relays in Chris's group and the winners received office supplies (Swizzle stick relays). Alex's many lectures (including "why we shouldn't give blood during taper" & "the squandered talent" speech to my brother, Ruben, and I). I also achieved the quickest time for getting kicked out of practice (Greg Nichols, co-record holder). Skip's pink shirt.

My wife Nancy also swam for Alex and Skip from 1998 to 2001.



Michelle Watts (Donahue)
What years did you swim with MAC?
: 1980-1992
Who was your coach/coaches?: Trond Williams & Skip Runkle.

What were your most memorable swimming accomplishments?: Placing 3rd at the 1984 US Olympic Trials was my most memorable.

Would you like to share an anecdotes or memory of your swimming experience at The MAC?:

I enjoyed all my time swimming at the MAC. Of course, I remember the timed 3000's and 20 x 50 on the minute. But the things I remember the most are from the swim meets. Like when the rental agency only had a shuttle van available for us at Nationals- what they use to shuttle people to and from rental car agencies to the airport. We would stop at bus stops, Skip would crank open the door and people would start to get on and then get confused. Or when Skip, Alex Stiles, Matt & Mark Rankin filled a manilla envelope up with shaving cream, sealed it, stuck it under our hotel room door and then knocked. Right as Erin King got close to the door, they stomped on it from the hallway and it exploded all over her. I still laugh about these things.


Member Name: Troy Drawz
: 1984-1986 & 1990: USS, 2004-present: Masters

Who was your coach/coaches?: Skip Runkle, Gary Leach, Stephanie Turner, Alex Nikitin

What were your most memorable swimming accomplishments?: 1990 US Short Course National Championships

Member Name: Jeffrey Grubb
What years did you swim with MAC?
: 1960 to 65
Who was your coach/coaches?: Olive Mucha

Rebecca Obletz

What years did you swim with MAC?
: Rebecca Obletz started swimming competitively with the MAC masters 1997 and currently still practices with the masters

Who was your coach/coaches?: Sean Taylor, Alex Nikitin, Stephanie Turner, Dennis Baker

What were your most memorable swimming accomplishments?: being recognized at the YMCA Nationals in Fort Lauderdale for the outstanding participant award for sportsmanship and subsequently being honored in the Swimming Hall of Fame for this honor.

Would you like to share an anecdotes or memory of your swimming experience at The MAC?: my most memorable experience with the mac swim team was when we went to the masters nationals in Honolulu. We had so much fun as a group!