Former Irish Olympian Awarded Damages…..As a result of a bar brawl, former Irish Olympic swimmer Nick O’Hare has been awarded €20,000 damages (~$22,000). According to O’Hare, now 43, a former acquaintance of his struck O’Hare from behind while socializing in a bar, which rendered O’Hare on the ground and unconscious. O’Hare received several stitches to his upper lip, has been left with a scar and reportedly still had a small lump on the inside of his lip. As such, the case was brought against the alleged attacker for personal injuries.
Mitchell, South Dakota Voters Approved New Aquatics Facility…..In a vote conducted earlier this month, voters in Mitchell, South Dakota approved a new $8 million aquatic facility with 54% of the votes. The project is now set to be funded by a combination of surplus city funds, community project reserves, and other funds, in addition to the 50 cent tax increase on Mitchell hotel rooms per night. The actual structure will house a 75 ft x 82 ft competitive lap pool, 1200-sq foot leisure pool and play equipment. The new facility will be attached to the existing Mitchell Recreation Center. Future planning steps for the project will be reviewed at the next City Council meeting slated for December 21st, which includes discussing the bidding process and potential organization committee. Said Mitchell Aquatic Club President, Ryan Huber, “These folks recognize the need to be proactive as a community and support endeavors that make Mitchell great.”
University of Oklahoma Students Want Club Swimming…..Lacking an official swimming program at the school,University of Oklahoma students are seeking to implement a club swimming program, the university’s first since back in the 1970s. The ‘Splash Squad Swim Club’, active just one semester, is looking to formalize a club team with the intention of competing at U.S. Nationals and other big events. Says organizer, Andy Rodriguez-Sanchez,We want to start competing next semester, and then hopefully getting a name and going to big events. Due to the movement only consisting of a handful of potential swimmers currently, the group hasn’t yet applied for funding. “We’ll look at funding probably in the future, especially when we get more members in order to fund for a coach. Right now, I’m coaching, so I’m using techniques I learned from my old coaches, but it would be better if we had an actual coach, so we can have better practices,” Rodriguez-Sanchez said. In terms of the need for club swimming on campus, Vice President of the club, Tabitha Brown, says A lot of students come from Texas and California where swimming is a massive sport, and there’s not an outlet for all of that talent in the pool here.”
New Jamaican ASA President Named…..The Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica (ASAJ) has named its newest President. Andel Lamey secured enough votes to win the position over incumbent Martin Lyn, who has served in the role for 6 years. Lamey won by a vote of 22 to 20 and will now serve as President for 2016-17. 7 additional positions were up for a vote, and additional winners included Wendy Lee earning the post of Vice President of Swimming, Adrian Lyn claiming Secretary and Florence Grizle-Williams becoming Treasurer for the upcoming year.
If you are referring to the university in Norman, OK, the school is known as the University of Oklahoma, not Oklahoma University. There was some talk awhile back of renovating their rec center and if done properly, it could provide lanes not only for students but the community as well. With the loss of the OCCC pool, there is a real need for quality pools in the region. Wishing every success to the OU club team. Boomer!