Aquatomics News:
The Los Alamos Aquatomics Swim Team invites the fastest swimmers registered by USA Swimming and New Mexico Swimming to compete in the annual Los Alamos Nick Nogar Memorial Open Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6 at the Larry Walkup Aquatic Center in Los Alamos. The Open is a four-session timed, final pre-seeded long course (50 meter), except for the 50-meter freestyle. There are no time standards required to enter the meet.
This freestyle event is conducted as a shoot-out to determine the fastest swimmers between ages 13–14 and 15–18. The top four girls and boys for each age group will run in a shoot-out format to win the title of “King/Queen of the Hill.” In the shoot-out heats, the top four swimmers from the preliminary heats will swim two, one-on-one semi-finals. Winners of those semi-final heats will compete in the shoot-out final.
Swimmers 19 years and older for the 50 meter freestyle event can participate in the preliminary heats, but are not eligible for the finals shoot-out heats. Warm-up for events are scheduled 9 a.m. July 5 and 8 a.m. July 6.
Entry forms can be found on aquatomics.com. Entries should be submitted via electronic file (HY-TEK compatible) to Andrew Erickson at: awemme@losalamos.com. Entries may also be mailed to Andrew Erickson, 3480 Urban St. Los Alamos, NM 87544. Entry fees are $3 per event for individual events. Each relay will cost $8, with each swimmer assessed an NMS surcharge of $4. Non-electronic entries will be charged an additional $5 per swimmer.
The event’s namesake comes from former U.S. Master Swimmer Nick Nogar, who succumbed to cancer in 1996. Nogar served the Aquatomics in many capacities, including as president and perennial member of the Board of Directors. Nogar filled the roles of stroke- and-turn official, starter and referee at both home and away meets. Although a distinguished scientist and Fellow at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Nogar’s greatest pride was his children and their shared enthusiasm for swimming, sportsmanship and education. The meet’s dedication to Nogar honors his diplomacy, leadership, sense of humor and passion for swimming.
The meet is limited to 400 swimmers. Entries must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, June 25. All competitors who enter the meet must be currently registered as 2014 members of USA Swimming. Swimmers are restricted to five events per day plus one relay per day.
For complete rules, regulations and registration information, visit aquatomics.com and select the “Events” option. For questions, contact Meet Director Andrew Erickson at awemme@losalamos.com.
The Los Alamos County Aquatic Center at 2760 Canyon Road holds the distinction of being the highest (elevation 7,227 feet) Olympic-sized pool in the United States.
