Chelsea Piers Masters Swim Team Cleans Up at the US Masters National Championship

July 29, 2021

Last weekend, members of the Masters Swim Program at Chelsea Piers Fitness competed in the US Masters Swimming National Championship in Greensboro, NC. The swim meet took place in a 25-yard pool (same length as our pools in Chelsea and Brooklyn) and the team made Chelsea Piers proud, breaking personal records and sweeping the competition in several events across a few age groups.

For a few members, joining the Masters Swim team this year has been a way to cope with a tough year with the pandemic. “Katie is an ICU nurse, and Elena is a teacher,” Michael Sabala said proudly of his team members. “They were both looking to do something for themselves and give back to their bodies after a very demanding and challenging year.” Katie, Elena and Jenny represented the women of Chelsea Piers and placed in the top eight in nearly all of their events. 

Being the Regional Head of Aquatics for both of our NYC clubs means Michael doesn’t always get a chance to practice with the rest of the team, but that didn’t stop him from competing (and winning first place in two events!) “If I’m going with the team to the meet, I’m definitely going to race with them,” said Michael. Our part-time Masters Swim coach Jasper Jurman, also had a chance to compete, placing first in four events, and top three in all of his events. This was his first chance to swim at a meet since competing at the collegiate level. 

While not currently a Masters Swim member, David swims in our Brooklyn pool every single day. He also swam the best times of his adult career in Greensboro, along with everyone else at the meet from Chelsea Piers. David placed first in three events, and top three in all of his others. 

Michael is looking forward to taking the Masters Swim team to the next national pool competition in October. While competition is not the main goal of being a part of the group, it does add something exciting to the experience. “The point isn’t necessarily to compete, but to build a team and community at Chelsea Piers. Having people compete and do really well is just a bonus.”

Interested in learning more about the Masters Swim Program and other Swim Programming at Chelsea Piers Fitness? Click the links at the bottom of this page.

US Masters National Championship - Chelsea Piers Fitness Masters Swim Team Results: 

• Elena Behar Lazarova - 45 - 49 Age Group

  • Women 100 Yard IM - 8th Place

  • Women 50 Yard Back - 7th Place

  • Women 100 Yard Back - 4th Place

• Katherine Darcy - 25 - 29 Age Group

  • Women 100 Yard Fly - 5th Place

  • Women 50 Yard Free - 13th Place

  • Women 50 Yard Fly - 8th Place

• David Hildebrand - 40 - 45 Age Group

  • Men 500 Yard Free - 1st Place

  • Men 400 Yard IM - 2nd Place

  • Men 100 Yard IM - 1st Place

  • Men 100 Yard Free - 3rd Place

  • Men 200 Yard IM - 2nd Place

  • Men 200 Yard Free - 1st Place

• Jasper Jurman - 20 - 24 Age Group

  • Men 100 Yard IM - 1st Place

  • Men 50 Yard Back - 1st Place

  • Men 100 Yard Fly - 3rd Place

  • Men 100 Yard Back - 1st Place

  • Men 200 Yard Back - 1st Place

  • Men 50 Yard Fly - 2nd Place

• Michael Sabala - 40 - 44 Age Group

  • Men 1650 Yard Free - 1st Place

  • Men 1000 Yard Free - 1st Place

  • Men 500 Yard Free - 3rd Place

  • Men 400 Yard IM - 5th Place

  • Men 200 Yard Breast - 3rd Place

• Jenny Webb - 30 - 34 Age Group

  • Women 100 Yard IM - 6th Place 

  • Women 50 Yard Back - 5th Place

  • Women 100 Yard Fly - 3rd Place

  • Women 50 Yard Free - 9th Place

  • Women 50 Yard Fly - 2nd Place