Kristen Vance is taking it a little easier in workout these days.
While her lane mates are attacking each set, she swims against
the clock, making sure that her heart rate doesn’t get too high.
This might frustrate some swimmers, Kristen has a great reason
for her “laidback” approach…she is seven and a half months pregnant
with her fourth child, who is due in May. Her immediate goal is
not to make a qualifying time, but to have a healthy delivery
for her new baby.
This busy mom to Jackson, age 6, Zoe, age 4, and Keenan, age
2, she began swimming with MTSC Masters two years ago after inquiring
about adult lessons. All of her kids take lessons at Sea Star
Swim School, so MTSC Masters Coach Ron Chlasta suggested that
she give the workout a try, and with the constant support of her
husband, Toby, she hasn’t looked back.
She comes from an athletic background, which included competitive
gymnastics and cheerleading. Kristen grew up on the water, so
water sports, such as swimming, skiing and wakeboarding have always
been a part of her life.
Kristen’s favorite time to swim with MTSC is on a busy Saturday
morning. She loves the energy in the pool.
“I like being in the water. It just feels good, especially now
that I’m seven and a half month pregnant. Swimming is easier than
walking, and the workouts are FANTASTIC! Ron pushes me further
than I would ever push myself, and I feel fantastic after every
workout. I’ve never had another swim coach, but I’m sure Ron’s
the best!” says Kristen.
While Kristen began swimming for fun, she keeps swimming for
fitness. Swimming during this pregnancy has kept her fit and active,
and she plans to swim until she delivers and resume her workouts
soon after.
“I wish I had done it (swimming) during them all. It’s a great
way to stay active and stay in shape, and swimming is easier than
walking at this point. It feels great to get a good workout without
any stress on my body.”
She thanks all her swimming friends who selected her as our March
Athlete of the Month, and thinks it’s great to spend time with
a group of people who make the time to take care of themselves.
However, since she added competitive swimming to her repertoire,
swimmers should be on notice, because Kristen can’t wait to start
swimming competitively again after this pregnancy.
“I’m already planning my comeback!”
With Kristen’s determination, work ethic, and competitive nature,
it will be, no doubt, an amazing comeback.
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It
takes discipline and mental toughness to be a winning athlete. Shaun
Hollinsworth knows. As head coach, Shaun led his Station Camp High
School Bisons football team to an 8-4 season. As a member of MTSC
Masters, Shaun swam in his first swim meet in January, taking three
2nd place and one 1st place wins in his events. The competitive
fire keeps burning.
On
any given Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday morning, whether at 5:15
or 8:15 a.m., you’ll likely find Shaun in the parking lot at Sea
Star Swim School, sitting in his truck, mentally preparing for his
workout. The doors open, and he is ready. He challenges himself
to improve his last time on a particular set. His positive attitude
helps his lane mates to understand the discipline it takes to get
to the next level.
Shaun
started in the program after taking a few stroke technique lessons
with MTSC’s coach Ron Chlasta. Being a coach himself, the idea of
joining a swim workout with on deck coaching was intriguing to Shaun.
His rapid improvement, success in the pool and great attitude led
his fellow teammates to vote him as Athlete of the Month.
Shaun
grew up playing football, baseball and basketball. He always enjoyed
swimming, but after he joined MTSC Masters, he realized that swimming
takes his fitness to an entirely new level. Moreover, it has served
as a catalyst to help him in his other training disciplines. Shaun’s
next goal is to compete in a triathlon.
Shaun
has a great support system in his wife, Stephanie, and his six year
old daughter, Madelyn. About Stephanie, Shaun says, “She is my rock
and my life.”
“Madelyn
is absolutely awesome,” he says. “She’s beautiful, kind, and shares
my competitive spirit. She is a great combination of Stephanie and
me”.
While
still being relatively new to the sport of competitive swimming,
Shaun has participated long enough to have some favorite memories
of the season. He enjoyed being a member of the team that competed
in Bowling Green at the WKU meet in January.
“When
I stepped up on the blocks, it felt like game day again, and I haven’t
felt that feeling in a long time.”
It’s
this type of attitude and enjoyment of “game day” that will allow
Shaun to continue to be extremely competitive as he pursues swim
meets and triathlons in the near future.
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