Janet
Corley holds no swimming records. She doesn’t have a national
qualifying time, yet she is a fierce competitor nonetheless.
Her competition? Breast cancer.
This
two time cancer survivor is such an inspiration to her teammates,
Janet was voted the MTSC Masters’ Female Athlete of the Year.
What
does it take to survive cancer? It takes a great medical team
and years of research to find the best treatment. It also takes
the love and support of family, friends and coworkers. And how
does a swim team honor one of its members? By swimming, of course!
Team Janet, comprised of twenty of Janet’s MTSC teammates flew
to Chicago to participate in “Swim Across America”, an organization
dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research,
prevention, and treatment through swimming- related events.
The team was so impressed with the event and SAA, they are working
to host the event in Nashville in 2010.
Janet
found so much comfort in swimming that she is now a swim teacher
at Sea Star Swim School. Even a recurrence of cancer last fall
didn’t keep her from teaching--even though she was undergoing
a difficult course of chemotherapy, she never missed a day of
classes.
“I
know that swimming, teaching and the wonderful people in my
life give me strength, make me laugh and encourage me to face
whatever lies ahead,” said Janet.
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The
old adage “poetry in motion” perfectly describes watching Doug
Thain swim. With focus and skill, he makes even the most grueling
set seem easy. His teammates, who call him “The Natural” because
of his seemingly effortless movement through the water, voted
him MTSC Masters’ Male Athlete of the Year.
After
a lengthy hiatus, this former collegiate swimmer came back to
the pool to improve his health and fitness. His dedication to
getting back in condition paid off in a big way. Doug began to
compete again, and really hit his stride at the US Masters National
Championships in Indianapolis last August. He had three Top 10
performances; placing 9th in the 400 meter freestyle (4:49.45),
2nd in the 800 meter freestyle (9:55.80), and 5th in the 200 meter
backstroke (2:35.66). In fact, his 800 meter freestyle at Nationals
last summer ranked him 9th in the United States Long Course rankings
for 2009. He has rewritten the MTSC Masters’ team records book
in the men’s 45-49 age group in just about every event on the
program.
Doug
is admired by his teammates for his tremendous work ethic, consistency
in training and his ability not to complain during arduous workouts!
“The
coach, the fellow teammates and the pace clock all have something
to teach whether it’s technique, friendship or how to push through
challenges in order to improve,” says Doug.
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