A Zen master is defined as an “instructor of enlightenment.” According to this definition, the Sun City Stingrays Swim Club is fortunate to have two zen masters: head coach, Chris Hinde, and assistant coach, Len Lencioni.
Pictured left to right: Joan Souchek, Len Lencioni, Joanie Koplos and Fran Stake. (Photo provided)
Both men act as Zen Masters as they encourage training habits among club members to master perfection of swim strokes and swimmer’s gain in sprint yardage.
This helps individuals to improve in their competitive meet race times. Len is in charge of the club’s competitive Masters Swim Program, better known as USS Swimming, where adults of all ages swim against their own seeded times and compete in their own age categories.
Attending their first Masters Swim Meet of 2012, sponsored by the Lattof YMCA in Des Plaines on January 8, the four Stings present proved that age need not be a factor in successful swim racing results.
The Stingrays Swim Club anxiously awaits your arrival! Every Saturday morning from 10-10:30 a.m., throughout the winter months (after the conclusion of their own swim workout), the Stingrays will welcome non-swimmers, novice swimmers, intermediate swimmers, and advanced swimmers for stroke help and swim lessons. All of those interested may also observe our Stings’ workout.
On January 4, Coach Chris Hinde conducted a 2-hour Teaching Swimming Clinic to 10 of the Stingrays Club members to ready them for your arrival. The Stings are now waiting anxiously to help Sun City to learn to swim safely. No registration or fees are required for attendance. Just show up – we’ll do the rest!
Questions about the swim lessons or for Chris’ availability to speak at Neighborhood meetings, please call him at 847-515-1722 or e-mail Mr. Hinde at jchrishinde@yahoo.com.
— Joanie Koplos, Stingrays Swim Club Member
Swimming in the Women’s 85-89 year-old age group, Fran Stake received two first place finishes with phenomenal times in the 50 Breast and 50 Freestyle events. Joan Souchek, swimming in the Women’s 80-84 age group and having overcome a recent serious illness, also earned two incredible first place finishes in the 50 Back and the 50 Free events.
The third member of Sun City’s Masters team, Joanie Koplos, swam in the Women’s 65-69 age group. She competed in five events and won five ribbons: first Place in the 200 Free and the 50 Breast and second place in the 50 Back, in the 100 Free and in the 50 Free.
The “kid” of the group, Lencioni, faced much stiffer competition as he swam in the Men’s 60-64 age group. He won a hard-fought first in the 100 Freestyle and second in the 200 Freestyle.
The day’s results totaled 69 team points gained with seven first place and four second place ribbons awarded to the Sun City Swim Club. Sun City’s Masters Swimmers welcome all who enjoy the exhilaration of competitive swimming. For further info, contact Len Lencioni at 224-858-4300 or e-mail him at lenlencioni@yahoo.com.
