Local Video
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| Swimming takes Northfield’s Ophaug to Australia |
By: By JEFF WALD
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Posted: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 8:29 pm
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NORTHFIELD — Ten years ago, Northfield resident Patsy Ophaug joined the Northfield Master Swim Club Team at St. Olaf College.
She had no idea that it would turn into a way for her to be a competitive swimmer at her age.
Ten years later, Ophaug has been in two international swim competitions and has already qualified for her third, which will be two years from now in Sweden.
Ophaug most recently competed at the FINA World Master Swim Championships in Perth, Australia in mid-April. She came home with two medals, placing sixth in the 50-meter backstroke and seventh in the 100-meter backstroke.
“It’s just awesome,” said Ophaug of swimming locally with the Northfield Master Swim Team. “The local group is all about fun and fitness. Competing internationally wasn’t even on my radar until somebody told me I had qualified. Now I’m hooked.”
Ophaug, now 56, competed two years ago in her first international competition, which was at Stanford University in California. She took 24th in her age group in that competition.
In April, she competed against swimmers in the 55 to 60 age group. She earned two medals in three events against some of the best competition her age in the world.
“You’re competing against swimmers that are within five years of your age,” Ophaug said. “Obviously, if you’re in the younger part of that group, you have the advantage. They have age groups for 25 years and up, and you move up every five years. It was really very exciting. I’m blessed to be a part of everything.”
Despite a tight five-day schedule, she found time to do some sight-seeing while she was in Australia. The competition came during her work schedule as a teacher, so the experience was short and fast.
She competed in the 50-meter freestyle, the 50-meter backstroke and 100-meter backstroke, so the day when those races weren’t run was her day to see Australia.
“I made the most of my time while I was there,” she said. “There was a day of only relay races, so I used that day to take a bus tour of the city. I saw some kangaroos, that was cool.”
Ophaug also connected with a local college student studying abroad in Australia. She toured the city’s ports, took in a concert and also snorkled.
As for competing, she used a long flight to Australia to stretch and keep her focus.
“We were in the air for 22 hours,” she said. “I tried to do some stretching and take care of myself to be ready for the races. I kept a good diet, practiced yoga and kept a good diet. Most of all, I didn’t let my nerves bother me.”
Ophaug will compete in Sweden in two years. The Northfield Master Swim Club has let her regain her competitive edge.
“I joined it because I love to swim,” Ophaug said. “I competed as a young swimmer before there were meets for girls. I joined it for fitness and for fun. The competitive side took on a life of its own, and it has been fun.”
— Jeff Wald can be reached at 645-1111 or jwald@northfieldnews.com. |
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