Sturgeon Bay Masters Swimmer Achieves Success

Mary Cram and Greg Hollub, former Sturgeon Bay Coach, now coaching and swimming for the WAVE in Neenah, participate in the West Bend Master’s Meet.

Mary Cram of Sturgeon Bay recently took first place in all events that she entered at the West Bend Swim Meet. She is one of about 20 people who participate in the Sturgeon Bay YMCA’s Masters Swimming program.

“I’ve recently moved back from the Milwaukee area and I see more lap swimmers in Sturgeon Bay than in the relatively large YMCA I worked at down there,” said Cram. “Door County has a real commitment to fitness.”

The Masters Swimming program in Sturgeon Bay is an offshoot of U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) – a national organization that provides organized workouts, competitions, clinics and workshops for adults aged 18 and over. Programs are open to all adult swimmers (fitness, triathlete, competitive and non-competitive), and currently the Sturgeon Bay group has swimmers ranging in age from 18 to late 70s.

Cram credits coach Mike Ziniel’s enthusiasm and support, as well as the programs he creates for the USMS program in Sturgeon Bay. All USMS programs are designed to help swimmers improve fitness and/or train for specific goals and offer active support for a healthy lifestyle though friendship and camaraderie.

“We all know that working out with a partner helps ensure success,” said Cram. “A whole team is even better!”

Masters workouts are available on deck at the Sturgeon Bay YMCA everyday of the week. Specifically, the group swims Monday and Wednesday mornings from 6 – 7:30 am on their own, Saturday mornings at 8 am with Ziniel available for on-deck coaching as well as Sundays at 11 am, depending on the Packer schedule.

For more information call 920.743.4949 or visit http://www.doorcountyymca.org.