VF-14 swims away with top honors
at base championships

by Gary L. Thomas
MWR Athletic Director

as published by the NAS Oceana Jet Observer

On a beautiful summer afternoon on Wednesday August 12, squadrons and shore commands met at the Enlisted Pool. The event held was the 1998 Base Swimming Championship. With 10 events and three divisions consisting of men's open, men's senior and women's open, this event is always highly competitive and yet it has the flair of a good summer picnic.

The starting call came - "Swimmers take your marks." There was a slight pause and silence before the sudden blast of the starter's pistol and everything erupted. There was cheering, echoes of encouragement, motivational chants and finally - as the last swimmer touched the wall and a final click of the stopwatch came - tremendous applause. This was the scene for all the races which produced great sportsmanship and camaraderie between swimmers and commands.

As the hot dogs, hamburgers and hot smokies started to pile into a pan and the races were coming to a close, the total points were being added up to see who our 1998 Base Swimming Champions were.

So as the competitors relaxed and had some refreshments, awards were presented to all the winners. VF-14 made a clean sweep at this year's event, swimming away with first place finishes in each division. Winners were PN1 Larrena Buckingham, Lt. j.g. Grant Gorton and Lt. j.g. Mike Thomas.

The overall Captain's Cup Points also went to VF-14 in the Afloat Division (67), Naval Air Maintenance Training Group Detachment Oceana (45) and Personnel Support Detachment Oceana (60).

After the awards ceremony, everyone stayed poolside still downing a dog or a burger occasionally and just socializing. So next year at this time come on out and join your shipmates for the 1999 Base Swimming Championship.

related links :
the NAS Oceana Jet Observer online