Tideriders Invitational To Draw 700 Swimmers

One large swimming meet at Shaw Park in Clayton, MO, has been a summer tradition in the area for more than 70 years.

In fact, the Tideriders Summer Invitational is the second longest running such meet in the United States. The meet, which will occur Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Shaw Park Aquatic Center, has been held since 1938. Only the Lakeside Swim Club Meet in Kentucky has been going on longer.

Dave McCrary, the head coach of the Tideriders, said that there will be about 700 swimmers competing this weekend.

There will be swimmers as young as five years old, and as old as the late 20s or 30s.

Most of the top clubs from the St. Louis area, including the Rockwood, Parkway and Rec-Plex teams, will have swimmers competing.

"This meet is very high caliber," McCrary said. "In the past, we have had swimmers from out of the country compete. This year we have swimmers from Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Indiana and Illinois."

The University of Arkansas women's team will send a club squad.

Matt Elliot, who was the most outstanding swimmer in last summer's meet, is also expected to return. He swims with the Peoria Water Wizards and is a member of the National Junior Team.

The Tideriders will have nearly 200 swimmers competing, including standouts such as Maddie Wall of Ladue, Annie Goessling of MICDS,  Mary Beth Howard of Parkway West, Alex Grogoza of DeSmet, Tim Benage of Chaminade and Nate Weiss of Francis Howell North.

Each day will begin with a session of prelims for the 13/14 and open age groups. That starts at 8 a.m. and is scheduled to end shortly after noon.

The younger age groups (8-and-under, 9/10 and 11/12) will compete in timed finals in the next session, which should run from about 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. according to McCrary.

The finals for the 13/14 and open divisions will be held each evening from about 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There will be 24 swimmers in each event for the boys and girls in the open division, and 16 in each event for the 13/14 age group in the final round.

"There are time standards, which have to be met to swim in this meet, and we expect some very competitive races," McCrary said.

Awards will be given to the top three teams (the host team is not eligible) and the top three high point scorers in each age group.

McCrary suggested that fans park in the Bonhomme Parking Garage. No admission will be charged to attend the meet.