Jessica won Gold in her first event, September 7 - 100M Butterfly, finishing in 1:11:96
Another Gold! September 8 - Jess set a World Record in the 100M Freestyle with 1:06:81 and won the Gold at the finals in 1:06:91!
Bronze Medal - 100M Breaststroke, September 9
Silver Medal - 100M Backstroke, September 10
Gold Medal - 200M Individual Medley (World Record - broker her own WR in preliminaries and again in finals!)
Gold Medal - 400M Freestyle (World Record)
Jessica Long is a Merritt Athletic Clubs member competing in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics September 6-September 17. At the 2004 Paralympic Games, Jessica won three gold medals as a 12-year-old - the youngest athlete on the U.S. Paralympic Team. In 2008, it's safe to say the level of expectation will be much higher for her in Beijing. Long had 18 world record-breaking performances in 2006, and is the current world record holder in 12 events (one as part of a relay). Her stellar performance at the 2006 IPC Swimming World Championships - nine gold medals in nine events (seven individual, two relay) and five world records - drew attention from outside the world of Paralympic sport. In 2007, Long became the first Paralympic athlete selected as the Amateur Athletic Union's Sullivan Award winner, given to the best amateur athlete in the United States.
Long was born in Siberia and was adopted from a Russian orphanage at the age of 13 months. Because of lower leg anomalies, her legs were amputated when she was 18 months old. She learned to walk with prostheses and has been unstoppable ever since. Long was selected as Maryland Swimming's 2003 Female Swimmer with a Disability of the Year.
Jessica Long trains with Regional Aquatics Director and Head Coach Andrew Barranco and is a member of Merritt's Towson location.
Merritt's First Salt Water Pool is open at our Canton location! Enjoy the benefits of salt water: no more red eyes, itchy skin, chlorine smell; environmentally and ecologically positive. Experience water softness and cleanliness like never before!
Merritt Athletic Clubs is proud of our Aquatic Centers, aquatic group fitness classes, and well-trained instructor and lifeguard staff! Enthusiastic, certified instructors teach Aqua Aerobics, Aqua Arthritis, Deep Water, and a variety of other classes.
Group and private swimming lessons are offered for both children and adults. Instructors are WSI certified and follow the Red Cross guidelines for swimming instruction. In addition, some locations offer Master Swim Clubs for adults as well as youth swim teams and triathlon club.
Water transcends all ages and fitness levels and provides the benefits of health and fun for the entire family. Each Merritt Aquatic Center offers "extra-curricular" activities such as glow swims, movies, and parties.
For a full schedule of classes and program descriptions, please click on the club link.
Merritt Swim Lessons Swim lessons make great gifts! Beginner classes for 3-8 year olds with an emphasis on floating, kicking, front and back crawl. Intermediate classes for 6-12 year olds - improve ability in front crawl, back crawl, and an introduction to breaststroke and butterfly. Adult beginning and intermediate classes as well. All children entering the pool must be potty-trained. No swim diapers allowed. Download Summer Swim Academy Brochure.
Lessons take place on Mondays and Wednesdays. Spring Session I runs 6 weeks..
Merritt Marlins Masters Swimming Program focuses on fitness and health for adults in a group workout environment. Structured practices work on improving stroke form and endurance. This is not a swim lesson program. Download Merritt Marlins Masters Swimming brochure.
Beginners meet Monday and Wednesday 6:30PM-7:30PM, Advanced 7:30PM-9:00PM
Saturdays 10:00AM-12:00PM
H2O Aerobics This is a great workout in the pool that alleviates all stress on joints, bones, and muscles. Classes take place year round.
Tuesdays, 9:30AM-10:30AM
Wednesdays, 6:00PM-7:00PM
Private Swim Lessons Private lessons allow students ages 3 through adult to progress at their own pace and reach personal goals. Why choose private lessons? Private lessons provide flexibility with days and times for your convenience; lessons are available for children of all ages as well as adults,; from complete beginners to advanced swimmers; great alternative if group lessons don't fit your child's schedule; one-one-one attention to work on specific goals. All lessons are taught by qualified instructors. Download your private lessons registration form.
For further information or to register for any of these classes, please contact Meredith Yowell.
Phone: 410-563-0225
E-mail: myowell@merrittclubs.com
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Red Cross Group and Private Swimming Lessons For ages 6 months-14 years. Certified Water Safety Instructors teach beginner and advanced lessons. Younger child lessons are held in our warm water REC pool where children can touch the bottom and stay warm. More advanced lessons take place in the LAP pool. This is a fee-based course that requires advance registration. Download Merritt Athletic Clubs Swimming Lessons brochure.
Youth Stroke Club For ages 5-15. An alternate to competitive swim team, this club refines swimming skills technique, speed, and endurance. Participants must be able to swim the length of the pool using Freestyle stroke and able to perform at Red Cross Level 3. This club is for the more advanced youth swimmer who wants the workout of swimming without the commitment of a swim team.
Mondays 5:45PM-7:00PM and/or Wednesdays 6:45PM-8:00PM
Adult Stroke Club For ages 16 and up. Group lessons focusing on swimming strokes and tailored to the ability level of each swimmer. Enhances swimming skills and fitness level. Participants must be able to swim the length of the pool using the Freestyle stroke.
Fridays from 6:00PM-7:00PM
Youth Stroke Mechanics For ages 5-13. This club is for the intermediate swimmer, able to swim the length of the pool, but still in need of basic stroke refinement. Children may need to have training in Stroke Mechanics before enrolling in Youth Stroke Club.
Thursdays from 6:00PM-7:00PM
Merritt Athletic Swimming-Year Round Swim Team Merritt Athletic Swimming is a year round swim team that has grown to two practice locations - Towson and Eldersburg. The locations combine with over 100 swimmers. This is a competitive swim team program that is year round and offers five competitive levels in which to compete. Practices work on improving stroke form, endurance, and speed of swimmers. Practice times vary according to level. Download brochure and registration form.
Swim team practices Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 4:30PM-6:00PM
Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Red Cross Lifeguard, CPR, and First Aid Certification Course. Must be 15 or older. This is a fee-based course that requires advance registration.
Pool Parties Book your child's birthday party or sports group party at the pool! We offer basic invitations and provide games and activities for your guests. Parties can be themed, basic, or even SCUBA! If you'd like a party for children under 6 years of age, you may also contact the Kids Zone for a party that consists of one hour of pool time followed by an hour at the Kids Zone.
Times available: Friday 6:00PM-8:00PM, Saturday 1:00PM-3:00PM or 3:30PM-5:30PM, Sunday 12:30PM-2:30PM
Pool Toy Glow Swim For ages 8-13. Blast off on our NEW pool toy, the ROCKET ship, for an hour...then out go the lights and on go the glow necklaces for an hour of glow swim. Members $8.00, Non-Members $10.00. Parents may sign in child(ren), leave and then return at 10:00PM for pick up. Snacks available and for sale.
May 30 from 8:00PM-10:00PM
For more information on any of these swim programs, please call Kathy Gilbert
Phone: 410-549-8855
E-mail: kgilbert@merrittclubs.com
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Merritt Swim Academy The Swim Academy has a new session beginning every six weeks. Ages 6 months-12 years old. Swim Academy allows children to progress through a four-level program, as well as Mommy and Me. Each level helps children improve their swimming ability. Click here for registration form. Must register by noon the first day of lessons.
Merritt Marlin Masters Swim Team Focus is on fitness and health for adults in a group workout environment. Practices work on improving stroke form and endurance of swimmers. Click here for registration form.
Tuesday 6:00PM-7:30PM
Thursday 6:00AM-7:30AM
Saturday - 7:30AM-9:30AM
Pre-Swim Team Not ready for swim team yet? Can't commit to more than one day a week? Looking to get ready for the summer swim season? Try our Pre-Team groups! Sessions focus on the stroke form of freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Flip turns and starts are also taught during training. Click here for registration form.
Practices run every Saturday.
Ages 10 and under 5:00PM-6:00PM
Ages 11 and older 4:00PM-5:00PM
Merritt Athletic Swimming/Year Round Swim Team Practice available 6 days a week. Merritt Athletic Swimming is a year round swim team that has grown to two practice locations - Towson and Eldersburg. The locations combine with over 100 swimmers ages 5-18. This is a competitive swim team program that is year round and offers five competitive levels in which to compete. Practices work on improving stroke form, endurance, and speed of swimmers. Practice times vary according to level. Download brochure and registration form.
Monday 4:00PM-6:00PM
Tuesday 7:30PM-8:50PM
Wednesday 4:00PM-6:00PM and 7:30PM-8:45PM (Open swim from 6:00PM-7:30PM)
Thursday 7:15PM-8:45PM
Friday 4:00PM-6:30PM
Saturdays 10:30AM-12:00PM
Triathlon Club
Athletes, here's your chance to prepare for a triathlon, whether it's your first or your 50th! Join the fun and stretch your boundaries! Download Triathlon Club registration form.
Mondays 6:45PM-7:45PM Swim Only
Thursdays 6:30PM - 45 minute swim followed by 45 minute Cycle
For more information, please contact Andrew Barranco
Phone: 410-821-0160
E-mail: abarranco@merrittclubs.com
For more information on any of these programs, please contact Andrew Barranco.
Phone: 410-821-0160
E-mail: abarranco@merrittclubs.com
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