43-year officiating career comes to an end, Walt Sentyrz hangs up his whistle

Walt Sentyrz blows a whistle and a half-dozen teenage boys climb onto the starting blocks at St. Anthony High School’s pool. He points across the pool to his officiating partner, who says, “Take your marks.” The boys grab hold of the hand grips. The second official presses a button, a horn sounds, and a strobe light flashes. The boys knife into the water.

Tuesday, Feb. 26 was Sentyrz’ last turn as a Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) swim meet official. After 43 years of pacing pool decks — 1,600-plus swim meets — he has retired from officiating, but still heads up Sentyrz Market, 1612 2nd St. NE.

A swimmer himself — he competed for DeLaSalle High School “back in the day” — he got into officiating when his oldest daughter was young.

“She was in an age group swimming meet and was about to ‘age up’ to the next level,” he recalled. “Back then, starter pistols were used to start each event. There was a lot of noise in and around the pool. She thought she heard the gun go off and began to swim. She was disqualified for a false start and had to get out of the pool.” 

Sentyrz felt the noise was a factor and vowed that a kid should never have to get out of the pool again. He applied with the MSHSL the following day.

Swim meet officials study the MSHSL rule book and take a test within 12 months of applying for the job. Their on-the-job training usually takes place at summer swimming camps. “It takes time to learn everything,” Sentyrz said. The league makes pool assignments once a year, which helps officials plan their calendars.

Today, swimmers must stay motionless on the block for three seconds or they’ll be disqualified. Sentyrz said he often let disqualified swimmers stay in the pool and swim, although their time wasn’t recorded. “It’s embarrassing for the kid. I tried to be cognizant of everything that was going on and do the right thing.”

He said the advent of the Colorado Timing System, in addition to eliminating the starter pistol, has made the job easier and more accurate in the last 15 to 20 years. “In the past, it was up to the official to call the places in a close race,” he said. “That was difficult. Now the kids hit an electronic pad that stops the clock.”

As in other sports, officials can find themselves being taken to task by parents. “I’ve had to stop a meet for boisterous behavior, but I never had to throw a parent out,” Sentyrz said. He often took the time to explain his calls and earned a reputation for being fair. He had the respect of the swimmers, too. At the end of the meet between the Huskies and the Robbinsdale Armstrong-Cooper Wings, several boys came up to him, thanked him for his service and wished him well in retirement.

Asked what he’ll do now that he’s not officiating swim meets, Sentyrz said he would have time to watch his grandchildren’s cross-country meets and soccer games. “I had hoped they would get involved in swimming,” he said. “I tell kids, ‘75% of our planet is water. Can you swim? You’ll be in the water some time.’”