US Masters National Swimming Championship

Posted May 14, 2009, 9:06 am in Water Sports


Nearly 1,600 of the world's best masters swimmers were in Fresno, California, recently for the US National Short Course Championships. It was the fastest Masters meet ever with 12 pages of records broken.

Rita Simonton, 90, was the star of the meet. She set six all-time records in the 90-94 age division. Rita smashed the record in the 1000-yard Freestyle by more than four minutes!  She obliterated the record in the 50-yard Butterfly in 13 seconds.  In the 200-yard Freestyle, she took 42 seconds off the record to become the first woman in history to break the 4:00 mark. In the 100-yard Individual Medley, she broke the old record by nine seconds. Here's an interview with Rita courtesy of FloSwimming:



For the men, Richard Burns, 65, led the record assault. Swimming in the 65-69 age division, Burns set national records in the 400-yard Individual Medley, 200-yard Individual Medley, 100-yard Individual Medley, 100-yard Backstroke, and 50-yard Backstroke. Here's an interview with Richard courtesy of FloSwimming:



And let's not forget Growing Bolder member Rowdy Gaines' performance in the 50-55 age division. Rowdy, 50, broke the all-time national record in the 50-, 100- and 200-yard Freestyle. Here's the video of his record breaking swim in the 100. Rowdy is in lane 6. It won't take long to spot him.



Don't Miss: 
Rowdy Completes Lucky's Lake Swim
Rowdy on the GB Radio Show (Before Beijing Games)
Rowdy on the GB Radio Show (After Beijing Games)


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