U.S. Masters Nationals gets underway tomorrow in Santa Clara, California, and though Masters Swimming doesn’t get the fan recognition of the college or professional circuits, this year’s championships aren’t going to be short on star power.
We’ve already reported on the delegation of pros headed to the meet, including Nathan Adrian, Anthony Ervin, Tom Shields and Darian Townsend. But in classic Masters Swimming tradition, finding famed Olympians at the meet will be a multi-generational exercise.
The men’s 100 free is a great example. It’ll take place Saturday, on the meet’s third day, and includes a who’s-who of Olympians from as recenly as 2012 and as far back as 1980. Take a look at this list, broken down by age bracket (Olympic years are listed in parentheses):
- 50-55: David Sims (USA 1980)
- 45-49: Matt Biondi (USA 1984, 1988, 1992)
- 40-44: Josh Davis (USA 1996, 2000), Dave Wharton (USA 1992)
- 30-35: Anthony Ervin (USA 2000, 2012)
- 25-29: Nathan Adrian (2008, 2012), Darian Townsend (South Africa 2004, 2008, 2012), Philip Morrison (Brazil 2008)
And that’s just one of the 46 events slated to run from Thursday, May 1 to Sunday, May 4 at the George Haines International Swim Center in Santa Clara. A few more of the notable names we’ve noted in the psych sheets:
- Olympic gold medalist Misty Hyman
- 2013 U.S. World Champs representative BJ Johnson
- Olympian and Stanford All-American Dana Kirk
- Olympian Roque Santos
- Masters World Record Holder Steve West
- Masters World Record Holder David Guthrie
- Masters World Record Holder Laura Val
- Former Cal breaststroker Nolan Koon
- His fellow Golden Bear alum William Copeland
- Arizona and Cal freestyler Katherine Raatz
- Stanford grad Andrew Saeta
- SwimSwam co-founder Davis Wuolle
This list is far from exhaustive, especially on the women’s side, where many swimmers are no longer swimming under their maiden names. Feel free to chime in in the comments section with any more high-profile swimmers from years past.
You can find full heat and psych sheets here as well as a meet timeline here. Action begins at 8:00 AM Pacific Time on Thursday.
You left out any notice of Stephen Clark, who had two gold medals in the ’60 Olympics and three in the ’64 Olympics, He swam in the 50-free in today’s meet.
To CoachGB, Thanks for remembering us old old old timers. I had a good swim and set 4 American records (200, 500, 1000) on the way to a 1650 records. Dave Radcliff
Awesome swims, Dave! Sub-22 1650 for an 80-year-old is quite impressive! You are an inspiration to those of us in the younger age groups (e.g. 65-69).
Murray McLachlan, swam in 1960 Rome Olympics for South Africa. Finished 6th in 400 and 1500 freestyles (he was the second fastest “Murray” in both races, behind Murray Rose). He will be representing Menlo Masters in the 70-74 age bracket.
Dave Radcliffe 1956 Melbourne (1500) probably the oldest as didn’t see “Bumpy” Jones from 1952 or Graham Johnson an American now but South Africa in 56 who have a long career with masters and records.
Also 1996 Olympian Alison Wagner — entered in the 200IM
Tom Shields is entered also!
ah kidding, I see he’s mentioned
’80 Olympian Karin LaBerge
How can you forget former olympian and world record holder dave Wharton?
Added him to the list!