Three USMS Records Fall On First Day Of Spring National Championships

2025 U.S. Masters Swimming Spring National Championships

Three records fell during the opening day of the 2025 U.S. Masters Swimming Spring National Championships in San Antonio, Texas. Of the 1,741 swimmers slated to compete at the four-day event there at least nine Olympians and three Olympic medalist in the field, and it was no surprise to see one of the Olympians put their name on the record books early.

Olympian Anton Ipsen took down the men’s 30-34 age group’s USMS record in the 1000 freestyle. He shattered the previous mark of 9:25.01, swimming a 9:17.76 and improving the standard by 7.25 seconds. The former NC State swimmer was the 2018 NCAA champion in the 1650 freestyle, but opted for the 1000 freestyle over the 1650 today. He represented Denmark at the Olympics but if swimmers are registered USMS members, they are eligible to set USMS records.

Ipsen potentially has a busy weekend at these championships. In addition to the 1000 freestyle, he’s entered in the 200/500 free, 200 backstroke, and 400 IM.

Later, two age group records went down in the mixed 400 freestyle relay. The mixed 25+ 400 freestyle relay USMS record stayed in the hands of The Olympic Club, but Mark Andrew (43.65), Julian Mackrel (44.59), Marie Ballenger (52.97), and Virginia Burns (49.89) swam 3:11.10 in San Antonio, chopping 5.01 seconds off the mark their clubmates set two years ago.

Finally, Swim Fort Lauderdale broke the mixed 75+ 400 freestyle relay USMS record. Cecilia McCloskey (1:09.25), Linda Webb (1:25.99), Hubie Kerns (1:03.55), and Steven Heck (59.91) were one of only three teams in their age group at the meet. Still, they demolished their USMS record with a 4:38.70, bringing the mark sub-5:00 as they bettered the 5:14.51 Puget Sound Masters swam two years ago.

The first day of the competition primarily served as the “distance day.” It’s a longer session tomorrow, with the 200 freestyle, 200 medley relay, mixed 200 free relay, 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke, 50 breaststroke, and 400 IM all taking to the blocks.

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Blang
19 days ago
ssswammer
Reply to  Blang
19 days ago

Sure looks like it he won the 50br and 400im today too

Quaker
Reply to  Blang
16 days ago

Yes, same guy. Virginia Burns (also on the Olympic Club Relay) also swam for Penn.

Seth
20 days ago

I love how the Masters Nationals allow Olympians to swim against average people.
I dream of going to future nationals meets.

Hswimmer
Reply to  Seth
19 days ago

You can go without qualifying times.

DMSWIM
Reply to  Seth
19 days ago

In 2012 and 2016, the active Olympians from SwimMAC competed. It was humbling to be in their heat…

FixThis
Reply to  Seth
16 days ago

yes! It was even allowed for a male to compete in the female division 45-49 this year! Feel very bad for those women who worked hard to have their national championship title taken from them in 5 individual events.

NoFastTwitch
20 days ago

That 75+ 4×100 mixed relay time is crazy good – broke the old record by more than 10%. Congratulations!

Michael Andrew Wilson
20 days ago

59.9 in the 100 yard free at age 75 is incredible.

NoFastTwitch
Reply to  Michael Andrew Wilson
19 days ago

Check that guy’ s birth certificate

Ben Zona
20 days ago

S–F-T-L……..SFTL SFTL SFTL

barelyaswammer
20 days ago

Go Anton!

Oldmanswimmer
20 days ago

The splits in the 25+ 400 free relay don’t add up.

Paul Windrath
Reply to  Oldmanswimmer
20 days ago

Time should be 3:11.10. The 3:16.10 was their seed time.

Anon
Reply to  Oldmanswimmer
20 days ago

3:16.10 was their entry time. They actually swam a 3:11.10.

Daniel Paulling
Reply to  Anon
20 days ago

Yes, that was my mistake when I emailed Braden. I pulled their entry time, not their actual time. Just looking at the wrong column.

About Sophie Kaufman

Sophie Kaufman

Sophie grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, which means yes, she does root for the Bruins, but try not to hold that against her. At 9, she joined her local club team because her best friend convinced her it would be fun. Shoulder surgery ended her competitive swimming days long ago, …

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