At its 2025 Annual Meeting, U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) elected a new slate of officers to guide the national governing body for Masters swimming, while also presenting annual awards that recognize the volunteers, coaches, and clubs driving the sport’s growth at every level.
USMS members elected officers across seven key positions, with several familiar names continuing their service and others stepping into new roles:
- President: Ed Coates (South Texas)
- Vice President of Administration: Julie Dussliere (Florida Gold Coast)
- Vice President of Community Services: Kenny Brisbin (Southern Pacific)
- Vice President of Local Operations: Crystie McGrail (Colorado)
- Vice President of Programs: Carrie Stolar (Minnesota)
- Secretary: Erika Braun (North Carolina)
- Treasurer: Denise Dombay (Potomac Valley)
Each year, USMS honors individuals and clubs whose work is aimed at promoting lifelong health and fitness through swimming. The 2025 honorees reflect said service, from local coaching to championship organizing on the national level.
2025 USMS Award Recipients:
- Dorothy Donnelly Service Award
- Named for one of USMS’s most influential early volunteers, the award recognizes sustained and exceptional service at the local or national level. This year’s recipients include Alana Aubin, Susan Ehringer, Tracy Grilli, Doug Hayden, Molly Hoover, Tara Mack, Cynthia Myer, Katerine Olson, Linda Hepworth, Samantha Kraft, Molly Meyer, and Dave Gibson. Their work spans from club leadership to innovative event organizing, underscoring how volunteer commitment powers Masters swimming communities nationwide.
- Kerry O’Brien Coaches Award
- Given to coaches who embody excellence and mentorship, the award honored Ally Sega, David Ensor, Kevin Dorn, Cheryl Corvo, Brad Pence, David Cameron, Michael Heaney, and Steve Stahl. Collectively, these coaches represent programs across the country that foster not just performance, but long-term participation and enjoyment of the sport.
- Club of the Year (Local Club):
- Swim Melbourne Masters (Florida) – recognized for team culture and sustained membership growth.
- Ted Haartz Staff Appreciation Award:
- Phil Dodson (Illinois) – honoring exceptional contributions from USMS staff.
- Open Water Service Award:
- Andreas Lorenz and Nicole Christensen (Gulf LMSC) – for advancing safe and innovative open water opportunities.
- Long Distance National Championship Award:
- Jill Wright (Snake River) – for excellence in hosting and organizing national long-distance events.
- Officials Excellence Award:
- Judy Gillies (Arizona) and Mike Whaley (Florida) – for maintaining high standards in officiating.
- June Krauser Communications Award:
- Kysa Crusco (New England) – for outstanding contributions to Masters swimming communications.
- USMS Fitness Award:
- Nickel City Splash Swim Team Adult Learn-to-Swim Program and lead instructor Judy Wolf (Niagara) – recognized for expanding access to swimming through innovative fitness and learn-to-swim efforts.
Masters are too old…need young blood!
By honoring do you mean a pre-programmed hard to hear slide show that droned on and on. Nothing was done in person EVEN THOUGH THOSE RECIPIENTS WERE THERE!!! What about the “Board’s” attempt to sunset an organization of volunteers to replace them with a president selected person, removing all reporting to the members??? His blatant disrespect by ignoring the memorium presentation to honor those that passed this year?AND how about the $800k salary of the home office that can’t seem to keep USMS out of the red every year? Oh and their refusal to talk about their ILLEGAL Tran policy??? This organization is becoming a joke! Thanks Dawson and Ed- NOT
This comment is nuts on so many levels, and is representative of the conversation we had earlier this year where Masters swimmers take themselves waaaaaaaay too seriously.
Seriously. I was there and annual meeting runs long enough without needing to pat everyone on the head for their awards. And of course the original commenter is on the anti-trans culture war BS.
Yes Sam Kraft!
Being part of Minnesota Masters I am proud we were well represented in this article!
Masters is a great organization!