2018 USMS SPRING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
- May 10th – May 13th
- IUPUI Natatorium, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Meet Site
- Psych Sheets/Heat Sheets
- Live Results
The largest U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) Spring National Championships to date kicked off with a whisper on Thursday at the IUPUI Natatorium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Only 2 of the 44 events that will be raced across the 4-day meet were held on distance day, with the men’s and women’s 1000 and 1650 yard freestyle events for all ages kicking off at 7:30 AM and continuing throughout the day.
We caught 2 National Records broken on the first day, mostly in the oldest age groups. This is not a surprise, given some of the legendary masters distance swimmers that have torn through these record-books in the last few years, like Heidi George, Laura Val, and Karlyn Pipes.
Among the record-setters was 95-year old Willard Lamb from Oregon. Already the National Record setter for the 90-94 age group with a swim done in 2013, Lamb aged up and is now attacking records in the 95-99 age group. On Thursday, he swam a 30:38.15 in the men’s mile, which doesn’t break, but rather sets, the USMS record: they don’t currently maintain a record, implying that nobody has swum this race at a record-qualifying meet in that age group.
Christie Hayes from New England Masters took a huge chunk out of the women’s 70-74 record in the 1650 free. The old mark was a 23:45.69, which Hayes has been very close to with a seed time of 23:47.37. On Thursday, she dropped her age-group best time by 40 seconds to win in 23:07.57, and take 38 seconds off Lavelle Stoinoff’s 2004 National Record.
That is why I Swim, not for the next race. That guy is inspirational. To be active at 95.
Recently at a funeral I remarked how impressive one of the attendee’s legs were . He was able to fit into a genuine 1960-70s stove pipe pants .at 65 . He said he bought the suit at 25 & brings it out for such events . He has always been a runner but rather than being crippled with knee injuries , he had had an old school coach who always stressed that you train for the future & nothing you do will show up until 6 months & the better the program much further into the future .
It’s a pretty good philosophy for everything imo .
It is over 50 years since we used yards & now no one knows what one is . US Masters should change into mtrs because US demographics are that in 50 years no one will remember a yard . The guy deserves a metric time to stay in the books .
dude when i’m older i’m just gonna try and swim everyday so i can swim a mile when i’m 95
i am dreaming of my own 8-12 meters swimming pool one day – just to do that every day – for the joy of swimming .
Hey, 30 minutes for the mile at age 95 is really something.
This is so incredible. What a celebration of life. Every doctor should study these two amazing athletes. Such achievements!
Good genes do the heavy lifting.
According to his birth certificate he is only 64!!! Just like the Little League World Series folks always lookin for an edge!!!
Thank you for covering Masters swimming. More coverage of Masters swimming in the future would be great!
He broke the age group record in the 100 back by 50 seconds today, too.
I hope we can all make it to that age group. Mr. Lamb is my hero.