SARASOTA, Florida, May 13. U.S. Masters Swimming, the national governing body for adult competitive and fitness swimming, will be hosting its 40th Anniversary Spring Nationals, May 20-23 at the Georgia Tech University Aquatic Center. A record 1,976 swimmers ranging from 18 to 93 years of age have registered for the four-day event.
Among the entrants are a number of Olympians, including Rowdy Gaines, Cullen Jones, Mark Gangloff, Josh Davis, Roque Santos, David Sims, Sue Walsh, Chris Stevenson, Jeff Farrell, David Wharton, Ryan Papa and Bumpy Jones. Also entered are Swimming World's 2009 World Masters Swimmers of the Year Rich Burns, Laura Val, Michael Mann, and Mike Ross.
"USMS Nationals are the pinnacle of adult swimming competition," says Rob Butcher, USMS Executive Director. "Our schedule mirrors the Olympic swimming program including relays. Competitors race within their age group rather than against the entire field; it is compelling."
"We have 47 states and 8 countries represented so this is a true national and international event," adds Butcher. "What is most impressive though are the inspirational stories of adult swimmers defying age boundaries, or those who have overcome serious illness or injury and are back in the pool competing and serving as role models for other adults."
Georgia Masters will be the largest team, represented with 212 entrants. This meet will also be legal for the high tech swimsuits, which will not be legal for USMS pool competition after June 1, 2010. It is anticipated more than 100 national records will be broken.
The complete schedule can be viewed at usms.org. Daily online coverage will also be posted at usms.org. The event is free to the public and the press is welcome to attend the event.
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