The 2022 U.S. Masters Swimming Spring National Championships kicks off this week in San Antonio. The meet runs from Thursday through Sunday at the Northside ISD Swim Center. In addition to the hundreds of swimmers of all ages competing, seven Olympians who swim U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) are schedule to compete in the meet.
San Antonio native Josh Davis was a U.S. Olympian in 1996 and 2000. He won three gold medals and two silver medals during his Olympic career. Melissa Belote Ripley was a U.S. Olympian in 1972 and 1976, winning three gold medals during her career.
Rick Colella won a bronze medal and made Olympic teams in 1972 and 1976 while Dave Wharton was a two-time Olympian in 1988 and 1992, winning a silver medal. Ashley Whitney won a gold in 1996.
Most recently, Josh Prenot won a silver medal in at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Northside ISD Swim Center Aquatics Director Kristin Libardoni was pleased to see the return of the meet to San Antonio.
“We enjoyed hosting this event in 2015 and cannot wait to have everyone back on the blocks,” Libardoni said. “We have more deck space than most pools, your choice of indoor or outdoor warm-ups, plenty of locker room and shower space, and, of course, the Southern hospitality that we always bring to the table. Looking forward to the good times, in and out of the water.”