ANAHEIM, California, September 30. NINE Masters athletes from the sports of swimming, diving and synchronized swimming, representing Canada, Great Britain and the United States, were inducted into the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) during the 2007 United States Aquatic Sports Annual Convention.
From swimming, the class of 2007 Honorees includes Suzanne Heim Bowen, Jean Durston, Karlyn Pipes-Neilsen, Woodrow Bowersock, and Ronald Johnson from the United States. Additionally, Great Britain's Judy Wilson and Sandy Galletly claiming heritage from both the United States and Great Britain, will be inducted from swimming. Diver Tom Hairabedian of the United States and synchronized swimmer Carol Fitzsimmons of Canada will also be inducted.
Suzanne Heim Bowen (USA)
23 FINA Masters World Records in freestyle events ranging from 100m to 1500m and she won two first place FINA Masters World Championship 3K events and took second in one FINA Masters World Championship. In USMS open water events since 1983, she has 29 age group first place finishes in distances from one to two miles throughout California and Hawaii.
Jean Durston (USA)
Began Masters swimming in 1974 and competed 6 age groups (60-64 thru 85-89) setting 26 FINA Masters World records.
Karlyn Pipes-Neilsen (USA)
Swimming World Magazine contributor began setting FINA World Masters records at the age of 32 and has been setting them ever since, accumulating 123 next her name, and is still counting.
Judy Wilson (GBR)
Ever since 1987, she has ranked among the Masters Top Ten, accumulating 35 FINA World Masters Records along the way, in both butterfly and freestyle events.
Woodrow Bowersock (USA)
Began competing in Masters competitions in 1978 in the 65-69 age group and for 28 consecutive years, and counting, and has been in the top ten of his age group and has set 22 FINA Masters world records.
Sandy Galletly (USA/GBR)
Competing in Masters since 1987, has set 25 FINA Masters World Records in distance freestyle events (400m, 800m, 1500m) and 400m IM. He has competed in the FINA Masters World Championships five times from 1994 to 2004 in 16 events winning 12 gold and 4 silver medals.
Ronald Johnson (USA)
Joined Masters in 1973 and began setting world records in 1996. He now has set 33 FINA Masters World Records in butterfly, freestyle, backstroke and IM events from 50m to 200m.
Tom Hairabedian (USA)
Has competed every year but one since the inception of Masters Diving in 1974. He has competed in 50 USA Masters National Championships, winning 39 gold medals in the 1m springboard, 44 gold in the 3m springboard and 28 gold in the platform. He also has attended three FINA Masters World Championships winning 5 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze medal.
Carol Fitzsimmons (CAN)
Has competed at five FINA Masters World Championships since 1994, winning every event she entered – solo, duet and team.
Special thanks to IMSHOF for contributing this report.
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