Santa Clara Set to Host Sixth Masters Nationals; Maryland and SPIRE Institute Prepping for Nationals Debuts

PHOENIX, Arizona, August 28. NEW traditions will be made, and old traditions will continue at the United States Masters Swimming national championships, as the organization today announced the sites of the 2014 and 2015 championships.

The Santa Clara George Haines International Swim Center, the site of five Masters national championships (1974, 1980, 1993, 1999, 2001), will host the 2014 spring nationals May 1-4. Beyond Masters swimming, the pool's legacy is rich, including witnessing numerous world records and training the likes of Mark Spitz through its long history.

The summer nationals in 2014 will be held at the University of Maryland in College Park, scheduled for August 14-17. The pool in the Eppley Recreation Center opened with a world record from hometown hero Michael Phelps in the 200 individual medley in 2003, shortly after his amazing accomplishments at the world championships. This is the first time Masters nationals will be held in the pool, though nearby Baltimore hosted the meet in 2000. Unfortunately, the men's and women's swim teams at Maryland were cut last season, leaving the pool open for use only for recreation and Masters swimming purposes these days.

In 2015, the spring national championships will be held in San Antonio, which last hosted nationals in 1978. Though the location has not yet been announced, it is likely the meet will take place at the Josh Davis Natatorium, which has become the city's go-to place for competitive swimming. Maybe the pool's namesake will race in a few events in 2015, when he'll be 42 years old. (Update: The meet will be held at the Northside ISD's National Aquatic Center, a $14 million project that will add to San Antonio's already large list of quality competition facilities.)

The SPIRE Institute, a training facility located east of Cleveland, will play host for the 2015 summer nationals. The SPIRE Institute has hosted a few regional swimming championships since opening the aquatic center in fall 2011. The 10-lane, 50-meter pool will host its first Masters nationals in 2015.

The dates of the 2015 nationals will be announced next year.

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