Distance Freestyle Records Fall on Day 1 of USMS Masters Nationals

By Evan Dulaney

The USMS Masters Nationals have begun in San Antonio, Texas. This year’s meet plays host to 1,888 swimmers with ages ranging from eighteen to ninety-three. Masters meets are home to some of the most passionate and persistent athletes in the sport, no matter their age.

The first day of competition was devoted to two distance events, the 1650-yard and 1000-yard free. Despite the low number of events, the meet yielded no shortage of national records for some of the older age groups.

In the 50-54 age group, Charlotte Petersen crushed Margee Curran’s record in the 1650-yard free in an incredible 18:16.49. Curran’s previous record stood at 18:37.22. Petersen also bested Caroline Krattli’s 1000-yard record in the same race by splitting an 11:01.60.

Later on, Jill Hernandez claimed the women’s 50-54 record 1000-yard free time from Petersen by winning the event in 10:58.56. Hernandez now holds the 200, 500, and 1000-yard freestyle records in the 50-54 age group. It’s worth noting Petersen improved upon her 1000-yard time in 11:00.48.

Jeff Erwin broke Jim McConica’s 50-54 age group record in the men’s 1650-yard free posting a 16:28.77. Erwin’s new mark is nearly 14 seconds faster than McConica’s record set in 2001.

In the men’s 65-69 1650-yard free, Jim Clemmons swam a 19:07.81 to top Tom Landis’s record 19:16.25 set in 2007. Clemmons exhibited remarkably consistent splitting throughout the race, holding in the high 34’s for most of his 50 splits.

Celeste Miller broke the 13-minute mark in the women’s 65-69 1000-yard freestyle to set the new national record in 12:55.01. Barbara Dunbar set the previous record last year in 13:05.00.

Michael Mann set a new record in the men’s 60-64 1000-yard freestyle. Mann’s 10:42.16 was more than enough to take down Jim McConica’s 10:47.42 record set in 2001.

Look for more national records to fall throughout the weekend.

2015 USMS Spring Nationals, Day 1 – Results

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