• USMS Pool All American Honors – 9 Individual, 1 Relay

• USMS Top Ten Achievements -75 Individual, 16 Relay

USMS Profile

Freshman year at Worcester North High School, I met a classmate who swam with coach Leo Majcher at the Main South YMCA. I went to a few practices but my swimming career was short-lived. I don’t know if it was swimming with kids who had been on the team for six or seven years or if coach Majcher just didn’t see the promise in my dogpaddle.

At 41, I started swimming laps at the Worcester YWCA where I found out about Masters swimming. I entered my first meet at Swim Center 1 in Granby, Connecticut. Never having gone off the blocks before, I lost my goggles on my first start. In the spirit of Masters Swimming, Fred Dalby realized I needed help and introduced himself. He helped me tighten my goggles and gave me some suggestions to improve my starts.

After moving to Hubbardston, I started swimming laps at the MWCC pool and soon, at age 70, I joined Greenwood Masters with coach Dave Phillips. Under his direction and that of his successor, David Graham, my times improved each year in the 70 to 74 age group.

A memorable swim took place at the 2022 Summer Nationals in Richmond, VA. Not usually doing well in 50s, I finished 1st by 8 hundredths of a second and that converted to about four inches. Coach had told us to finish on our side.

It has been really important to see the reorganization of Mount Wachusett Masters. With their enthusiasm, their ability as swimmers, and their early success, the team has a bright future.