U.S. Masters Swimming

After 25 years out of the water, two spinal fusions, and four stainless steel rods…Kerry McMahon is back on the blocks. 💪

A Junior National qualifier at 13, Kerry spent years in a back brace (up to 20 hours a day) managing scoliosis. She went on to swim at College of William & Mary, but her condition continued to worsen, leading to two major spinal fusion surgeries between 2018 and 2019.

Even through a grueling recovery, Kerry never fully left the water. After losing her W&M teammate Katie (also a member of Club Tribe Masters Swimming) to breast cancer, she returned in 2024 with a renewed purpose to compete again.

Last March, she raced for the first time in 25 years and qualified for Nationals. At Spring Nationals, she took on 11 events including six individuals, and had to swim with open turns to protect her fused spine.

“I’m just proud I got through my races and my back held up,” Kerry says.

Kerry's journey is the definition of resilience. Shoutout to Coach Rich, and Club Tribe Managers Kyle and Michele for helping Kerry find her new baseline, and leading Club Tribe to a second-place team win!🏆

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1 day ago | [YT] | 90

U.S. Masters Swimming

Freestylers, here are 3️⃣ drills to improve your feel in the water.

www.usms.org/fitness-and-training/articles-and-vid…

3 days ago | [YT] | 66

U.S. Masters Swimming

At 65, David embodies everything we celebrate at USMS. After surviving a heart attack four years ago and losing close family to heart disease, David used the water as his path to recovery. Today, he’s not just back in the pool; he’s stronger than ever.

David trains 6–7 days a week with the Tualatin Hills Barracudas, but his impact goes far beyond his own lap count. A USMS-certified coach, David spends his time mentoring mid-distance racers and giving back to the community that supported him through his toughest chapters.

"I swim for life," David says. Whether he's tackling a grueling open water swims or joking about navigating a race course despite his vision challenges, his grit is contagious. Backed by his partner and teammate - world record holder Christine McClaffert, and a cardiologist who happens to be a fellow swimmer, David is proof that the right team can help you overcome anything.

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4 days ago | [YT] | 81

U.S. Masters Swimming

"I’m still here. I’m stronger than I was. And I’m not done yet."

In May 2024, Jeff Mead, age 62, from North Carolina Masters Swimming life was divided into "before" and "after" by a Stage 2 prostate cancer diagnosis. The months that followed were a grueling test of endurance from hormone therapy, radiation, and a body that felt increasingly unfamiliar. By March 2025, Jeff hit 286 pounds and felt a quiet sense of losing control.

But Jeff chose to fight for his "after."

Through 8 months of relentless discipline, Jeff lost 71 pounds and found the courage to step back into the water for the first time since 2016. That journey led him all the way to the shoreline of the USMS Open Water National Championship.

Battling through the final stretch of his treatment, Jeff hammered out a 5K time of 1:39:38.8, earning a hard-fought 7th place in his age group! Reflecting on the grueling 3.1-mile swim, Jeff shared: "It was harder than I thought it would be, but I am glad I challenged myself and can't wait for what's next."

Jeff didn’t just celebrate a Top 10 national finish, he also celebrated his 62nd birthday and a year earned. He didn't just survive; he adapted, fought, and reclaimed his place on the starting block.

Happy Belated 62nd Birthday, Jeff! Thank you for showing us that resilience has no finish line. 🎂🇺🇸🔥

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5 days ago | [YT] | 41

U.S. Masters Swimming

Mohamed Lahna is making history! 🇺🇸

The TVM Swimming member is attempting to become the first person with a prosthesis to do a triathlon across the U.S. He just finished a 3,000-mile bike leg across 16 states from New York to Las Vegas after swimming 28.5 miles around Manhattan last month. He's now running through Death Valley for 350 miles, with a goal of finishing July 29.

The three-time Paralympian is doing his 250 Triathlon Across America in hopes of raising $250,000 for Save the Children and the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

We're cheering for you, Mohamed! 🎉

Instagram: @MOHAMEDLAHNA

📸 Swim Credit: Nathaniel Johston Photography
& other photographers

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1 week ago | [YT] | 38

U.S. Masters Swimming

She started Masters in November… and now she’s a double National Champion. 🤯

Lillian Culp (24), Nashville Aquatic Club Masters, swept the 18-24 fly events—winning the 100 (57.02) and 200 (2:11.16) to claim two National titles.

And it wasn’t easy getting there.

Last year Lillian battled a severe vitamin deficiency that affected her nervous system, leaving her with constant nerve pain. Swimming was the one thing she could do, and over time, it helped improve her pain.Now she’s not only racing…she’s coaching, too.

“Nashville Aquatic Club Masters has the best people. It’s one of my favorite things about swimming Masters.”Congrats on your wins, Lillian! You’re flying in every sense of the word. 👏

1 week ago | [YT] | 108

U.S. Masters Swimming

"I was swim-fluenced!" That’s exactly how Danielle Williams describes her journey to her very first USMS Spring Nationals after watching the fun videos posted by USMS Ambassador Caitlin Gagnon last year.

These two were teammates as eight-year-olds, and now they are back on the deck together again! After seeing all the highlights Caitlin shared from last year’s Nationals, Danielle realized she didn’t want to just watch from the sidelines anymore. "They looked like they had such a fun time," Danielle said. "I was like, 'I can do that. I gotta be a part of that.'"

Now, they are part of a growing Swim Atlanta crew bringing incredible energy to the pool. It just goes to show that Masters is about more than just laps; it’s about bringing people together one video at a time! 🏊‍♀️✨🤳🏼

1 week ago | [YT] | 80

U.S. Masters Swimming

🌅 Sunset Dreaming with Swim Long Beach Masters❣️

1 week ago | [YT] | 96

U.S. Masters Swimming

Swapping lane lines for open water can feel daunting 🌊🏊‍♂️ - but it doesn’t have to be!⁠ Explore our open water central link to learn more about diving into new swim adventures.

www.usms.org/open-water-central

1 week ago | [YT] | 48

U.S. Masters Swimming

45 years away, 18 of those years, she was behind a stopwatch. Now, it’s her turn on the blocks. ⏱️🏊‍♀️

When her son, Tristan, graduates high school and heads to Columbia University to swim this fall, Kathy McCain, age 62, won’t be hanging up her timer or tossing heat sheets anytime soon. After a 45-year break from swimming in the pool, she’s officially back, and already making waves at meets.

Before her son heads to Uni, they took part in a special 10K relay fundraiser on April 25th with their Hill Country Aquatics teammates, where she shared the lanes with her son, Tristan in support of blood cancer research. “I’m enjoying showing my son that swimming is fitness is for life.” said Kathy about the event, “The 10k for blood cancer swim was so much fun!!!”

With the support of her Hill Country Aquatics teammates, Her coaches - Amy Marsh and Lizzy Smith, she’s dropping time and gaining confidence fast. Returning to competition at 62, she chose the exact same events she swam in high school: the 500 Free, 100 Fly, and 200 IM. The result? Three 1st-place finishes and a spot in the Top 50 national rankings in her first meet back! 🤯

"After decades of supporting my son at his meets, now my husband gets to come to mine," she says. Her husband even served as her counter for that first 500 at her first meet. Now, that’s love, if you ask us. 🥹 (Ask for more info about husband support).

Way to go Kathy, shinning example of a “swim mom”❣️

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1 week ago | [YT] | 99