USMS Elects Officers and Honors Members at 2025 Annual Meeting

U.S. Masters Swimming elected officers to its Board of Directors and honored many deserving volunteers and coaches with awards at its 2025 annual meeting.

Elections

The following officers were elected or re-elected: Ed Coates (South Texas) as president, Julie Dussliere (Florida Gold Coast) as vice president of administration, Kenny Brisbin (Southern Pacific) as vice president of community services, Crystie McGrail (Colorado) as vice president of local operations, Carrie Stolar (Minnesota) as vice president of programs, Erika Braun (North Carolina) as secretary, and Denise Dombay (Potomac Valley) as treasurer.

Award Recipients

U.S. Masters Swimming honors volunteers whose service stands out in scope and impact with the U.S. Masters Swimming Dorothy Donnelly Service Award. Recipients of this award have made significant contributions on the local, regional, and national level. The award is named after Dorothy Donnelly, one of USMS’s first super-volunteers. This year, the recipients are Alana Aubin (New England), Susan Ehringer (Kentucky), Tracy Grilli (New England), Doug Hayden (Missouri Valley), Molly Hoover (Illinois), Tara Mack (New England), Cynthia Myer (North Texas LMSC), Katerine Olson (South Dakota), Linda Hepworth (Pacific), Samantha Kraft (Minnesota), Molly Meyer (Indiana), and Dave Gibson (Hawaii).

The U.S. Masters Swimming Coaches Committee recognizes coaches who are building our membership in communities throughout the country. The U.S. Masters Swimming Kerry O’Brien Coaches Award is named to honor Coach Kerry O'Brien, who embodies the passion, dedication, and heart that these coaches bring to the pool deck. This year’s recipients are Ally Sega (Connecticut), David Ensor (Maryland), Kevin Dorn (Pacific), Cheryl Corvo (Southeastern), Brad Pence (Pacific), David Cameron (Minnesota), Michael Heaney (Pacific), and Steve Stahl (Pacific).

U.S. Masters Swimming considers club development a priority, and recognizes a local and a regional club every year with the U.S. Masters Swimming Club of the Year Award. Masters swim clubs that do the most to promote the values and mission of U.S. Masters Swimming, not only in their communities, but also at the national level, are candidates for this award. This year’s Local Club of the Year is Swim Melbourne Masters (Florida).

The Ted Haartz U.S. Masters Swimming Staff Appreciation Award is named in honor of Ted Haartz, a leader in U.S. Masters Swimming since 1970. Ted helped establish the foundation for USMS’s evolution into a professionally-operated organization. The award celebrates our volunteer roots, as well as our future, specifically by recognizing one volunteer each year who demonstrates excellence in assisting and supporting the National Office staff with its professional duties of serving our members and promoting Masters Swimming. This year’s recipient is Phil Dodson (Illinois).

The U.S. Masters Swimming Open Water Service Award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to promoting and building excellence in USMS open water swimming by embodying the USMS mission, vision, goals, and objectives through open water swimming; contributing notably, such as serving in USMS national committees, LMSC open water or long distance chair, event or safety director, official, coach, clinician, or volunteer); contributes notably at different levels of USMS (i.e. national, zone, LMSC, and/or local); or demonstrates extraordinary measurable achievement and impact. This year’s award goes to Andreas Lorenz (Gulf) and Nicole Christensen (Gulf).

The Long Distance National Championship Award is presented annually to a USMS-registered individual or group that has made significant contributions to the success and promotion of USMS long distance national championship events. These include the five virtual championships and six open water events. This year's recipient is Jill Wright (Snake River).

The U.S. Masters Swimming Officials Excellence Award is given annually to a Certified Official in recognition of outstanding and significant contributions to U.S. Masters Swimming at the international, national, zone, and/or local level, including pool and open water competitions. The recipient isn’t required to be a U.S. Masters Swimming member. An individual may receive this award only once. The recipient may be a currently active official or one who has retired from officiating or is deceased. This year’s award goes to Judy Gillies (Arizona) and Mike Whaley (Florida).

The U.S. Masters Swimming June Krauser Communications Award is presented annually to an individual or group whose communications efforts have contributed to the growth, improvement, or success of U.S. Masters Swimming. The award is named for June Krauser, the author of USMS’s first official rulebook and a prolific writer and editor of many newsletters and other publications in the Masters swimming world. This year’s recipient is Kysa Crusco (New England).

The USMS Fitness Education Committee annually presents the USMS Fitness Award to USMS-registered individuals and organizations demonstrating outstanding contribution to fitness activities within USMS. This year’s award goes to the Nickel City Splash Swim Team Adult Learn-to-Swim Program and its lead instructor, Judy Wolf (Niagara).