USMS Ambassadors

Connect With Us!

Meet our 2025 social media ambassadors. You'll be able to find their content on U.S. Masters Swimming's social media channels this year.

Caitlin Gagnon

I have been swimming since 2000 at the club level, college, and now Masters! When I finished college swimming, I was heartbroken to leave the sport that had meant so much to me. My club coach persuaded me it was time to join Masters almost as soon as I graduated. Masters swimming has introduced me to so many amazing people and taken me to amazing places, but it has also given me an encouraging and positive place to love this sport. Now I volunteer for USMS and tell everyone I meet that they should try Masters swimming.

Instagram: confusenthuse
TikTok: @glamourswammer

Arlette Godges

Honored to be a USMS swimming ambassador. Swimming is lifelong passion for me. Swimming started when my Mom would not let me out of the pool until I could swim a length above water; I could swim a length under water, but was unable to come up and breathe. This skill made me unstoppable. I swam in Switzerland, before coming to US for a D1 team. The rest is history filled with memories. Now a Masters Coach at SBM, I compete with TRB. I love working on, and teaching, combining my profession with swimming.

Instagram: @ageupwell

Emily Huffer

After finishing four years of Division I swimming at the University of New Mexico, I'm lucky to be part of the few post-college swimmers who have fallen back in love with the sport. From swimmer to swammer and back to swimmer again, I'm thankful that each morning I get to swim with friends, be surrounded by great coaches, push my body, and get an awesome workout in (all before 7 a.m.)! I've learned that there is nothing else that is as good for my mental health and my overall well-being as swimming. You can't keep me out of the water.

Instagram: @emilynhuffer
TikTok: @emilynhuffer

Chad McRae

My swim journey began with my service in the United States Marine Corps. Then and now, swimming has been part of my service to others as well as myself. In boot camp I learned water survival, but I did not become a good swimmer.

Because learning is a lifetime experience, I took adult learn to swim classes after leaving the military. I joined a local master’s team and started participating in triathlons. This eventually led to stand-alone open water swims such as the Alcatraz challenge. I am still learning.

More than 20 years later I continue to be of service through lifeguarding, coaching triathletes, and volunteering. My participation with United States Masters Swimming allows me to train myself and others. Through continues swim training I aid myself and others in living healthy lives.

Instagram: @chad.mcrae.773

Jing Li

I grew up swimming competitively, swam at Georgia Tech, and now live in the San Francisco Bay Area. After college, I needed to take both a mental and physical break after competing and training intensely for so many years. I started traveling a lot for work and eventually found my way back to the pool with the vibrant community at San Mateo Masters. When pools shut down during the pandemic, I discovered a new world of open water and marathon swimming with the South End Rowing Club. I love swimming - whether it's out in the wild like dipping into lakes or cruising in the ocean, pushing myself in 1-hour virtual swims, or racing the mile off the blocks at Masters meets. I'm also a new mom who swam all the way through my pregnancy including completing a double Alcatraz crossing, 10-plus-mile "Bay to Breakers," and the Trans-Tahoe relay. Swimming is my happy place, and I hope to share my love for the water with the world!

Instagram: @jingchik

Ralph Porrazzo

I grew up swimming competitively (high school and college) and reached Olympic trials and can’t see myself “retiring” thanks to Masters Swimming. I love the structure and peace swimming brings. I’m always looking for new ways to play in the water. My swim coaches are some of the greatest mentors in my life. The lasting friendships you make in this community are priceless. I’m grateful to wake up and hop in a pool to do what I love most. You can always find me by a pool, either swimming or coaching in Southern California. I'm looking forward to sharing my content with you, and I'll see you poolside.

Instagram: @poolsideguru
TikTok: @poolsideguru

Simon Shi

I’ve been swimming for over 20 years, starting at age 7 and competing year-round by age 11. I got recruited to swim at Virginia Tech, where I developed the discipline and endurance that now fuel my career as a professional triathlete.

As a pro athlete, I still enjoy swimming and love new challenges and swim races to go after. Whether chasing records or fine tuning my stroke, swimming remains my foundation and favorite part of triathlon. It connects me to my roots while driving me toward future success.

Instagram: @the_simonshi
TikTok: @thesimonshi

Collin Spargur

I've been swimming for about half my life, but for most of those years, I coasted—thinking I could still be fast without truly giving my all. That changed at my final college meet. After I swam my last race I knew I had more to give, but I was out of opportunities to prove myself. Then I discovered Masters Swimming, which opened up a whole new world of possibilities. Now, I'm training harder than ever pursuing my ultimate goal.

Instagram: @collinspargur
TikTok: @collinspargur

Cherie Wiser

I swam competitively growing up and had an opportunity to swim on a small college team but went to a different university. Still, I swam religiously on my own while there. I was obsessed until a disabling back injury stopped me. I hung up my goggles for 15 years until my daughter decided she wanted to be a swimmer. I had to get back in the water and help her get ready for tryouts. I found moving in water again therapeutic for my back and my mental health. I slowly started to incorporate swimming into my back exercises, and I was hooked. Indy Aquatic Masters started a new location near me at a perfect time. I went to the first practice and fell in love. What I lack in speed and power I make up for in enthusiasm for swimming. The freedom of movement I have in water is so different than on land, and it’s been a miracle for my happiness levels. Masters swimming is for everyone, including people like me with limitations. I want to help spread the word.

Instagram: wholesome.ish.mom
TikTok: @wholesome.ish.mom