Seventeen adult swimmers from the Kirkland-based Lake Washington Masters swim team traveled to the 2014 United States Masters Swimming (USMS) Spring Nationals held at the George Haines International Swim Center in Santa Clara, Calif. The meet attracted more than 2,200 swimmers from across the country.

“Lake Washington Masters was well represented at nationals this year,” said head coach Becca Watson. “Our team made up the backbone of Pacific Northwest Masters and our performances really stood out. It’s a testament to the hard work and commitment this team enjoys.”

Local swimmers won 11 individual gold medals, seven relay gold medals and five national records, while helping lead the Puget Sound Masters regional team to the national title in both men, women and combined.

Lake Washington masters swimmers Rick Colella of Kirkland and Charlotte Davis of Lake Forest Park, had standout performances. Colella won six national titles in the men’s 60-64 division setting five national age group records in the process. Davis won three individual events in the women’s 60-64 division.

Davis and Colella combined for several relay national titles in the 55-and-over division. Amy Moorhead and Susie Wetstone each won an individual national title in the women’s 40-44 division. Shannon Matlock, Sheila Moore, Amy Moorhead and Lisa Pace also collected relay national titles. Other members of Lake Washington Masters competing were Linda Chapman, Heather Clarke, Blair Elander, Lisa Keith, Dan Phillips, Durrell Rittenberg, Bryan Smith, Suna Sullivan, Mary Underbrink and Julie Voss.

Masters swimming provides adult competitive swim programs for anyone over 18 years old, in age groups from 18-24, 25-29, and then in five year increments up to 95-99 years old. The oldest swimmer at the meet was 95-year-old Pat Keller from Palo Alto, Calif. Lake Washington Masters swim team trains every day at the Juanita Pool in Kirkland.

For more information about Lake Washington Masters, visit www.lakewashingtonmasters.com.