By MATT JOHNSON
Record editor
Had Dan Gregory not started swimming again a year ago, he might have been ending his athletic career too soon.
After becoming a top masters swimmer in his 30s, Gregory, a Langley resident, took about 20 years off before getting back in the pool last year. Though it has taken some time to get back into training and competing, he finally got the first installment on the payback late last month.
At the national master’s short-course swim meet in Tempe, Ariz., Gregory set a new Pacific Northwest record in the 50-yard breaststroke. After losing in that event to the record holder in a regional qualifying meet three weeks earlier, Gregory’s time of 32.11 seconds at nationals is now the fastest ever swum by a Washington man in the 50-54-year-old age group.
One of two members of the South Whidbey SWELLS masters swim team at the national meet, Gregory had reason to celebrate.
“I was very thrilled,” said the 52-year-old swimmer this week.
Gregory and veteran nationals swimmer Kate Sutherland both made the trip to Tempe for the meet. Competing outdoors in a cool, 72-degree pool in the midst of 100-plus-degree heat, the pair was a long way from their indoor practice pool in Freeland. But both did some of their best swimming at the meet. In addition to his record, Gregory placed 30th in the 100-yard breaststroke, cutting five seconds off his previous best on his way to the placing. He was also 18th in the 100 individual medley, and teamed up with three other Northwest swimmers from other swim teams to take 10th in the 200 medley relay for the 45-54 age group.
Sutherland, who travels to at least one national meet each year, also came away from the meet with top placings. In the 55-59 age group, she was eighth in the 1650 freestyle event, cutting 18 seconds off her previous best. She also took seventh in the 400 individual medley.
Gregory, who trains at least three times a week with the SWELLS at the Island Athletic Club pool, said that while he does not see himself getting into the kind of shape he was in when he swam in high school — or when he attempted a 9-mile open water swim years ago — he is hoping to improve on his record time.
