World records fall at masters swim meet

Rick Colella, a two-time Olympian and who swam for the University of Washington in the 1970s, broke four world records at the third annual Whidbey Island Swim Club's masters meet Sunday, Nov. 13, at John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool.

Rick Colella, a two-time Olympian and who swam for the University of Washington in the 1970s, broke four world records at the third annual Whidbey Island Swim Club’s masters meet Sunday, Nov. 13, at John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool.

The meet also produced a handful of Pacific Northwest Association of Masters Swimmers records, including eight by North Whidbey Masters Jim McCleery, Allan McDougall and Harvey Prosser.

Colella, 60, set world records in the 60-64 age division for the 100-meter breaststroke (1:11.77), 200 breaststroke (2:37.61), 100 individual medley (1:06.29) and 400 IM (5:04.54).

Colella, who swims for the Lake Washington Masters, competed in the breaststroke for the United States in the 1972 and 1976 Olympics.

McCleery, 65, broke his own PNA record in the 400 free (5:01.81) and also added new 65-69 marks in the 800 free (10:33.77, split in the 1,500) and 1,500 free (19:47.58).

McDougall, 70, set three records in the 70-74 division 200 backstroke. As well as the final time (3:15.6), split times over 50 (44.98) and 100 meters (1:33.52) were also records.

He also won the 200 breaststroke (3:45.75) and the 100 IM (1:37.94).

Prosser, 83, broke his own record in the 80-84 division 1,500 free style (30:05.08) and added the 800 mark (16:02.13) along the way.

Thomas Pierce, 54, competing in his first meet as an individual for NWM, won the 50-54 division 50 breaststroke (41.47) and was third in the 50 free (33.68).

As a team, North Whidbey Masters finished 14th with 191 points in the 27-team field of 115 athletes. Orca Swim Club of Seattle won with 1,248 points.