64
| SUNRAYS
SEPTEMBER 2013
ONLINE:
SCTXCA.ORG
Sun City
Swimmers
take it to
the next
level
By Karen Swensson
PHOTOS BY MAGGI JONES
S
wimming requires the use of more
muscle groups than any other
sport, and is excellent for develop-
ing strength and stamina,” said Karen
Welcome. She and fellow swimmers
Richard Hahn, George Steele, Brian
Buckmaster and Steven Ritzwoller have
taken their fitness commitment to the
Masters Swimmers level. They have each
medaled in competitive U.S. Masters
Swimming (USMS) events since moving
to Sun City Texas.
MEET OUR SUN CITY TEXAS
MEDALISTS
Karen, told by the high school coach that,
“girls can’t swim fast,” participated in
synchronized swimming in high school
and college. She joined a Masters team
on her 40th birthday to swim “fast” for
the first time, ranking nationally in some
events. Two cancer diagnoses kept her
out of the water for 15 years, then she
rejoined another Masters team at 65.
For Karen, “Laps are meditative, forcing
rhythmic breathing.” She said her times
are slower now, but so is the competition.
She finished first in a recent five-state
regional meet at UT.
—
Richard Hahn participated in fraternity
swim meets in college, and joined New
England Masters Swimmers in 1978,
where he competed regularly until mov-
ing to Sun City Texas six years ago.
He is a member of the Nitro Masters
Swim Team in Cedar Park. “Masters
Swimming is not all about competing,”
Richard said. “It’s about personal goal
“
