Tom Landis sets new swim records

Camp Sherman resident Tom Landis took first place in all six of his events at the United States Masters short-course swimming championships in Greensboro, North Carolina last week.

He won five freestyle events ranging from 50 yards to 1,650, an almost-unheard-of demonstration of versatility, and also took top honors in the 100-yard individual medley.

Landis, 70, has been training hard in anticipation of his entry into a new age group (70-74). His training paid off with a national record swim in the 200-yard freestyle (2:08.68). He also set four Northwest zone records, in freestyle at 50 yards (26.54), 100 yards (58.29), 1,650 yards (20:49.51) and 100-yard individual medley (1:09.78). His swim at 500 yards (6:00.54) and his 1,000-yard split (12:39.88) during the 1,650 were Central Oregon Masters Aquatics club records.

To achieve world-class status requires diligence and lots of hard work following the black line up and down the pool. Landis trains at Sisters Athletic Club four days a week, and each practice session entails 4,000 to 5,000 yards. A significant part of his success he attributes to his small cadre of loyal workout partners, Kris Calvin, Scott Miller and Christian Tujo.

"Without these guys encouraging me and pushing me to work harder at every practice session, I would not be achieving at the level I am today," Landis said.

Now that the short-course season is over, Landis is in a new training cycle, working hard toward high-level performances in long-course meets this summer. Short-course meets are held in 25-yard pools, while long-course is in 50-meter pools.

Long-course national championships are July 5-8 in Omaha, Nebraska. The meet will be immediately following the U.S. Olympic trials in the same competition pool. His goal? One or more world records.