Landis takes first in swim races

Last weekend masters swimmer Tom Landis competed in the Oregon Association Championships at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham. Landis, swimming in the 70-74 age group, took first place in all six of his events and also swam on three relays for his team, Central Oregon Masters.

Tom, who lives in Camp Sherman and works out at Sisters Athletic Club, won the 400 individual medley and 1,650 freestyle on Friday. On Saturday he was victorious in the 200 individual medley and 100-yard butterfly. On Sunday his winning events were the 500- and 200-yard freestyle.

Landis is pleased with his times as he prepares for the United States National Masters Championships, which occur in the beginning of May.

Landis received more recognition for his swimming last month when world and national rankings came out for 2013.

Swimming in the 70-74 age group, he ranked first in the world in short course in 400-meter freestyle, 1,500 free and 400-meter individual medley. He was second in the world in 200 and 800 freestyle, third in 200 individual medley, fifth in the 100 free and 7th in 100 IM and 200 butterfly.

In long-course swimming he was first at 1,500-meter freestyle, second at 400 and 800 free and ninth in the 100 freestyle.

In national rankings Landis garnered 13 All-American swims. All-American ranking is awarded when a swimmer is ranked number-one in his age group in any event. Tom's All American honors came in short course yards at 200 free, 500 free, 1,000 free, 1,650 free, 200 butterfly, 200 individual medley and 400 individual medley. In short course meters they were at 400 free, 1,500 free and 400 IM. In long-course Landis' number-one rankings were in 800 meters free and 1,500 free.