member spotlight
The US Masters Swimming program is
open to swimmers of all ability levels who
wish to improve their technique and skill.
For more information on the
US Masters Swimming Program,
contact [email protected]
Bob Rawstrom
In His Father’s Footsteps, Bob Rawstrom Swims for Gold on
Behalf of the USMS Program
HAC Member, Bob Rawstrom
joined the US Masters
Swimming Program at HAC
this year, not just because he
wanted to stay in shape, but
also as a tribute to his father.
Harry W. Rawstrom, Bob’s
father, served as the head
coach of the men’s swimming
and diving team at University
of Delaware from 1946-1981.
In addition to being a swim
coach, Harry also swam
competitively, and was a
US Masters Swimming
National Champion.
When he was younger, Bob
would swim competitively
with his dad, but his last swim
meet was at age 27. According
to Bob, “I got busy. I got
intimidated [at the meets]. I
wasn’t placing. I just have a
different attitude now.” Now,
42 years later, Bob has decided
to get back into the water, and
once again pursue his passion
for swimming. He says, “That’s
the most important thing, to
improve, not to win.”
Bob was excited to find the
US Masters Swimming program
at HAC, and decided to join
due to his family ties to the
program. Though he’d been
out of the pool for some time,
he was able to quickly get back
into the sport.
After just a few months in
the program, Bob decided to
take on his first competition –
the Delaware Senior Olympics
on October 2, 2015. Even with
arthritis in his shoulder, Bob
was able to take home three
gold medals in the 200 yard
freestyle, 100 yard freestyle,
and 50 yard freestyle.
Though Bob is an
experienced swimmer, he
never discounted the impact
from his HAC US Masters
Swimming coaches, Jack
Seibold and Chris Miller. “I
have two terrific coaches here
at HAC,” said Bob, “they are
careful observers and really
help you to take corrective
measures to improve.”
Though the US Masters
Swimming Program is
competitive, Bob is a huge
proponent of the group effect.
“Swimming in a group of
people helps you work harder,
and it’s fun,” he says.
In addition to taking home
three gold medals, Bob has
seen significant improvements
in his blood pressure since he
started swimming again.
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January 2016 | 7