By Robin Fry
MARCELINE – The year 2025 has been a year of firsts for the Marceline Municipal Swimming Pool. Now, the pool can add the recognition of a national medalist – Laurie Benjamin—a master swim coach (Level 2) who also practices laps at the pool.
Last Wednesday, April 30, Benjamin, a resident of Chillicothe, brought his medals to the Marceline Pool to display and reflected upon the competition level and events at the U.S. Masters Swimming 2025 Spring Nationals at San Antonio, TX on April 24-27—two bronze medals, one gold medal, and two silver medals.
“I swam in high school and then I swam in college, and then I didn’t swim for nearly 55 years after that, and I’m 87 years old,” reflected Benjamin. “I started again when I was 80, and when I first started, I couldn’t swim one lap length without ‘dying’ [exhaustion], but then I progressed and I’ve been training ever since.” With other health challenges and surgery, Benjamin progressed steadily but slowly for overall rehabilitation and then continued to practice and entered state competitions.
Benjamin advised that since swimming is a cardiovascular sport, anyone interested in starting practice for competition swimming should get a physical examination before starting out. He practices laps at the Marceline pool and helps with swimming instruction. “We’re trying to build more interest in Marceline, and we have a great facility here for starting out such a swim team program,” said Benjamin.
The U.S. Masters Swimming competition is held annually, with its mission “to empower adults to improve their lives through swimming”, according to the official website. Adults 18 and over can become members, train at swim clubs, and enter events. U.S. Masters Swimming, a national membership nonprofit, provides membership to nearly 60,000 Masters swimmers nationwide. The benefits include insurance, sanctioned events, and more. Structure and organization of USMS programs vary by factors such as pool availability, instructor or coach availability, community support, and finances. But don’t let the word “Masters” intimidate you. In swimming, the term “Masters” simply means 18 and over. You don’t need to be in shape or at a perceived level of accomplishment, although it’s important to have a physical examination before starting any exercise routine. Then, according to Benjamin, who has coached at Marshall it’s important to start slow and work with an accredited trainer.
Benjamin is already working with three swimmers who are swimming at the Masters level who will be ready by next year’s competition in North Carolina, and he believes that swim teams at the high school level could be started at the pool, as well as more Masters practice and training. One person who has benefited from Benjamin’s expertise is Pool Manager Carol Logue, who has practiced laps at the pool when not instructing classes. Swimming involves many physical strategies, including even the way that hands are positioned when completing strokes. Swim meets are being considered in Chillicothe, according to Logue, but as time goes on, the plan is to have meets held at Marceline as well.
“This pool ranks near the top, and I’ve swam in pools across the United States,” said Benjamin. “I would put this pool in the Top 5-10%, not bad for a small town like Marceline.”
