U.S. Masters Swimming Coach of the Year Award

Recipient:	Chris McPherson
Year:	2021
LMSC:	Southeastern

Chris McPherson had been a masters coach for over twenty-five years and was known for her ability to help clubs grow in number. She founded Ensworth Aquatics Masters in 2015 and by 2021, it had grown to 118 members. This was especially notable when other clubs had lost members due to COVID. Previously, from 2010-15, Chris increased membership at the Nashville Aquatic Club Masters by ninefold. Prior to that, she helped establish the North Baltimore Masters club. Her teams appreciated her enthusiasm and energy, and they considered her to be a great ambassador for USMS.

Chris earned her USMS Level 4 Coaching Certification in 2015, and in 2016 she received the Kerry O’Brien Award. Off the deck, she served as the Southeastern LMSC’s Coaches Committee Chair and founded masters meets. She represented her LMSC at the 2015 USMS Annual Convention and hosted a Swim Across America fundraiser. At the national level, Chris began serving on the USMS Coaches Committee in 2015 and became the committee’s Vice Chair in 2020. She helped develop the Coaching Mentorship Program.