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Whenever life has served up one thing seemingly insufferable, Diann Uustal has all the time discovered solace within the water.
In addition to serving to her get well from a critical vehicle accident and slip-and-fall, Uustal has used her time within the pool to assist her cope with Ehlers Danio Syndrome, which weakens the physique’s connective tissue.
But it’s not nearly water’s therapeutic qualities that appeals to the 79-year-old Sarasota resident. After rehabilitating from the 2 accidents, Uustal received critical about Masters Swimming in 2009, following a 17-year absence from racing.
Beginning with competitors within the 60-64 age group, Uustal has gone on to set a jaw-dropping 140 U.S. Masters Swimming data and 43 AQUA (previously FINA) Masters world data.
Her accomplishments within the pool earned Uustal an induction into the Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame. She was inducted earlier this fall, together with six different athletes from 4 totally different international locations, in a ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, the place the Hall of Fame is positioned.
“At first, I didn’t believe it,” Uustal mentioned. “It was a time of joy for our family. I was delighted and honored to be in the Hall of Fame. It’s great to join that illustrious group after years and years of hard work.
“People tell me I have reached the pinnacle. But I learned it’s not about the best time, or the scoreboard. It’s about family, friends, coaches and everyone who helped me get there. Anything I have ever accomplished has been because of the help of other people.”
Uustal first realized learn how to swim within the chilly open waters off Rhode Island at 6-years-old. Grandmother Ruth Coburn, a distinguished open water swimmer again within the day, was her teacher.
She started chlorinated competitors at 8-years-old and went on to grow to be Outstanding Rhode Island Swimmer of the Year as a high-schooler.
“It’s a wonderful outlet to challenge myself,” Uustal mentioned. “When I’m in the water, I realize where I belong. For me it’s transformative. It’s delightful to be in the water. I look forward to that time spent there and am very passionate about it.”
Uustal didn’t compete in faculty, as an alternative specializing in a nursing profession, which resulted in a doctoral diploma in medical ethics. She has owned her personal consulting agency and has written and lectured on the topic.
Along together with her profession, Uustal married and had two daughters, not leaving a lot time for critical coaching and racing.
She suffered extreme accidents when she was rear-ended by a driver in 2003, leaving her with a fractured shoulder, torn rotator cuff and torn hamstring. She sustained a damaged arm within the slip and fall in 2008. She rehabbed from each accidents within the pool.
Uustal was identified with Ehlers Danio Syndrome 10 years in the past.
“It’s a chronic thing,” she mentioned. “It’s a collagen disease and tendons attach everything in the body. That’s the nature of it. It takes a mindset. I’m not very patient. It’s been a spiritual lesson.”
Since shifting completely to Sarasota in 2013, Uustal has been a member of the Sarasota Sharks. Her coach is Rick Walker, who created the Sharks Masters Swimming program again in 2002.
There had been solely three members then, together with Walker himself, who’s now 75. Sharks Masters Swimmers now embody about 150 who practice recurrently on the Selby Aquatic Center.
“Diann has a beautiful technique, even as she has aged,” Walker mentioned. “As swimmers get older, they can lose the ability to dive off the blocks like they once did, or something like that. That’s not the case with Diann.
“She looks like she is 30 years younger than she is. She is very consistent with her training.”
Walker marvels on the obstacles Uustal has overcome to hold on her swimming profession.
“She has had her share of setbacks,” he mentioned. “We all have those as we get a little older. I am honored to have coached her.
“She is kind of a role model to the other swimmers. Not only is she a great swimmer, she carries herself so well. They definitely look up to her.”
Uustal is at the moment nonetheless recovering from again surgical procedure, however plans to be again within the water quickly for some critical coaching. Next 12 months she might be among the many youngest Masters swimmers within the 80-84 age group.
“I would like to break some more records,” Uustal mentioned. “I have learned I need to stay in the moment to maintain laser focus. People tell me I get into some kind of a zone. Excellence is a habit.”
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