If you want to know how to achieve an USMS Lifetime Record, just ask Jack Gooding. He has 14 of them! Jack swam competitively for SMU in Texas in the 1970’s and then took a 33 year break before returning to competition at the age of 55 after suffering a heart attack in 2003 which resulted in 3 stents. Once back in the water, Jack’s name fast became known around the swimming world. He has swum, to date, in 162 events earning 61 individual Top 10 Achievements, 29 Relay Top 10 Achievements, All American Swimmer in 2018 and listed 6 times for Relay All-American. Plus, he still currently holds 9 USMS Records and 12 Arkansas State Records.
Jack made his “re-splash” in 2013 where he won his first national title at Mission Viejo, Ca. in the 100 LCM butterfly and also joined his teammates to win the gold medal in the 200 LCM freestyle relay. In 2018, Jack won the 100-meter butterfly at the Pan American championships in Orlando, FL. It was recorded as the fastest time in the world in 2018 earning him his first All-American ranking. He also won the silver medal in Orlando in the 200-freestyle. In all, Jack has made US top ten rankings in 5 events. At the short course national championships in Mesa, Arizona in 2018, Jack swam 6 events and medaled in each of them, placing 2nd in the 100 fly and the 200 free, finishing each time behind a two-time Olympic swimmer. In 2023, Jack moved up to the 70 – 74 age group, and at the national championships in Sarasota, Jack won 3 silver medals: 100-meter fly, 100-meter free and 200-meter free. He also placed 4th in the 50-fly and 5th in the 400-free. He finished the long course season ranked 2nd in the 100-free, 200-free and 100-fly. Jack was also ranked 6th in the 50-fly and 7th in the 200-free. His 2023 LCM 100-fly time ranks Jack 7th in the history of the age group. In the 2023, SCM season, Jack was ranked 2nd in the 100-fly, 200-free, 3rd in the 100 and 400-free, and 5th in the 50-fly. His 2023 SCM 100-fly ranks Jack 5th in the history of the age group. The SCM 400-free ranks 10th all time.
Jack’s heart attack put him back in the water making records galore putting Arkansas Masters’ name in the swimming world, but he also overcame knee surgery in 2010 and shoulder surgery in 2013.
Want to make an USMS Lifetime Record? Ask Jack Gooding, he has 14 of them!
Congratulations Jack!
Arkansas Masters Swimming 
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