By SwimSwam Contributors on SwimSwam
Courtesy: Jelena Kunovac, MD, MS
Over two decades of excellence and unwavering discipline define Ellen Reynolds‘ Masters swimming career. Ellen has somehow managed to build one of the most remarkable Masters swimming careers in history alongside her life as a prominent pediatric surgeon in Boise, Idaho. Her dominance as one of the most versatile and accomplished Masters swimmers ever is best illustrated by the world records she recently set across all four strokes—ranging from the 50 butterfly to the 200 breaststroke—and including her signature events, the 200 and 400 individual medley and 50,100 and 200 backstroke. This coming May, she will be formally inducted into the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame.
Ellen, a member of Team Redbird, grew up as a competitive age-group swimmer. During college and medical school, swimming was temporarily put on hold. Then, at the age of 40—already the mother of two and a board-certified pediatric surgeon—Ellen decided to return to the pool, both to get back in shape and to show her children that exercise should be an essential part of life.
Her coach for many years was her mother, Mary Ann, a physician herself. Mary Ann immersed herself in books and articles on physiology, training theory, and technique, and together she and Ellen designed the training plans that would shape Ellen’s extraordinary career. I vividly remember my first Masters swim meet in December 2016, seeing the two of them behind the blocks—Mary Ann holding a clipboard filled with numbers, calmly reminding Ellen of a few technical cues before the next race.
Ellen’s first world record came in the 50 backstroke at the age of 45—and she tied it twice. Over her career, she has broken close to 90 individual world records and additionally, currently holds five relay world records. The highlight of her swimming journey came during the 2024–2025 season, when she shattered 26 Aqua Masters world records in a single year—an achievement previously accomplished only by the icon of Masters swimming, Laura Val. During that season, Ellen boldly ventured into new events, pushing herself beyond even her own expectations, breaking world records for the first time in races such as the 50 butterfly and the 200 breaststroke.
At the 2024 World Aquatics Masters Championships in Doha, Qatar, Ellen’s dominance was so striking that she not only broke five world records at a single competition, but her time of 2:30.58 in the 200 backstroke would have won the men’s 60–64 age-group event.
Ellen’s work ethic—both in and out of the pool—is second to none. For years, she has trained in the early morning hours before heading to the operating room, with her pager often in Mary Ann’s hands. The foundation of her success is incredible consistency, an uncompromising focus on technical detail, and an almost supernatural ability to push beyond previously established limits, in practice and in competition. The next time you watch Ellen race, notice how she can barely climb out of the pool when the race is over.
Ellen never forgets those who support her along the way—from meet volunteers, to her coach and mother Mary Ann, fiancé Brian Jonson, to her longtime training partner John, current coach Kristi and her Redbird teammates. As a team member, she is generous and quietly inspiring, unselfishly offering thoughtful suggestions to help others improve. She celebrates her teammates’ victories as if they were her own. Ellen elevates everyone around her—and that, as much as her records, is why she belongs in the Hall of Fame.
Read the full story on SwimSwam: Team Redbirds’ Ellen Reynolds To Be Inducted To Masters International Swimming HOF in 2026
Hence then, the article about team redbirds ellen reynolds to be inducted to masters international swimming hof in 2026 was published today ( ) and is available on swimswam ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Team Redbirds’ Ellen Reynolds To Be Inducted To Masters International Swimming HOF in 2026 )
Also on site :
- Bruins plot to extend home winning streak vs. Flyers
- Man Utd reach Cole Palmer transfer decision as Michael Carrick midfield shortlist emerges
- Climate change worsened rains and floods which killed dozens in southern Africa, study shows