Stevenson breaks three world records in Masters swimming
Chris Stevenson was an All-American and Olympian swimmer. He recently broke three world records for his age group.
BY JOAN TUPPONCE
On his way to Virginia Beach for the 27th annual Virginia Masters fall swim meet in December, Dave Holland, volunteer assistant coach for Richmond’s swim team, had an inkling that Dr. Christopher Stevenson was going to break a world record.
“Two weeks before the meet, Chris had shared with me that he thought a world record was within reach,” Holland says. “I had been watching him closely in practice and realized he was performing very well.”
Holland’s prediction came true. Stevenson, associate professor of chemistry and coordinator of the environmental studies program, set three Masters world records on Dec. 8. For his 40–44 age group, he set world records in the 50, 100 and 200 backstroke. His speeds also set United States Masters records in the same age group.
“Chris isn’t one to seek the spotlight, so he played it off like it was just another race,” recalls Holland.
Stevenson, who spent his childhood in San Jose, Calif., started swimming when he was 6 and competing when he was 8. He attended the University of North Carolina on a swimming scholarship. During his junior and senior years, he won All-American honors, and as a senior he was voted by Atlantic Coast Conference coaches as the most outstanding swimmer in the conference.
While he was in college, Stevenson competed for Greece at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“My mom is Greek, and I lived in Greece for three years,” he explains. “I could compete because of my Greek heritage.”
Stevenson placed 12th in the 100-meter butterfly.
“It was an amazing experience,” he recalls. “People dream of going to the Olympics. I was happy placing 12th.”
Stevenson joined the Florida Masters Swim Team while attending graduate school at the University of Florida. He became a member of the Virginia Masters Swim Team after joining Richmond’s faculty in 1993. Masters swimming is organized by U.S. Masters Swimming, a nonprofit organization with more than 42,000 members.
Matt Barany, Richmond’s head swim coach, met Stevenson in 2005.
“Chris’ swimming has been impressive,” Barany says. “His fitness level is incredible, yet the thing that the current Richmond swimmers and I respect about Chris’ swimming is that he recognizes his strengths and continues to work on them. Even the best swimmers can fear working hard underwater because there isn’t air down there. Chris is like a dolphin when he is underwater. He’s so fast. He’s taken his strength to higher levels.”
Brian Bortell, president of Timmons Group, bikes and swims with Stevenson. The two met through Masters swimming at ACAC Fitness and Wellness in Chesterfield.
“Chris is a pool rat,” Bortell says. “He loves to swim. He can’t get enough of it. He’s more comfortable in the water than on dry land.”
Stevenson’s long arms and torso are a plus for the swimmer.
“Chris is super flexible,” Bortell says. “He has an amazing ability to swim underwater by just kicking. In fact, he can kick 50 yards faster than most competitive swimmers can swim it.”
Bortell wasn’t aware of Stevenson’s international accomplishments and his standing in the swimming world until he accompanied his friend to a large meet.
“It’s like being in public with a rock star,” observes Bortell. “Swarms of people started coming up to him. Coaches from all the other teams come up and volunteer to time for him and get his splits. At this point, I am just carrying his bag and hoping that by association I might enjoy some of this rock star status.”