RICK COLELLA to be inducted into MISHOF, Class of 2019

The International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame (MISHOF) is proud to announce that Rick Colella, will be inducted into the Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2019 during the MISHOF Induction ceremonies in St. Louis, MO, on Friday evening, September 13, 2019, to be held in conjunction with the United States Aquatic Sports convention. 

Seattle-born, Rick Colella, started competitive swimming at age eight and rose through the ranks along with his older sister, Lynn. Both were star swimmers at the University of Washington and Olympic prospects. By the time he was in his early 20’s, he was one of the best swimmers in the world and represented the United States at the Munich and Montreal Olympic Games.

After swimming, Rick Colella then took a job with Boeing as a flight-operations engineer and dabbled in other sports including running, canoeing and Nordic skiing. In 1990, the year the King County Aquatics Center was built for the Goodwill Games, Colella started swimming again with a group of five friends.

"I realized swimming is a great exercise as you get older. Whereas jogging and other sports got too hard on my body, swimming makes less of an impact but still keeps me fit," he said.

Since competing in Masters, Colella has set 47 Masters World Records and the longevity of some of his records is what makes them more impressive. His 200-breaststroke short course world record in the 60-64 age group has stood for eight years.

Colella will be inducted as part of a group of nine (9) outstanding individuals that will be inducted at MISHOF’s annual ceremony. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch in conjunction with the 2019 United States Aquatic Sports Convention.

The prestigious MISHOF class of 2019 includes five swimmers, one diver, one synchronized swimmer, one water polo player and one contributor, from five (5) different countries: the USA, Canada, Lithuania, Brazil and Japan:

SWIMMER INDUCTEES: CAROLINE KRATTLI (USA), SATOKO TAKEUJI (JPN), RICK COLELLA (USA), ROWDY GAINES (USA) and WILLARD LAMB (USA); DIVER INDUCTEE: ASTA GIRDAUSKIENE (LIT), SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER INDUCTEE: MARJORIE ANDERSON (CAN), WATER POLO PLAYER INDUCTEE: JOAO MEIRELLES (BRA), CONTRIBUTOR INDUCTEE: JIM MILLER (USA)

The event is open to the public and free of charge. 

About ISHOF

The International Swimming Hall of Fame, Inc. (ISHOF), established in 1965, is a not-for-profit educational organization located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.  It was first recognized by FINA, the International Olympic Committee’s recognized governing body for the aquatic sports, in 1968.  ISHOF’s mission is to collaborate with aquatic organizations worldwide to preserve, educate and celebrate history, showcase events, share cultures, and increase participation in aquatic sports.

For more information, call Meg-Keller-Marvin at 570 594-4367 or

e-mail: meg@ishof.org