Dick Kitchell Adds To His National Swimming Titles At Indiana Masters

A Blowing Rock resident has made national news at the YMCA National Masters Swimming Championships at the Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Dr. Richard Kitchell, a native of Kokomo, Indiana who now calls Blowing Rock home, set a national record and won two other age group events at the annual event that drew 496 male and female swimmers from across the country.
Dr. Kitchell, a 1958 Kokomo High School graduate who swam collegiately at Indiana University, broke the 100 yard butterfly record for the 65-69 age group by more than three seconds, winning in 1:07.19.
The world class athlete also won the 400 yard IM and 200 butterfly, took seconds in the 50 butterfly, and 100 and 200 IM and swam on two second place relays for the Sarasota, Florida team.
His victory in the 200 butterfly came exactly fifty years after he set the men’s record in the same event while winning his first YMCA national title for the Kokomo Y.
Dr. Kitchell, 66, also owns two age group world records in masters competition, the 200 meter medley relay (long course, 2:31.90) and 200 meter butterfly (short course, 2:48.50).
A retired dentist, Dr. Kitchell and his wife Louann make their home on West Indrio Road in Blowing Rock.