Phillips 66 Award - Chris Pose
Over the past 15 years, photographer Chris Pose has become a familiar and welcome face on deck at IASI meets - capturing a generation of our athletes, as well as the coaches, officials, and many volunteers that support our sport.
Chris began taking photos at meets when his daughters swam with the YMCA club in Waukee in 2009. When his oldest daughter began swimming at Dowling High School, he captured the action at both girls and boys meets, and in 2012 when the girls were members of CIA, he continued to offer his talents there, eventually expanding to capture athletes of all Clubs. Over the years, he has photographed our Invites, Opens, and LSC Championships, Zone and Sectional meets, TYR Pro Series events, the US Open, College competitions, Masters Invites, High School Championships, and more.
His photos have always been offered free of charge to the athletes and their families. “What’s the password?!?” has become nearly as ubiquitous as “What time are warm ups?!” among athletes and families alike. Sunshine, his yellow vintage VW bus, has made the drive to both Omaha and Indy, where Chris earned a press credential for both the 2021 and 2024 Olympic Trials, allowing us all a front row seat to watch our IASI athletes compete alongside the world’s best.
Among his body of work are a thousand moments of silliness and seriousness. Joy and crushing disappointment, sportsmanship at its finest. The connection between teammates working toward a singular goal, the intensity of a Coach at work, the focus of an Official. The questioning face of a young athlete at their first meet, and the bittersweet moment another steps up on the blocks for the very last time. The calm of the pool before the doors are opened to the crowd, and the chaos of that moment a championship is decided.
In 2018, Chris said, “My favorite part of the sport is the kids who work hard every day to improve. They are friends with each other in and out of the water. I enjoy capturing athletes to preserve their memories. I intend to keep taking photos as long as I am able.”
Thank you, Chris, for your dedication, time, and talent, and all that you have contributed to Iowa Swimming!
