By Elaine K. Howley Photographs by Michael Ciaglo After conquering his fear of the water, Brian Bergford now competes to win in Masters swimming I n the pantheon of phobias, there are endless things for an individual to fear. From germophobia—a fear of uncleanliness— to ablutophobia—a fear of bathing—it seems our brains are well equipped to become irrationally uncomfortable with any number of situations and objects. For competitive swimmers, it seems unlikely that a fear of water would ever enter the conversation, given that the wet stuff is their prime element. But for Brian Bergford, 37, of Colorado Masters Swimming, not that long ago, the water caused him such distress Colorado Masters Swimming member Brian Bergford overcame his fear of water to earn two individual U.S. Masters Swimming Top 10 times. FEARF FEARF FEARF FEARF FEARF FEARF FEARF FEARF FEARF FEARF FAST FROM TO 18 usms.org