1972
In 1972 John Spannuth was National organizer. With AAU support and John, Meet Director the program grew to 325 contestants in the National Short Course Master Championships held in San Mateo, CA with almost the same number of contestants in the FIRST Long Course Master Nationals held in Bloomington, IN with "Doc" James Counsilman, Meet Director. The age divisions were changed to five year divisions adding the 1650 Freestyle.
This was the first year to recognize All-American swimmers who were given an emblem and certificate. The water was warm, but the air was cold. Everyone changed to their clothes and wrapped in blankets between events in San Mateo. Unusual weather.
Officers were selected at a closed workshop early in the year and SWIM MASTER was born, June Krauser , Editor. John Spannuth helped with articles and circulation. It is published 9 times a year, covering meet schedules, news, National Master meet results, All-American swimmers, and Top Ten swimmers. It also covers local meets springing up around the U. S. June remarked that John Spannuth was the mastermind behind SWIM Master.
Buster Crabbe entered the Master program and swam in the Long Course Nationals. John had enticed him to swim. He was an asset to the program and helped the meet with excellent news coverage.
It was great to swim with and get to know so many ex-national champions. Our social hours were also fun. Buster Crabbe was a guest speaker.
Charles Teas from Corpus Christi held the first diving meet in Dec. 1972.
Everyone was allowed to enter as many events as they wished, but only swim seven. Individual High point trophies were awarded in every division for both S.C. and L.C.
