1973
In 1973 the S.C. Nationals were held in Santa Monica, CA and required everyone to only enter and swim seven events. The meet had been seeded incorrectly and had to be reseeded for a time final meet for Master swimming. L.C. Nationals were held in Chicago, IL with each meet attracting about 500 contestants. Dr. Cureton was the guest speaker, interesting but talked too long.
Individual High point awards were discontinued, but emblems were given to first place winners. Team trophies continued. This was the first year the National Ransom J. Arthur award was awarded to Ransom at the S.C. meet. It is awarded for contributing greatly to Master Swimming promoting Master Swimming, and special services. It is awarded every year at the S.C. Nationals. The recipient is selected by a committee headed by Vice President, Judge Robert Beach .
The relays were changed to 25+, 35+, and 45+. Later the 55+ and 65+ relays were added; also mixed relays. There are more men swimming in the Master program than women.
Our officers are: Capt. Ransom J. Arthur, Vice President-Judge Robert
Beach, Secretary June F. Krauser, appointed Sub-committees: Records and
Tabulation-Hal Onusseit and Ted F.H. Haartz, Public Relations-Buster
Crabbe, Rules-John Spannuth, All-American Chairman-Dr.Burwell Jones, and
additional associates: Dr. Paul Huttinger,
Ray Taft
, later Mildred
Anderson, Pat Clinton, Cease Brown, Jim Cotton, and Arthur, Beach, and
Spannuth. Historian-Hamilton Anderson.
Both the S.C. and L.C. Nationals were held inside. Electric timing was improved, with back-up timers.
The Master Convention is held in conjunction with the Aquatic Sports. In 1973 it was held in West Yellowstone with only 6 Master representatives. The AAU rule states that the elected officers must be present.
