1986
Masters Swimming History
by
Hamilton Anderson
Our new National officers for the next 2 years are: President - THOMAS D. BOAK, Vice-President - GAIL DUMMER, Treasurer - KEVIN KELLY, Secretary - NANCY RIDOUT, Ex-Secretary - DOT DONNELLY, Legal Advisor - JACK GEOGHEGAN
One Newsletter was distributed at Nationals and two more have been mailed
out by
Dot Donnelly
to 22,000 registered Master swimmers.
Rules: NO FALSE STARTS is being enforced. The short course start will be used for long course as well as short course meets. Butterfly - at least one arm stroke is required each length.
The relay age groups are 119-, 120+, 160+, 200+, 240+, and 280+ years for all relays.
The short course National Master Championships held in Ft. Pierce, FL under Mike Corash, Meet Director and Len Barren, stroke judge, hosted 1,231 swimmers. 32 records were broken. A very good meet, but hot. Results were not sent out on time and were not in correct order. Everyone did enjoy the buffet dinner and live entertainment from the old days of dancing and singing. It was a difficult location to fly to. There was rain.
Pete Jurczyk, 80 years of age, started the Indian River Community College Masters swimming team 11 years ago with one swimmer and built to the present 32 swimmers.
Herbert Margolis, a 37 year old attorney, died of a heart attack after swimming the 200 yd. butterfly in the meet.
Dawn Musselman
, WA, 72, a very outstanding back and freestyle swimming
champion, died of cancer in April.
Connie Wilson
, also a backstroker, died
of cancer 2 weeks before the Long Course Nationals in Gresham, OR. She
started in the program in 1972 at Bloomington, IN. She organized the
program in the Oregon area and was also active in the National
conventions.
Judge Robert Beach , the 1986 recipient of the Ransom J. Arthur Award, started in the Master swimming program in May 1971 at Amarillo, TX. He went on to promote the program in St Petersburg, FL. He was National Vice-president for 6 years, and has been the Ransom J. Arthur Award Chairman since 1973, when the Award started. It was through Bob's presentation that the Master Swim Program was accepted by the AAU at the 1971 convention in Kansas City. Bob was nominated by his association for this award. June Krauser served as 1986 Chairman to make it possible for Bob to receive the award. Bob is a worthy recipient, always cheerful and a good sport.
The 1986 World Masters Swimming Championships were held in Tokyo, Japan, July 11-16. There were 3473 contestants, 2566 from Japan. 917 from the other 19 countries. The U.S. sent 400. A number of records were set. Jim Montgomery set 5 and Graham Johnston set 3. The Lone Star 280+ men's relays won the freestyle and Medley relays. I do not know the performance of the other swimmers.
Everyone received a T-shirt. (World) Friendship was stressed. We were told that the swimmers traveled to and from their hotels to the pool by train and walked many blocks and steps up and down. Everyone seemed to have a good time. Jet lag! YES!
The Long Course Nationals were held in Mt. Hood Community College pool, Gresham, OR, the same pool we swam in 4 years ago. The weather was ideal. Meet Director, Sandi Rousseau and Head Referee, Don Meador hosted 933 contestants. When checking in to receive our heat sheets, swim cap, etc., all swimmers were given a card, listing events, number, heat, and lane. Very helpful. Thanks to Robert Smith . We were surprised that 3 loving cups (For Team) were awarded. Our dinner was baked salmon, etc. We were entertained with a unique swim suit style show from 1800 through 1986 (men and women models). Many useful door prizes were given away. The program closed with dancing to a live rock and roll band.
Robert Smith mailed our results complete with all events listed by sex, age and in the correct order.
The 1987 Short Course Nationals will be held in the Stanford University pool May 15-17. The 1987 Long Course Nationals will be held August 21-24.
The 1987 Masters Swimming calendars have been published and are ready to be sold.
