1988
History of Masters Swimming - 1988 National Historians: Hamilton and Mildred Anderson
1988 - The Year of the World Olympics
Important Items: Some Highlights this year were major Changes and Events. The World Championships in Brisbane, Australia with an overwhelming number (3700) of entries (17 nations and 400 U.S. swimmers - 170 Jax) plus the fact that we are scheduled to again hold the 1990 National Short Course Championships in California make it increasingly important that we consider cut off times in Championship meets. We continue to grow with all of the problems associated with these issues. Our convention made many important decisions. One concerned the World Masters and our close association with the World Master Groups.
1988 completes our 19th National Short Course and 17th Long Course Championships. The percent traveling 100 miles or more is higher for those registered 4-6 years and greater for those registered 10 years or longer. The 30-45 age groups compete more frequently than the other groups.
About 30% of the Master Swimmers compete in meets on a regular basis (pool, postal, International meets and open water swims). We traveled to many states for meets between 1970-78 because there were too few meets in our area. Registered swimmers benefit from the insurance and enjoy camaraderie and traveling.
Mildred and I who have swum in ALL USA Championships and 1st International feel that we helped the seed that is growing into a Giant Oak. For details we refer to our Master Swim History.
The National Short Course held in Austin, TX (Huddie Murray) drew 411 and the Long Course held in Buffalo, NY (Gene Donner) drew 1071. Both meets were held in an Indoor Pool with excellent facilities and were well conducted. Huddie was presented with a bouquet of flowers. The Mexican food was HOT! There was music and dancing. Oh yes, Fire ants.
One could have gotten lost in the huge sports complex for the Long Course. A schedule was available the approximate time of each event. There were a few problems that were corrected. The meet was long. The buffet (one of the best) was enjoyed by all plus music and dancing. We did see NIAGARA FALLS!
There were many records broken in the two meets. One by YVONNE FRISCHHERST
in the 200 backstroke. Yvonne's two daughters and granddaughter swam in
the Buffalo meet. A number of early swimmers were missed in the Nationals.
Allen Hellman
, Dan Rowan,
Clarence Ross
, Bill Stinson and Reg Richardson
and the Pfeiffers to name a few. Some swim in local meets and only one
National a year.
JAHN SPANNUTH was recognized as the Ransom J. Arthur recipient. John, Chairman of the National Coaches Association, hosted the 1st two (1970 & 1971) National Championship meets in Amarillo, TX. He was Rules Chairman and National Aquatic Administrator and was instrumental in getting Masters Swimming officially accepted by the AAU. John is a man of many talents who gives hours of his time, and works hard for Masters Swimming. He is now in Oklahoma, his home state, working with a YMCA.
The Marketing Committee published brochures using many pictures from the 1987 calendar. There will not be a 1989 Masters Swimming calendar.
Rob Copeland
transferred from Omaha, NE to New Jersey; Larry Woods from
Irvine, TX to Houston. We were surprised to run into
Ashby Harper
from
Arizona who is now living in Houston. He was written up in Readers' Digest
in November, 1984.
Our Houston team started as Crystal Pools, then changed to Texas Gulf Masters, now to LONESTAR. Jim Montgomery chose the same name, therefore we all swim as one team.
1989
May 4-7 - USMS National Short Course Championships, Florida July 23-Aug 5 - Master Games, Arhus, Denmark Aug 17-20 - USMS National Long Course Championships, University of North Dakota (Mike Stronberg, Grand Forks) Sep 17-24 - USMS National Convention, Portland, OR Oct 10-15 - Pan Pacific Masters Championships
1990
Aug 7-13 - World Championships, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Sep 30-Oct 6 - USMS National Convention, Pittsburgh, PA
