1989
HISTORY OF MASTER SWIMMING - 1989
by
Hamilton Anderson
In observing various Master Swimmers, we realize that all participate for a different reason with a different meaning and different goals.
To some, it is having someone to swim with, improving strokes, and health, and camaraderie. For some it is acquiring awards and notoriety. Others are motivated to build their bodies, training to the limit of their ABILITY and concentrating on how to win with better times. To some it is breaking records while others enjoy just winning or placing.
Some are almost obsessed with being the best. Some need the motivation of overcoming a physical handicap and or keeping their bodies healthy. Others only wish to party and be a part of the organization.
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Here at the Short Course Nationals, many of the motels gave complimentary buffet breakfasts to the contestants. Contestants could eat what they wished in a shorter time. They were given schedules for the times the events would start.
The medals are great, back to the size given in the earlier meets. A plus to Tom Boaks term in office.
by Meet Director - Fred McIntosh Mission Bay, Boca Raton, Florida May 4-7, 1989 USMS National Short Course Championships
AGE GROUP ENTRIES
Age Group Female Male Combined 25-29 137 152 289 30-34 141 204 345 35-39 100 159 259 40-44 56 139 195 45-49 46 88 134 50-54 41 74 115 55-59 41 56 97 60-64 37 51 88 65-69 36 57 93 70-74 28 46 74 75-79 20 23 43 80-84 2 13 15 85-89 0 6 6Totals 685 1,068 1,753
Swimmers from Florida represent the largest group at these Nationals, with 425 swimmers, including 70 from host club Mission Bay.
228 swimmers come to these Nationals from California! 133 Texans registered for these Nationals as well.
Runner-up honors for the Traveling Neighbors award go to Westport, Connecticut, with 12 swimmers from zip code 06880.
The Negative Split of the Meet award goes to Jim Montgomery , coach of the Lone Star Masters. According to his seed times, Jim plans to swim his 500 free in 7 minutes, while he entered 10 minutes flat for his 1000 free. That 3 minute last 500 will be something to watch!
More than 41% of all entries beat the deadline by a week or more. The Nationals registration committee appreciates the promptness of these early birds.
Did you know that more than 285 people did not include a copy of their USMS card with their original entry? The registration chairman reports that 284 of them were quite pleasant when asked to comply.
The single most competitive age at these Nationals is 33, with 32 female and 45 male swimmers. Coincidentally, the author of these trivia bits is also 33!
The I can't Swim Those Other Strokes award goes to Michael Doyle of Valley Forge, who entered the 100 free at 56.00 and the 200 back at 2:25, but seeded himself at 13 minutes for the 400 I.M. Looks like Michael needs to work on his butterfly and breaststroke!
The average female swimmer is 42.6 years old at these Nationals. Jeannie Mitchell, born November 12, 1946, is that average female swimmer.
The charter members of the Masters Swimming Program at Mission Bay in 1985 were Andy Broido, Sandy Brown, Corinne Carroll, Lil Haneman, Sandy Jackson, Anne LaBorwit , Sherman Laguna, John Laramie, Rusty Preston, and Alan Slootsky. Mission Bay now has over 170 registered Masters swimmers.
Sometimes it pays to have parents who think ahead. Robert Clanford, James Kane and Lynn Morrison-Casey will age up during this meet. Swimmers, welcome to the bottom of your new age group!
May 4, 1989: Happy Birthday to Deanna Nichols, Joan Glaraton , Robert Clanford, James Kane, Lynn Cartee and Ronald Collins.
May 5, 1989: Happy Birthday to Robert Coulter , Edward Hinshaw and James Davis.
May 6, 1989: Happy Birthday to James Ryan , Jack Brethwaite , Lynn Morrison-Casey, Steve Solomon, and Heriberto Delgado.
May 7, 1989: Happy Birthday to Carol Agnew, Stuart Corliss and Conni Roth-Lehmann
Top of the Age Group awards go to Mary Smith who will age up on May 12; Sandra Cathey , Blake Reed and Greg Zann who will age up on May 13; and Jayne Bruner who will age up on May 15.
