Dixie Zone Newsletter

July-September 1998

Zone Representative: June Krauser

YMCA Masters 1998 National Swim Meet | 1998 USMS Short Course Nationals

In Memory | Editor's Note | Casablanca: No Problem


YMCA MASTERS 1998 NATIONAL SWIM MEET

This championship meet was held at the Swimming Hall of fame Aquatic Center in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The Y's from Florida included Port Orange Y, Hernando County Y, Lee County Y, Ormond Beach Y, Collier County Y, St. Lucie County Y, North Pinellas Y, Tampa Y, Marco Island Y, Boca Raton Y, and Orlando Y. Also from the Dixie Zone: Asheville Y NC, Henderson County Y NC, Capital Area Y NC, Summerville Y SC, Shades Valley Y AL, and East Jefferson Y LA.

In the Combined Scores category, Boca Raton Y came in second to Anne Arundel Y MD in the Large Team division and in the Small Team division, Orlando Y came in second to Westport Ct.

There were 102 teams in all from 31 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Ontario. 253 women and 360 men competed with a total of 613 swimmers, 332 relays, 4210 splashes. The youngest woman was Jana Neuschaefer, 21, Boca Raton FL and the youngest man was Tom Polinceusz, 19, from Henderson County NC. The oldest woman was Julia Dolce, 88, from Ocean County NJ and the oldest man was Gus Langner, 94, from Westport CT.

Heading u the Boca Raton Men's team was Paul Hutinger, 73, winning seven events and placing second in one and setting three records, Craig Crawford, 27, won two events, placed second in five events and third in one event. Herb Kern, 66, won six events and set one record. Cav Cavanaugh, 62, won five events and set two records. Other winners included Marty Hendrick, 40, Richard Kane, 86, James Lilley, 38, Alan Rapperport, 64, David Reynolds, 24, Leonard Silverstein, 63, John Spire, 46, and Robert Strauss, 45. On the women's side, June Krauser, 71, won eight events and set five records. Tracie Moll, 34, won six events and set one record. Brigitte Edelmaier, 51, won three events and placed second in four events. Debbie Cavanaugh won one event, was second in one, and was third in five events.

Swimming at the Hall of Fame Pool, Orlando's women were led by the dynamic duo of Rosemarie Seaman and Cathy Shonkwiler. Seaman led the squad winning all eight of her events and setting records in all eight; Shonkwiler sprinted to seven wins. The two teamed up with Susan Kominoski and Jennifer van der Molen to win the Women's 200 Medley Relay as well.

The men dominated the pool with Rick Scray going the distance winning both the 100 and 500 free, and Chester Miltenberger took the sprints with wins in the 50 and 100 free. Jerry Glancy backstroked to victory in the 50, 100, and 200 while Michael Conger won the 50 free. The Mixed 200 Free Relay of Shonkwiler, Miltenberger, Shepardson, and Seaman outswam the field with a 1:48.70 victory. Other Top Ten swims were turned in by Vicki Haley, Caroline Gatto, Ernestine Beattie, Alyce Vogel, Susan Kominowski, Jennifer van der Molen, Victor Sirbu, Kurt Wickizer, Jack Beattie, Steve Boney, Curtis McWilliams, Andrew Farrell, Robert Lombard, and Richard Bergholtz.

1998 USMS SHORT COURSE NATIONALS

Southern LMSC-- Ann Hill, Alan Braaten, and Steve Heck all performed with excellence at the USMS Short Course Nationals in Indianapolis. Both Ann and Alan posted six personal best times and Steve set several lifetime bests. Also attending the meet for the Crawfish was Dave Miner, who unfortunately cramped in the 1000 free but had a solid showing in the 200 free. We hope to see Dave as a Crawfish in the meets to come.

Georgia LMSC-- The 1998 SC Nationals were held in Indianapolis May 7-10 with over 1700 swimmers competing. Among those were representatives from several Georgia teams: Atlanta Rainbow Trout, City of Atlanta, Marietta Marlins, and GAJA Superteam, which included swimmers from Dynamo, Killer Whales, Lanier Aquatics, and Southside Seals. These National Georgia swimmers are Alex Bailey, Scott Friedlander, Jack Mackenroth (ART), Brad Hodges (CAMS), John Quanrud, Ed Saltzman (DYNA), Lisa Benn, Bill McClung, Tom Northcutt, Winnie Prall, Lisa Watson, Francine Williamson (GMKW), Alice Adams (LA), Bonnie Fryer, Yit a Lim, Doug Malcolm (LINS), and Steve Justice (SSS).

Best overall performance has to be Francine Williamson's (50-54) five firsts in all her freestyle events -- great way to celebrate your first Nationals in your new age group, huh Francine? Lisa Benn (30-34) and Tom Northcutt (30-34) were silver medalists. Doug Malcolm (40-44) won the 50 breast and was third in the 100 breast.

Florida LMSC-- "Age ain't nothing but a number" when it comes to Brud Cleaveland, 80, taking two firsts at the 1998 USMS Short Course National Championships. Over 1700 Masters swimmers from all over the world competed at the Indiana/Purdue Natatorium.

Cleaveland's wins came in the 50, 100, and 200 free as well as thirds in the 50, 100, and 200 breast. All of his times were new team records. Glancy having just come off a strong YMCA National meet won the 100 and 200 backs edging out former Japanese Olympic gold medalist Yoshi Oyakawa. "I knew I had a chance when I glanced over and saw that we were head to head on he last length of the 100. Knowing he's a stocky guy, I used my long arms to out touch him," Glancy excitedly reported.

Don McCullough, 81, took home four silvers as well as four team records respectively. The mother/son team of Nate, 81, and Jerry O'Connell (53) contributed points especially when Nate swam for two silvers and two bronzes.

Cathy Shonkwiler who trains with Team Orlando swam for St. Pete Masters, finished strongly with four individual and two relay first. Rig Bergholtz also training with Team Orlando swam tough for Lake County Aquatics.

Florida Gold Coast LMSC-- There were 10 swimmers in Indianapolis from the Gold Coast Masters team along with Coach Nobutaka Tan -- 7 women and three men. June Krauser won six events (500-1000 free, 100-200 fly, 200-400 IM) setting a USMS record in the 1000 free. Tracie Moll swimming in the 30-34 age group won the 50-100 free and the 100 fly while placing second in the 200 free and seventh in the 50 back. Meg May swam five events placing second in the 1650 and fourth in the 400 IM. Karen Schoenhals swam six events and medaled in the 200 fly. Debbie Cavanaugh swam six events and medaled in the 50-100 breast and the 100 back. Debra Neville competed in three events. On the men's side, Cav Cavanaugh had some great swims and got second in the 50-200 free, 50 fly, and 100 IM and thirds in the 100-500 frees. Breck Ballou swam in four events and Peter Galvich competed in three freestyle events. Peter's father used to coach at the Riviera Club in Indianapolis and June was born and raised in Naptown and swam for both the Indianapolis Athletic Club and the Riviera Club.

IN MEMORY

We lost Anne Bardwell McGuire at 12:20 am on July 1, 1998. In lieu of flowers it is suggested that donations be made to the Aquatics Department of Purdue University in the name of Anne. The address is Aquatics Center, John Purdue Club, c/o Mackey Arena, West Lafayette IN 47907.

Anne's family held an Open House from 4-8 pm on Friday, July 3. Everyone was greeted with a sign that read, "Welcome to a Celebration of the life of Anne Bardwell McGuire. It is taking place in this house that was her house. Please circulate freely and enjoy her presence." Over the course of several hours, many, many dozens of people were there. Nearly everyone was upbeat as Anne would be. Jim, her husband, led that spirit, as did her two daughters and two sons and their spouses. Carl House was particularly struck by Sallie, her daughter from Atlanta, comforting someone who hadn't managed to get into the spirit. She sounds like Anne, looks like Anne, and dresses like Anne. So, Anne hasn't left. Anne's family was really there for us. (My thanks to Carl House for this information that I found in my e-mail messages.)

EDITOR'S NOTE

Please send news of your LMSC for publication in our Dixie Zone Newsletter. The deadline dates for the Newsletter are the first of the months of October, January, April, and July. During those months the Newsletter will be assembled and mailed. Entry blanks for the Dixie Zone Championship meets should be sent at least three months in advance: SCY in January, LCM in April, and SCM in July.

CASABLANCA: NO PROBLEM

What a great adventure! I left on Sunday, June 14, 1998, for my trip to the VII FINA World Masters Swimming Championships held in Casablanca, Morocco. My flight consisted of three planes for a total of 18 hours flying time arriving on Monday, June 15. After checking into our hotel, I went to the pool for a swim and to pick up my credentials and heat sheet. The 2m deep pool was great and the water temperature was perfect. There was plenty of beautiful tiled deck space and seating for 5000 in the stands.

On June 16-17, I attended our FINA Masters Technical Committee meetings. The starting time for the competition was changed from 9 am with warmups from 7:30 to 8:45 am and for two hours after competition each day. Warmups also were available at the 50m pool across the street and in the 25m pool behind the diving well. Registration for the Congress on the 18th was to be at 9 am with the meeting starting at 10 am. There was to be a FINA lunch for everyone attending at the conclusion of the Congress. Our second FINA Masters Officials list will end at Dec. 31, 2000. These lists are for a four-year period. Our third list will be from January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2002. Names may be submitted for Referees and Starters from each country by December 31, 1998. There is an age limit of 60 years. We have asked the Bureau to extend the age limit for Masters but have been denied each time. However, there is now hope because at the World Championships in Perth in January, the Bureau allowed the age limit of Synchronized Judges to be 68. The Germans are going to issue a brochure this fall for the VIII FINA Masters Swimming Championships to be held in Munich in 2000.

On Thursday, June 18, the FINA Masters Technical Congress was held with 27 countries present. The USA was represented by USMS President Nancy Ridout and Masters Diving Chairman John Deininger. New rules passed for swimming include:

1. The warm up must be supervised.

2. When using the forward start, the referee's whistle shall indicate that the swimmers may take their positions with at least one foot at the front of the starting platform, or pool deck, or in the water with one hand having contact with the starting wall.

3. Any swimmer starting before the starting signal has been given by the Starter, shall be disqualified (supersedes SW4.1).

4. Swimmers who had to be disqualified must be listed with time and coded reason for disqualification in the results (The code has to be fixed and has to be published so that translations into the various languages can be made and nationally published before the event).

FINA will publish an addendum with all of the Masters Rules as passed at this Congress. The rules become effective two months after the date of the Congress. In attendance were the President of FINA, Mustapha Larfaoui, the Honorary Secretary Gunnar Werner, the Honorary Treasurer Dr. Julio Maglione, and the FINA Director Comel Marculescu. Mr. Larfaoui pointed out that the strong Masters Federations must help the young Federations. We are here in Casablanca and the first time in Africa in order to help promote Masters Sports. Information comes from the swimmers, the clubs, and the Federations. The FINA Masters World Championships are a Window of Quality for the rest of the World.

The Opening Ceremonies were held on the evening of the 19th at the pool. They consisted of the parade of the 49 countries by Moroccan officials in their shorts and shirts provided to all officials for the event. They held cards for the countries. Then a few welcoming speeches and Moroccan music and singing.

Swimming and Diving competition started on Friday, June 19. Omega - Sport Electronic Timing - was a huge timing system and had been used for the FINA World Cup. The impressive system consisted of several computers, television monitors in the four corners of the pool, and it took four persons to operate the equipment. Results showed the reaction time of your start except for the 50's. The Moroccans were friendly, gracious, hospitable, and always there to help and do anything you asked. The Moroccan Federation members took an active role in the Championships insuring ample support at all venues.

There were approximately 1900 swimmers from 52 countries. The swimming went well with few exceptions. The 400 free ended up being deck-seeded because of language difficulties as not all swimmers understood the confirmation check-in. The competitors were heard to comment on how nice everything was going and that it was much better than anticipated. Due to the reduced number of swimmers, the days were shorter and the meet was run in a more relaxed atmosphere. There were a sufficient number of officials and there was a turn judge on each lane at both ends of the pool. 43 world records were broken by swimmers from 11 different countries.

Dixie Zone swimmers in Casablanca were few. I (June Krauser) won my five events - 400-800 free,200 fly, and 200-400 IM. Joe Kurtzman won the 50-200 fly, was second in the 100 fly, and also swam the 100 breaststroke. Sandy Steer swam the 200 free and the 100-200 breast.

My impressions of Morocco - large thriving metropolis - much traffic - loads of people on the streets - much horn honking - lines on the road meant nothing - small cars - lots of red Petite taxies - weather cooler than expected. The food at our hotel was very good. I had a couple of dinners at the Hyatt, just like home. Also ate at McDonald's once. Also stopped for Dunkin' Doughnuts a couple of times. Had a great Moroccan dinner at a real Moroccan restaurant.

One June 28 we went to Mohamadia for the Open Water Swim. The lunch provided at the Yacht Club was superb. The seas were rough and so the course was shortened for safety. A nice buffet dinner was provided for everyone. Due to clerical problems, the final results had to be finalized the following day. 214 swimmers started with 71 women and 143 men. Out of 22 age groups competing, there were winners from 16 different countries.

A GRAND time and MANY fond memories!