Tankers Make
All-American
During the summer, Western swimmers participated actively in
A.A.U.
swimming. The A.A.U. (Amateur Athletics Union) is a nation-wide
organization
formed to sponsor non-profit athletic events.
At the Men's National Long Distance Championship held in
Ohio this summer,
Patton Park maintained its winning title for the second consecutive
year.
George Saldana placed second in the strenuous four-mile event. By doing
this, he made the A.A.U. All-American team in the long distance event
for
the second straight year. This team consists of the best swimmers in
the
country. Last year's team was composed of such swimmers as world record
holder, Chet Jastremski from Indiana University, Minnesota sprint star
Steve Jackman also world record holder, and Yale's
world-record-breaking
freestyle relay team.
Patton Park was also victorious at the annual Water
Wonderland Meet
at Brennen Pools, Western Swimmers participating in this meet were:
Dennis
Manrique, Rick Skarbo, Mark Manrique, and George Saldana.
The Men's Junior National Water Polo Tournament, also held
at Brennen
Pools, was stolen by Patton Park. The victors gained the
title
by defeating Oak Park from Chicago in the final game with a score of 8
to 6. Goals made by Western swimmers: George, high scorer, 4; Dennis
Manrique
- 1; Mark Manrique - 1; Rick Skarbo -1.
When the final listings came in, two Western swimmers had
made the High
School All-American team. This team is composed of the best 20 swimmers
in each event in the country. Rick Skarbo ranked as the eighth fastest
high school swimmer in the country in the 100-yard backstroke and
fifteenth
fastest in the 200-yard individual medley. George Saldana made
the
team by placing twentieth in the 400-yard freestyle.
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