SwimmingWorldMagazine.com Rewind: 1981 U.S. Short Course National Championships

PHOENIX, Arizona, November 10. TODAY, Rewind traipses back to 1981 to review another U.S. Short Course National Championships.

In Cambridge, Mass., Tracy Caulkins, then an 18-year-old, became the winningest woman in amateur swimming history. At the meet, she captured her 31st career individual title, breaking the mark of 30 set by Ann Curtis of San Francisco's Crystal Plunge Pool club from 1943-48. Caulkins would later break the all-time standard previously held by Johnny Weissmuller in the 1982 edition of the race (as previously reviewed by Rewind.)

Here is an excerpt of the story written by Ann and Bob Ingram in the May issue of Swimming World Magazine that year.

Listen, my children, and you shall hear,
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere.
On the eighth through eleventh of April, in Eighty-one,
It was a sight to behold, just what had been done.

They called it a Swimming Revolution at Harvard's pool.
There was no exception–outstanding swims were the rule.
The people came to see American records fall.
When the waves had subsided, there were 12 in all.

Tracy Caulkins led the parade with four.
Mission Viejo relays added three more.
One American record was set by Linehan, Sterkel and Brian
Goodell,
One, too, by Meagher and Carey as well.

History was made at this historical site,
By Mission Viejo and Nashville's "Mighty Mite."
Her name is Tracy Caulkins, and she did something that's never
been done,
With four wins at Harvard, she owns the most career titles at 31.

Coach Mark Schubert's Mission Viejo Nadadores had many a win,
Enough to capture team titles for combined, women and men.
So when Paul Revere left here, after all was said and done,
He saw a Swimming Revolution, second to none.

For the complete Swimming World Magazine article on the 1981 Short Course Championships, click here.

Premium online subscribers can view the entire 1981 May edition of the magazine, as well as any other edition of the magazine back to 1960. To order a premium subscription, please click here.

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