Beth Baker, Ron Johnson Shine at Masters Nationals

By Scott Rabalais
FEDERAL WAY, Wash., Aug. 18. BETH Baker of Virginia Masters and Ron Johnson of Arizona Masters were among the stars at day three of the USMS Long Course
National Championships.

Baker, 40-44, set world and USMS records in the women's 100 back (1:10.45)and the 200 fly (2:29.81).

"In a USS meet recently, I went 1:09.88 in the 100 back, but it doesn't count for the world record," Baker explained. "My goal today was to go a 1:08, but I'm O.K. with the swim." Baker is a former University of Virginia swimmer who spent 10 years in triathlons and now raises a 3-year-old son.

Johnson, 70-74, also had a world record in the 200 fly (3:20.84) and posted an all-time best in the 200 IM (2:59.90) as well. The much anticipated match-up between Ron Johnson and Graham Johnston, Team Texas, in the 200 IM failed to materialize as Johnston was forced to scratch due to a hamstring injury.

"I was looking forward to racing Graham," remarked Johnson. "I would prefer to knock heads and enter events that aren't my best just so I can race. I'm looking forward to the 100 free tomorrow when Graham and I can compete." Apparently, Johnston's injury does not significantly affect his freestyle stroke.

Laura Val, Tamalpais Aquatic Masters, continued her assault on the record books with two more world records. Val won the 50 free in the 50-54 age group in 28.22 and followed with a victory in the 200 fly in 2:31.55. Both wins were well under the previous records, with Val cutting 13 seconds off Barbara Dunbar's fly mark.

Meanwhile, June Krauser, 75-79, struck gold in the 400 free (7:07.81), 200 IM (3:52.70) and 200 fly (4:18.67), giving her six new world records in six
events at the Championships.

The 200 butterfly saw some fantastic competition, particularly in the men's 50-54 age group. Lawrence Day, 50, Michigan Masters, battled Jim McConica and Rick Colella to finish first in 2:22.29, easily a world record. McConica's 2:25.14 was also under world-record time. Colella laid his claim to fame on Saturday with a world-record 200 IM (2:23.45).

Also in the 200 fly, Dennis Baker, Oregon Masters, swam away from the field in the 40-44 age group, clocking an impressive 2:07.82 and winning by 15 seconds.

"My goal was 2:06.9, a time I swam recently at a USS Sectionals meet," said Baker after the race. Baker has his eye on achieving the Senior Nationals cut next year, which will be in the 2:04 range. He placed fifth at the 1980 Olympic Trials in 2:00.2, his lifetime best.

One of the surprises of the meet is Barb Gundred, coach of Bellingham Masters, who set a world record in the 100 back in women's 50-54.

Gundred, who swims for Pacific Northwest Aquatics, was shocked at her finishing time. "I felt awful and had no legs. All I wanted to do was break 1:20." Her time of 1:16.93 dropped 1.43 seconds off of the previous record. Amazingly, she also serves as Director of Hospitality for the Long Course Nationals.

Equally impressive in the water was Caroline Krattli, 39, in the 50 breast. The San Diego Swim Masters phenom touched in 33.91 to break her own record of 34.32.

"This pool is unbelievable; it's such a great facility," remarked Krattli. " I felt great today and wanted to be under 34."

Other world and USMS records follow, with complete results at ttp://www.usms.org/comp/lcnats01/realtime.

Competition concludes on Sunday.

Women 80-84 100 Back 1:50.50 Bunny Cederland, Space Coast Masters
World/USMS
Men 55-59 50 Breast 33.45 Bob Strand, The Olympic Club
USMS
Women 65-69 50 Breast 42.22 Jayne Bruner, DC Masters
USMS
Women 70-74 50 Breast 48.48 Ann Hirsch, Walnut Creek Masters
USMS
Women 80-84 50 Breast 56.34 Betty Christian, Oregon Masters
World/USMS
Women 75-79 50 Free 38.57 Florence Carr, Florida Maverick Masters
World/USMS
Men 55-59 200 Fly 2:34.52 Robert Poiletman, Gamecock Masters
World/USMS
Women 55-59 200 Fly 3:16.09 Ginger Pierson, Multnomah Athletic Club
USMS

Mixed 200 Free Relays (World/USMS records):
Gold Coast Masters 200-239
1:52.40
Cav Cavanaugh
Debra Riker
Jerry Greenberg
Tracie Moll

Oregon Masters 240-279
2:06.70
Bert Petersen
Janet Gettling
Joy Ward
David Radcliff

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