Fred and Mary Anne enjoy post race chat; photo by Bill Grinonneau
Phil Simpson
On April 26 SaddleBrooke’s DesertView Pool was the site of a truly remarkable event as the SaddleBrooke Swim Club hosted a U.S. Masters Swimming sanctioned meet open only to centenarians, those swimmers 100 years of age and over. The atmosphere at DesertView was electric as an up-tempo sound tract provided by David Fuller energized an overflow assemblage of fellow swimmers, relatives and friends who were treated to historic, record-setting performances in backstroke events swum for the first time ever by competitors in the 100 to 104 age group.
Mary Anne Cooper age 101 of Oro Valley, whose daughter Corinna is a SaddleBrooke Swim Club member and SaddleBrooke’s own Fred Klein who just a day earlier reached the century mark, thrilled the spectators with swims that catapulted them into U.S. Masters lore with their performances in their respective backstroke events. With cameras rolling, including those of KVOA’s Channel 4 News and the Tucson Daily Star, Mary Anne, a Masters National Champion and All-American, established the all-time record in the 200 yard backstroke of 12 minutes, 13.77 seconds, setting records as well in the 50 and 100 yard distances on her way to completing the 200. Fred on this day wrapped up a memorable April as the World War II Marine bomber pilot, in addition to celebrating the 100th anniversary of his birth, on April 17 realized a long-time ambition as he took the controls of a P-51 Mustang fighter plane at the Scottsdale Municipal Airport. Fred, also an All-American and National Champion, established the men’s record for the 50 yard backstroke with a time of two minutes, 55.93 seconds.
The familiar sounds of We Are the Champions and Rocky greeted Mary Ann and Fred as they exited the pool to the raucous cheers of their fans. Following their record-setting swims, Mary Anne and Fred clearly enjoyed themselves as they sat together chatting about the morning’s events, before holding forth in interviews with Channel 4 News and The Tucson Star. Mary Anne and Fred were awarded handsome plaques commemorating their historic achievements. Coach Doug Springer, who organized this first U.S. Masters sanctioned meet to be held at DesertView, attested to the extraordinary commitment and perseverance required of Mary Anne and Fred to continue to swim competitively at their ages. Coach Springer is already looking forward to having Mary Anne and Fred compete at the 2017 National Championship meet in California. Perhaps Fred summed up the spirit of the day best when during the Channel 4 News interview he said, “People look at me and think I’m someone special. I’m just another guy.” Not true Fred. Both you and Mary Anne are very, very, special and this was a wonderful, unique experience, for all of us fortunate enough to witness it.