A pool of masters head to Munich

The 47 lean, mean swimmers include two 80somethings who have fought misfortune.

By JON WILSON

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 19, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG -- The quest began perhaps two years ago.

The thread of an idea turned into a dream, and now the St. Petersburg Masters swim team is days away from experiencing the culmination.

The team is bound for Munich, Germany, and the World Masters Championships July 29 through Aug. 7.

The trip is not being made merely so St. Petersburg can show its face. The purpose is to win the most medals and bring back what would amount to a world title.

George Bole, the team's 83-year-old coach, believes it can be done.

He has approached preparations as though he were training an Olympic team. And he has had such experience, having coached at the British Olympic training centers during his half-century involvement in swimming.

"He's definitely taking this seriously," said team member Peter Betzer.

The coach's methods seem to be on target.

"This is the best shape I've been in in my life, including college," said Betzer, 58, who is chairman of the University of South Florida's marine science department.

"Whatever it is, there's something about the way I'm swimming. I feel better in the water," Betzer said. He'll swim the 100- and 200-meter backstroke and breaststroke and the grueling 400 individual medley.

Masters swimmers, who are at least 19 years old, compete in age groups. St. Petersburg has several team members in their 20s. The oldest is Win Kennedy, 87, who will swim backstroke events and relays. The team's base is North Shore Pool.

Team members are amateur athletes. Some are retired, but many are hard-driving professionals who hold down jobs in the workaday world. Fueled by their passion, they rise daily for Bole's tough 5:30 a.m. practice sessions.

The coach can be a demanding taskmaster, but he also is a beloved figure in the swimming community. Many of the masters swimmers say Bole's personality sets the tone for the team.

The chemistry has paid off. St. Petersburg won national masters titles in 1997. The women's team repeated in 1998. Several team members have been accorded masters All-America status for their accomplishments. Bill Specht is among the most highly lauded, having set numerous national and world records and winning recognition as the nation's top masters swimmer for 1998.

"I think I've gotten them ready. They've really worked hard for this," Bole said.

Much of July has been been spent in what's called "tapering." Swimmers typically cover less distance in practice, but increase intensity. And the coach encourages as much out-of-the-pool rest as possible.

"It's not an easy job to taper," Bole said. "With kids, you can tell them to go to bed. But I'm very happy with them."

Forty-seven swimmers will compete in Munich. Including spouses and friends, the entire St. Petersburg contingent will number about 70.

Meet officials will consider the swimmers U.S. representatives, but Bole wants it known that the team carries St. Petersburg's banner.

"I think we might be the biggest club coming from (the United States)," he said. "I'm insistent that we are representing St. Petersburg."

The trip is significant for Bole in another way. About 18 months ago, there was doubt he would be able to make such a journey. Heart problems had put him out of action, and it wasn't certain whether he would be able to have an operation likely necessary to save his life.

The team raised money to pay Bole's medical bills in St. Petersburg. Later, physicians Bruce Day and Jack Pyhel, both masters swimmers, documented their coach's medical condition for doctors in England, Bole's home country. There, he was eligible for national health insurance coverage.

The coach, who has had four heart attacks, was able to have a triple bypass operation. He says he is in top shape now and plans to swim the 50 breast in Munich.

"I'll just be respectable, that's all," Bole said.

Kay Schimpf is also coming back from misfortune.

The 83-year-old Clearwater resident broke her hip two years ago, but healed. In March, she fell in a parking lot, breaking her kneecap and fracturing her sternum.

She said she had recovered by May, but then developed a compression fracture in the cervical area -- T-7, to be precise -- while lifting weights to rehabilitate.

"It's very aggravating that I had to have these mishaps," Schimpf said.

Admitting that she still "hurts a little," Schimpf nonetheless plans to compete in five individual races and two relays in Munich.

The team held a special meeting early Sunday at North Shore Pool. Swimmers received their competition gear, donated by Time-Warner Communications.

It was just about the final touch in preparation for the big meet.

"They're all worked up nicely for it," Bole said.

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