In January, Paul and Margie Hutinger published the first issue of the Maverick Lane Lines, the team newsletter. Margie was the editor of the computer generated issue, and Paul initiated his "Tip of the Month" and contributed ideas of articles. It was copied at Staples and Doris Prokopi donated $10 to cover costs. She was the first of a continuing list of newsletter sponsors, whose name appears in each issue.

Our first meet was at the USF pool in Tampa, Jan 18 & 19. Seven swimmers (Carla Corkins, Margie and Paul Hutinger, D. J. Johnson, Dick Olufs, Doris Prokopi and Rosie Vijil) competed. The Mavericks finished with a respectable 5th place, out of the twenty-four teams. We were
"cool in the pool", sporting our new Maverick T-shirts.

Our 2nd meet was at the Long Center, in Clearwater, Feb 8 & 9. We had eleven swimmers (Corkins, Cutts, M & P Hutinger, Johnson, MacDonald, Maloney, Olufs, Paintner, Prokopi and Tillotson) and we entered eight relays. We placed 3rd, out of 25 teams. For our team effort, we
received $20, cash, and a color certificate. The Hutingers personalized the certificate, and sent copies to each of the swimmers.

On Feb 20, eight Mavericks traveled to Bradenton to compete in the Gulf Coast senior games. Frank Tillotson, P & M Hutinger, Maloney, Cutts, Prokopi, Corkins, and Paintner combined for a total of 33 gold medals, 7 silver medals, and 8 bronze. Other swimmers noticed our congenial
group, and one women commented if she could swim as well as she could drive, she would join our team--"you look like you're having so much fun." We are!

On Mar. 10 & 11, four teammates (Corkins, Prokopi, Paintner and Maloney) brought home a handful of medals from Polk Co. Sr Games.

At the St. Pete Championship Meet in April, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that we had overtaken Orlando for a second place finish, among the visiting teams. When you consider that 330 swimmers from 40 teams competed that weekend, we were truly proud of the effort each Maverick made to compete in his/her events, eight relays and support the team endeavor. Six of our swimmers received high point awards--E. Prokopi, Maloney, P. Hutinger, Tillotson, Corkins, Starr. In addition, Hutinger set two meet records and Maloney, Corkins and Starr, had one each. Other participants were Cutts, M. Hutinger, J. Kurtzman, Latimer, Paintner, D. Prokopi and Vijil.

Saturday, after the meet, the Hutingers hosted the 1st annual post-meet pizza party at their home. About 20 hungry swimmers, including Mavericks and guests from other teams, devoured pizzas and other snacks. One of the fun aspects of Masters swimming is to get together with teammates and other swimmers to share a meal and enjoy the company of others who appreciate the healthy lifestyle of the Masters swimming program.

The enthusiasm for our 2nd place achievement soon turned to frustration, as we made phone calls to our swimmers to inform them of our success. The award was $30. Not to our team, as Clearwater had done, but as a donation to our favorite charity. After speaking to our swimmers, the unanimous opinion was that WE should be given the award and have the freedom to decide how we distribute it. After all, we are all mature adults, capable of making intelligent decisions about our own team. In further conversations with SPM, they would NOT give it to us! It would
be acceptable, however, if we donated it to another swim team. We have chosen to give it to S.W.I.M. Florida Masters, to support and enhance their program--no strings attached!

The Showdown Meet between the Dixie and New England Zones, was held at the International Hall of Fame Pool in Ft. Lauderdale, April 18-20. The Mavericks foursome, P. Hutinger, J. Kurtzman, MacDonald and Maloney, finished 12th, out of 33 men's teams! M. Hutinger didn't swim, but played an important role as "gofer". On day 2, two relays were entered, but, no MacDonald for 1st relay at 9:00. Margie stood watch at the parking lot entry, spotted Bob at 8:45, and said, "You have 15 min." Bob nodded and drove off to find a scarce commodity--a parking space. He arrived on deck, Margie said, "You have 5 min. to get to lane 3" (fortunately, he was the 800 free anchor). He walked from the locker room tying his suit as the gun sounded and the lead off swimmer dove off the blocks. It's not an easy being a Maverick, but fun!

At the St. Pete LCM meet in July, we only had three swimmers. Olsen, E. & D. Prokopi were high point award winners.

J. Kurtzman swam at meets in Greenville and Atlanta, in July, winning all of his events.

In Sept. and Nov., St. Pete Masters held SCM development meets at Fuller Park. Prokopi, P Hutinger, Maloney and Tillotson competed.

Also, this fall, Senior Games were held at Tampa, Sarasota, and Clearwater. Added to the above list of participants, was Margie Hutinger. Five months and one day after the accident, she swam four events at Sarasota. It's a start on the long rehab road, as she was 20 seconds slower on the 50 M free. Her advice to those recuperating from an injury-- "Life is short; swim now. Take it easy, but don't wait until you're all back in shape to workout or compete."

In October, Ocala held their first meet. Tillotson and D Prokopi made the trip. Frank (83) was jubilant that his five times were faster than last years.

On Halloween weekend, seven swimmers travelled all the way to Anderson, SC--Prokopi, Olsen, the Hutingers, Maloney, Tillotson and J. Kurtzman. The pool wasn't the greatest, but their Masters team put on a good meet. We were treated to ice cream sundaes on Sat. and sandwiches on Sun. At the Sat. social, they gave many prizes away, but none were quite as
elaborate as the Elvis the Pelvis award won by Kurtzman. He was obviously overwhelmed, as he contemplated making his acceptance. Elvis is a two foot high, fired, clay statue, painted and decorated in the style that would make the King proud. Too bad you have to pass him along to another lucky recipient next year, Joe.

Gray, Luke, Maloney, Paintner and Prokopi competed in the Florida Senior Games State Championships, in Sarasota, on December 3-4. The meet heat sheet included all the state records, both in SCY or LCM. The following Mavericks hold records: Corkins, Cutts, P Hutinger, Maloney, Olsen, Olufs, Prokopi and Tillotson.

The foursome of P Hutinger, MacDonald, Kurtzman and Maloney traveled to Coral Springs, December 5-7, and set their second world record. This one, in SCM, also was in the 200 m medley relay, in a time of 2: 31.12 seconds. M Hutinger also swam and bettered each of her times from the Anderson, SC meet in November.

Our two Canadians swam well at their big meets this summer. At the Ontario Masters Championships in May, Doris McEwan, 70-74, broke the Canadian record in the 50 M. breast in 52.00; and also set a provincial record in the 50 M. free, 41.40. Egon Weberg placed 4th or better in his events. In July, at the Canadian Nationals in Montreal, McEwan continued her
winning ways and broke the National record in the 50 M. back in 48.30. She won all her events and set nine provincial (Quebec) standards. Weberg placed 6th or better in his events.

In early September, the Hutingers flew to Ottawa, Canada. They stayed with McEwan and Weberg in Brockville and put on a swim clinic at their one-year old YMCA pool. Coach Paul's clinic was well-received and the twenty participants were appreciative of his expertise. He had three hours of their attention including a lecture and discussion, and pool time for a variety of techniques on drills strokes, turns, and starts. It was a challenge as the group varied greatly in skill, but all in all, a worthwhile experience. Doris and Egon were extraordinarily generous as they welcomed us into their home for ten days of supportive relaxtion, rehabbing, visiting, touring scenic Ontario, and, or course, workouts at the Y.

The fitness program, Key West Challenge, that the Hutingers started at the North Shore Pool, in St Petersburg, had a writeup and pictures in the local paper, in Jan. The day it made the paper, the Hutinger phone rang off the hook with people calling for more information on how to enter the program. There are many people who are interested in swimming, and are looking for a fun idea on how to be more motivated in the pool. The swimmers completing the 200 mile swim (in a pool) earned an original 5-colored t-shirt. Over 50 swimmers participated in the challenge. Janet Poulson received her t-shirt, later in the year.

SENIOR NATIONALS-TUCSON, AZ-MAY - Five Mavericks headed West to compete in the National Senior Games, in Tucson. Paul and Margie Hutinger had a bad car accident in a construction zone in West Texas, and never reached Tucson. Paul had minor scrapes and a separated shoulder. Margie had a broken rib and
6th cervical vertebrae, and spent three months wearing a halo (neck brace) while her neck healed. She regained her freedom two days before LCM Nationals. Corkins, Maloney and Prokopi swam well in their events.

LCM NATIONALS-ORLANDO, FL-AUG - The Mavericks were ecstatic when they were announced as National Champions in the men's Small Team Division, 8 men or less (75 teams) and runners-up with 10 swimmers in the combined men's and women's Small Team, 14 or less swimmers (111 teams). The men's 200 m medley relay, 280+ Hutinger, MacDonald, J. Kurtzman and Maloney, swam to a world record in 2:33.50 seconds. All ten swimmers, had at least one National championship race, either as an individual or a relay member and placed in 49 out of 51 events swum. Among their finishes were 11 first places,16 second places, and 5 third places. Other swimmers included Kenner, Malbrough, E. & D. Prokopi, Schlegel and Tillotson. M. Hutinger had her halo removed two days before the meet and served as team gofer. The Mavericks ten relays (everyone participated) included five 1st places and three 2nd places. The 6th place relay, however, was the most exciting. That one established a new World Record. MacDonald was two weeks shy of the age requirement for the National record, so the relay competed in the 240+ age group, and set the FINA record in the 280+. "These are outstanding results from this small, enthusiastic team, who is competing in its first Nationals," said Paul Hutinger, Coach, and one of the team founders. "When we formed this team, only nine short month's ago, two of our goals were to be National Champs at Orlando and set a world record. We accomplished both. Being runners-up was a seredipity."

Most of the Mavericks had dinner together every night at Nationals, but Sunday, our last night, was extra special. While sitting around the table at Numero Uno, everyone gave an individual account of their performances, plus, what was the most memorable personal experience of
the meet for them. This started a tradition.

At the Masters National Convention in California, in September, the Mavericks were awarded the bid for 3000/6000 Yards National Postal Championsip, for September 1-October 31, 1999.

The Mavericks called or sent in ballots for our first election of officers. The proposed slate was unanimously accepted. The officers were:

In our second year, we were very thankful for the positive comments made about our club. We appreciated the generous support given to us in the first whole year of our Maverick existence. One of our goals is for each of our swimmers to feel like they belong and are an integral part of this organization. Anyone who has any ideas or suggestions to improve our club should feel free to let us know.

We all know that kicking is important. To stimulate interest and motivate the Mavericks to do more intense kicking, Paul offered a kick challenge. The five kicks included are: 100 choice, 200 choice, 100 IM, 200 IM and 10 minute choice. He encouraged swimmers to include speed
kicking sets in daily workouts, and at least once a week, time themselves on one of the above kicks--NO FINS OR ZOOMERS, using a kick board. Using a pace clock or wrist watch to time themselves, swimmers could go for a club record, top 3 time, but most importantly, go for improvement in their own kicking skills and a personal best time.

In the first year of the Mavericks' existence, our club dues were $7, from 27 members. We not only survived, but enhanced our team with newsletters and paid relays at Nationals by the generous donations, over $300, of our members. Our checkbook balance at the end of the year was almost $300.