Ruth Hoskinson, 74, was born in Boston, MA, on Friday the 13th, a lucky day for her and the Mavericks. Most of her schooling and work took place in the Boston area. Her work experience was at the Beth Israel Hospital, Cardiac Division and Massachusetts General Hospital, doing physics research and as a technician for brain scans (now known as MRI’s). Hoskinson’s main interests were in the equine field, where she instructed, trained, competed in steeplechases and showed horses. She rode in fox hunts in New England and Southern Pines, N Carolina. She was a Recognized Judge with the American Horse Show Association, and traveled extensively, to give clinics for the riders. Hoskinson’s greatest accomplishment was being inducted into the Equestrian Hall of Fame as the USPC Instruction Legend, in Philadelphia, PA, in January.

Although she swam all her life, she never competed until age 51. Her most unusual swim occurred at her first meet. On the start, “I did a beautiful swan dive, thinking it would give me extra points.” In 1999, she joined the Mavericks. “They are so helpful, supportive and fun and I am happy to enjoy all they have to offer.” Her outstanding swims are those that make the USMS Top Ten, especially in the fly events. A serendipity which she is extra proud of is her World Top Ten ranking in the 200 meter fly.

Her goals are to improve her technique and endurance in the fly in an effort to improve her times. Hoskinson has a multifaceted personality. Besides swimming, she keeps busy with belly-dancing (we saw the video of her recital) and metal work classes, running, collecting unique art pictures, school crossing guard and traveling to far-off and unusual places, like Belize. She lives in Clearwater, FL, with her patient husband, Larry, and Black Cat, their black cat.