The following swimmers were selected as "Mavericks of the Month" in 1998. Our first edition of "Maverick of the Month" was called "New on the Blocks," and was featured in March 1998 of the Maverick Lane Lines Newsletter.

Elmer Luke (71) may be a new Maverick, but not a stranger to the sport of swimming. He competed in high school in Hibbing, Minnesota, a hot bed of swimming in the 1940's. As a senior, he was the state champion in the 220 free. While at Gustavus Adolphus College in St.Peter, MN, he held school records in the 220, 440 and 1650 free. After college, Luke taught high school physical education and coached the boys and girls swim teams for 37 years. Luke joined Masters last year and enjoys setting goals and making new friends. He became a Maverick in the fall, and swam meets at Sarasota, Bradenton and Clearwater. His improved times will place him in the
Top Ten, with a 16:15 for the 1000 free. His 7:09 for the 400M free ranked him 10th for 1997.
We look forward to having him on the 800 M relay, potentially another National Record. Elmer, and wife, Bonnie, spend summers in Minnesota, and the rest of the year in Sarasota.

In our second edition or this new recognition, swimmer Dave Malbrough was the first Maverick who was called "Maverick of the Month."

*Dave Malbrough, 85, swam four years at Grinnell College, in Iowa, and graduated in 1935. He never lost a backstroke race for his college team, and as a junior, set the conference record in the 150 back. During his sophomore year, his undefeated team won the Missouri Valley Conference. As a longtime member of Illinois Masters, he helped organize their efforts to win the National Championship in Indianapolis, large team, in all three divisions. He will again join the Mavericks for the LC Nationals as we attempt to repeat as small team National Champs. At LC Nats, Detroit, 1979, Dave swam the 100 m back in 1:40; 15 years later, he swam it in 1:46. Dave and Paul roomed together in Brisbane, Australia, as members of Holmes Lumber Jax, who won the World Title in 1988. Malbrough aged up to 85, just in time for the Y Nationals and Masters SC Nats, where he won all his events. His most meaningful swims at Y Nationals were breaking T. K. Cureton's 12 year old record in the 50 back, 46.81; and Gus Langers 500 free, 9:55.12. Cureton, Professor Emeriti, U. of Illinois, Malbrough's mentor and friend, set up the national swimming program for the YMCAs in the early 40's and was an advocate for Vitamin E, at that same time. The Mavericks are indebted to Dave, an entrepreneur business man, for his excellent job of getting the towels for the team awards. Thanks, Dave!

*NOTE: Dave passed away on August 6, 2001. He will certainly be missed by his friends, family and his Maverick teammates.

Doris Prokopi, 62, learned to swim in her German school, at age 12. The only stroke they taught was breast. At age 21, she came to the United States. Her son, Eric, joined a swim team when he was seven. Doris supported his efforts by driving him to practice and to his swim meets,
until he became a college freshman at Gainesville. She says she learned alot about competitive swimming by watching Eric, although in all those years, she never got back in a pool. With Eric away at college, Doris missed the action in the pool. At age 56, Eric's coach at Brandon Blue Waves encouraged her to join Masters. This was the first she knew about this sport. Several months later, she swam in her first meet, in Tampa. She swam 10 events, won the high point award, and was hooked. Since then, she always swims the maximum number of events. She is a regular participant in the senior games, and in 1995, was the Florida Female Athlete of the Year. At the last three Sr. Nationals, she frequently placed in the top 6, her highest medal being 3rd in the 100 m breast. In Nov., 1996, she was one of the founders of the Florida Maverick Masters. She competed in the last two LCM Nationals, and has enjoyed the excitement and fun with her new team. She placed in all of her events, her best being a 3rd in the 100 m fly. She practices in Tampa, 3000 yds, 5 days a week. She lives in Land O'Lakes with her husband, Bill and son, Eric.

Regan Kenner, will age up to 75, on Dec. 11, 1998. Regan grew up in England and received her first swim lesson from her father at an outdoor pool, in October, when she was almost 5 years old. She pursued swimming at a Women's Swim Club as a diver, then competed in back, breast and free, from ages 9-15. She moved to the United States in 1946, after WWII. At 63, she
competed in her first Masters meet in St. Louis. Leo Letrendre, the coach and meet director, observed her swimming the 200 yard breast, and said, "Let's get three timers on that swimmer. It might be a record." As a breast stroker, he recognized superior talent, and she did set a National record. As she ages up, shortly, she is setting goals for the SCY season. Kenner set three FINA age World Records at LCM Nationals this past August, in her breast events. Her 200m breast was her most outstanding swim, as she broke Betty Christian's record by over 9 seconds. She also has back and breast record setting goals for SCM, at a December meet. With limited pool time, however, she's not in top shape. She's also world class in the back events, and wins those two years before Doris Steadman ages up. Good luck from the Mavericks! In 1993, Kenner had 12 1st places in the Top Ten, and had the honor of being chosen All Star for the 70-74 age group. Regan and Grant live in Canton, MO (near St. Louis), and have four children.