June Reynolds, 81, was born in Ramus Michigan, which was the center of the largest creamery area in the US. Her family moved to Tampa, FL when she was in elementary school. At Hillsborough HS, she was the diver, 3 meter board, and had a 3rd place at the state meet. She also competed in AAU meets and trained on the beach on her family’s five acre beach front property. Her best events were the long swims, like the 440 free. In the 1930’s, she swam in a water show at the Miami Biltmore Hotel, with Katherine Rawls and Ralph Flanagan, who were world class swimmers during that era. She married at age 16 and had two boys. After her 2nd marriage, she worked at a motel, Upjohn’s Medical, and for three years, was a nanny for two young girls.
Reynolds entered a writing contest and won $25 and won a jingle contest sponsored by Amana Freezers. She has been featured in TV commercials and was an extra in movies. Her friend, Rosie, introduced her to Masters swimming, in the early 80’s when she participated in a Swim for Muscular Dystrophy, in S. Tampa. She won the 50 breast and 50 back, but was so tired she didn’t want to enter any more meets. She continued to practice, however. In 1986, she entered a Masters meet, at the U of South Florida . Her 3rd place high point trophy inspired her to continue with a renewed interest in Masters swimming. In 1988, Reynolds was selected to be on the Holmes team that competed in Brisbane, Australia. Her expectations were to place in the top 8 and win a medal. She out swam many top swimmers and placed 3rd in the 200 fly. Every year, Reynolds has numerous USMS Top Ten times, including prestigious All American rankings. In 2002, she was ranked #1 in the world in SCM and LCM 100 fly. Her goals are to keep swimming into the future. Reynolds has been a Maverick since 2000 and lives in Tampa, Florida.