Wonderful Woody Bowersock, 90, Smashes Three Masters Marks
By Karlyn Pipes-Neilsen
SAN DIEGO, Calif., October 1. NINETY year-old Woody Bowersock of Laguna Woods, Calif., established three new USMS national records while swimming at the San Diego Senior Games held at the Ray and Joan Kroc Corporate Community Center Pool on September 21st.
In the 50-yard freestyle, Bowersock looked like a teenager in the water as he sprinted up and down the pool with solid technique and power. When the splash had settled, the clock displayed an amazing time of 35.96. Woody’s time hacked 4.82 seconds off the previous best of 40.78 set in 2000 by Gerson Sobel.
Keep in mind folks — this guy is ninety years old and he is swimming fast enough to make "A" times for USA-S Swimming (for the 10-under age group, that is!).
In the 50-yard backstroke, Bowersock was equally impressive with a speedy 52.37. His time sliced 2.89 seconds off the previous best of 55.26 set by Jim Penfield in 1998.
The multi-talented Bowersock also lowered the 200-yard free record by 3.27 seconds with a time of 3:48.77. The old record was set back in 1993 by the late Gus Langner with a time of 3:52.04.