Monday, July 01, 1985

News of the Peoria Journal Star Swim Meet

News clippings and older records too.

SWIMMING

Expect broken swim records Central Illinois meet opens


By DAVE REYNOLDS of the Journal Star


This year, more than any year of the recent history of the 42nd annual Central Illinois Swim Meet, may seem like a broken record.

Fourteen records have been broken in each of the past two meets, but Peoria Area Water Wizards coach Mark Rauterkus envisions many more than that in this weekend's meet, co-sponsored by the Park District and the Journal Star.

“There could be 20 or 30 records broken," said Rauterkus. "Beth Veerman is seeded over 12 seconds faster than the record in the 13-14 girls 200 individual medley. And Kara Bauernfeind has a chance for three state records in the meet.

"To my knowledge, there's never been a state record set in this meet."

Bauernfeind, a 10-year-old from Pekin, recently established a state best in the 10-and-under age group for the 50-meter freestyle with a clocking of :30.48, beating a 5-yearold mark held by Bridgett Bowman of Joliet. It was only the second 10-and-under state record broken in the past five years.

Bauernfeind is seeded at better than two seconds faster than the meet record in three events the 50-yard freestyle, the 50-yard breastroke and the 100-yard individual medley. Her seed time is also withing a second of the state mark in each event.


Photo:

Kara Bauernfeind. 10, is gearing up for this weekend's Central Illinois Swim Meet at Central Park Pool. Bauernfeind, from Pekin, set a state record last week in the girls 10-and-under freestyle in a time of 30:48. She has a shot at three more state records this weekend.


Veerman, a 13-year-old from Pekin, already owns seven meet records and, by moving into a new age group, has a chance to add to that record total.


The meet's oldest record, Bob Markowski's 20-year-old :26.8 in the boys 11-12 50 freestyle, will be threatened by two swimmers -- Derek Amerman and Curt Herrin.


Approximately 450 swimmers, about the same as last year, will compete in the meet Saturday and Sunday at Central Park Pool. Two new age groups, six and under and seven and under, will break up the always huge 8-and-under classification.


"In the past we've had as many as 40 kids fighting for eight spots in the eight and unders," Rauterkus said. "this will give everyone a better chance and should be really cute."

One other difference from past years is that novice swimmers will only compete in the 9-10 bracket, thus causing the novice / consolation records to be retired.

The meet begins at 9 am Saturday. The morning session consists of preliminaries for all age groups 10 and under. Preliminaries fro the older swimmers continue Saturday afternoon.

Open and Masters swimmers compete Sunday morning, beginning at 9 am with the age group finals beginning Sunday at 1 pm. To qualify for Sunday's finals, swimmers must finish in the top eight of their event. Warm ups begin an hour earlier than each session.




This 8 panel brochure and entry form for the meet was printed in-house with Peoria Park District in blue ink.









Tuesday, April 09, 1985

Junior Olympic Short Course - EAST - Swimming Campionships, Syracuse, New York

Went to the McDonald's / USS National J.O.'s Swimming Championships, east, short corse, in Syracuse, New York, from April 9 to 13, 1985.

PAWW swam a girls 400-free relay in the meet.

Meet was hosted by the Syracuse Chargers in a high school swim pool.

Went there via Peoples Airways from Peoria to NJ to Syracuse.

Saturday, March 30, 1985

Junior Nationals, four PAWW swimmers compete in relay





SWIMMING

Young Wizards ahead of time


By DAVE REYNOLDS of the Journal Star

Even if the Peoria Area Water Wizards (PAWW) girls 400-meter freestyle relay team finishes last at the National Junior Olympics next month in Syracuse, N.Y., it might set a record anyway.

The four girls - Kate Durbin. 13. of Peoria Heights: Erica Wisniewski. 12, of Morton; Jenny Bauernfeind, 15,of Pekin and Beth Veerman, 13, of Pekin – may be the youngest group to compete in the meet, which has no age group classification. Swimmers 18 and under are eligible to qualify for the meet, which will be held April 9-13.

The PAWW foursome qualified by swimming a 3:40.34 at the Illinois Senior Championships in Rockford earlier this month, finishing second to the Deerfeld High School state championship team. To put the PAWW girls accomplishment in perspective, their time would have placed them eighth in this year's state high school meet, a remarkable achievement considering all but Bauernfeind, a freshman, are in grade school.

"All season I've talked about Junior Nationals as a point of reference to give the kids something to shoot for in the next year or two," said PAWW coach Mark Rauterkus. "I try to set standards high, but getting there wasn't really a goal, it was more like a dream."

But at least one of the girls thought it was a possible dream.

"I was adding up our best splits before the race," said Bauernfeind, "and I knew we had a chance at getting the qualifying) time."

But it took best efforts by all four to do it. Bauernfeind had the biggest drop, from:56.3 to :53.5. Veerman went from :54.9 to :54.7, Durbin from :56.5 to 55.8 and Wisniewski from :58.5 to  :57.0.
Because of their age difference, it was the first time the four had swum together. "We should do better at nationals because we've been practicing our starts and working together," said Veerman.

But first the three youngest girls are competing in the Illinois Junior Olympics this weekend at Evanston along with 28 other PAWW teammates aged 14 and under.

"That is still our biggest meet of the year," said Rauterkus. "Nationals is just one race. We finished 10th in the state last year and our goal this year is to finish in the top five."

Extra Note:

The PAWW team would go on to finish in 2nd place in the Illinois JOs and eventually get 2nd place as a team at the Illinois State Senior Championships too.

The following season, the girls had both the medley relay and free relays in the meet. A year after that, with Coach Mike Smithers at the coach, PAWW had both A and B girl relays at the National Junior Olympic Meet.




Wednesday, February 01, 1984

Spring, professional football -- Pittsburgh Maulers

The Pittsburgh Maulers were a one hit wonder in the USFL only playing for the inaugural '84 season. The team had a number of well known players including first pick and Heisman running back Mike Rozier. Their home opener saw a sold-out crowd at Three Rivers Stadium, and although the team was competitive in on-field play, they only managed to win 3 games throughout the season. The following year when the league decided to switch to a fall schedule, league management knew that they would not be able to compete for fans with the Steelers and did not return for the '85 season.



Thursday, September 22, 1983

Team jumped to capacity with word of mouth buzz, by September 22 -- upon arrival at the end of August

The prior year, the PAWW team had less than 30 swimmers. In summers, none swam with PAWW. We had a fun "Meet the Coach Night" and things zoomed forward. 
Joining the Peoria Area Water Wizards was the talk of the town. Coaches were hired. Expansion was through the roof. We had to pump the brakes. 



Saturday, June 04, 1983

Creative Conditioning - offered in Waco, Texas

Saturdays for 2-hours for 10-weeks. Program I launched in Waco, Texas. 



Waco Parks and Recreation at Lions Pool
8 to 10:00 am on Saturdays

Creative Conditioning

Aqua Athletes
*An Ultra-Strenuous, 2 hour workout for athletes of high-school age and older meeting each Saturday morning for 10 weeks this summer!

A perfect summer conditioner for any athlete stressing cardiovascular system, muscle endurance, flexibility, power, speed & agility.

FITNESS PARTICIPATION WITH AN EDUCATION INCLUDES:

physiological testing guest speakers informative notebook relaxation/mental imagery cooperation and competition new games video taped performance nutrition, drug and aging insights stroke techniques variety professional staff

COST:
$20 for 10 Saturdays starting June 4 ending August 6

REQUIREMENTS:
physician's permission, liability waver, and enough water courage to dunk yourself. *Manditory physical exam and blood testing if over age 35. Otherwise, both are strongly encouraged.

REGISTRATION:
at Lions Pool on Saturday morning June 4 or later Saturdays or at morning swimming lessons
For questions and more information call for Mark Rauterkus at Department of Parks and Recreation, 753-0223, or home phone, 757-1576.


Creative Conditioning

Deb Johnson, testing coordinator, has furnished this initial list of some possible physiological tests which we might be interested in doing. The details will be forthcoming.

Cardio Vascular Fitness

Physical Work Capacity 170, fitness level 
Astrand-Ryhming Bicycle Test, fitness level. 
Harvard Step Test, recovery rate 
Field test, 12 min. run or 1.5 mile run


Muscle Strength and Endurance
Isometric strength 
Isotonic Strength 
Margaria Muscle Power Test 
Agility tests 
Coordination Tests 
many other basic strength and Endurance tests


Flexibility Tests
Sit and Reach 
Back and Stomach 
Shoulder rotation 
Mark's Flex Test with tape measure 
Mark's Flex Test with a partner and body parts


Body Composition
Skinfold Determination 
Anthropometric Measurements


Posture Evaluation
Back weakness tests 
Grid Evaluation


Others
Blood Testing 
Height, weight 
ECG (modified) 
Blood lactate 
Blood sugar level




Creative conditioning in vogue


By DAVID PINTO
Tribune-Heràld Sports Writer

Aerobic dancing and Jazzerise have made quite a hit with fitness buffs recently. The idea is to keep physically fit and enjoy it with a musical beat.

However, for those less musically inclined (or perhaps more athletic in nature), Mark Rauterkus has developed a way to make fitness fun and games.

Rauterkus, a Baylor graduate student with an assistantship in physical education, is director of a local "creative conditioning" program. The program is for anyone of high school age and over.

"We're striving to make this program attractive to adults of any age,” says Rauterkus. “While it is open to high school students, it is also geared for the adult who wants to improve himself physically."
Rauterkus, 24, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., graduated from Ohio University in 1982. lle has a strong background in swimming instruction and has taught a variety of aquatic sports, diving, softball and weight training.

"We have an excellent facility at the Lions Pool." Rauterkus says. “We've found that using the water in summer has some natural advantages. You can exercise easily in a cool environment. The buoyancy of the water supports the body, and you can exercise a particular part of the body, strengthening it significantly, without undue stress or injury. This type training has been used extensively on the West Coast, and they've done some pretty interesting things in aquatic training."

The program, now entering its third week, has weekly meetings each Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m. 

Counting this Saturday, there are eight meetings remaining in the original 10-week schedule.

“We try for a variety of things,” says Rauterkus. "We strive for a new theme each week." Because of that, Rauterkus has lined up several specialists in their fields as weekly instructors.

"David Scott, who works with Baylor's intramural program, finished third in the Big 10 in wrestling,” Rauterkus points out. "We will have him for one session. And Dr. Norman Gilchrest of Baylor's Department of Physical Education is a scuba diver and mountain climber. He's climbed something like the 50 tallest mountains in North America and plans to climb Mount Everest later this summer.

Other projected guest instructors include:

  • Patrick Yates, who was named the outstanding water polo prospect at last year's Sports Festival; 
  • Dr. M. Mahan, Dallas chiropractor and consultant to Olympic teams; 
  • Bob Fix, Baylor's strength coach; 
  • Larry Newell, Baylor physical education professor whose specialty is golf; and 
  • Shirley Early, yoga instructor.

“But we can't schedule any of these outstanding people,” Rauterkus says frankly, "until we build up our classes to ensure a proper forum."

For Rauterkus, sessions with the experts are vitally important to creative conditioning, which he terms "fitness participation with some understanding of why you're doing it" or "working out for a reason.

People don't like to work out with pain for no gain," he says simply. “This gives us a chance to be educated as we are doing the exercises."

The weekly two-hour sessions consist of a one-hour group workout, a half-hour of optional activity (tennis, golf, weights, swimming), and a half-hour group discussion or instruction by a specialist in a particular field.

“At Lions Park," Rauterkus says, "we have the use of the swimming pool and tennis courts adjacent to it. There is ample area for jogging on the Heart O’ Texas Coliseum grounds or at Paul Tyson Field or we can go in convoy to the Baylor track.

“But we're not limited to just those activities. For example, if someone can improve a part of his fitness by taking up golf, we can arrange for that. We may turn someone onto golf that never played golf before.

“Essentially, this is a cross-training program, one that stresses variety," Rauterkus says. "We urge our clientele to adapt a game to suit a conditioning need. If that happens to be swimming, we can have more swimming at Lions Pool. It's up to the clientele, as well as the individual."

Originally, the 10-week program was projected to cost $20 for each participant. But that price will be adjusted for those taking part just the last eight weeks only.

"That (the price of the sessions) is not that important,” says Rauterkus, “we can adjust it with the individual. The main thing is to let him know he can improve himself physically and enjoy it and learn something about what he's doing at the same time."

Friday, May 20, 1983

Cover letter for job search

This letter to American wasn't sent, as I still had it in my files. But, others like it went out to dozens of possible employers. 


Cover letter to Apply to Don Gambril, Alabama,

I never worked nor even visited Alabama, but I would one day, about 6 years later, publish Don's book, Tide Teamwork. 

Years later, Alabama was good to admit our younger son into the honors program due to test score and grades -- with a fine tuition scholarship. He too would not visit. But, the sense of being accepted at some university, was a joy and big sense of relief for him.


Tuesday, April 05, 1983

Baylor's requirements to get a Education Certificate were steep

So,  asked about what it would take to get an Education Certificate to teach in Texas -- given I was in a Masters Program in the School of Education for HPERD.
It wasn't good news. 

The To Be Done column was more than was willing to tackle. 

Teaching in the schools wasn't my plan. This cemented the deal. 



Friday, April 01, 1983

PE Proud, softball squad news

P .E . Proud Punishes Opponents

 

P .E . Proud's 9-2 pummeling of the Pie Pledges perpetuated Proud's perfect pennant
performance by providing a playoff position in the second week of Division 17 A softball.
Last week the team managed to mathematically double the sum of their season-long-win streak , two.

But print or prose could not properly describe the psychology or perceptiveness of this presumptuous family of fly-ball wizards. Perhaps, game MVP, Mary Beth Welsh, best personified the peppered play by her 11 put-outs at first base.

P . E , Proud's next game will be at 4:30 on Tuesday, April 5.
P . R. Director , Mark Rauterkus , announced Team Picture Day to precede this upcoming game.
"We thought it would be a good treat for our faithful fans , and we had to take some measures to protect our pitching staff from the gobs of autograph seekers," he said.

Tuesday, June 01, 1982

Monday, March 15, 1982

Friday, January 15, 1982

Letter on OU Bobcat letterhead from Mark Rauterkus to Swimming World

Bob Ingram, Editor
Swimming World and Junior Swimmer
PO Box 45497
Los Angeles, California 90045

Dear Mr. Ingram,

Run. "No thanks coach. I like the water. It protects me when I trip."

A socialized water wizard thrives chlorinate stench, broad shoulders and the arrival of the latest time standard. These youngsters seem to be bred for water with gills, fins and bleach-blond hair. And, gold-medal-swimming attitudes make swimmers believe that the best and only way to supplement a swim program is with more swimming -- not running.

Beginning an enthusiastic running program takes trickery, security, challenges and a multi-million-dollar contingency contract. 

Coaches fail to realize this and do not prepare for the dry-land sessions. Many coaches have started their teams with running but have quit because it does not come naturally. Vital originality and spunk is needed to keep a fish out of the water. 

In an article on my program, I can explain a three season plan. It has the coach's reasoning, methods and results. Swimmers response and black-and-white photos are possible. The well incorporated scheme gets the most out of a running swim team.

I have coached with the Ohio University men, Athens Swim Club Otters, Bernal's Gator Swim Club, Greater Pittsburgh Swim Club and some summer clubs. 

Does this idea interest you? I will be looking for your reaction. 

Sincerely,

Mark Rauterkus
345 West State
Athens, Ohio 45701
614- (athletics)
614- (pool)

Monday, January 11, 1982

Looking at UNC for grad school -- letters 1 and 2

From December 1981.




Then the second is from January, 1982.


I'd go to Baylor University instead.

UNC had some nice majors to consider.


Sunday, January 10, 1982

Old school paper from a coaching course, vintage 1981 or 1982

My Goals as a Coach

By Mark Rauterkus, from 1982 Coach Course at Ohio University


I have strong feelings that coaching, like all of athletics, is influenced by luck. The luck involved in coaching is related to finding the proper coaching setting that best suits the coaching style, philosophy and needs.


Most of my coaching goals revolve around the perfect coaching situation. It is somewhat of a challenge to be hired by a special team who will welcome the coach with open arms, open checkbooks and with no strings attached.


When I find that great job, I’d be able to be established for the long-term project of developing the team and the athletes. My teams are driven hard toward success. Success needs identification, and my teams have personal and team goals.


One of my goals is to be the best in my state, association or conference. Some coaches I know have higher goals. They want to be a contender on the national level. They drive their swimmers to international goals. I feel this is like hitting your head against a wall. A coach can not make the best swimmers in the world. A coach can make the best swimmers in the state.


Most people, given a great coach and years of work, can contribute to a team effort at the state level of competition.


My last goal, once I get established in the ideal position which is breeding winner after winner, is to enjoy it. I want to have fun coaching. I wonder about coaching burn-out and boredom. I realize that doing the right job at coaching is a hard task that never quits.


To help me cope, I’ll need to have a good source of recovery and recreation at the end of the season and at the end of each day. Coaching is so intense that I will have to blow-off steam in other areas.


Another reason for better mental health and satisfying recreation is to save the ego from poolside failures . A coach can not win all the time. Sometimes a coach is so tied to the team that a loss is damaging to the individual. Other reinforcers to help bolster the identity and ego are important for long-term happiness in the coaching profession.


At this time I am too young to know where these other satisfactions will be derived from. I have always been one to have a few projects developing on the sidelines.


For the not so distant future, I would like to work on a full-time basis in a productive program. It is time for me to live off of my coaching income. I have developed my coaching skills and lived like a slave all my life. Now I am in the process of marketing my skills in an attempt to garner a regular paycheck. I am not interested in any further employment for the sake of "experience" rather than fInancial support.


Some of the most attractive jobs for the next few years are at the university level. In a campus setting I could coach most of the time and still be around the books in case I should feel the urge to read.


Who knows what the future holds? 


Like I said at the top of the paper, Luck is important. 


The harder I work,the luckier I get.