from these beginnings………………
The Las Cruces Aquatic Club was officially
organized as the Las Cruces Swim Club in May 1965. Bylaws and a
budget were approved by a group of parents at a meeting at the Unitarian
Church, and Jack Soules was elected its first president. . Richard
Skaggs, a member of the first NMSU swim team, was chosen as the
first coach, and about 12 children began training at 7:30 AM, Monday,
June14, 1965 at Apodaca Pool. By the end of the summer, about 25
children were active in the program.
The following summer, 1966, the group
was coached by John Tawes and Robert Southwick and participated
in numerous AAU meets throughout the state. Jack Welch, who was
Assistant Professor of Physical Education at New Mexico State University,
supervised the coaching staff and coached the team on Saturdays
throughout the winter at the NMSU indoor pool.
By the summer of 1967, only 2 years
after its inception, the Las Cruces Swim Club had changed its name
to the New Mexico Aquatic Club, and affiliated with the national
Amateurs Athletic Union (AAU) Over 80 children were actively participating
in competitive swimming and diving in the Las Cruces area. Dave
Stacey, Assistant Professor of Physical Education at New Mexico
State University, became the coach of the club, and instigated a
year round rigorous daily training program at the New Mexico State
University natatorium. The New Mexico swimming world began to take
notice!
Over 100 swimmers were swimming in
the summer of 1968, and they were bringing state recognition to
Las Cruces. David Soules, competing in his last meet as a 10-year-old,
scored a grand slam in the New Mexico state swimming championships
in Albuquerque, winning all 6 events in which he was entered, and
setting 3 new state records in the sweep. Bob Frank won the men’s
open 100 meter breaststroke, setting a new state record, and making
him the New Mexico High School state champion in that event. Several
NMAC relay teams received blue ribbons. Phil DeJang, accompanied
by younger brothers Lincoln and Doug, began collecting gold medals
in his remarkable career as a championship swimmer And Bill Soules,
coached by Jack Sanders, was the only NMAC diver for several years,
but consistently brought in blue ribbons and points for the team.
Membership fees were $10/month/swimmer!
The New Mexico Aquatic Boosters Club,
Inc. was organized in 1968, with Barbara Phillips as its first president.
. This association of adults, interested in encouraging water sports
in the Las Cruces community, provided facilities and assistance
to swimmers of the New Mexico Aquatic Club. Membership fees were
$5 per year and, and members served as judges and timers and other
meet officials.
Twelve years later, in 1980, New
Mexico Aquatic Club changed its name to Las Cruces Aquatic Team
(LCAT).
Now, 40 years later, the Las Cruces
Aquatic Team continues that glorious tradition of bringing a strong
competitive swimming force to the Las Cruces scene. CONGRATULATIONS!
Shirley Dundon 2008
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