I remember a meet in 1979 against, I believe, Mehlville. They were trying to beat us desperately and the coach argued that the pool was not in compliance with a particular rule. The official agreed and we were forced to forfeit a number of events. The Longhorns ended up winning the meet, frustrating the MHS coach further. I remember the details, just don’t want to give future coaches any ideas!
I remember Woody and all his funny antics- in the pool or on the deck.
I remember early morning swim practice on snow days- Tom Arboe & Brian Bess doing donuts in the parking lot.
The Deadly Medley Relay 77 & 78
I remember when Doc Page first got his hands on “The Science of Swimming”. He was hooked for life. I thought he was going to kill Woody several times for clowning around. Then Doc came out sporting his Speedo and challenged Woody to a swim-off. I don’t remember who won but Doc Page’s performance did gain him some respect around the school.
I wonder if they still do the “Brain Freeze” freshman initiation. What was it 20 seconds of pressing your forehead to the nozzle of the fresh water feed beneath the diving board? Damn that was cold water, even in August!
I remember the brain freeze initiation!
During my senior year, ‘79, there were several simmers who could beat me in my best event-the 100 free. Doc had obviously researched the other teams’ times and kept a couple of our best swimmers out one day. I came in first and had my only win in my brief swimming career. I want to thank Doc for that opportunity.
Ten years later I ran into Doc Page at the University of St. Louis’ pool. He had dropped a lot of weight and was training for a triathlon. He quoted my best time in the 100 free! Wow, I was impressed. I have a great deal of respect for Dr. Page
Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion-You must set yourself on fire.
Craig Bertolette’s defroster not working after a Sat. practice and driving home with our heads out the windows like Jim Carrey in “Pet Detective” because the windshield had an inch of ice on it.
Districts, ‘79, Fred Fotsch(sp?) shaving his legs minutes before his first race and leaving the shower like a seen from “Carrie”. No way they let him swim bleeding like that in today’s world. Hilarius!
Fred holding the lap cards for a teammate during the 500 free and purposely not changing the count, trying to get him to swim an extra lap. Doc Page was angry enough to make Fred swim the 100 butterfly the next meet.
Eric Hunsaker reminded me of the less than championship conditions of the Hickman pool. I remember in 1979 (when the boys state meet was held in mid-February) the big doors (walls really) that led out to a large concrete area outside were left open all night after the prelims. It was so cold in the pool area Saturday morning (I remember in the 50s); they had to postpone the start time of the finals a couple hours to let the natatorium warm up.
I also remembered that four of us sang a barber shop like song “four, fourr, fourrr, FOUR O’CLOCK in the morning” phone call we had made with DOC prior to our 4am saturday swimming practice. It was all a amazing memories. We did also caught up with him at Stake n’ Steak on Manchester Road as one night stand (just kidding). And yeap, I still remembered the brain freeze every time I walked my two dogs on winter nights as I lived right up next to Lake Erie in Ohio. I really missed you all of you. Yeap, I did went back into swimming a few years ago, as you can see my times in OHIOmasters.com website.
Doc Page was such a committed coach and quality person…great guy to swim for….not sure if he was a tougher swim coach or tougher Enlgish teacher, but I appreciated everything I learned from him in both “arenas”!
The pre-meet quote man, the jacket man and the yell man…I remember Woody going crazy spelling T-S-E-W(the backwards pysche out!)
Famous team t-shirts: REPEAT….then Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion, you must set yourself on fire!…then ARETE(greek word for excellence phyiscally, mentally, spiritually, etc)
How many swimmers in the world can say they were coached by a former Golden Gloves boxer!???
The early morning swims on snow days were always interesting fun—getting a ride in TA’s camero!
The Deadly Medley ‘77 & ‘78 and 2 State Team Championships!
Columbia Hickmans false start in(if I recall correctly) the 400 free relay in the prelims of State in ‘77…I remember seeing the guy in line later that night at Burger King….needless to say he was pretty bummed!
I remember when “The perfect speed is being there” was our motto, was that 1975? Doc Page was at a recent 2009 State basketball game, Chaminade? I don’t know who won but Pat McCormick may have been there. Doc was an inspiration in the classroom as well as poolside! We need to have a swim team reunion classes ‘75-’79? Let’s have it a McCormick’s house in Chesterfield! Flick & Hahn bring the beer, I’ll bring ribs…
August 16, 2008 at 10:25 am
I remember a meet in 1979 against, I believe, Mehlville. They were trying to beat us desperately and the coach argued that the pool was not in compliance with a particular rule. The official agreed and we were forced to forfeit a number of events. The Longhorns ended up winning the meet, frustrating the MHS coach further. I remember the details, just don’t want to give future coaches any ideas!
Wally Flick
September 16, 2008 at 9:13 am
I remember Woody and all his funny antics- in the pool or on the deck.
I remember early morning swim practice on snow days- Tom Arboe & Brian Bess doing donuts in the parking lot.
The Deadly Medley Relay 77 & 78
September 16, 2008 at 12:07 pm
I remember when Doc Page first got his hands on “The Science of Swimming”. He was hooked for life. I thought he was going to kill Woody several times for clowning around. Then Doc came out sporting his Speedo and challenged Woody to a swim-off. I don’t remember who won but Doc Page’s performance did gain him some respect around the school.
September 20, 2008 at 12:32 pm
I wonder if they still do the “Brain Freeze” freshman initiation. What was it 20 seconds of pressing your forehead to the nozzle of the fresh water feed beneath the diving board? Damn that was cold water, even in August!
September 29, 2008 at 11:12 am
I remember the brain freeze initiation!
During my senior year, ‘79, there were several simmers who could beat me in my best event-the 100 free. Doc had obviously researched the other teams’ times and kept a couple of our best swimmers out one day. I came in first and had my only win in my brief swimming career. I want to thank Doc for that opportunity.
Ten years later I ran into Doc Page at the University of St. Louis’ pool. He had dropped a lot of weight and was training for a triathlon. He quoted my best time in the 100 free! Wow, I was impressed. I have a great deal of respect for Dr. Page
September 29, 2008 at 11:51 am
Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion-You must set yourself on fire.
Craig Bertolette’s defroster not working after a Sat. practice and driving home with our heads out the windows like Jim Carrey in “Pet Detective” because the windshield had an inch of ice on it.
September 29, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Districts, ‘79, Fred Fotsch(sp?) shaving his legs minutes before his first race and leaving the shower like a seen from “Carrie”. No way they let him swim bleeding like that in today’s world. Hilarius!
Fred holding the lap cards for a teammate during the 500 free and purposely not changing the count, trying to get him to swim an extra lap. Doc Page was angry enough to make Fred swim the 100 butterfly the next meet.
September 30, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Eric Hunsaker reminded me of the less than championship conditions of the Hickman pool. I remember in 1979 (when the boys state meet was held in mid-February) the big doors (walls really) that led out to a large concrete area outside were left open all night after the prelims. It was so cold in the pool area Saturday morning (I remember in the 50s); they had to postpone the start time of the finals a couple hours to let the natatorium warm up.
October 2, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Going with Lane Nelson to the Howard Johnson’s next to our motel for ice cream at the 1978 state meet, and follow-up visits in 1979 & 1980.
October 7, 2008 at 10:10 pm
I also remembered that four of us sang a barber shop like song “four, fourr, fourrr, FOUR O’CLOCK in the morning” phone call we had made with DOC prior to our 4am saturday swimming practice. It was all a amazing memories. We did also caught up with him at Stake n’ Steak on Manchester Road as one night stand (just kidding). And yeap, I still remembered the brain freeze every time I walked my two dogs on winter nights as I lived right up next to Lake Erie in Ohio. I really missed you all of you. Yeap, I did went back into swimming a few years ago, as you can see my times in OHIOmasters.com website.
Greg Tompkins ‘78
October 8, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Doc Page was such a committed coach and quality person…great guy to swim for….not sure if he was a tougher swim coach or tougher Enlgish teacher, but I appreciated everything I learned from him in both “arenas”!
The pre-meet quote man, the jacket man and the yell man…I remember Woody going crazy spelling T-S-E-W(the backwards pysche out!)
Famous team t-shirts: REPEAT….then Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion, you must set yourself on fire!…then ARETE(greek word for excellence phyiscally, mentally, spiritually, etc)
How many swimmers in the world can say they were coached by a former Golden Gloves boxer!???
The early morning swims on snow days were always interesting fun—getting a ride in TA’s camero!
The Deadly Medley ‘77 & ‘78 and 2 State Team Championships!
Columbia Hickmans false start in(if I recall correctly) the 400 free relay in the prelims of State in ‘77…I remember seeing the guy in line later that night at Burger King….needless to say he was pretty bummed!
April 20, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I remember when “The perfect speed is being there” was our motto, was that 1975? Doc Page was at a recent 2009 State basketball game, Chaminade? I don’t know who won but Pat McCormick may have been there. Doc was an inspiration in the classroom as well as poolside! We need to have a swim team reunion classes ‘75-’79? Let’s have it a McCormick’s house in Chesterfield! Flick & Hahn bring the beer, I’ll bring ribs…