As a high school student in Mount Clemens, Mich., Mary Anne Cooper was asked to join the swim team to do the backstroke.
More than 80 years later, the plucky 101-year-old Port Moody resident set three national swim records at a meet in Tucson, Ariz/, augmenting her previous first-place finishes and her All-American status. And she celebrated the win with fellow record-setter Fred Klein, who also set a new mark at the April 26 event, the day after his 100th birthday.
"After the swim, I congratulated him and we sang happy birthday," said Cooper, who's well known in PoMo for her devotion to city heritage.
Cooper and Klein were the first and only entrants in their respective women's and men's events in the 100- to 104-year-old age group at the U.S. Masters Swimming Short Course Yards at the SaddleBrooke Swim Club, so theirs will be the records to beat for future centenarian swimmers.
Cooper set records in the 50-, 100- and 200-yard distances while Klein, who was recovering from a shoulder injury, swam the 50-yard backstroke.
The club had planned the meet for the day after Klein's birthday so that he would qualify for the 100+ age group.
"During my swim, I determinedly thought of him. It was very motivating," Cooper said.
She admitted she had been quite nervous leading up to the event and even contemplated bowing out. "But I changed my attitude and told myself it's not a competition, I don't want a medal and I don't want any credit. I concentrated on Fred and thought, 'This is for his birthday, it's my present for him.'"
When the start gun went off, Cooper began slicing through the water, keeping a calm, measured rhythm lest her asthma get the better of her. Along the way, she soaked in views of the wide, blue Arizona sky, the puffy clouds and the fringes of palm trees nearby.
Eight lengths and about 20 minutes later, Cooper was celebrating her victory with aplomb.
"It was just a fun thing… It was a really happy occasion and then we all went out for lunch."
But Cooper's fitness is serious business as well. She's a firm believer in discipline, working hard and staying active, no matter one's age.
"Every day is an important day and you have to work at it," Cooper said. "I have a strong feeling you need to work and keep working and keep doing things and keep your mind on things without worrying so much about your health.
"'Use it or lose it' is my motto."
spayne@tricitynews.com
@spayneTC
