Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 30, 1994 TAG: 9407300037
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Long
Maybe their descendents will breathe through gills and reside in the briny depths of the sea.
For their state of evolvement, those future generations will be able to look back and thank their amphibious ancestors - Dan and Kate Hughes and their three youngsters.
The Hughes family is among the 1,123 swimmers competing in the annual Roanoke Valley Aquatic Association's Duane Whitenack Memorial City/County Championship Meet which began Friday and concludes today at Radford University's Dedmon Center natatorium.
For more than 30 years, dating back to the days when Ed and Anne Hughes helped found the RVAA, the Hughes have been one of Roanoke's first families of swimming.
With 8-year old Jake Hughes and 6-year old Allyn Hughes doing quite well in their respective age categories, that distinction isn't likely to change any time soon.
Even 2 1/2-year old Bob Hughes is a veteran pool shark. What better place for a kid named "Bob" than in the water? Already he can plunge off the diving board and paddle, with dad's help, to the side of the pool.
"I think he's a natural," said Dan Hughes.
That would make sense, considering young Bob's stock. When he swims in his first City/County meet, which will be less than three years from now, he will be taking part in an event his grandparents helped create.
Ed Hughes was the delegate of Roanoke's Spring Run swim team in 1964, the year the RVAA was formed, and Anne was one of the RVAA's first representatives to the AAU. Other delegates that first year were Sue Thrasher, Sue Ryan, Sandy White, George Devins and Dick Koontz.
In 1980, Anne, who used to type up heat sheets and results long before the age of computer technology, made and two others became the first winners of the Duane Whitenack Award, named in remembrance of the staunch RVAA worker who died in the late 1970s.
Most of the nine Hughes children were good swimmers, including Dan.
"When I grew up, we'd be at the pool at 7 or 7:30 in the moring, stay there until 6 in the evening, eat dinner andcome back again," said Dan, who swam competitvely until he was 18.
Now 37, Dan Hughes, a product group manager for Xaloy Inc. in Pulaski, started swimming in meets at the Elk's Club four years ago. His return to swimming fulfilled a wish by his mother, who died last year.
"She always wanted me to swim again," said Dan. "She was never able to see me swim [when he returned to competition], but I always told her how I did."
Two years ago, Dan began working with son Jake, who competes in the gold division. Daughter Allyn soon followed and young Bob is not far behind. Jake got into swimming because "my dad talked me into it," he said.
Added Allyn: " It's been fun because you get to win ribbons. ... I beat my mom last week."
Kate, 31, has taken to the Hughes family legacy like a fish to water. A homemaker with three young kids, Kate knows that a fun day for the kids is just a drive to the pool away.
"She's always doing something for the kids," said Dan. "Either getting them ready for swim practice or taking the kids to meets."
Just like his mom used to do.
BIRTHDAY GIRL: Elvira "BeBe" Laster of Radford holds the distinction of being the oldest competitor in the meet, a record she will add to today.
"I have a birthday [Saturday]," said Laster. "I'll be 69 years old. Put that in there. I don't care."
Laster began competitive swimming only a year ago in order to keep up with her daughter, Martha Mullen, and granddaughter, Renee Mullen, who are also competing in this weekend's meet.
"Swimming makes me happy," said Laster, a former hospital worker who came to the United States from Peru in 1949. "I'm nota good swimmer at all. I just love to swim. I enjoy it."
Laster is too modest. In June, she won a silver medal in the 400-meter backstroke at the senior citizens' state championships in Williamsburg.
"When I got my medal, I ran around and showed everyone, I was so excited," said Laster. "I said `I've been in this country 45 years and never won anything.' I took that medal everywhere. I even wore it when I slept." Another Radford resident, 66-year old Bill Irwin, was distinguished as the oldest male compeitor.
RECORDS DOUSED: Eighteen meet records fell during Friday's first day, tying last year's two-day total. Brett Fonder of Elk's Club led the way by setting records in three 9-10 year-old boys' events - the 50-yard backstroke (:32.30), 100-yard IM (1:10.25) and the 50-yard freestyle (:28.28).
Other multiple record-setters were Brian Manning of Radford in the boys' 17-18 50-yard backstroke (:25.77) and 100-yard IM (:55.77); Roanoke Country Club's Carolyn Bucher in girls' 13-14 50-yard backstroke (:29.11) and 100-meter IM (1:00.88); and Hunting Hills' Chris Turman in the 50-yard backstroke (:26.57) and 100-yard IM (:55.35).
SPACED OUT: The Dedmon Center was nearly filled to its teflon-coated roof on Friday. In addition to the 1,100-plus swimmers and scores of volunteers, the building played host to a girls' basketball camp, putting space at a premium.
Conflicts were avoided for the most part thanks to the temporary partitions constructed inside the Dedmon Center arena - where basketball players worked out and swimmers rested - and the large tents rented by the RVAA and erected outside the natatorium, where meet contestants and volunteers lounged.
by CNB