This group photo of BHS swimmers was likely taken in 1953 and perhaps in Costa Rica when the team competed there. The boys left to right are Bob Connor, Larry Siegel, Jerry Pierce, Alson Sears, Jimmy “Smiley” Morris, Jim Suddaby Simon Faygenbaum and David Otten. The girls left to right are Jo Jensen (I think), Connie Glassburn, Arlene Schmidt, Ida Srauss, Joanne Sorrell, Sylvia Swift, Camille Ellis, Don’t know, and I think Mitzi Siegel.
Good catch, Nina! So that’s not Mitzi Siegel but Eileen Bleakly. Arlene Schmidt, Bobby Connor, Al Sears were all top notch swimmers in the 50s in the CZ. Bobby at one time set a Central America record in the 400 meter free style. Also, if memory serves, I think Jimmy Morris, set some kind of age group world record when he was a little kid under 10 years of age. I don’t recall the details, but perhaps someone else can verify or debunk what I think I remember. For sure all these people were first class.
Gamboa is well represented with proteges of Henry Grieser, & good representation by those mentored by Bill Zemer & John Pettingill. It was impossible to not know how to swim in the Canal Zone when there were pools at all town sites plus special spots along the Canal & especially in Gatun Lake, the Chagres River, the Slide, the original 3d Locks, etc. We were in the water somewhere seemingly much of our young lives.
My husband Jerry (then known as Gerald) Pierce tells me that the Balboa High School Team
went to Costa Rica in 1952 in what later became The Pan Am Games . The competition was
held at Ojo de Agua — the water in that pool came out of the mountains and was therefore
extremely cold ! He (. Gerald Pierce, a member of the team) says he recalls that a team came
from Illinois to compete; however he does not remember who won the competition .
11 Comments
Bob Zumbado BHS 1955
This group photo of BHS swimmers was likely taken in 1953 and perhaps in Costa Rica when the team competed there. The boys left to right are Bob Connor, Larry Siegel, Jerry Pierce, Alson Sears, Jimmy “Smiley” Morris, Jim Suddaby Simon Faygenbaum and David Otten. The girls left to right are Jo Jensen (I think), Connie Glassburn, Arlene Schmidt, Ida Srauss, Joanne Sorrell, Sylvia Swift, Camille Ellis, Don’t know, and I think Mitzi Siegel.
Nina Brown Kosik
Bob — next to Camille are Laura Walston & Eileen Bleakley. All are BHS 53-54-55 — Nina
Peggy Huff
Bob – you are correct. That is Jo Jensen. Her sister, Jean, sent her the photo for verification.
Bob Zumbado BHS 1955
Thanks, Peggy.
Bob Zumbado BHS 1955
Good catch, Nina! So that’s not Mitzi Siegel but Eileen Bleakly. Arlene Schmidt, Bobby Connor, Al Sears were all top notch swimmers in the 50s in the CZ. Bobby at one time set a Central America record in the 400 meter free style. Also, if memory serves, I think Jimmy Morris, set some kind of age group world record when he was a little kid under 10 years of age. I don’t recall the details, but perhaps someone else can verify or debunk what I think I remember. For sure all these people were first class.
Nina Brown Kosik
Gamboa is well represented with proteges of Henry Grieser, & good representation by those mentored by Bill Zemer & John Pettingill. It was impossible to not know how to swim in the Canal Zone when there were pools at all town sites plus special spots along the Canal & especially in Gatun Lake, the Chagres River, the Slide, the original 3d Locks, etc. We were in the water somewhere seemingly much of our young lives.
Diane French
I reconize Hugh Harvey and Jean Albritten!!!!!!
Bob Zumbado BHS 1955
Really? Which ones??
Kay (Frangioni) Pierce
My husband Jerry (then known as Gerald) Pierce tells me that the Balboa High School Team
went to Costa Rica in 1952 in what later became The Pan Am Games . The competition was
held at Ojo de Agua — the water in that pool came out of the mountains and was therefore
extremely cold ! He (. Gerald Pierce, a member of the team) says he recalls that a team came
from Illinois to compete; however he does not remember who won the competition .
Simon fajgenbaum
Send me your e-mail address. Wish to send you a photo on the inaugaration of the Goethals monument.
Simon Fajgenbaum
Attn. Need your e-mail to send you photo. of the inauguration of the G oethals memorial.