RECORD MONSTER ON THE POOL!

By Dave Grenley (sportsu.com)

By the time Mark Spitz had left Munich, Germany in 1972 he could say it seven more times. Not only had "Mark the Shark" won seven gold medals; he had established seven world records in every one of his seven events. Never before had any Olympian, in any sport, accomplished such an incredible feat. It was one of the most dominating athletic performances of all time.

Mark Spitz was born and raised to swim. He spent his childhood, from age two, in the water. With his father's "swimming isn't everything, winning is" attitude Mark was trained to win and win only. After four years in Hawaii, where Mark's father taught him to swim, the Spitz family moved back to California when Mark was six. He spent his days at the YMCA where he would receive his first competitive instruction. At age nine, he was swimming under celebrated coach Sherm Chavoor at Arden Hills Swim Club.

When Spitz was 10, his afternoon swimming workouts would come into direct conflict with his Hebrew School lessons. His father, Arnold Spitz, told the rabbi, "Even God likes a winner." No one could dispute the fact that Mark Spitz was indeed a winner, not even God.
By age 10, Spitz held 17 national age-group world records. He was named the world's best 10-and-under swimmer. When he was 14, his father moved the family to Santa Clara so Mark would be able to train with George Haines of the Santa Clara Swim Club. Arnold Spitz would have to commute more than 80 miles to work every day, but it was worth the sacrifice thought his father. It was "now or never."

It would be swimming's most difficult stroke in which Spitz excelled. The butterfly was the most strenuous for other swimmers but Spitz just seemed to glide through the water with ease. In 1967, when Mark was 17, he would win five gold medals at the Pan-American Games in Winnipeg. Mark Spitz had set 10 world records at the young age of 17. By the time Spitz was 18, he had won 26 national and international titles and broken 26 U.S. records to go along with his 10 world. Then came the Olympics of 1968.
Mark Spitz was expected to win several gold medals in Mexico City. Spitz compounded the expectations and resulting pressure on himself by proclaiming he would win six gold medals. Never before had the world heard anyone, let alone an 18-year-old, make such a brash proclamation. What would have been unforgettable for many, silver and bronze in individual competition, was now a devastating disappointment.
But Spitz had to overcome the adversity he had brought upon himself by those that called him arrogant and cocky.

He jumped back in the pool at Indiana University where he trained with coach Doc Counsilman. He thrived under his coach and put together a stellar college career at IU where he continued to accumulate his winnings. Spitz led coach Counsilman's team to four NCAA Championships. He won eight individual NCAA titles. In his junior year he won the Sullivan Award, which is given to the country's top amateur athlete. He was named the World Swimmer of the Year his freshman, junior, and senior years. Then came the Olympics of 1972. Redemption.

The public pressed Spitz for weeks, "How many gold medals are you going to win?" they hounded the 22-year-old swimmer. Never had Mark Spitz possessed more incentive to win than now. He wasn't saying it out loud; he had learned his lesson, but inside he was again thinking big, six gold medals kind of big.
When Mark Spitz reached the wall to win his first gold in the 200-meter butterfly he leaped out of the water, victorious. Spitz won in 2:00.7. He was one-for-one. Next was the 200-meter freestyle. Spitz won in 1:52.78. He was two-for-two. His dominance would continue through his fourth gold medal-winning individual performance. He won his favorite event, the 100-meter butterfly, by a full body length. He took the 100-meter freestyle in 51:22 seconds, knocking .25 seconds off of his own world record. Spitz's three team golds came in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay, the 4x200-meter freestyle relay, and the 4x100-meter medley relay. He had amassed seven golds, seven world records.

All in all, Mark Spitz will be remembered as one of the greatest Olympians of all time. With eleven medals (nine gold, more than any other Olympic athlete in history) Mark Spitz and fellow swimmer Matt Biondi are the all-time leading U.S. Olympic medal winners. In his career, Spitz set 26 individual world records in the freestyle and butterfly, also contributing to seven relay world records.
Mark Spitz was one of the most successful and celebrated athletes of our time. He epitomized the Olympic spirit. As the September 1972 edition of Time magazine wrote of him, "Mark Spitz is in as complete command of his sport as any other athlete in history."