1982 Swim Team
Bartlesville was known for oil until the sport of swimming took a foothold in Oklahoma. Since 1957, when State High School Championships were organized, Bartlesville has dominated the sport winning an amazing one-third of all state titles. Up until the 1981-1982 season, Col-Hi and Sooner swimmers competed on separate teams. When it was decided to combine the two high schools, this team preempted the first “official” Bruin school year and swimmers from both schools formed a remarkable team. The 1982 girls’ swim team was marked not only by stand-out athletes but also by depth.
Coached by Ram Gonzalez, the team was led by Seniors Chris Hays, and Team Captains Rebecca Perry and Christin Svensen. Junior Kelly Dionne, Sophomores Karen Dionne, Lana Mosher, Diana Dunn, Diane Zeiler, Anne Bloomfield, Karen Succi, Leanne Hoover, Mona Bridge, Shelly Blanchette, Janine Faver, and Freshmen Kim Smith, Liz Young, Laura Hays, and Kathy Dionne rounded out the team. The Lady Bruins won eight of the nine regular season dual meets, zbeing edged out at the beginning of the season by Jenks. Swimming against Bixby in the final dual meet of the season, the 400 Free Relay broke the Phillips Pool Record and qualified for Junior Nationals. They were on a roll heading into State and everyone knew they would be a tough team to beat.
Bartlesville had a strong roster of fourteen swimmers qualifying for the State Championship meet held at Tulsa Central. The Bartlesville girls won first or second place in 7 of the 10 events. Chris Hays set a State Record in the 500 Freestyle. Karen Dionne won the 50 Freestyle and set a State Record in the 100 Freestyle, qualifying for Junior Nationals. The 400 Freestyle Relay, consisting of Karen Dionne, Lana Mosher, Kim Smith, and Chris Hays, set a State Record, earning All-American status and a trip to Junior Nationals. State Runner-Up performances included Chris Hays in the 200 Freestyle, Lana Mosher in the 200 Individual Medley, and the 200 Medley Relay team consisting of Diana Dunn, Liz Young, Christin Svensen, and Diane Zeiler. The depth of the team was impressive as well with several more scoring swims by Kim Smith, Laura Hays, Anne Bloomfield, Rebecca Perry, Mona Bridge, and Kathy Dionne. In the end, the Lady Bruins won State decisively with 269 points, beating the second place team, Jenks, by 57. Chris Hays was named Oklahoma Swimmer of the Year and several other Bartlesville swimmers were selected to the All-State Team. The 1982 victory was the start of an unprecedented 8-year State Championship winning streak that cemented Bartlesville’s legendary status as a swimming powerhouse.
The swimming accolades of this team continued well past high school with five members competing at the NCAA Division 1 collegiate level. Of note, Karen Dionne was a Big 8 Conference Champion, All-American, and Olympic Trials Qualifier. At the Masters level, Rebecca Perry and Chris Hays have achieved All-American status and Chris has claimed numerous national titles.
We owe a special acknowledgement to this incredible team for their milestone victory…the first combined high school team to win a State Championship. We are pleased to induct the 1982 Girls’ Swim Team into the Bartlesville Athletic Hall of Fame.