179TH AND VYSE, BRONX, NY (PART XXXXXVI): LIFE BEFORE DEATH IN (ugh) NEW JERSEY

(continued)

 artie and morty were already active in a club at the 92nd street Y.  i was told the guys were very selective but they let me in anyway. most of them went to stuyvesant or monroe high school. no science h. s. geeks here.

my greatest lifetime athletic achievement occurred when i was selected to swim the first leg of a four man relay race in a club competition.  i think my club hoped that i wouldn't drown.  in an average guy sorta way i was a fairly good swimmer.  i could hold my breath a long time while plowing through the water.  not having to breathe is an asset when under water.

i swam my lap well ahead of the other competition since the other clubs used their weaker swimmers for the first lap.  finishing well ahead of the field allowed my team to win easily.  i was a star for at least an hour and half - yea.

(to be continued)

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