Fifty-Year Aquatic Reunion Sept. 21 at Pali High Pool

There will  be a lot of reminiscing Saturday, September 21 at  Palisades High’s  Maggie  Gilbert Aquatic Center during a 50-year reunion celebrating the school’s 1974 swimming and water polo teams.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature coaches Dave Anderson and John Apgar. Anderson will be inducted into the CIF LA City Section Hall of Fame in April. In his 22-year coaching career at Palisades he led the Dolphins to six consecutive boys water polo titles (1973-78), eight varsity boys swimming titles (1974, then seven straight from 1986-92) and 11 varsity girls swim titles in 12 years from 1982-93. He also taught biology until 1994 and in his final year at the school served as the magnet counselor.

He returned for the opening of Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center in October 2010.

The 1974 title, though shared with Chatsworth, was Palisades’ first in swimming and a sign of the dynasty to come. Apgar was not only Anderson’s assistant, he was also the Palisades-Malibu YMCA coach. The ‘74 squad included future All-Americans Les Wulk, Dennis and Eric Moore, Mark Hutson, Mike Newman, Franz Szymanski and Fred Kitchener.

The 1974 girls swim squad took second at City Finals and won the Western League title.

Current coach and program alum Maggie Nance, who has continued Palisades’ winning legacy during her tenure, swam under Anderson for three years and helped the team win two City crowns before graduating in 1990. Since taking the helm in 2004 she has piloted the girls to 15 team titles and the boys to nine.

Everyone in the Pacific Palisades aquatic commuity is welcome to attend, including fans, parents, YMCA swim members and those who competed before or after the 1973-74 teams. Attendees are encouraged to share their memories and photos at the casual gathering. Light snacks and refreshments will be served and there will be a minimal entry fee to pay for the pool deck rental, insurance and food. Any leftover funds will be donated to the Pali High swim and water polo programs.

RSVP to Dennis Moore via email: rd1.moore@gmail.com or call 858-243-8779. The aquatics reunion precedes the 50-year Class of 1974 party at 6 p.m. that evening at Killer Shrimp in Marina del Rey.