At Topeka's big outdoor municipal pool, the starter's gun barked for the 100-meter freestyle in the National A.A.U.'s Senior Women's swimming championship. Six of the U.S.'s best women swimmers soared off the pool's edge in flat trajectory and smacked into the water. By the time they turned at the far end of the 50-meter pool, a tall, 14-year-old blonde held the lead, increased it with each powerful stroke, finished well out in front. Susan Christine ("call me Chris") von Saltza had done it in 1:03.5, set a U.S. record. Less than an hour later she windmilled to a new world's record...
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