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Name: Mary Anna Hovey
Birthday: April 13, 1943
Hometown: Durham, NC via Gainsville, FL and suburban Philadelphia
What is your favorite stroke? Freestyle
What do you love about the sport of swimming? It’s a sport you can do throughout your whole life. It’s nice to do something that makes you feel so strong and competent without being terribly hard on the body.
What do you enjoy about swimming with DAMA? The camaraderie and being pushed in the workouts.
How long have you been swimming with DAMA? 3 years
Swim Career Highlights/Experience or Swimming Background: In NC, I hold the record in my age group in the 400 IM. I also qualified for Nationals in the backstroke this year.
How often do you swim? 4 days/week in the a.m.
Do you compete? If so, what are your favorite events to swim? Yes, I enjoy pool meets and open water swimming competitions. My favorite events are the 400IM, 100 free, 50 free, and 50 back (in that order).
How does swimming affect your lifestyle? Keeps me healthy, allows me to eat, and gives me bragging rights amongst my peers.
Future swim goals? I want to swim a relay with my daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter one day. My granddaughter Belle is only 5 now, so I guess I have to wait 13 more years to realize that dream in Masters.
Have a great swimming story? Swimming tips? Just keep doing it.
What do you in your life outside of the pool? I paint watercolor, travel journals, and I care for my grandchildren, Belle (5) and Abe (3).
Advice for someone new to the sport? If new to Masters, just stick with it. If new to the sport of swimming, seek individual instruction to truly enjoy the sport.
Other thoughts to share? I would be remiss not to say that my husband, Leonard is my biggest supporter. It is really nice to have that level of support and it makes swimming that much more gratifying and enjoyable when it’s a family affair.
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Fun Facts
High School: American Community School, Beirut, Lebanon
College(s): UofKentucky, Antioch, Vasser
Favorite sports (other than swimming): sprint triathalons, running
Nickname(s): My grandchildren call me Beme.
Pet(s): 1 dog, Xando and 1 cat, Dara Torres
Ultimate Way to Relax: reading mysteries
Favorite professional swimmer: Dara Torres
Favorite food: chocolate, only dark
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