At the tender age of 16 years, 9 months, Tracy Austin stunned the tennis world and four-time defending champion Chris Evert by winning the 1979 United States Open women's singles title and becoming the Open's youngest champion. A few months earlier, Austin had ended Evert's 125-match clay-court win streak in the semifinals of the Italian Open. Austin was a tennis prodigy and a tough competitor. Before injuries shortened her career, she won 30 career titles, including a Wimbledon mixed doubles title in 1980 with her brother, John, and another U.S. Open singles crown in 1981. She was also ranked No. 1 in the world briefly in 1980.

So when I read that she was coming to Columbia for a photo op/autograph signing appearance at the Maryland Adult League Championship tournament, I decided to go there. I expected to see an aging former tennis star. Let me tell you that Austin may be 45 years old now, but she hardly looks it. She looked like she could step out on the court and put some serious hurt on some pretty good tennis players.

Simply put, she looked lovely and she made time for everyone.

Anyhow, I have attended many functions where present and past athletes are on hand for demonstrations, clinics, talks and the like. Many of them make it clear by their body language that they would do their thing, but have no intention of doing anything more. That wasn't the case with Austin. She engaged in conversation with the players. She was upbeat, gregarious and warm.

I rank her near the top of my favorite athletes I have met along the way. The list includes current Orioles Brian Roberts and Kevin Millar, former tennis star Ilie Nastase, former Minnesota Twins slugger Harmon Killebrew and O's all-time great Brooks Robinson.

Howard County Invitational swim meet still going strong

In the past, my ties to the swimming community in Howard County were Community Sports Hall of Famers Betty and Bill Straehle, who ran the Howard County Invitational swim meet for many years starting in the mid-1970s.

Now when I go to the meet, which was held July 20 at the Roger Carter Recreation Center pool, in Ellicott City, I seek out those swimmers whom I recognize -- such as Donna Elshafei who has been swimming off and on since 1972.

I don't recall seeing too many older swimmers in this event in the past but apparently some like Donna and her husband, Emad, who swam for Egypt in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, return to swim every year in the 19-and-over category. Hopefully, more will follow and make it a family thing.

The meet was begun in 1967 by the late Charlie Phillips. With the exception of pool renovation, it has been held at Roger Carter since 1979. It is hosted by the county's recreation and parks department.

The invitational continues to pit teams from the Columbia Neighborhood Swim League, the Central Maryland Swim League, the Howard County YMCA and the Central Maryland YMCA Masters.

The one thing that this year's meet had that some other events I have recently attended didn't have is the big voice of Chelsea Saunders, who sang the national anthem beautifully.

By the way, the host Roger Carter Seals were fresh off capturing the dual meet championship of the Prince-Mont League. Coached by Wade Harvey, the Seals had a perfect 5-0 record.

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