Patricia Bond, 65, was born in Buckhannon, WV, and grew up in Charleston, WV. She graduated from W Virginia University with a BS and MS in Physical Education and a PhD in Pharmacology. She taught physical education for three years, then branched out into teaching Pharmacology at several medical schools in the midwest. She retired in 1997 and moved to Florida in 1998. Bond’s early swimming experiences included front crawl at a Girl Scout Camp, mixed in with the dog paddle when she needed to breathe. She had formal swim lessons at a YMCA. In high school, a Phy. Ed teacher had one swim meet a year, and encouraged Bond to compete. While on the faculty at Kirksville, MO, she swam at noon for fitness. In the mid 80’s, she started doing triathlons, and in the late 80’s, she joined Masters, and competed in local meets. Her scariest swim experience was a near drowning at a lake in Maine, in 1962. The waterfront instructor often swam across the lake, accompanied by a rowboat. One day, they were half way across, when Bond dived in and swam fast to catch them. When she was in the middle, she looked up and the instructor was already across. As she continued, panic began to set in, her hand hit something, she struggled and started to sink into the cold, murky water. Just as suddenly, she relaxed and floated to the surface. Her friends brought her to shore in their boat. She does compete in open water for triathlons and has a healthy respect for the water. She prefers swimming in pools. Bond joined the Mavericks in 1998, after competing at a Senior Meet. She frequently ranks in the Top Ten and was on an All American relay in 1999. She lists being happily married to Guy, as her outstanding lifetime accomplishment. They have four children. Her swimming goals are to beat her teammates: Tullman in a 50 or 100 and Troy and Carr, when she grows up.

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