MOLLY RAY BOTKIN

Blonde and blue-eyed Molly Ray Botkin, a 12-year-old student at Campbell Hall School in Studio City, Calif., has her heart set on competing in the 1956 Olympics. A swimmer since she was six, Molly began knocking records apart under the direction of Coach Tony Dandeneau. In 18 races for the 10-and-under age group, Molly took 12 first places. Ten of those clockings were faster than those turned in by boys her age, and nine of them set national records. This year Molly has set 12 national marks for 11-to-12-year-olds at 50 and 100 yards in freestyle, butterfly, backstroke and individual medley. Her dad, Perry, music supervisor on the George Gobel show, says, "Molly wants no part of defeat."

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