CHAMPIONS IN THE MAKING

The recent, weedlike growth of 16-and-under swimming matches has been almost as fast as that of the young sprouts who participate. Age-group country club meets, once ends in themselves, are now frequently but the first step toward larger, club-vs.-club competitions. Typical of such meets (that sometimes reveal Olympic prospects) was the one last week in Connecticut's Fairfield County. Close to 600 children, freckled, towheaded, brown, plump and skinny, the best divers and swimmers from 17 clubs in the county, gathered at the New Canaan Field Club and for three days thrashed through the water with nearly as much style as enthusiasm. When it was all over, the host club added up the points, discovered that its own young members, taking advantage of the home pool, had won the team prize.

GIRLS IN 10-AND-UNDER FREESTYLE EVENT SAIL OFF THE DIVING BLOCKS DURING THE QUALIFYING TRIALS AT THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS

YOUNG DIVERS, 13 AND UNDER, AWAIT THEIR TURNS OFF ONE-METER BOARD. STYLE WAS UNIFORM IN ITS IRREGULARITY

NOT YET DRY BEHIND THE EARS, THREE BATHING BEAUTIES FLASH PIN-UP SMILES

Shore Haven's John Sutton finished fifth in the 10-and-under freestyle.

New Canaan's Marion Jordan won 10-and-under backstroke in fast 19.4.

Riverside's nose-clipped Candy Hap-good was third in 7- and-8 freestyle.

SIX PHOTOS

HANS KNOPF