M CM

By Corky Mau Pocket Life

These days, Iseri joins George, Meyer and Float as they visit local libraries and service organizations to promote the book and reminisce about an era when Sacramento was the center of the competitive swimming world.

Despite his lack of Olympic success, Iseri was among the best swimmers on the West Coast. He won the 1948 Pacific Amateur Association title in the 100-yard breaststroke when he was 15.

His father Kaizo Iseri closed his business—a flower shop—and boarded a northbound train with young Tak. “It was my first train ride. I thought we were going on vacation,” Iseri says.

Their first stop was Tule Lake Relocation Center in Siskiyou County. Months later, the family was moved to Heart Mountain, an unlikely place for a future champion swimmer.

“A giant pit near the irrigation canal became the camp swimming pool. In the winter, the pool became an iceskating rink,” Iseri says.

In 1945, Iseri and his dad returned to Sacramento. But Japantown,

For background on Sherm Chavoor, see R.E. Graswich’s “Sports Authority” column in this issue.

Corky Mau can be reached at corky.sue50@gmail.com. Previous columns can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento. n