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Let's Go Back for Feb. 10, 2012

by jmaloni
Fri, Feb 10th 2012 04:55 pm

40 Years Ago, Feb. 9, 1972

Custodi sisters try for Olympics

Two Island sisters are preparing for entry into the National Junior Olympic competitions, which are being held this year in Spokane, Wash.

Tammy and Kim Custodi, the daughters of Nick and Barbara Custodi of 1390 Stony Point Road, are being tutored in their performance by Olympian Kathy Gleason. Recently, the girls were among the winners in the gymnastic competition at the Delaware YMCA.

On Jan. 22, Tammy, who is only 12 but competes in the 13-14 age grouping, placed first in the vault and took second place in the following events: free exercise, balance beam and all-around. Kim, competing in the 9-and-under grouping, placed second in the free exercise and balance beam events, and took third place in the vault. Like Tammy she received a second place for the all-around performance.

30 Years Ago, Feb. 5, 1982

'Young Man of the Year'

Jimmy Arias, proclaimed Grand Island's "Young Man of the Year" by the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, became a professional tennis player in 1981.

Now 17 years old, Arias, an Islander living most of the year in Florida, first began making waves in the tennis world at 8 years of age when he played an exhibition match in Rochester as a partner of the celebrated Bobby Riggs.

Arias continued on to win state and national titles, including the New York State hard court and clay court titles in the 12 year and under division.

Named Grand Island's Athlete of the Year in 1975, Arias is being cited this year mainly because of his win over Ilie Nastase Jan. 5 in Buffalo's Memorial Auditorium. He beat Nastase July 28, 1981, in the Mutual Life Open played in Orange, N.J.

At age 15, Arias was the youngest player ever to receive an Association of Tennis Professional ranking. ...

20 Years Ago, Feb. 14, 1992

Isle swimmer qualifies for Olympic trials

For the first time in her career, Grand Island's Anne Marie Wozniak qualified for and will be competing in the United States Olympic Swimming Trials to be held in Indianapolis, Ind., March 1-6. The United States team that will compete at the Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, will be selected at this meet.

Wozniak turned in outstanding performances as she led the University of South Carolina women's swim team in at the Southeastern Conference Swimming Championships at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa from Feb. 6-8. She placed fourth in the 50-meter freestyle with an Olympic trial qualifying time and a career best time of 26.64 seconds. ...

10 Years Ago, Feb. 8, 2002

Firefighters handle non-stop emergencies

Ice storm 2002 wreaked havoc all across Western New York last Friday. However, it was the aftermath that caused difficulties for many. More than 100,000 houses in Erie and Niagara counties were without power anywhere from two to 75 hours.

Unfortunately the storm did not do any favors for the residents of Grand Island.

Forty-one Grand Island firefighters responded to 137 emergency calls on Friday, Jan. 31, and Saturday, Feb. 1, according to Grand Island Fire Co. Deputy Chief Greg Butcher, who maintained operational control through a Storm Command Center at fire headquarters.

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