Poole Masters Open Meet 17th June 2023

Held in Dorchester, this was advertised as their inaugural meet incorporating the Dorset County masters Championships, yet Terry attended back in October 2011 what then was advertised as their first meet.

Bracknell was represented by 9 Swimmers along with Coach Jim, who all made the journey, through various road and bridge works to support this meet. Jim was on poolside throughout providing support and encouragement.

It was an exciting meet as along with the medals for 1st, 2nd & 3rd, there were random Hot Heats. In these heats the winner was awarded a prize, ranging from a packet of biscuits, a local voucher, even a rubber duck.

The 9 BWSC Masters brought home 18 Gold, 16 Silver and 4 Bronze and also 2 relay Gold medals. There were 7 BWSC Masters Club records broken, showing the results of their hard work leading up to this event and being just 2 weeks after the National Long Course championships.

In no particular order.

Kathryn Martin, back from competing in the Virtus World Global Games in Vichy, continued her success there with a gold in her 200m Individual Medley, Silver in her 100m Backstroke and 50m Butterfly and a Bronze in her 100m Individual Medley.

Bridget Bewick achieved three Golds, the 200m Breaststroke, 200m Backstroke & 200m Individual Medley and a Bronze in the 200m Freestyle, all times were qualifying times for this years Nationals in October.

Mark Straw was pleased with his times, 1st in the 200m Free and then second in the 50m & 100m Free and also the 50m Butterfly.

Jevgenigs Putans entered more than his usual Breaststroke events and came away with 3 Golds 100m Individual Medley, 50m & 100m Breaststroke, 2 Silvers 200m Breaststroke & 200m Individual Medley and 2 Bronzes 100m Free & 50m Butterfly.

Laura Cooke was won of the Hot Heat winners – a Rubber Duck, she also won her 100m Individual Medley, 50m Backstroke & 50m Butterfly, then was the runner up in the 50m Free and 50m Breaststroke.

The first of the Club Records to be broken was in the first event, the 200m Freestyle. Terry Wright reduced his own record from 2 years back by 0.60 in this event. He went on to win the 50m & 100m Free, Silver in the 50m Breaststroke & 200m Backstroke, then Bronze in the 100m & 50m Backstroke.

Noah Walton swam in the 50m & 100m Freestyle events, winning them convincingly, one being a Hot Heat and both breaking the club records.

Ian Smith took two Club records, one from the 100m Backstroke that had been held since 1999, the other was Terry’s 200m Backstroke record, both of these also gained him Silver medals and a third Silver was achieved in the 50m Freestyle and then a Gold in the 50m Butterfly.

Kirsty Johnson broke, no smashed, two records in the 100m Individual Medley & 100m Backstroke, all being Gold medal swims, a third and fourth Gold from the 50m Backstroke & Butterfly, just 0.06 away from a further record.

Bracknell Masters entered two relays, Bridget and Laura with Terry and Mark in the Freestyle and then with Ian and Jevi in the Medley, both teams were victorious.

Pictured left to right > Terry, Kirsty, Laura, Kathryn, Mark, Jevi, Bridget, Ian, Jim & Noah.