Swim England South East Masters Open Long Course Championships 2022.

The first masters meet of the year was eagerly entered and held on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd January at the K2 Leisure Centre in Crawley.

The first event was the 800m Freestyle, it brought in the first four of fifteen medals and two of Seventeen club records in day one.

John Williamson set a new club record in the 80-84 age group, and in doing so also set records for the 50m, 100m, 200m and 400m distances along the way. Something for the “youngsters” to try and beat in their years to come. John also took Silver.

Caroline Madden, back from injury also gained Silver. Clair Baynton was fourth in her age group and then Claire Moore won her age group with a gap of 24 seconds ahead of the second placed swimmer.

Terry Wright won his age group by a gap of 1.03 seconds and also broke the existing club record.

All five swimmers left the water feeling good and although up high in the balcony, they could hear the shouts of encouragement from Coach Jim throughout.

The next event was the 50m Backstroke and four more club records and one medal.

Harry Middleton was the victor in his age group with a new Club record, Huw Jones was just outside the medals, but with a new club record, Claire Moore took her first club record outside the medal placing with Julia Robson just behind. John Williamson set a record in his event and Terry, well, Terry swam.

After the break the 4x50m Freestyle relays were next.

The individual events are competed in five year age groups, 25-29, 30-34 and so forth with also the Seniors 18-24. The relays are combined ages, 72+, 100-159, 160-199 and up in 40 years. Working out that perfect combination of age and speed can prove good tactics.

We had one team, Simon Mellor, Terry, Huw and Harry with a combined age of 160. Leading off, Simon broke the club record and the team achieved Gold with a 15 second gap ahead of Silver. They were just 3.41 seconds behind the winning 72+ team.

The 100m Breaststroke was next with Karen Leftley being victorious on two counts, Gold and breaking the club record, Terry was third in his event, also with breaking the club record. 

The 200m Freestyle followed, Caroline and Clair were back in, both finishing within their entry times, Clair taking Bronze as a reward for a superb swim. Harry and Huw represented the gents, both taking Silvers in their age groups and Huw’s being another club record.

In the 50m Butterfly, Simon and Laura Cooke both broke their respective records, Simon with a Bronze and Lara with the Gold, Harry with Silver could not beat the 27.27 club record.

The final event of the day was the 200m I/M with Simon as our only representative. Bronze medal and his third club record.

Day 2 was as successful with 20 medals and 14 more club records.

It all started with the 400m Freestyle with Kathryn Martin taking her first medal of the meet, a silver, Clair, Caroline and Claire also took Silver in their respective age groups.  Mark Straw exceeded his own expectations and that of his rivals in taking top spot and the Gold.

The 100m Backstroke followed. Claire 3rd, Lynda Callaway 2nd, Clair 5th, Harry 1st and Huw 2nd, all with club records.

Karen and Terry both broke the club records in the 50m Breaststroke, Karen being victorious and Terry in 3rd.

In the 50m Freestyle, Laura was second with another Club record and Karen was first, but just outside breaking her own record. Terry swam well, but was 0.29 away from a club record, the bronze was the consilation. Huw, however, did break his age group record.

In the final session double gold and records in the 100m Freestyle for Laura and Karen and another record his belt for Huw.

The 100m Butterfly was next and Kathryn Martin could not break her own record and was outside the medals, but Catherine Shearn did take the bronze in her age group.

The final event was the 200m Backstroke with the final pair of records and Golds for Lynda and Terry and Kathryn doubled her medal success in finishing third.

In summary, is any one counting? That should be a total of 14 Gold, 12 Silver, 9 Bronze and 31 Club Records.

The next mini meet is at Millfield School and the Royal Navy Masters in February, then the home meet in March – the Bracknell Masters. The rewards for those early and late training sessions certainly pay off. Thanks Jim.