| National Masters 2005 – Ponds Forge International Pool, Sheffield October 28th-30th
Nine Stowmarket swimmers travelled to Sheffield to compete in the British National Masters Championships held at Ponds Forge International Pool, for three days of competition. Some of the team travelled up to Sheffield on the Thursday night to prepare themselves for the weekend and to sample some of the Sheffield nightlife!
This huge championships is held in the divided 50m pool. Where the men's and women's event is held concurrently.
With age groups ranging from 19-24yrs up to 80yrs+ it makes for a very interesting weekends competition.
Swimming in the 60-64yrs age group, Sue Holdich came away with a very respectable 2nd place in the 100m Freestyle (1.25.48), 3rd place in the 50m Breaststroke (48.2) and 50m Freestyle (37.14) and a 5th position in the 100m Backstroke (1.43.19).
Andy Wright competed in the 45-49yrs age group achieving 4th place In the 400m Individual Medley (6.37.62), 8th place in the 200m Back (3.05.80), 11th place in the 200m Breaststroke (3.13.99) and 13th place in the 100m Breaststroke (1.29.06).
Both Shaun and Glen Harrison competed in the 25-29yrs age group. Glen in his first major meet since returning to swimming from retirement achieved a highest position of 14th in his 100m Breaststroke (1.25.99) and PB's in all 4 of his swims. 100m Freestyle (1.12.56), 50m Freestyle (30.63) and 100m Individual Medley (1.24.75).
Shaun won a silver medal in the 800m Freestyle (9.10.72) and a bronze in the 100m Freestyle (53.83), along with 4th place in the 50m Butterfly (27.21) and 5th place in both the 50m Freestyle (24.98) and 100m Individual Medley (1.04.51).
The remaining 5 swimmers all competed in the 19-24yrs age group. Tom and David Harrison along with Oliver Bumstead in the men's event and Kimberley Hough and Jenna North in the women's.
Tom swam six events, his highest placing 12th in the 100m Individual Medley (1.08.02). He also competed in the 50m Breaststroke (34.15), 100m Breaststroke (1.17.99), 50m Freestyle (26.15), 100m Freestyle (59.57) and 50m Butterfly (30.57).
David won two bronze medals achieving PB's in both the 50m Breaststroke (30.44) and 200m Freestyle (2.01.34).
He also gained 4th place in the 50m Butterfly (27.41), 10th place in both the 50m Freestyle (27.41) and 100m Freestyle (54.82) and 13th place in the 100m Breaststroke (1.11.82).
Olly competed in 4 of the Freestyle events, achieving PB's in the 50m (26.45), 100m (57.36) and 200m (2.04.05), he was positioned 5th in the 200m (2.04.05) and 4th in the 400m (4.30.93).
Both Kimberley and Jenna achieved current PB's in the 3 events in which they competed. Kimberley's highest placing; 5th in the 50m Butterfly (31.29), as well as 8th in the 50m Freestyle (28.69) and 10th in the 100m Freestyle (1.03.09).
Jenna achieved a 4th place in the 50m Backstroke (33.55) along with 13th in the 50m Freestyle (29.57) and 17th in the 50m Butterfly (34.41).
Although individually the team swam very well the highlight of the weekend had to be the Men's 4x50m Freestyle relay. Shaun, Tom and David Harrison were joined by Oliver Bumstead and performed spectacularly. The boys romped home in a fantastic 1.40.88 to take the Gold medal. A fantastic achievement, bearing in mind the tough competition in this event.
It brought about a fitting end to the weekend.
Well done to all of the swimmers, especially our National Champions!
click here to see the photos |
