Life begins at 18 for Wiltshire Masters

Event: Wiltshire Masters Round 2 Venue: Link Centre Date: 5th June 2010

Having already played host to the Wiltshire BAGCAT and Youth Championships earlier this year, last weekend The Link Centre saw the county’s Senior Age Groups compete in round 2 of the 2010 Wiltshire Masters Competition.

The vast majority of Clubs who competed in the Age Group and Youth competitions also provided Masters teams for this event, maintaining swimming’s fast growing reputation for promoting lifelong competitive participation in the sport.  Increasing numbers of swimmers competing in both the Open Championships in March and the Masters competition has seen a steady rise in the overall standard of Wiltshire’s masters, underlined by the 41 records broken so far this year.

Last year’s overall Champions Salisbury, who have traditionally maintained a presence in most age groups, extended this advantage by fielding more swimmers than before in the 18-24 category and picking up valuable first place points.  This ensured an overall competition points lead with Swindon Dolphin trailing in second place and Bradford-on-Avon third.

Dolphin’s points stronghold as usual lay with the men.  Jon Audis led the way with four gold from four races and set new county records in the 100m backstroke and 25m freestyle.  Brian Davis, John Drake, Andy Alexander, Paul Kirk, Anthony Clark, John Cholod, Chris Lock and Dave Gingell all picked up top three finishes, with Clark also recording his first ever county record in the 100m breaststroke and Cholod his first individual county medal.

Making their debut for Dolphin were Sian Edwards and Rachel Jones.  Jones, in her first ever competition, performed well, coming from behind in her heat to finish a creditable 7th in her age group and Edwards picking up a silver and bronze whilst providing a realistic challenge to the talented Rebecca Smith of Bradford-on-Avon. Other top three ladies’ finishers were Louise Maynard, Sarah Forbes, Jose Adam, Helen Hanks and Glenys France who also set a new county record in the 50m butterfly.

Dolphin produced some outstanding relay performances, with five wins, two seconds and a third from eleven races, including a first and second place in the mens’ 160+ medley and a new county record set in the ladies 120+ freestyle.

With Dolphin trailing Salisbury by just eight points overall, the third and final round in October looks to be an evening of intense competition and all Clubs will be looking to muster as many Masters as possible for the showdown.

Cumulative points after 2 rounds: Salisbury 194, Swindon Dolphin 186, Bradford on Avon 151, Swindon Area Masters 83, Warminster & District 74, Corsham 56, Wootton Bassett Otters 44, Trowbridge 38, Marlborough Penguins 36, Swindon ASC 13, Wroughton 11, Melksham 11

Full results are available on the Masters Competition Page.