Masters swimmers make a splash in the big city
Marlborough swimmers, from left, Chris Smithers, Jack Bugler, Shane Skehan, Jodie Lovell, Karina Foote and Linda Hall. Photo supplied.
A six-strong team of Marlborough swimmers made a successful trip to the recent 2024 NZ Masters Swimming Championships held in Auckland.
The event, staged at the Sir Owen G Glenn National Aquatic Centre, offered a chance for swimmers from around the country to compete against the best in their age groups.
The Marlborough contingent ranged from experienced competitive pool and ocean swimmers through to Blenheim Swim Club [BSC] coaches and parents competing for the first time at a national meet.
The team was led by Blenheim Swim Club assistant coach and age group ocean swimming champion Jodie Lovell who swam a near perfect meet, winning all but one of her events to jointly take out the overall title in the 45-49 age group. Jodie won the 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly events as well as the 800m freestyle and the 400 IM. She was second in the 100m freestyle. Especially pleasing for Jodie was the fact she swam personal best times in all her events.
Blenheim Swim Club head coach Shane Skehan won all three of the sprint events that he entered and took joint overall second place in the 50-54 age group. He produced a blistering time of 26.75 seconds in the 50 free, the fifth fastest time overall. He also won the 50m fly and 100m free.
Champion para swimmer and NZ record holder Jack Bugler used this event as a fun hit-out before a week of intensive training in Auckland with fellow NZ para swimming teammates. He was first in his age group overall, winning the 400m, 800m and 1500m free, coming second in the 100m free, third in the 50m free and fourth in the 200m free.
BSC adult swimmer, Chris Smithers also had a successful meet with wins in the 50m and 100m fly and thirds in the 100m and 200m free in the 25-29 age group.
Jodie, Shane and Chris combined with Glen Findlay, head coach from the Nelson South Swimming Club, to produce an outstanding freestyle relay swim, winning overall as well as their combined age group. They also won their age group in the medley relay, their time being good enough for second overall.
Karina Foote and Linda Hall, both in the 50-54 age group, enjoyed their experience at their first competitive swim meet after nearly a year of preparation. Karina performed above expectations with third placings in the 100m breast, 50m back and 50m free, while Linda swam to fourth in the 100m breast, 50m back and fifth in the 100m free and 50m breast.