EMUALTING the achievements this year of the younger Gainsborough Dolphins swimmers the Masters members shone with great success at the recent South Yorkshire Masters Championships at Scarborough. Other commitments to some members meant only a squad of eleven swimmers competing over 42 events in an action packed day with 23 medals gained and a total of 38 top six finishes. With the standard of competition at its highest against swimmers from the North East, North West, the Midlands and Yorkshire at this event for many years this proved to be a phenomenal accomplishment. The first gold of the day was secured by 21 year old Emily Wright in the Ladies 18/24 age group with a personal best time in the 50m breaststroke. Emily later followed up with another victory in the 100m breaststroke whilst she also placed third in the 50m butterfly, fourth and sixth in the 50m freestyle and 100m freestyle respectively. In the Mens 60/64 age group Mike Keeble also tasted double success as he won both the 50m and 100m backstroke whilst he had to settle for silver in the 50m freestyle. Alongside Mike Sloan, Godfrey Green and Jari Goddard Mike achieved further success as this quartet won both their freestyle and individual medley (I/M) relays in the 220+ years combined age group. Dolphins eldest competitor Godfrey (62) won two silver medals in the 50m and 100m breaststroke events in the 60/64 age group whilst he also achieved bronze in the 50m butterfly and 100m I/M. Just missing out on gold was 38 year old Chris Webster in the 35/39 age group as he was beaten by two tenths of a second in a thrilling 50m butterfly. Chris also placed fifth in the 50m breaststroke whilst 37 year old Nic Clover also missed the medals in this event with a fourth place as 38 year old Steve Morris also made it into the top six behind his team mates. Steve was unlucky again later to miss out on the top three in the 100m breaststroke finishing fourth whilst Nic went one better in securing bronze in the 200m freestyle. In the same age group 38 year old Rachel Haldenby swam superbly well to win silver in the 100m breaststroke, bronze in the 50m breaststroke with fourth in the 50m freestyle. The Mens 45/49 age group saw a very competitive category resulting in 46 year old Mark Smith missing out on the podium with fourth place finishes in the 200m I/M and 50m butterfly whilst 47 Jari Goddard placed sixth and tenth in the 50m freestyle and butterfly respectively. A mixed day for 30 year old James Lugg in the Mens 30/34 age group saw him claim bronze in the 200m freestyle and seventh in the 100m freestyle whilst illegal movement on the starting block resulted in him being disqualified in the 50m freestyle after a third place finish. Double silver was recorded in the Mens 50/54 age group as 52 year old Mike Sloan narrowly missed the gold in the 50m butterfly and 100m I/M. Top six finishes were secured by all the relay teams with a controversial disqualification robbing the quartet of Mark, Emily, Chris and Rachel of gold in the 140+ years combined I/M mixed relay. Having won the very close race just before the session interval they returned to collect their medals only to find out that they had been unfortunate. With Mark and Chris having to depart early Mike Sloan and Mike Keeble replaced them in the 140+ mixed freestyle relay to secure an impressive second place. Bronze medals were won by the quartet of Mike Keeble, Steve, Chris and Mark in the 140+ Mens I/M relay with Jari, Mike Sloan, Steve and James gaining the same honour in the freestyle equivalent. The mixed 100+ combined freestyle relay of Jari, Emily, Rachel and James held on to be rewarded with another bronze whilst Nic replaced Jari in the I/M relay as they finished fourth. Also just missing the medals in both their freestyle and I/M relays in the 180+ years combined age group were Mark, Jari, Mike Sloan and Mike Keeble with two fourth place finishes whilst the quartet of Nic, Chris, James and Steve had to settle for fifth place in both their 100+ years relay events. More fantastic news for the Club is the selection of six Gainsborough Dolphin swimmers to represent Lincolnshire this Sunday at Derby in the East Midland Inter-County gala. The Club extend their congratulations to Chris Webster, Nic Clover, Pete Trickett, James Lugg and newly wed Ruth Howitt whilst Mark Smith has had to decline his selection due to being on holiday. The Club are open to new members and any ex-swimmers who wish to improve their fitness and maybe compete are more than welcome. For more information please visit www.gainsboroughdolphins.co.uk.
