Woking Masters Amazing Haul and Surrey County Champs
The Woking Surrey Masters Squad were out in full force for the Surrey Masters County Championships, held at SSP over the weekend of 25th/26th June. Following the spectacular results at Nationals in Mid-June, the squad were determined to make their mark at County level and did not disappoint.
The Masters event are a fabulous opportunity for swimmers of all ages to compete. The championships saw swimmers from 18 year olds to the 91 year old infamous multiple World Record, Jan Asher, still flying off the blocks and smashing the events. A great team atmosphere and all round encouragement from and for all the swimmers.
The dedicated group of WSC Masters main squad were joined by numerous senior WSC swimmers who had been ‘encouraged’ out of retirement and come back and compete for Woking! This resulted in a sea of octopus hats constantly on the block, and with some spectacular results. With far too many medals to list, here are some highlights:
Woking Swimmers were dominant in the Victor Ludorum awards , awarded to the swimmer in each age group with the most points awarded:
Victor Ludorum Awards – 1st place in the following age categories
Alice Reeves-Turner 18-24 Women
Julie Howe 25-34 Women
Henry Goodlud 25-34 Men
Jennie Clarke 35-44 Women
Simon Dyson 35-43 Men
Michelle Ware 45-54 Women
Jerry O’Riordan 45-54 Men
Mike Hodgson 55-64 Men (also setting new SC British Records in 100IM, 50m & 100m Breast)
With all this great individual success, no surprise that both the Men’s and Women’s teams came first in their respective Team Score Competition, beating into second place Spencer Swim Team and Croydon SC respectively.
The highlight of the day must be the team relays, where WSC swimmers entered what seemed to be a never ending run of relay events. Each relay team is classified by a minimum combined total age of the team and Woking were out in force in the 72-99yr, 120-159yr, 160-199yr, 200-239yr and 240-279 year medley and freestyle relays. With Woking winning most age group relays, it was no surprise again that they also picked up the cup for the most Relay points.
Woking were crowned overall winners on the team rankings with a massive 1,497 points ahead of Spencer Swim Team and Guildford City SC. Full results coming soon on the Surrey County Website.
Only a year into the formation of the Woking Masters Squad, the group has flourished, grown in numbers and shown incredible warmth, welcome and encouragement to new squad members and exemplifies the spirit of masters swimming of ‘Fun, Fitness and Friendship’, breaking records along the way and picking up the odd cup or two.
Huge thanks to Seb, Crystal and Michael for their support and coaching of this great team and to Jim Boucher for his amazing organisation, once again, for this annual event.
More photos:
