Okanagan Masters set personal-best times at nationals meet in Calgary
Okanagan Masters Swim Club athletes returned with personal bests from the 2018 Canadian Masters Swimming Championship in Calgary over the Victoria Day weekend.
The Calgary meet saw swimmers of all ages competing, from 18 to 97.
The nine Kelowna swimmers ranged in age from 29 to 94.
While promoting fun, fitness and friendship is key to the OMSC club, there are swimmers who want to compete to the best of their ability.
“Nationals was an awesome meet for OMSC,” said coach Thomas Robinson. “The entire team came together for every race to cheer on their teammates, making us by far the most spirited team at the meet. Other masters teams even started to cheer for our swimmers because of their positive attitudes and the energy that our team was sending off.”
The following is a breakdown of the personal bests for OMSC swimmers in Calgary:
Brenda Balderson (age group 60-64) knocked 10 seconds from her fastest 800 free;
Betty Brussel (age group 90-94) took off 29 seconds in her 50 back;
Carmelle Guidi-Swan (age group 45-49) did a best time in five out of her six races and won a medal in every single event;
Brent Hobbs (age group 50-54) nailed his stroke and took off nearly two seconds from his 100 fly best time;
Elisa Hoover (age group 30-34) also had an awesome weekend and posted several best times but her 50 was swam very well. Strong from start to finish, Elisa saw a lifetime best time in her 50 free;
Chantal McMartin (age group 25-29) had a three-second drop from her best time in the 200 IM;
Debra Parker (age group 60-64) won the 1,500 free beating a rival from another team;
Connie Stamhuis (age group85-89) broke one minute on her 50 free;
Carol Taylor (age group 60-64) dropped six seconds off her best time in the 200 IM and came in second in her age category.
OMSC is based out of the H20 Adventure & Fitness Centre in Kelowna.