A small team of fourteen Vikings swimmers had a very successful day at the NSW Relay Meet at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Sunday 18 July.
Our fourteen member team comprised Annette Britten, Brenda Day, Jeanette Droop, Liliana Gilroy, Cecelia Kaye, Atsuko McGowan, Caroline Makin, Liz Needham, Ann Reid, Anne Smyth, David Bale, Jeff Day, Greg Gourley and Ian Hampton.
The meet was won by Warringah club with 802 points, out of a total of 24 competing clubs. The Tuggeranong AUSSI-Vikings Club came 10th with 218 points … not far behind Ryde (276 points) and just behind Wett Ones (228 points)… a really GOOD result for a small team!
The fourteen Vikings swimmers put in consistently strong, solid swims and there were a number of highlights during the day, including the following:
In the 160+ age group, valiant Vikings David Bale, Anne Smyth, Jeanette Droop and Greg Gourley secured 1st in the Mixed 4 x 200m Freestyle event in a time of 11:09.25, which is now a provisional national and NSW state record.
Anne Smyth being presented with National Record Certificate
Both Vikings Women’s 4 x 100m Freestyle teams finished in 1st place in their respective age groups. In the 160+ age group Atsuko McGowan, Lily Gilroy, Annette Britten and Anne Smyth finished in a time of 5:11.91, whilst the 200+ team of Ann Reid, Brenda Day, Caroline Makin and Jeanette Droop came home in 5:29.07.
In the 160+ age group in the Mixed 4 x 100m Medley event, the team of Atsuko McGowan, Ian Hampton, Annette Britten and Greg Gourley set a provisional NSW state record in a time of 5:46.29.
First time competitor, Jeff Day put in four very good swims; in particular a stirring finish – holding on for 4th place as the Freestyle anchor man for the 200+ age group in the Men’s 4 x 50m Medley in a time of 35.84 seconds.
There was plenty to cheer about during the day and, as always, great camaraderie by everyone involved including families and partners.
