Meet report from David Bale
Two members ventured to Sydney once again, to take on the competition this time at the Trinity BPS Meet on Saturday 25 September. The meet was held at a wealthy private school in the inner west of Sydney. Caroline and David aimed to achieve some more BPS points for the club and some personal best times in the process.
Some of the starts were a challenge with springboards and diving towers entwined amongst the starting blocks.
Caroline Makin achieved maximum points with 40 out of a possible 40 for a 200m Backstroke, 50m Backstroke, 100m Individual Medley and 50m Freestyle. She also achieved PBs in all four swims and a particularly impressive time in the 200m Backstroke.
David Bale achieved 35 points out of the possible 40 for his 200m Breaststroke, 50m Butterfly, 100m Individual Medley and 50m Freestyle and three PBs.
To add to the excitement of the swim meet, David missed the marshalling for his 100m IM heat and was placed in the next heat in the lane right next to Caroline. They both went out hard in the Fly, with David gaining nearly a full body length on Caroline going into the Backstroke leg. With David being substantially challenged in his Backstroke ability and it being Caroline’s strongest stroke, she easily caught him by the turn into the start of the breaststroke leg. During the length of Breaststroke, David kept his eye on both his and Caroline’s lane, being a little surprised to see Caroline still right up alongside him into the final turn! David’s superior strength and speed drove him home on the Freestyle leg, finishing 1.5 seconds ahead of his team mate by the race’s end. It was great to see two club members competing so closely against each other with such camaraderie and competitive spirit. Both walked away with PBs for the event and David shaved 1.5 seconds off his previously set club record.
Scott Makin was once again in attendance supporting the two swimming chums, and provided his expert camera work capturing their 100IM race on video. As always, Scott’s supporting and video efforts are appreciated.
Swim meets are great fun, and definitely give you a reason to keep training hard! Anyone thinking about participating is strongly encouraged to do so — let your team members know and you may find others may join you at a meet.
