“Game on Geelong!”
Report by Anne Smyth
Three club members Anne Smyth, Caroline Makin and Roger Dietrich travelled to Geelong to participate in the XIV Australian Masters Games from 4-6 October 2013.
Our Vikings teamed up with other participants from NSW clubs and had a fantastic time. It really embodied the Masters spirit of fun, fitness and friendship and participation in the next Australian Masters Games in two years’ time is highly recommended. The Games has over 50 sports and a highlight was attending the opening ceremony with participants from all sports represented. But despite having a such a good time, our Vikings also swam very well and bought home some fantastic medals.
There was some exciting racing, particularly Roger storming home in the 200m Breaststroke pulling back over two body lengths in the last 50m from Paul Bailey (Warringah) to take silver – this race for the Silver medal even made Roger’s local newspaper in Junee, NSW. [Read the article “Swimmer flies home for medal”…]
Anne and Caz’s 400m Individual Medley was also a tight tussle with the ladies swimming next to each other and Caz just touching out Anne at the end by a mere 0.1 seconds!
Final results were:
Caroline Makin – 2 Gold, 3 Silver and 3 Bronze medals.
Anne Smyth – 5 Gold and 4 Silver medals.
Roger Dietrich – a Silver medal.
Our Vikings also swam as part of NSW relay teams which was a lot of fun. Anne and Caz teamed with Gillian Pateman and Michelle Varker (both from Blue Mountains) to win Silver in the 160+ 4x50m Womens Medley relay. They then teamed with Michelle Varker and Katie Lewis (Campbelltown speedy youngster!) to take out Gold in the 160+ 4x50m Womens Freestyle relay.
The Chronicle newspaper in Canberra picked up on the success of our swimmers and Anne and Caz were interviewed by the paper and the three Vikings were featured in an article on Tuesday, 22 October 2013. [Read the article “Trio make big splash at Masters Games” …]
So two years time — save the date and go to the XV Australian Masters Games in Adelaide — you’ll have a ball!!!!
Full results are available.
