MALVERN MARLINS JUNE REPORT
May was a busy month for many Marlins. A small group (five swimmers and one cheer squad member) made the 5 ½ hour journey up to Griffith for the Grape Escape Weekend on 2-3 May to mark the 40th Anniversary of Masters Swimming NSW. From all accounts this was a fun weekend. At one point Facebook observers wondered if there was actually going to be any swimming done at all, after numerous postings of coffees, cakes,
sightseeing and wine tasting. We did eventually see some pics of them in their bathers, with wet hair and a pool in the background!
The next competition event was the MSV Long Course Championships at MSAC on 17th May.
The big news coming out of this meet is that (subject to FINA ratification), the Marlins can boast a new “World Record” holder! In an awe inspiring performance, Jan Jeffrey blew away the existing 65-69 years 200m Breaststroke mark by 3.18 seconds, with a time of 3:21:61.
What an absolutely fantastic result for a true champion. She alleged before the race that she would be taking it easy, so look out when she decides to try! Congratulations Jan!
Leigh Rodgers also swam brilliantly, and out of her 5 individual swims, broke 4 National and 1 Branch record in the 60-64 year age group. A sensational all round effort by another champion.
Other Branch records were achieved by Elana McNeil (50-54 years) in the 100m Backstroke and 100m Butterfly, John Cocks (75-79 years) in
the 200m IM, Patrick Galvin (80-84 years) in the 200m Backstroke and the 240-279 years Mixed 200m Medley Relay team ( Jan Jeffrey – backstroke, Don Taylor – breastroke, Leigh Rodgers – butterfly and Mark Huggins – freestyle).
Twelve of our 14 relay teams on the day placed, with the excellent results of seven firsts, two seconds, and three thirds. Great work all, and special
thanks to Nicky Kerr for figuring out the dark arts of putting the relay teams together.
During the lunch break we celebrated birthdays for, Peter Couttie (85), and Beth Ashwood (not quite that old!), with another of Joan Simpson’s special cakes, which provided the energy for many to get through the afternoon session.
To cap off a great day’s racing, the Marlins team of 39 swimmers (plus officials;
Kath Rogers, Susie Kempson, Julie Johnson and Bruce Allender and time keeper Sue Boekel) were the winning club on the day. Well done to all who contributed.
A week later, on Saturday 23rd May, the Marlins were celebrating again, with their 25th Anniversary Presentation Dinner at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club. This was a fabulous evening, with everyone ditching their trackies and donning Cocktail Wear for the occasion. Many were almost unrecognisable! All our award winners for the 2014 year were acknowledged (see separate article) and John Marshall and Susie Kempson received Life Memberships of the club. We were also proud to have MSV President Archer Talbot and his partner Liz Gosper in attendance. After his generous praise for the club, Archer presented Steve Bottomley with his MSV Coach of the Year Award.
Thanks to Danielle Spurling and her team of organisers for making this a really successful night.
