Noosa Masters 14-strong team returned recently from the most spectacular state championships in living memory.
Over four days, 341 swimmers (171 F, 170 M) competed in 47 events in a 25-metre pool at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre, Chandler. In a remarkable program, a total of 305 records were broken, at an average of one every four minutes. There were 270 individual records set, and 35 for relays. Of the 305 total, 78 were national and the remainder state.
Notably, not all the state records were broken by Queenslanders. Of the 52 clubs participating, 16 were from interstate. Their swimmers were able to break their home-state records at the Queensland meet. They returned home with 22 new records to celebrate.
Noosa Masters swimmers certainly got among the medals, amassing 33 gold, 30 silver and 21 bronze medals as individuals, while relays produced two gold and one silver.
Noosa’s standout performer was Steph Jones, who broke three state records – 200m Back, 25m Free and a 100m Free that was also a new national mark.
Two state records went to Jo Mathews (800 IM) and Brian Hoepper (800 Breast). Steph also teamed with Helen Malar, Yvonne Mutton and Wendy Nothdurft to break the women’s 4x25m Freestyle relay state record.
The other Noosa team members all achieved multiple podium finishes, each taking home a set of medals: Anne Besser (10), Greg Bott (12), David Gribble (4), Linda Hogg (2), LiQun Hussey (6), Rob Jolly (5), Trevor Matthews (5) and Robert Pugh (3).
The state championships reflected a welcome trend in masters swimming, with an influx of younger swimmers adding fast and furious drama to the pool contests. At Chandler, there were 67 competitors under 40 years of age. The women’s 25m Freestyle final, for example, was fought out by nine women in their twenties, and the male final by six under-30s.
For eight Noosa swimmers, the next adventure will be the national championships in Darwin, starting on 3 May.
