MSA Nationals 2016 – Brunswick Belugas

MSA Nationals 2016 – Day 4

April 24, 2016 Wayne Mortensen

Sunday saw many club Records tumble to some scintillating swims. These included several PB’s. It was a memorable day in the pool (and out of the pool, more later on that).

FullSizeRender — Tracy Cameron and Janet Moloney

Sunday started with the 200m freestyle, Maureen (3:50.40) and Janet (3:51.74 ) followed by Paul (2:55.44 – PB by 10 seconds!), Sandy (3:08.83 Club Record), Duncan (3:07.31), Tracy (2:59.58 Club Record and PB), Wayne (3:02 CR), Vito (3:00.91 CR & PB), Raoul (2:37.89 CR & PB ), Anthony (2:43.96), Alexandra (2:45.36, CR).

50m breaststroke:
Maureen (58.82) Vito (53.07), Jaye (50.13), Duncan (43.20), Paul (46.41 CR), Raoul (45.27 CR), Mike (38.80 CR)

200IM
Wayne (DNF), Duncan (3:29.84), Paul (3:28.62), Jaye (3:31.79 CR ), Mke (3:11.49, CR), Raoul(3:18.67 CR), Alexandra (3:07.02 CR).

Freestyle relays (Women’s and Men’s)
Two exceptionally good-looking teams took to the blocks, with both posting terrific times well under those nominated. Women: 2’47.73; Men: 2’19.13.

Summary Highlights of the Nationals (in random order):

Controversial, amusing, cute:
The last 100 of Anthony’s 800 (requires video analysis), Wayne’s dives (entertaining, horsey?, thanks paul), the fawlty towers coffee experience day 3, the crazy 800 swimmer who tried to take out Raoul, hugging etiquitte not observed according to Vito, Anthony’s comment “went for coffee waiting for Raoul to finish”, Leonardo’s comment “I can’t believe my mum is so good” (neither can we!). Ingrid & Heidi (we shall say no more).

More serious:
Opening ceremony, day 4 food (thanks to all the creative cooks), Turner birthday cake, exciting photo finish between Duncan and Paul. Paul and Duncan best overall improvers (PBs in every event they entered!), Sue & Paul’s impressive 400 IM performances, Raoul’s 200 free (with the first 100 a sizzler), Sandy’s first meet swimming in individual events, Ale’s 200 IM (she made it look easy!), and lastly Mike’s haul of medals, great stuff.

Never have more options for improving swim times been discussed by Belugas, including alternative race strategies. The need for coaching being the most agreed must-do.

Special thanks to our loyal supporters Richard, Judy, Diego, Daniel, Leo, Isa, Orla, Susanne, Beryl, Lex, Joe, and Kate. Camille, we missed you and wish you a speedy recovery!

Post-meet resolutions: Sandy will extract the pool buoy, Tracey & Paul will swim in the fast lane, Wayne will step up to lane 2, Anthony will arrive on time, Kate will swim with the squad, Judy will compete at the next meet, Maureen will swim 50 fly individually or in the IM relay at the next meet, Jaye will nail the 100 butterfly, Raoul will stop following and do more leading in the fast lane, and Paul will do the winter pier to pub without a wet suit!

The dinners. We had 2 groups, the ones that were lucky(?) to get a ticket (men plus Jaye) and the breakaway ladies plus Mike group. Photos were sent of everyone having a great time and a well deserved celebration.

Of most note at the official dinner was the Belugas, clear winners of the most under-dressed award (except Jaye who looked lovely).

Some very serious talk starting over drinks about the Auckland World Masters in April 2017!

13095843_1009339765815803_3507565855035775361_n — With the swimming over, time for some well-earned R&R!

FULL MEET RESULTS

MSA Nats 2016
Swimmer	Age group	Event	Heat time	Club record(CR);Personal Best(PB)
Jaye Dowling	25-29	100 back	1'39.77
Jaye Dowling	25-29	200 IM	3'31.79	CR, PB
Jaye Dowling	25-29	50 breast	50.13
Alexandra Cateriano	35-39	100 breast	1'37.44	CR, PB
Alexandra Cateriano	35-39	100 free	1'14.59	CR, PB
Alexandra Cateriano	35-39	200 free	2'45.36	CR, PB
Alexandra Cateriano	35-39	200 IM	3'07.02	CR, PB
Brad Hennessy	45-49	50 fly	31.30	CR, PB
Brad Hennessy	45-49	50 free	30.10	PB
Craig Humann	45-49	100 breast	1'32.12	CR, PB
Craig Humann	45-49	100 free	1'09.73	PB
Paul Turner	45-49	100 breast	1'43.44	PB
Paul Turner	45-49	100 free	1'19.49	PB
Paul Turner	45-49	200 back	3'58.39	CR, PB
Paul Turner	45-49	200 breast	3'38.50	PB
Paul Turner	45-49	200 free	2'55.44	PB
Paul Turner	45-49	200 IM	3'28.62	PB
Paul Turner	45-49	400 IM	7'26.51	CR, PB
Paul Turner	45-49	50 breast	46.41	CR, PB
Paul Turner	45-49	50 fly	41.13	PB
Paul Turner	45-49	50 free	36.13	PB
Paul Turner	45-49	800 free	13'05.81	CR, PB
Sue Cox	45-49	100 breast	1'45.24
Sue Cox	45-49	400 IM	6'48.53	CR, PB
Sue Cox	45-49	50 back	43.32
Vaughan Mcdonald	45-49	100 free	1'02.47	CR, PB
Vaughan Mcdonald	45-49	50 free	27.52
Anthony Ferguson	50-54	100 free	1'18.30
Anthony Ferguson	50-54	200 free	2'43.96	PB
Anthony Ferguson	50-54	400 free	5'41.19	PB
Anthony Ferguson	50-54	50 free	36.10
Anthony Ferguson	50-54	800 free	12'02.22	PB
Raoul Mulder	50-54	100 breast	1'42.70	CR
Raoul Mulder	50-54	100 free	1'11.46	CR, PB
Raoul Mulder	50-54	200 breast	3'40.91	CR
Raoul Mulder	50-54	200 free	2'37.89	CR, PB
Raoul Mulder	50-54	200 IM	3'18.67	CR
Raoul Mulder	50-54	400 free	5'41.84	CR, PB
Raoul Mulder	50-54	50 back	43.21	CR
Raoul Mulder	50-54	50 breast	45.27	CR
Raoul Mulder	50-54	50 fly	41.73	CR, PB
Raoul Mulder	50-54	50 free	31.88	CR
Raoul Mulder	50-54	800 free	11'51.71	CR, PB
Sandy Iuliano	50-54	200 free	3'08.83	PB
Tracy Cameron	50-54	200 free	2'59.58	CR, PB
Duncan Howard	55-59	200 breast	3'42.21	CR, PB
Duncan Howard	55-59	200 free	3'07.31	PB
Duncan Howard	55-59	200 IM	3'29.84	PB
Duncan Howard	55-59	400 free	6'51.86	PB
Duncan Howard	55-59	50 breast	43.20	PB
Duncan Howard	55-59	50 free	34.50	PB
Duncan Howard	55-59	800 free	14'07.98	PB
Maureen Weir	55-59	200 free	3'50.40	CR, PB
Maureen Weir	55-59	50 breast	58.82
Vito Muré	55-59	100 free	1'20.34
Vito Muré	55-59	200 free	3'00.91	CR, PB
Vito Muré	55-59	400 free	6'36.36	CR, PB
Vito Muré	55-59	50 breast	53.07
Vito Muré	55-59	50 free	35.04	PB
Vito Muré	55-59	800 free	14'00.59	CR, PB
Janet Moloney	60-64	200 free	3'51.74
Mike Whitburn	60-64	100 back	1'25.67	CR, PB
Mike Whitburn	60-64	100 breast	1'32.25
Mike Whitburn	60-64	100 free	1'12.47	CR, PB
Mike Whitburn	60-64	200 back	3'18.41	CR, PB
Mike Whitburn	60-64	200 breast	3'27.8	CR, PB
Mike Whitburn	60-64	200 IM	3'11.49	CR, PB
Mike Whitburn	60-64	50 back	37.73
Mike Whitburn	60-64	50 breast	38.80	CR, PB
Mike Whitburn	60-64	50 fly	35.53	CR, PB
Mike Whitburn	60-64	50 free	31.00	CR, PB
Wayne Mortensen	60-64	200 free	3'02.89	CR, PB
Wayne Mortensen	60-64	400 free	6'30.75	CR, PB
Wayne Mortensen	60-64	50 fly	47.24	CR, PB
Wayne Mortensen	60-64	50 free	36.51
Wayne Mortensen	60-64	800 free	13'41.27	CR, PB

MSA Nationals 2016 – Day 3

April 23, 2016 Jaye Dowling

Today we headed down to MSAC for day 3 of the Nationals and boy was it grand!

The main event of the day was the 400metres freestyle. We were treated to the age old Anthony Raoul show-off…..

And the winner: Raoul (by 0.6 of a second)! All round the Belugas impressed though, Raoul’s 400 time was 5’41.84 a PB and club record. Duncan came in at 6’51 and held the record for 6minutes until Vito came in at 6’36. Wayne earned a club record for his 400 free with a time of 6’30. Some brave souls impressed us with their 50 fly, Mike, Raoul and Brad all earning club records! True to his (champion) form Mike earned another club record in the 200 backstroke swimming an impressive 1’25!

Finally to round off the day the men’s medley relay performed spectacularly…. Coming fourth in Australia! We had Mike swimming backstroke, Paul with breast, Brad swimming fly and Raoul swimming free.

relaymedley — The men’s medley team featuring Mike Whitburn, Paul Turner, prize new recruit Brad Hennessy and Raoul Mulder

Day three at the Australian Master’s Championships was a good one indeed, Congratulations Belugas…… GOOOOOO Team!

MSA Nationals 2016 – Day 2

April 22, 2016 Mike Whitburn

The second day of the 41^st National Masters Swimming Championships was highlighted by the very popular 800m freestyle event. Indeed there were so many entrants that heats were conducted with two swimmers per lane, each commencing at opposite ends of the pool.

The boys took up today’s challenge with Duncan, Paul, Vito, Wayne, Raoul and Anthony stepping up on the blocks to make their mark on this gruelling event. Duncan led the Belugas into the “Battle of the Bulge” (no offense intended to those of us with a little extra on the hips) with his heat, posting a time to set the mark for the others.

raoul800m — Raoul among the competitors in the blue-ribbon 800m event.

Heat 5 saw the gauntlet thrown down by Paul, Wayne and Vito. A blistering start by Paul saw him take the lead from the other two at the outset. Nobody was going to spoil this birthday boy’s celebrations. Vito and Wayne tussled to see which of them would make up ground to catch Paul. Youth prevailed with Paul turning to watch his fellow Belugas come in to finish. All posted new club records for their respective age groups.

Anthony and Raoul were in adjacent lanes in heat 7 where these two rivals fought a very close race with Anthony taking the lead at the start. Raoul’s efforts were being thwarted by the other swimmer in his lane who insisted on encroaching on the Belugas’ patch. Officials had to extract this competitor as, despite their instructions from the sidelines, he continued to make it dangerous for Raoul. Undaunted, Raoul was able to claw back Anthony’s lead and eventually post the club record for their age group.

The 800m event was followed by the pool sprint event, the 50m freestyle. The first heat saw a most unusual interpretation of “freestyle” where one competitor, upon his dive into the pool, immediately flipped over to commence a conventional front crawl action but with reverse propulsion. A bit like Michael Jackson’s ‘moonwalk’ in the water. If you’re having a hard time imagining what that might look like, check out the video below.

Moonwalking/swimming the 50m

As you can see, this is not to be confused with the reverse freestyle drill executed in some training regimens. A time of 2:13.10 is an indication of the effort involved in this action.

brad&vaghan — Speedsters Brad Hennessy and Vaughan Mcdonald injected some fearsome pace into proceedings.

All the Belugas hit the water for this dash down the pool. Vaughan, Bradley and Mike were fresh out of the blocks with Mike setting a new club record with his PB. Despite the hard slog in the 800m, Raoul also posted a new club record.

Birthday Boy Paul Turner had every reason to smile on Day 2 of competition, with an outstanding set of performances.

Following birthday wishes sung to Paul with cake and candle (no match!), Paul and Mike were left to tackle the 200m backstroke. Both were able to finish the day with personal bests and club records.

MSA Nationals 2016 – Day 1

April 21, 2016 Vito Mure

The glass surface of the MSAC competition pool before the ripples began … Vito Muré already at work on his report.

The first day of the well anticipated Masters Swimming Australia 2016 National Championships has been completed. Here are a few phrases to describe the day. Let me set the scene by adapting a famous movie line.
“I love the the smell of chlorine in the morning … smells like … victory.”

Well this was so true for some on a personal level as they improved on and set new club records.

The Brunswick Belugas gathered at the usual vantage point at MSAC with our banner on display. Apon our arrival meet and greet pleasantries were exchanged before getting down to business because the events were soon marshalled.

There was brief but fabulous morning interlude where the opening ceremony unfolded. Our president Raoul Mulder was the flag bearer for the Belugas with a long procession of other australian club representatives following behind.

2016-04-21_21.46.15 — The Belugas front and centre at the flag-bearing ceremony.

After they all finished parading around the main pool they were then joined by colourful dancing girls and boys with top hats and tails to the tunes of advance Australia fair and the Peter Allen classic “I go to Rio”. I could not help thinking that it was a very tasteful and appropriate performance with just a hint of gala. Hats off to MSA.

Back to business with nerves to calm and questions to answer.
Was there pain? Yes!
Was there joy? Yes!
Were there regrets? NEVER.

Just as a teaser, the names of these Belugas performed and hit our record charts (full details to will be broadcast on the Brunswick Belugas website in due course).

Sue Cox
400 IM: Club Record set and Personal Best achieved
100 Breast: Club Record set
50 Back: Club Record set

Paul Turner
400 IM: Club Record set and Personal Best achieved
100 Free: Personal Best achieved

Mike Whitburn
100 Free: Club Record set and Personal Best achieved

Raoul Mulder
100 Free: Club Record set and Personal Best achieved
100 Breast: Club Record set
50 Back: Club Record set

Craig Humann
100 Free: Personal Best achieved
100 Breast: Club Record set and Personal Best achieved

Alexandra Cateriano
100 free: Club record set
100 Breast: Club Record set

Vaughan McDonald
100 Free: Club Record set

Unfortunately we were not able to qualify for the mixed relays due to an incorrect 50/50 team balance of male and female competitors. We enjoyed the swim regardless.

Again I would like to say another well done by all and I love the fact that such a small club can have such a big presence and impact.

PS Don’t forget to submit your raffle tickets as Mike and I picked up some prizes.