In the News

Masters swim foursome sets world relay record

The members of the Burlington Masters Swim Club’s women’s relay team were already thrilled with what they had accomplished — a national title and Canadian record at the Canadian Masters Long Course Swimming Championships in Nanaimo, B.C. in May.

None of them were expecting what came next.

Nearly three weeks after the competition, Jenn Kerr opened an e-mail from Masters Swimming Canada. It was requesting copies of the swimmers’ birth certificates so the organization could verify their world record.

“It was pretty impressive, and a bit of a surprise,” said Kerr, the Burlington club’s president who swam the anchor leg.

Kerr, Colleen Chiki, Sandra Judd and Christine van Warmerdam turned in a time of four minutes, 23.91 seconds in the 4x100-metre freestyle in the 120-160 age group. That allowed them to win by 4.5 seconds in a race in which the top three teams all eclipsed the old Canadian mark.

As impressive as their time was, “it never even occurred to us to check the world records,” Chiki said.

The race brought together four individuals to accomplish what nobody in the world ever had ever done before.

First in the water was van Warmerdam, a freestylist whose specialties are distance events like the 1,500 and 800 metres.

“It’s a different mindset. You just go as fast as you possibly can and kick as hard as you can,” said the third-year Queen’s University student.

Warmerdam said having the team’s biggest two rivals, Aurora and Etobicoke, in the lanes beside her gave her a little extra incentive and knowing a Canadian record was a possibility, she wanted to get her team off to a good start.

The youngest member of the team at 20, van Warmerdam returned to competitive swimming three years ago because of a love of the sport and the chance to reunite with her former coach Dave Judd, who she trained with at the Oakville Aquatic Club while she was attending Holy Trinity.

Hitting the water next was the coach’s wife, Sandra Judd. Judd has been swimming with the club for 10 years but just got back in the water in September after having her first child, who will celebrate his first birthday next week.

Being a new mom has forced Judd to cut back on her training from three or four days a week to just one or two. It also made things a little more complicated at the national championships.

“It was a little stressful looking after the little guy and making sure you were ready to swim when you were supposed to be,” said Judd, 34, who swam at the Oakville Aquatic Club before competing for the University of Toronto.

With different teams positioning their fastest swimmers at different points in the relay, the lead changed hands several times and Judd simply focused on out-touching her opponents.

“We knew we had a very good chance of setting the Canadian record,” Judd said. “But it was not just the record but, can we beat these other teams?”

Next up was Colleen Chiki, a mother of two who also runs five-kilometre races in the summer. “To be able to say that you have a world record after swimming for a million years ...,” she said. “It doesn’t seem like it’s actually real.”

There weren’t exactly dinosaurs roaming the earth when Chiki began her competitive career, but van Warmerdam was just three years old when Chiki began swimming for Brock University.

That gives Chiki the right to claim responsibility for the record.

“I’m the oldest,” the 36-year-old said. “I put us over into the next (age) category.”

Though she wasn’t aware of their world record status at the time of the race, Chiki has since looked up other world marks.

“The 4x200, I think we have a shot,” she said. “It’s just a matter of finding a (long-course) meet that has it.”

Bringing home the record on the anchor leg was Kerr - “our ringer” as Judd calls her. The 31 year old qualified for the national university championships three times while swimming at Laurier and McMaster. She was the Burlington Sport Alliance masters athlete of the year in 2008 after winning 10 gold medals at the national championships the previous year.

But as Kerr hit the water there were more pressing issues than any record. They still had to win the race. Teams from Aurora and Etobicoke were also pushing the Burlington swimmers.

“There was pressure but a good racer thrives on that pressure,” Kerr said. “It helps. I was excited to take off and go.”

Even as Kerr pulled away from her opponents and the victory was no longer in doubt, her teammates were still shouting encouragement as they pushed for the record.

As soon as Kerr touched the wall and they saw the time, they knew they had a national record.

The latest bit of news is another reason to celebrate.

“It’s quite amazing to know you are part of something like that,” Judd said.

June 25, 2010 ~ (Oakville Beaver Sports)

Swimmer set world mark

Oakville’s Christine Van Warmerdam recently helped the Burlington Masters Swim Club’s women’s relay team set a world record.

Competing at the Canadian Masters Long Course Swimming Championships, the BMSC team completed the 4x100-metre relay in a time of 4:23.91, winning the race by nearly 4.5 seconds. All three teams put in times that broke the previous world record in the 120-160 age category (the age is calculated by adding the ages of all four swimmers on the team).

Van Warmerdam swam the first leg in a time of 1:06.73, keeping the BMSC team even with the other two squads from Aurora and Edmonton.

Sandra Judd, Colleen Chiki and Jenn Kerr rounded out the BMSC team.

June 4, 2010 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Burlington Masters Swim Club wins Division 3 nationals

Members of the Burlington Masters Swim Club garnered the most points of any Division 3 club participating at the Canadian masters long-course swimming championships over the Victoria Day weekend.

The team, competing in Nanaimo, B.C., finished fifth overall in point standings competing against many larger clubs.

Every member contributed points to earn the division title for the Burlington Masters.

The 14-member women’s team led the BMSC, paced by club president Jenn Kerr, won won six golds and set a provincial record. Teammate Colleen Chiki won five golds.

Mike Torsney and John Twohig paced the men, with Torsney winning four golds and Twohig setting four Ontario records.

Results of the Burlington club competitors are as follows:

Jenn Kerr (30-34) won six golds, setting an Ontario record in the 200-metre backstroke and also winning the 800 and 1,500-free, 400m individual medley, 200-breaststroke and 200-butterfly. She was second in the 400-free.

Colleen Chiki (35-39) won the 400, 800 and 1,500 free and the 100 and 200 fly. Won silver in the 200-free and bronze in the 50-fly bronze.

Christine Van Warmerdan (18-20), won the 400 and 800-free and 200-back and 200-back, took silver in 200-free and bronze in the 50-fly and 200-individual medley. Sandra Judd (30-34) won the 50- and 100-breast, was second in the 200-breast and 200-I.M. Petra Haneberry (35-39) won the 400-I.M. was second in the 200 I.M. and 200-back and third in the 100-breast and 100-back. Lynn Rodgers (35-39) earned the silver in the 200-breast and 800-free and was third in 400 and 1,500-free and 400 I.M. Van Warmerdan, Judd, Chiki and Kerr (120-159) set Canadian record in women’s 4x100 free relay. Corinne Poot, Denyse Cowling, Tanya Woods, Fiona Lowden, Jen Fisher, Linda Burton, Kathy Rattray and Marney Swayze each placed in the top 12 or better.

Mike Torsney (80-84), won gold in the 50 and 100-fly, 200 I.M. and 200-back and was second in 50 and 100-back.

John Twohig (60-64) set four provincial marks, winning the 100 and 200-fly and the 200 and 400 I.M. Twohig briefly held the national 400-I.M. record before it was surpassed in a later heat.

John Strang won three silvers and four bronze medals and Jason Smith won three silvers and three bronzes.

Visit www.bmsc.ca for more club info.

May 12, 2010 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Local masters swimmers preparing for nationals

After finishing third in Ontario at the provincial championships, the Burlington Masters Swim Club is preparing for the Canadian championships in Nanaimo, B.C. May 21-24.

At the provincials in London, John Twohig led the way for the male swimmers by winning five golds, tying a provincial record in the process. He added a silver as well, all while competing in the 60-64 age group.

Teammate Lee Baker (35-39 age group) added three golds along with a silver and bronze.

The BMSC women also fared well, led by Jenn Kerr, winner of five gold medals and a silver in the 30-34 age group.

Kathy Rattray, in the 70-74 age group, also won five golds, while Colleen Chiki (35-39) took home two pairs of medals, gold and silver.

Many more members stood on the podium as there were 76 individual medals — 23 gold, 25 silver and 28 bronze — won by the city club, including two silvers and three bronze medals in relay races.

BMSC placed third behind London, the host club, and Aurora. Both clubs had almost double the number of members competing compared to the Burlington club.

Every member of BMSC contributed to the point total and the club had the highest points per swimmer rate of the top five teams.

Here are the highlights for BMSC swimmers at the provincials:

Men

• John Twohig (60-64) won gold medals in the 400-metre individual medley, 50m and 200m backstroke, and 100m and 200m butterfly, won a silver in the 100m free and tied an Ontario record in the 100m fly.
• Lee Baker (35-39), won gold medals in the 200, 400 and 800m freestyle, along with a silver in the 100m fly and bronze in the 50m fly.

Women

• Jenn Kerr (30-34), won gold medals in the 400m and 1,500m free, 200m backstroke, 200 and 400m I.M., won silver in the 800m free.
• Kathy Rattray (70-74) won gold medals in the 400, 800 and 1,500m free and the 200m back and 50m fly.
• Colleen Chiki (35-39) won gold in the 1,500m free and 200m fly, and silver medals in the 400m free and 100m fly and bronze in the 200m-free.

February 5, 2010 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Masters measure success in yards

Two members of the Burlington Masters Swim Club set provincial records at the Alderwood Teddy Bares meet in Etobicoke Jan. 24.

The annual meet is held in a 25-yard pool — most swim competitions are held in 25- or 50-metre pools.

This allowed swimmers to set records in events they don’t normally compete in.

John Twohig (60-64 age category) set four provincial records, including two in one race. Swimming in the 1,000-yard race, Twohig turned in a 500-yard time that was one second faster than the existing record and then went on to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark by two seconds, finishing in 14 minutes and 6.51 seconds.

Twohig was back in the water for the 200-yard backstroke soon after and beat the existing record by eight seconds with a time of 2:49.07. He narrowly lowered another record in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:16.63.

Teammate Fred Rudolph (55-59 division) set the provincial mark, lowering the record in the 200-yard breaststroke by five seconds.

The Burlington club is preparing for host its own meet this Sunday (Feb. 7) at Centennial Pool at Robert Bateman High School.

The BMSC is a non-profit organization offering pool time to masters for more than 25 years. Its goal is to promote lifelong adult fitness through swimming.

The team, with more than 80 members, is coached by Dave Judd, a Level 3 national coach.

The club welcomes newcomers, competitive and non-competitive.

For more information, visit www.bmsc.ca or e-mail BMSCSwim@gmail.com.

July 1, 2010 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Master swim club fourth at nationals

With their biggest — and one of their best — teams ever at the nationals in Etobicoke recently, local swimmers took advantage. The Burlington Masters Swim Club finished fourth in the country, behind only three bigger clubs in Ontario.

Burlington sent 50 swimmers, led by Lynn Rogers and her six-medal performance. Rogers won a gold, two silver and three bronze medals while teammate Colleen Chiki had four golds and a silver.

BMSC president Jenn Kerr added two golds and two silver while Christine van Warmerdam added two golds, a silver and a bronze. Melanie Price contributed two silvers and a bronze.

John Twohig led the males with three silvers.

About half of the BMSC team competed in nationals for the first time.

The 2009-10 season will start in September. There are spaces available for new members. For more information, visit www.bmsc.ca

May 7, 2009 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Master swimmers after more medals at upcoming nationals

Members of the Burlington Masters Swim Club hope to build on an excellent performance at the provincial championship when they compete at nationals next week. The Canadian Masters Swimming Championships will be held at the Etobicoke Olympium May 15-16.

Despite a modest number of BMSC members making the trip to Nepean for the provincials in March, they came back with a fourth-place finish, beaten only by three much larger Ottawa-based clubs.

Overall, the local club finished with 72 medals and set an Ontario record.

The new mark came in the 4x200 freestyle relay, in which Colleen Chiki, Petra Haneberry, John Twohig and John Strang finished in a time of nine minutes and 37.92 seconds. It set a record in the mixed 160-199 combined age competition, beating the old mark by more than 20 seconds.

Chiki led the club in individual competition, winning six races in the 35-39 age group, completely dominating the butterfly events.

Jenn Kerr, the BMSC president, finished with two gold medals and four silvers in the 30-34 age group.

Twohig, competing in his first provincial masters meet, took home four golds, a silver and a bronze in the 55-59 age group.

Competing in the 35-39 age group, Lynn Rodgers won two golds, a silver and two bronze medals, while Petra Haneberry (30-34) and Melanie Price (35-39) each won a gold, two silvers and a bronze.

New club members also contributed to the medal haul, with Tyler Shane (25-29) winning two races and taking a silver in another, Susan Reed (50-54) garnering two silvers, Amanda Fraser (25-29) taking home a gold and Michelle Hughes winning a bronze.

July 6, 2008 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Master swimmers fifth in nation

The Burlington Masters Swim Club wrapped up an excellent season by finishing fifth among 115 masters teams at the national championships in Quebec City recently.

Highlighting the masters' performance was the 4x100-metre freestyle relay in the mixed 120-159 combined age division.

The BMSC foursome of Zaid Kamil, Lee Baker, Jenn Kerr and Sandra Judd set a provincial record with a time of four minutes and 4.02 seconds.

Kerr, competing in the women's 25-29 division, won six golds and two silvers in eight events, BSSC newcomer Christine VanWarmerdam won five races and finished second in another in the women's 18-24 division and Colleen Chiki had two golds and three silver and one bronze in the women's 35-39 division.

Other golds went to Judd, with two wins and two silvers in the 30-34 women's division and Jessica Plata with three golds in 18-24.

Medal winners on the men's side include Zaid Kamil with two silver and two golds in the mens' 25-29, John Strang with a goal and silver in men's 40-44, and Ken Lam with a bronze in 55-59.

The team is coached by Dave Judd, in his 12th year with the club.

June 20, 2008 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

2008 Sport Recognition Award winners

Arlene Rasmussen's break from competitive swimming turned out to be much longer than she ever expected.

"I joke with my coach (Dave Judd) that I've been not swimming longer than he's been alive," said Rasmussen, who made quite the splash after 36 years away from the sport.

Though the sport had changed -- "When I swam (before) you didn't put your head under the water in the breaststroke. I had to relearn every stroke" -- Rasmussen was a quick study. The Burlington female masters athlete of the year won three golds, two silvers and a bronze medal at the national masters championships and helped the 4x200 freestyle relay team set a Canadian record. She also had three top-20 finishes at the world championships.

"To be able to train as an athlete when you're older is just incredible," Rasmussen said.

June 18, 2008 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Top contributors honoured at Sport Recognition Dinner

ARLENE RASMUSSEN

Masters female athlete

After an absence from competitive swimming numbering 30 years, Arlene Rasmussen, the masters female athlete of the year, joined the Burlington Masters Swim Club three years ago.

Energetic and enthusiastic, Rasmussen is described as indispensible to the club both in training and competition.

She earned six medals at the recent nationals masters meet, including helping the 4x200 metre freestyle relay team set a Canadian record. Her individual wins came in the 50-metre breaststroke and butterfly and the 200m breast. Silver medals were earned in the 50-back and 100-breast while a third-place finish in the 50-free provided her with a bronze medal.

At the FINA world masters championships in Australia in April, Rasmussen was 12th of 40 in the 100-breast, 18th of 57 in the 50-free and 12th of 37 in the 50-breast. She also swam last leg in four relay events.

She also helped her team to a fifth-place finish at the Canadian Masters swim championships in Quebec City.

May 9, 2008 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Record-setting masters

A large group of competitors from the Burlington Masters Swim Club are preparing for the national championships next weekend after winning a Division 2 provincial title last month.

Competing at the Etobicoke Olympium, the Burlington Masters set two Canadian records and a provincial mark while earning the most points by mid-sized teams. Overall, the team was fourth among competing teams with many more participants.

The 4x200 medley relay team of Petra Haneberry, Sandra Judd, Jenn Kerr and Colleen Chiki broke the previous national mark for women's 120-159 combined age competition by almost one minute. The new mark is now 10 minutes and 48.65 seconds.

The second national record to fall was in the 4x200 free relay as Arlene Rasmussen, Carole Herbert, Kathy Rattray and Joan Puskas recorded a time of 15:59.81 in the women's 240-279 competition.

Chiki, Judd, Lynn Rodgers and Kerr set the provincial mark in the women's 120-159 division's 4x100 free relay competition with a time of 4:21.93.

The Burlington club won more than 75 medals in individual events, led by Kerr in the 25-29 age group. She won gold medals in all six of her races which included all four strokes. Chiki, in the 35-39 division, won four gold medals and two silvers in her six races.

Judd (30-34) and Rasmussen (55-59) each won three golds, two silvers and two bronzes. Haneberry (30-34) took home two silvers and two bronze.

Although a smaller number of men from the BMSC took part, they also enjoyed a successful meet.

Mark Tolley (35-39) won the lone gold medal for the men's team in the 200-metre butterfly and won three silvers and two bronzes as well.

Zaid Kamil (25-29) faced tough competition and won two silver and three bronze medals.

The team is sending one of its largest groups ever, 25-30, to the nationals in Quebec City May 16-19.

January 6, 2008 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Mackie second at pentathlon meet

Dan Mackie finished second at a pentathlon swimming event in North York.

Combined times for all five events (50-metre freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and 100m individual medley) are used to determine the final standings. Mackie was the top Burlington Masters Swim Club member placing second in the men's 70-74 division.

Sandra Judd (women's 30-34), Lynn Rodgers (women's 35-39) and Fiona Lowden (women's 45-49) turned in third-place finishes while Mark Tolley (men's 30-34) and Cynthia Medeiros (women's 25-29) were fourth.

Other top-12 finishers at the meet included: Sean Ashworth, sixth (men's 45-49); Ken Lam, sixth (men's 55-59); Denyse Cowling, seventh (women's 35-39); John Strang, ninth (men's 40-44); Nancy Spence, 10th (women's 35-39); Jennifer Davies, 11th (women's 35-39); Jennifer Fisher, 12th (women's 40-44).

At the club's previous meet, the Etobicoke Invitational, Arlene Rasmussen, Zaid Saeed Kamil, Jenn Kerr and Lee Barker combined to win 14 gold medals. The Burlington contingent brought home 19 golds in total.

Rasmussen struck gold in the women's 55-59 50m and 100m freestyle, the 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly. She added a silver in the 50m breaststroke.

Kerr won the women's 25-29 50m and 100m backstroke, the 200 individual medley and added a silver in the 400m freestyle and a bronze in the 100m freestyle.

Kamil was first in the 50m and 100m butterfly, the 100 breaststroke and the 200 freestyle and second in the 50m backstroke.

Baker earned gold medals in the 50m and 100m freestyle and the 50m breaststroke. He also won a silver in the 50m butterfly.

Other gold medalists included: Baker, Kerr, Kamil and Judd teaming up for gold in the 4x50m freestyle relay; Judd won the 50m breaststroke and took silver in the 50m butterfly, 200m and 400 freestyle and bronze in the 50m and 100m freestyle.

Lydia Proctor (women's 40-44) was first in the 50m freestyle and won a gold medal in the 4x50m freestyle relay with John Strang, Andrew Ullock and Jennifer Fisher. Julie McKeen (women's 45-49) collected gold in the 50m breaststroke and added silver in the 100m individual medley and bronze in the 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle.

Other medalists included: Fisher (women's 40-44) silver 50m breast, bronze 50m, 100m free; Ken Lam (men's 55-59) silver 50m, 100m breast, 200m freestyle; Ralph Krumme (men's 45-49) silver 50m back, 100m breast, bronze 50m breast.

June 15, 2007 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Swimmers prominent among BSA honourees

MASTERS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Jenn Kerr has taken breaks from swimming before but it might be a little tougher to get her away from the pool now.

After swimming for Laurier and McMaster and qualifying for the national university championships three times, Kerr took a break from competitive swimming before joining the Burlington Masters Swim Club.

"It's really the team and the people on the team that keep me going out," Kerr said. "Our coach (Dave Judd) pushes us and coming from a competitive background, I enjoy that. You see some of the guys on the team who are in their 70s and they are inspiring. I hope one day at their age to be in as good as shape as them."

Kerr hasn't set a bad example herself, winning all 10 of her events in the women's 25-29 division at the recent Canadian Masters Swimming Championships in Winnipeg.

Making it even tougher for Kerr to get away from the pool is the fact she is now the club's president after the past president approached her about taking the job.

"I'm one of these people that doesn't say no easily," Kerr said.

Which is exactly how she got involved in her latest challenge, training for the Ironman Canada Triathlon in Penticton, B.C.

June 10, 2007 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Burlington Sport Alliance winners honoured Tuesday

The Burlington Sports Alliance will honour 12 individuals and a team when it presents its fourth annual awards Tuesday night at the Burlington Convention Centre, 1120 Burloak Dr. Emily Smith and Colin Russell are the senior athletes of the year. Smith won her fourth Canadian power tumbling title last month while Russell was a member of the Canadian 4x100 freestyle relay team that won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games.

Russell's sister Sinead will also be honoured as the junior female athlete of the year. She won five gold medals at the Eastern Canadian Youth championships. Zachary Lin, who won three medals at the national speed skating championships is the junior male athlete of the year.

The challenged athletes of the year are Jordan Cullum, who helped Canada win the gold medal at the inaugural world junior sledge hockey championships, and swimmer Krista Hozian.

Jen Kerr, who won 10 events at the recent national masters swim championships, is the masters athlete of the year.

The team of the year is the Burlington midget Panthers, who won 40 straight games on their way to an Ontario Basketball Association title.

John Pilsworth of the Burlington Amateur Softball Association is the volunteer sports builder of the year while Burlington BG's trampoline and tumbling coach Bill Perkins is the Champion of Sport winner.

International basketball referee Steve Foxcroft is the A.J. Dunn sports person of the year.

The winners of the high school athletes of the year will be announced at the dinner.

Tickets to the dinner are available by calling 905-631-0999 or from the Dept. of Recreation Services at Burlington City Hall. Tickets are $50 each or a table of eight for $400. The banquet begins at 7 p.m. with a cash bar open at 6 p.m.

May 25, 2007 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Masters swim club president leads the way at nationals

If the Burlington Masters Swim Club was looking for someone to lead by example, they had to look no further than the club's president.

Jenn Kerr was a perfect 10-for-10 at the Canadian Masters Swimming Championships in Winnipeg on the weekend. Kerr won each of her 10 individual events in the women's 25-29 division, accounting for one quarter of the club's 40 individual first-place finishes. The club also collected four relay golds.

Zaid Kamil added eight more victories to the tally and also had a second-place finish in the men's 25-29 division.

Sandra Judd brought home six gold medals and two silvers in her eight events.

Mike Torsney (men 75-79) and John Strang (men 40-44) each won four races while Strang turned in three other top-eight finishes. Torsney also contributed to the club's strong performances on the men's and mixed relay teams.

Melanie Price earned a pair of victories in the women aged 35-39 and had eight top-10 finishes in all.

Other highlights from the meet include:

Four club members made their debut at nationals: Chris Neufeld, men 35-39 swam to four top-10 finishes.

Arlene Rasmussen, women aged 55-59, swam to four top-five finishes.

Sue McDermid, women 35-39, finished in the top 10 in all five of her events.

Lynn Rodgers, women 35-39, brought home gold twice, along with eight other top-seven finishes.

The club had four sisters compete at nationals: Kathy Rattray, Linda Burton and Jan Murray, women 65-69 and Marney Swayze, 70-74. Together they swam to 13 top-four finishes over the four days and formed an all-sisters 200m relay team for only the second time ever in their lives.

Colleen Chiki, women 30-34, dominated the fly and freestyle events, finishing in the top three in each of her events.

Denise Cowling, women 35-39, had seven top-10 finishes and rounding out the team.

Nancy Spence had three top-10 finishes.

December 3, 2006 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Masters Swim to Eight Wins

Members of the Burlington Masters Swim Club won several events at the recent Etobicoke Invitational meet.

Kathy Rattray led the club by winning the 100-metre freestyle, 50m back, 50m butterfly and 200m free in the women's 65-69 age group. She also finished second in the 100-back and third in the 50-free.

Arlene Rasmussen and Luke Paterson were impressive in their first masters meet. Rasmussen, in the 50-54 age group, was second in the 100-individual medley, third in the 100-breast and fifth in the 50-breast.

Paterson, in men's 18-24, won the 200-free, was second in the 100-free and 100-individual medley and third in the 50-free and breast and fourth in the 100-breast.

Others with wins included Sandra Judd in the 50-breast (30-34 women) and Zaid Saeed Kamil in the 50-fly and 100-back (mens' 25-29).

The women's 200m medley relay combined age of 120-159, featuring Kristen Armstrong-Salari, Jarvis, Jennifer Fisher and Rasmussen, took second.

June 30, 2006 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Ready to Conquer the English Channel

Those who hear of Rob Kent's upcoming adventure are intrigued and politely ask him about it. But he knows what they're thinking.

Those who know him well are a little more blunt.

"They think I'm an idiot," Kent said.

Later this summer, the 41-year-old Burlington Masters Swim Club member will attempt to become the 18th Canadian to swim the English Channel . The Canadian contingent includes Marilyn Bell, the first swimmer to cross Lake Ontario , Cindy Nicholas, who completed the feat 24 times, and Vicki Keith, who became the first person to cross the channel doing the butterfly.

Lake Ontario may seem like the natural challenge for local distance swimmers -- at 51 kilometres it's actually longer than the 38-kilometre Channel swim -- but Kent, an Oakville resident, said there is a special appeal to the English Channel .

"It's the Mount Everest of swimming," he said. "It's the world recognized standard for long-distance open water swimming."

In fact, the Channel may be tougher than Everest. Since the first successful Channel crossing took place in 1875, it has been completed 812 times. The first successful climb to the summit of Mount Everest was in 1953 and more than 2,000 people have done it since then.

While the distance may not be as great as Lake Ontario, there are far more challenges for swimmers to contend with in the channel, including strong currents, tides, salt water, colder and rougher water and jellyfish.

Kent has been keeping in constant contact with an Internet community who have made the crossing, attempted it, or helped others as guides. It was through that group that he received some words of wisdom in an e-mail from Keith.

May 26, 2006 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Masters Swim Trio Net Nine Wins

Mike Torsney, Jenn Kerr and Zaid Kamil of the Burlington Masters Swim Club combined for nine victories and one provincial record at the Canadian National Masters Swimming Championships in Calgary.

Torsney led the way with five wins in the 75-79 age group. He took first place in the 200-metre individual medley, the 50m and 100m butterfly, the 200m breaststroke and the 200m backstroke. He added a second-place finish in the 100m medley.

Kerr chalked up a pair of wins as well as an Ontario record in the 25-29 division. Kerr won the 200m breaststroke and the 800m freestyle. She also established an Ontario record with a time of 2:26.71 to place second in the 200m backstroke. Kerr was also second in the 200m and 400m medley, the 200m breaststroke, the 200m butterfly and the 400m freestyle.

Kamil earned victories in the 25-29 division 200m medley and the 100m freestyle and added five more top-three finishes. He was second in the 200m freestyle, the 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly and third in the 400m freestyle.

November 4, 2005~ (Burlington Post Sports)
Medal Haul for Masters Swimmers

The Burlington Masters Swim Club earned close to 50 medals at its first meet of the season recently in Brantford.

Highlights included Sandra McCleary's win in the 25-metre breaststroke and Jenn Kerr's victories in the 50-back and 200-free in the women's 25-29 year old division;

In the 30-34 age group, Melanie Price won both the 25- and 50m free.

Kerr, McCleary, Price and Jackie Lulich took first in both the women's 200-free and relay and 200-medley relay in a division featuring combined ages of between 120-159 years).

The men also had a strong showing, with Mike Torsney leading the way. Competing in the 75-79 age category, he finished first in the 25-fly, 50-back, 25-free and 25-breast.

Dean Morrison, competing in the 60-64 division, took top honours in the 25- and 50m free and breaststroke events.

Michael Hetherington placed first in the 50-54 50-breast and Zaid Saeed Kamil was first in the 25-29 50-fly. Fred Rudolph swept the 50- and 200-free in the 50-54 division.

Peter Simmelink, Morrison, Torsney and Doug Austen teamed up to win the 200-medley relay (combined ages 240-279).

The BMSC's next invitational meet is in Etobicoke later this month.

The adult team, coached by Dave Judd, combines fun, fitness and friendship. Members compete in masters meets locally, nationally and internationally.

July 31, 2005~ (Burlington Post Sports)
Torsney Breaks Two National Swim Records

Mike Torsney of the Burlington Masters Swim Club set two national records and won four medals at the World Masters Games, which concluded this week in Edmonton.

Competing in the 75-79 age group, the 75-year-old eclipsed Canadian standards in the 100-metre fly (1:53.65 to finish third overall) and the 200m fly (4:20.66, winning silver). He also won gold in 50m fly, added a silver in 200m back and finished fourth in 200m intermediate medley.

Two other members of the club participated at the championships, both for the first time. Stewart Cathray, competing in the 30-34 division, placed 10th in 50m fly, 11th in 50m freestyle, 16th in 100m freestyle and 18th in 200m freestyle.

Fiona Lowden, in the 40-44 grouping, finished eighth in 800m freestyle and 14th in 50m freestyle.

February 15, 2005~ (Hamilton Spectator)
Iraqi gets in Canadian swim

Zaid Kamil swam in two world championships for former country

A swim meet was the suitable setting for Zaid Kamil's one year anniversary of living in Canada.

He set a personal best in the 100 metre butterfly, swimming a 1:00.82 for the Burlington Masters Swim Club at its annual Winter Splash Meet at Centennial Pool.

"I feel happy," said Kamil, while waving to his grandmother and two uncles in the gallery. "I feel good."

On Feb. 13, 2004 Kamil came to Vancouver from Baghdad, Iraq after the International Olympic Committee invited him to train in Canada for the Athens Olympics. As a member of Iraq's national swim team, he was sponsored by the IOC to try to qualify for the 2004 games but he didn't make the cut.

Maintaining his visitor's visa for Canada, Kamil, 25, moved to Burlington seven months ago to live with an uncle. His visitor's status restricts his ability to work or study but he can swim. "This is my first master's meet," he said Sunday, "but I've been swimming since I was 10-years-old. I didn't know that it would continue this far, but my mom always pushed me to get back in the pool."

Kamil swam in two world championships for Iraq and used to train five hours a day, plus an hour of dry land training. "During the war, a lot of times the pool I had to train in would be closed because there was no one available to warm up the water."

His parents and two brothers still live in Iraq, but hope someday to join Zaid and other family members in Canada. "It is often I wonder what they are doing. They have no electricity, no gas. They can't go out after sunset because it is too dangerous. They have to live locked in their houses much of the time."

In Iraq, Kamil was a general practitioner. In Canada, he will have to pass three medical exams. His current studies are rigorous and with the limits of his status, swimming is not always an option.

"Some of the meets are several hours away, so I am not able to go, but I am looking forward to nationals in Etobicoke," he said. Many members of Burlington's Masters Swim Club plan to compete in the Canadian nationals at the end of May. "Every one swims for a different reason," said vice-president Ralph Krumme. "Most of us won't be breaking any records, but it is a way to stay active and there's a great social aspect attached to it."

Almost 140 swimmers competed in 15 events Sunday. Two Canadian Masters records were broken and six Ontario records beat. Fitness Institute's Judy Ross broke the 100m breaststroke Canadian record in the 50-54 division with a time of 1:27.34.

North Toronto's Christina Echols broke the 50 backstroke Canadian record in 32.91 in the 35-39 age group and the 100 backstroke Ontario record with 1:10.74.

Etobicoke's Susan Gustavison broke the 400 freestyle Ontario record in the 60-64 division with 6:10.55 and the 200 freestyle Ontario record in 2:58.84.

September 5, 2004~ (Burlington Post Sportsboard)

Swimming, Masters Club

The Burlington Masters Swim Club is looking for new members this month.

If you caught Olympic fever in the last few weeks, the Burlington Masters Swim Club hopes you'll hang on to it and try a practice today (Wednesday) at 8 p.m. at Centennial Pool.

The BMSC, in operation for more than 20 years, is coached by Dave Judd, a Level 3 NCCP swim coach who has more than a decade of coaching experience.

The BMSC offers a competitively oriented, progressive program that focuses on all four swimming strokes.

If you're 18 and can swim two lengths of the pool, you can join the club.

The BMSC is split into two levels of swimming ability. It offers up to five practices a week.

For more information, visit the BMSC Web site at www.bmsc.ca.

The program is geared to prepare both veterans and rookies for fun competition.

The season runs from September until the provincial and national championships are held in the spring.

April 16, 2004~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Puskas, Tolley Pace Master Swimmers

Led by Joan Puskas' six-medal performance, the Burlington Masters Swim Club finished third at last weekend's Ontario Masters Swimming Championships in Etobicoke.

Competing in the women's 60-64 age group, Puskas earned a spot on the podium in all events she entered. The 20-year Burlington Masters veteran claimed silvers in 50-metre, 100m, 200m and 800m freestyle while adding bronzes in 50m backstroke and 400m freestyle.

Mark Tolley collected five medals in men's 30-34 competition, including three golds. Tolley won the 400m individual medley, 200m backstroke and 800m freestyle, finished second in 100m backstroke and placed third in 400m freestyle.

Nick Brown, competing in the same division as Tolley, earned gold in 200m backstroke, silver in 100m butterfly, and bronzes in 50m and 100m backstroke.

Dan Mackie won three medals in the men's 65-69 division, including silver in 50m breaststroke and bronzes in 100m individual medley and 50m freestyle.

Two medals for McCleary

In women's 25-29 action, Sandra McCleary won silver in 400m freestyle and bronze in 400m individual medley, Pavla Kazda took gold in 800m freestyle and Kristin Bauer notched bronzes in 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley.

Long-distance swimmers Stephen Flower (men's 25-29) and Kathy Rattray (women's 60-64) both finished third in 1,500m freestyle.

Thirty-nine-year-old Jeff Kleven collected two bronzes (50m butterfly and 200m backstroke) while John Strang, also competing in men's 34-39, finished third in the 400m freestyle.

Peter Weber was the final Burlington medalist, swimming to a third-place finish in the men's 45-49 400m individual medley.

Three world masters swimming records and 38 Canadian standards were established at the event, all by members of the Etobicoke Masters Aquatic Club.

The Burlington Masters Swim Club currently has more than 85 members and always welcomes newcomers, both competitive and non-competitive.

April 13, 2004 ~ (Hamilton Spectator Sports)

In the Pool

-- More than 600 swimmers, representing over 70 teams, competed in the Ontario Masters Swimming Championships in Etobicoke. Three world records were set, all by women, and 38 Canadian records.

The Burlington Masters swimmers fared well at the meet. The team ranked third overall, across the province. More than 30 swimmers represented Burlington, many competing in their first provincial championship.

Burlington's Joan Puskas - a 20-year Burlington Masters veteran, earned medals in all six events for women 60-64, achieved silver medals in the 50m (45.22), 100m (1:38.54), 200m (3:43.38), and 800m freestyle (16:23.17), and a bronze in the 50m backstroke (59.92) and 400m freestyle (7:53.61).

Mark Tolley (men 30-34) won gold in the 400m individual medley (5:29.36), 200m backstroke (2:35.61) and 800m freestyle (10:03.21); a silver in the100m backstroke (1:08.41) and bronze in the 400m freestyle (4:46.76). Also for men aged 30-34 years, Burlington's Nick Brown finished first in the 200m breaststroke (2:45.67), second in the 100m butterfly (1:07.27) and third in the 50m (34.91) and 100m breaststroke (1:16.02).

Sandra McCleary (women 25-29) earned a silver in the 400m freestyle (5:00.32) and a bronze medal in the 400m individual medley (5:32.89). In the same age group, Kristin Bauer finished third in both the100m butterfly (1:11.20) and the 200m individual medley (2:32.65); and Pavla Kazda earned a gold in the 800m freestyle (10:44.28).

Long-distance swimmers Stephen Flower (men 25-29) and Kathy Rattray (women 60-64) both earned bronze medals in the1500m freestyle (Flower in 19.08.51, Rattray in 31:58.76).

Thirty-nine-year-old Jeff Kleven (men 34-39) achieved two bronze medals in the 50m butterfly (28.26) and the 200m backstroke (2:30.71). John Strang, of the same age category, finished third in the 400m freestyle (4:48.01). Peter Weber (men 45-49) swam to a third-place finish in the 400 individual medley (6:02.62). And veteran Dan Mackie (men 65-69) finished second in the 50m breaststroke (45.57) and third in both the 100m individual medley (1:37.64) and 50m freestyle (38.65).

Other Burlington swimmers who contributed to the team's third-place finish, include: Sean Ashworth, Will Burwell, Lynn Calvert, Stewart Cawthray, Jeanette Dunne, Mike Durst, Jillian Flower, Paul Gerroir, John Hache, Petra Haneberry, Shane Holmseth, Ralph Krumme, Ken Lam, Nancy Lam, Fiona Lowden, Andrea MacDougall, Paul MacDougall, Lydia Proctor, Kevin Shand, Trevor Shapcott, Steve Shoesmith, and Peter Simmelink.

April 9, 2004 ~ (The Oakville Beaver)

Oakville Contingent Helps Burlington Masters to Team Bronze

The Burlington Masters Swim Club, which includes Oakville swimmers, finished third out of 70 teams at the Ontario Masters Swimming Championships, March 26-28.

Here's how the Oakville contingent fared:

Petra Haneberry, a veteran swimmer and Burlington Masters Swim Club president, competed in women 25-29. She earned a fourth place finish in the 50m backstroke (34.37) and three sixth place finishes in the 50m breaststroke (40.20), 50m butterfly (34.19) and 200m backstroke (2:47.65). Haneberry also helped the team achieve two gold medal finishes in the 200m medley and 200m freestyle relays.

In men's 40-44, Sean Ashworth finished fourth in the 200m individual medley (2:42.17), fifth in the 400m individual medley (5:46.78) and 100m butterfly (1:11.33), sixth in the 200m freestyle (2:22.22) and seventh in the 50m butterfly (31.60). Ashworth also steered the team to a bronze medal finish in the 800m freestyle relay.

In the same age group, rookie Ralph Krumme achieved a seventh place finish in the 50m breaststroke (36.82), eighth in the 200m breaststroke (3:06.90), ninth in the 100m breaststroke (1:22.86) and 16th in the 50m freestyle (31.26).

Competing in his first swim meet, in men's 50-54, Paul Gerrior earned an eighth place finish in the 50m breaststroke (48.70), ninth in the 100m breaststroke (1:48.16), 12th in the 400m freestyle (7:11.97) and 16th in the 100m freestyle (1:28.94).

For info, or to test out the team for a week, visit www.bmsc.ca, email phaneberry@cogeco.ca or call 905-465-3316.

February 18, 2004 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Records Fall at Winter Splash Masters Swimming Meet

Jill Kitchener, Special to The Post

Masterful Performance: Mark Tolley of the Burlington Masters Swim Club, competing in the 200-meter open breast stroke race, was one of the 140 swimmers taking part in last Sunday's Winter Splash Meet.

Masters swimmers set six Canadian records at the Winter Splash meet at Centennial Pool last Sunday.

Hosted by the Burlington Masters Swim Club, the one-day event attracted more than 140 athletes representing 28 clubs from throughout Ontario.

Masters swimmers from Germany, Quebec and B.C. also participated.

Twenty-year old Amanda Budd from the Guelph Marlin Masters set two Canadian masters records -- in the 50-metre breaststroke, in a time of 35.69 seconds, and the 100m breaststroke, at 1:17.24 in the women's 20-24 division.

At the other end of the masters age group spectrum, 85-year-old Gerda Voss from Etobicoke's Alderwood Teddy Bears club, set first-time Canadian records in the women's 85-89 age group with her performances in the 50-, 100- and 200m-butterfly as well as the 400-individual medley.

"Watching and cheering Gerda Voss was truly inspiring," said Petra Haneberry, President of the host BMSC. "Swimming and feeling your best, whether to keep in shape, set a personal best, or a Canadian record, is what masters swimming is all about."

Host swimmers also fared well at the meet.

Top performances were recorded by both club veterans and newcomers.

Results of Burlington swimmers are as follows:

Burlington veteran Mark Tolley (men's 30-34 division) was first with personal best times in the 50m (40.70 seconds) and 200m breaststroke (3:19.94) and had two seconds, in the 100-breast (1:29.85) and 100-fly (1:12.98).

In the same division, Stewart Cawthray finished first in the 50-free (30.40 seconds), third in the 100-free (1:10.24), first in the 50-back (43.79 seconds) and third in the 50-fly (35.02 seconds).

John Strang (35-39 men) won the 50-free (29.06), was second in the 100-free (1:03.57), third in the 50-fly (33.42 seconds) and second in the 100-individual medley (1:14.22).

Rookie member Ralph Krumme (40-44 men) finished second in the 100-breast (1:26.64) and third in the 50-breast (38.27 seconds).

Burlington also finished first in the men's 200-free relay and second in the 200-medley relay.

BMSC's next competition is in Milton March 7, followed by a few more weeks of training to prepare for the provincial championships March 26-28 in Etobicoke. The nationals follow in Edmonton May 21-24.

BMSC has finished among the top three in the province for the past four years, including first in 1999; and has been top 10 in the country for the past fours years.

The non-profit organization promotes lifelong adult fitness through swimming.

The team is coached by Dave Judd, a Level 3 NCCP swim coach with more than 10 years of experience.

The club welcomes newcomers, whether they're competitive or non-competitive swimmers. For more information, visit www.burlington-masters-swim-club.com, e-mail phaneberry @cogeco.ca or phone 905-465-3316.

February 17, 2004 ~ (Hamilton Spectator Sports)

Burlington Masters Swim Meet:

Woman, 85, sets new age-group records at Winter Splash

Gary Yokoyama, the Hamilton Spectator.

The Burlington Masters Swim Club meet drew more than 140 swimmers on 28 teams from across Canada. There was also a team from Germany.

Centennial pool was quick to heat up despite Sunday's cold temperatures outside with six Canadian records set at the Winter Splash Swim Meet, hosted by the Burlington Masters Swim Club.

Twenty-eight teams and more than 140 swimmers from Ontario competed in the meet. Swimmers visiting from Germany, Quebec and British Columbia also participated.

Amanda Budd, 20, from the Guelph Marlin Masters smoked the competition, setting two new Canadian masters records for women aged 20-24 years.

The first was in the 50m breaststroke, in a time of 35.69 seconds. She followed that up in the 100m breaststroke, with a time of 1.17.24 seconds.

At the other end of the masters swimming age group, 85-year-old Gerda Voss, from Etobicoke's Alderwood Teddy Bears club, put her age group (women aged 85-89 years) on the map, by establishing first-time Canadian records in the 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly, and the 400m Individual Medley.

"Watching and cheering Gerda Voss was truly inspiring," said Petra Haneberry, president of the Burlington Masters Swim Club, which hosted the meet.

"Swimming and feeling your best -- whether to keep in shape, set a personal best, or a Canadian record -- is what Masters Swimming is all about," she added.

Burlington swimmers also fared well at the meet. Top performances were dominated by club veterans and newcomers.

Burlington Results:

Mark Tolley (men 30-34 years), was first (with personal bests) in the 50m (40.70 seconds) and 200m breaststroke (3:19.94), and two second place finishes in the 100m breaststroke (1:29.85) and 100m butterfly (1:12.98).

In the same age group, Stewart Cawthray placed first in the 50m freestyle (30.40 seconds), third in the 100m freestyle (1:10.24), first in the 50m backstroke (43.79 seconds) and third in the 50m butterfly (35.02 seconds).

John Strang (men 35-39 years) placed first in the 50m freestyle (29.06 seconds), second in the 100m freestyle (1:03.57), third in the 50m butterfly (33.42 seconds) and second in the 100m individual medley (1:14.22).

Rookie Ralph Krumme (men 40-44 years) was second in the 100m breaststroke (1:26.64) and third in the 50m breaststroke (38.27 seconds).

Burlington also finished first in the men's 200m freestyle relay and second in the 200m medley relay.

The teams' next competition is in Milton on March 7, leading to the provincial championships March 26-28 in Etobicoke.

The nationals are in Edmonton from May 21 to 24.

Burlington Masters have finished top three in the province for the past four years, including a first place in 1999; and top 10 in the country the past fours years.

The Burlington club is a non-profit organization that has been part of the community for more than 20 years. Its mission is to promote, foster, teach and perpetuate lifelong adult fitness through swimming.

The team is coached by Dave Judd, a Level 3 national coach, with more than 10 years experience.

The club has more than 85 members and always welcomes newcomers - both competitive and non-competitive. For more information, visit www.burlington-masters-swim-club.com, e-mail phaneberry@cogeco.ca, or call 905-465-3316

November 23, 2003 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Masters Swimmers Excel at Season-Opening Meet

Newcomers and veterans alike combined to lead the Burlington Masters Swim Club to a number of wins at the Fall Sprint Splash meet at the Brantford Aquatic Club.

The Burlington Swim Club sent 13 swimmers to its first meet of the season.

Mike Durst, in his first meet with the BMSC, earned three first-place finishes and two seconds in the 19-24 age group. A former University of Guelph swimmer, Durst took a year off of competitive swimming before joining the local club. Durst's wins came in the 50-metre backstroke, 100-free and 200-individual medley. He took second in the 50-breast and 50-fly. He also was part of the winning men's 100-119 combined age medley relay team and was part of a second-place mixed freestyle team.

Another newcomer, Kathleen Tyrell, finished fourth twice and also had a sixth-place in the 19-25 age division. She also helped two relay teams earn second-place standings.

Stewart Cawthray, in his first year with the club, took home first-, third-, fourth-, fifth-, sixth- and seventh-place ribbons in his first competition in 15 years.

Long time BMSC member Sandra McCleary, competing in the 25-29 age group, earned three firsts, a second and a fourth in her events.

John Hache (40-44) was first in one race, second in four others and added a third-place finish as well.

Burlington Masters fared well in the relay events, winning the men's 100-119 (combined age) 200-metre medley relay and the men's 120-159 (combined age) 200m medley relay, as well as the mixed 160-199 (combined age) 200m free relay.

The local masters also picked up second-place ribbons in the women's 120-159 200m medley relay and the mixed 100-119 200m free relay.

June 8, 2003 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

McCleary Masters Nationals

Sandra McCleary's individual success highlighted a strong overall showing by the Burlington Masters Swim Club at a national meet in Montreal.

McCleary recorded personal bests in all seven of her events, winning the women's 25-29 age group 800-metre freestyle at the Canadian Masters Swimming Championships last month. She finished second in the 400m individual medley with a team record time of 5:25.56, and also placed third in the 200m breast and 100m I.M.

Dan Mackie also swam well, finishing second in 200-back, third in 100m I.M. and 50-back, and fourth in the 50-breast.

Robyn Head had six personal best swims while Lydia Proctor and Mark Tolley recorded five PBs each.

February 10, 2003 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Armstrong Paces Masters Swimmers

Burlington Masters Swim Club members had excellent results at the recent Etobicoke Olympium Masters Aquatic Club swim meet.

Sarah Armstrong, competing in the 30-34 age group, won five races -- the 50- , 100- and 200-metre freestyle and the 50- and 100-breast.

BMSC highlights follow:

Sandra McCleary, Age group: 25-29, 50 Fly 34.52, 1^st, 100 Back 1:17.52, 3^rd, 100 IM 1:15.68, 1^st, 100 Fly 1:18.08, 2^nd, 50 Back 37.38, 3^rd.

Petra Haneberry, Age group: 25-29, 100 Back 1:15.33, 2^nd, 50 Free 32.23, 1^st, 100 Fly 1:16.61, 1^st, 50 Back 35.61, 2^nd.

Sarah Armstrong, Age group: 30-34, 200 Free 2:21.71, 1^st, 100 Breast 1:20.35, 1^st, 50 Free 30.02, 1^st, 50 Breast 7.08, 1^st, 100 Free 1:06.38, 1^st.

Jay Coubrough, Age group: 25-29, 100 Breast 1:12.74, 1^st, 50 Free 26.09, 1^st, 50 Breast 32.89, 1^st, 50 Back 31.16, 1^st.

Nick Brown, Age group: 30-34, 100 Breast 1:19.86, 1^st, 100 Back 1:13.79, 1^st, 100 Free 1:02.44, 1^st.

John Strang, Age group: 35-39, 200 IM 2:41.63, 1^st, 100 Back 1:15.83, 3^rd, 50 Free 29.42, 3^rd, 400 Free 5:03, 2^nd, 100 IM 1:19.75, 2^nd, 50 Back 36.38, 3^rd, 100 Free 1:07.11, 3^rd.

Peter Weber, Age group: 40-44, 100 Breast 1:30.44, 3^rd, 100 Back 1:21.64, 3^rd, 400 Free 5:16.33, 2^nd, 100 Fly 1:16.47, 4^th.

4x50 Mixed Medley, Petra Haneberry, Sandra McCleary; Nick Brown; Jay Coubrough - 2:11.48 (first).

4x50 Mixed Free Relay, Sandra McCleary; Peter Weber; Sarah Armstrong; John Strang - 2:01.04 (second).

April 17, 2002 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Burlington Masters Tops at Provincials

Paul Draper - BMSC Photographer

Led by a Canadian record performance by the women's 800-metre medley relay team, the Burlington Masters Swim Club won the Ontario masters championships in Etobicoke recently.

The meet featured 64 teams overall, with Burlington's point total of 3,431 beating every other team, including second-place Etobicoke, which garnered 3,399 points. Burlington sent 40 swimmers to the meet, held April 5-7.

The Canadian record was set by the BMSC foursome of Petra Haneberry, Sarah Armstrong, Colleen Chiki and Laura Doyle in the women's 800-metre medley relay for the 100-110 combined age group division.

The local masters also set four Ontario records in relays.

Men's 800m medley in 100-119 combined age group 10:01:05 (Mark Tolley, Peter Low, Mike Carnegie, Colin Mark);

Men's 800m medley 120-159 age group 9:47.97 (Peter Webster, Nick Brown, Jeff Kleven, Mike Callaghan);

Men's 800m medley in 160-199 age group 10:56.66 (John Strang, John Hache, Peter Webster, Sean Ashworth);

Mixed 200-free 79-99 age group 1:49.40 (Colin Mark, Mike Callaghan, Sarah Armstrong, Sandra McCleary).

Results of other Burlington swimmers are as follows:

BMSC rookies: (first provincials)

Doug Austen, Shaun Hewitt, Tyson Rischke, Richard Jarvis, Peter Webster, Trevor Shapcott, Jason Smith, Jeanette Dunne, Petra Haneberry, Andrea MacDougall, Robyn Head, Laura Doyle, Colin Mark, Mike Callaghan.

Individual Results

Sarah Armstrong (age group 25-29): Lifetime bests in 100-breast (1st, team record), 50-breast (3rd, team record) Masters bests in 200-free (1st, team record), 200-breast (1st), 100-free (5th, team record). Also swam 400-free (1st).

Petra Haneberry (age group 25-29): 1st place - 50-back - 33.77 - personal best; 2nd place - 200-back - 2:37.76 - personal best; 3rd place - 100-back - 1:12.83 - personal best; 7th place - 50 fly - 33.29 - personal best; 7th place - 100 fly - 1:15.37.

Collen Chiki (age group 25-29): 3rd in the 400-free with a masters PB.

Dan Mackie (age group 65-79): Gold in 100 IM, Silver in 50 and 200 Bk, and Bronze in 50 Fly and 50 Br.

John Hache (age group 40-44): 4 PBs while placing in top 8 in all events.

Mark Tolley (age group 25-29): 2 gold and 2 silver and 8 personal bests.

Lisa Callaghan (age group 25-29): Personal best in 50 fly. First in the 800free, 4th in 400 free, 7th 100breast, 7th 200 free, 8th in 100 fly.

Sandra McCleary (age group 25-29): 1st 400IM 5:33.81; 2nd 200 Breast 2:54.16; 2nd 400 Free 4:56.39; 3rd 200 Free 2:21.45; 4th 50 Breast 37.75; 4th 100 Breast 1:21.40; Best Masters times 50 Breast, 200 Breast, 200 Free, 400 Free.

Don Bingley (age group 60-64); 3rd place 50-free 36.50; 6th place 100-free 1:24.99; 6th place 50 fly 7.66.

Nick Brown (age group 30-34): Nick had best times in the 50, 100 and 200-breast and got the club record in the 50 and 200-breast - had one first, three seconds, one fourth and one fifth place.

Jeff Kleven (age group 35-39): 100 BK 1:03.5 -1st.

Andrea MacDougall (age group 30-35): All personal best times, 50 breast, 52:12, placed 8th.

Wendy Wagland (age group 50-54): Personal bests were 800-free second place, 100fly PB first, 400 I.M. PB first; 50-free PB first; 200-free second; 400free second.

Fiona Lowden (age group 40-44): 100-free PB, 50 fly 8th place, 50-breast 5th place, 50-free 6th place.

Suzanne Aessie (age group 25-29): Best time in the 400-free and finished in 8th place.

Feb. 21st, 2002 ~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Burlington Masters Swim Club Invitational

Ron Kuzyk, Post Photographer

Float Like a Butterfly

Former Burlington competitive club swimmer Lisa Callaghan comes up for air during the 100-metre butterfly event at the annual Burlington Masters Swim Club invitational meet held last weekend at Centennial Pool at Lord Elgin High School. About 80 masters swimmers from clubs around the Greater Toronto Area attended. A masters world record was recorded at the meet in the backstroke. About 10 Burlington masters swimmers that competed. The Burlington Masters Swim Club has two groups of swimmers that represent a wide range of swimming ability. Anyone interested in joining has to be over 20 years of age and able to swim one length of the swimming pool. If interested in joining, call Nick Brown at 905-690-2213.

April 16, 2001~ (Burlington Post Sports)

Masters Set Two National Records

Peter C. McCusker

Burlington Masters Swim Club members include (front row from left) Stephen Flower, Nicholas Brown, Wendy Wagland, Fiona Lowden, Peter Low, Scott Collier; (middle) Peter Weber, Mark Tolley, Suzanne Corvese, Colleen Dowe, John Strang, Dan Mackie and Derek Jones; (back) Bob Stewart, Sarah Callaghan, Jennifer Cardwell, Teresa Condello, Joan Puskas, Ken Lam, John Hache and coach Dave Judd.

Local swimmers break 29 team marks at recent provincial meet

Members of the Burlington Masters Swim Club set two national records, three provincial records and 29 team marks at the provincial championships in Etobicoke.

Thirty-two members of the club took part in the March 30-April 1 meet at the Etobicoke Olympium.

The BMSC set a provincial and national record in the 200-metre freestyle relay for the 120-160 total age group. Jeff Kleven, Mike Carnegie, Nick Brown and John Strang finished the race in eight minutes and 40.94 seconds.

In the same race, another Burlington team -- Roger Croy, Steven Flower, Mark Tolley, Peter Low -- broke the national and provincial record in the 100-120 combined age group by swimming an 8:40:94.

The Burlington club has 95 members ages 20-70, with 110 personal-bests recorded in Etobicoke. All relay times were PBs.

An Ontario record was set (4:09:48) in the 4x100 free relay in the combined age group of 100-120 years. The team included Nick Brown, Peter Low, Sarah Callaghan and Collen Dowe, which missed the national record by .37 of a second.

Some new members of BMSC this year attended provincials and recorded personal best times:

Scott Collier -- 50-free (29.45), 100-free (1:07.16), 50-butterfly (32.57).

Fiona Lowden -- 100 free (1:22.26), 100 individual medley (1:31.71).

Peter Low -- Six PBs including 50-free (29.16), 100-free (1:04.92), 200-free (2.22.12).

Steve Flower -- PB in the 1,500-free (18:42.48).

John Hache -- six PBs including 50-free (27.79) and 100-free (1:02:8).

Mark Tolley -- seven PBs including 100 free (59.92), 200-free (2:14.87), 400-free (4:52.88), 800-free (10.10.24).

Paul MacDougall -- recorded five PBs.

Long-time members included Suzanne Corvese, four best times, Richard MacLean, five and Joan Puskas, five.

BMSC is travelling to the nationals in Calgary May 18-21. Twelve members are going -- Brown, Tolley, Hache, John Strang, Low, Derek Jones, Peter Weber, Ken Lam, Mike Torsney, Callaghan, Sandra McCleary and Jennifer Cardwell.

Dave Judd is the team's coach. He has handled the swimmers for the past five years.