Slew of Silvers for Southampton at Sheffield

It took a mere 30 minutes from the entry window going live for Swim England National Masters Championships 2024 to near-every event (individual and relay) to reach capacity...that's how far this aquatics discipline has come in just five years. To add, the introduction of Phase One and Two entry times, the former being extremely challenging considering the nature of your 'average' Masters athelete, illustrates the shift from leisurely trainer to high performance - whether it be a Varsity swimmer reaching the end of study or complete retiree. The event welcomes back former Commonwealth and Olympic alumni, eager for a second shot at glory and clocking times that would comfortably make British and English National Championships qualifying standard - and there was me thinking this sport was supposed to get easier as we age!

Absolute credit therefore must be given to the City of Southampton contingent that made the cut this year...especially with so many injuries, coughs and colds and personal commitments that so often cause preparation time to stutter. Melissa Halford (25-29yrs) left 2023 a National Masters Champion in the 100m IM, and this time around, bettered her time (01.06.85) by half a second, but could do little against Otter SC's Jessica Shaw with a sizeable three-second advantage. A similar tale in the 100m Butterfly (01.04.71), a lifetime best for the Birmingham University graduate, Derby Excel's Georgina Prior stunning the heat with a 58 second swim! Two Silvers added to the Reds' haul however and smiles all round from as nee-Dolby followed up her 100m success with Seasons Bests over the 50m FC (00.27.04) and 50m Butterfly (00.28.93) for Top.5 finishes to close out her 25-29yr age-division tenure. 

Husband Carl Halford (30-34yrs) went from sprinting 50m FC (00.26.14) to the full 400m FC (04.28.91) for Top.20 and Top.5 finishes respectively, in an age-group stacked with former performance-driven talent from across the Country. Solid swims over the middle distance 200m FC (02.05.00) and 100m FC (00.57.12) rounded off a successful long weekend for the Thirty-One year old. At the other end of the spectrum, Tim O'Brien (70-74yrs) was a warmly welcomed, well-oiled medal machine addition over a similar FC programme - 50m FC (00.33.56) and 100m FC (01.15.57) falling just outside the Top.5, but vengence had over 200m FC (02.47.93) for another Silver, swiftly followed by a surprise 50m Breaststroke (00.41.96) and bridesmaids slot again on the touch. 

Amanda Rush (55-59yrs) has been a staple for Southampton Masters over two decades, and showed no sign of slowing down over her favoured 50m Backstroke (00.36.13) to claim a fifth and final Silver for the team, a polished 50m FC (00.32.43) landing firmly in the Top.10. Sharing the age group, Kim Tarrant (55-59yrs) took on the familiar 50m Breaststroke (00.43.89) and 100m Breaststroke (01.36.18) for two Personal Bests and nudging into the Top.10 once more. 

Coach James MacTavish (40-44yrs) limited his individual programme to the 100m IM (01.10.79) for a Seasons Best, but threw all he had into the two relays Southampton Masters managed to sneak into for more Seasons Bests over the 200m FC (02.13.19) and 50m FC (00.27.53) - ankle near back to normal post the Summer's attempted rock climb! Joining the trio of MacTavish/C.Halford/M.Halford) in the 120yrs+ Mixed 4 x 200m FC relay was Annie Belasco (35-39yrs), already stamping down strong times from Counties and Regionals, and whilst just being overhauled by Crawley on the final leg, individual peformances over the 50m FC (00.33.43), 100m FC (01.13.31) and 100m IM (01.26.56) helped the newcomer add to an already impressive three months of consecutive Personal Bests. Rush/Tarrant/O'Brien made up the 200yrs+ Mixed FC relay, in an event dominated by neighbours Basingstoke Bluefins and one of the many British Records from the three-day long competition. 

'Records' very much sums up these National Masters Championships...British Masters notching up well over 100 new Domestic best ever times, Twenty European bests and I believe around Ten World beating swims. Another testiment to just how far Masters swimming has come not just within the British Isles, but across the Globe. Always an honour to be apart of such tremendous success, and all from City of Southampton SC should be very proud that our name continues to feature amongst illustrious company!

MEDAL TALLY:

GOLD : 0

SILVER : 5

BRONZE : 0

James MacTavish

City of Southampton Masters Coach