City of Stoke - Masters Section

On Sunday 30th, June, the COSACSS Masters' section took a team to the Staffordshire Masters Open Meet at Wolverhampton for the third year running. This time, the 3 survivors of the 2001 team, Jon Hewitt, Pete Hemmings and Rob Greasley (sadly Phil Windsor couldn't make it) were joined by new boys Dave Carbin and Phil Hands. We would soon learn whether coach Dan's "no gain without (a hell of a lot of) pain" training regimes would pay off.

One look at the programme showed that the competition was so stiff that the gala could have been sponsored by Viagra, but this did not deter our chaps who rose to the occasion (pun totally intended). We'll go through the individual events and then the relays.

Starting alphabetically, Dave Carbin raced in age-group C and swam really well. He achieved Bronze in 4 events, namely at 50m Fly (time 31.78), 100m I.M. (1:12.69), 50m Free (28.78) and 50m Back (35.76). He was actually the County Champion in the Backstroke, as the 2 people ahead of him were from outside the county. You've got a lot to live up to next year Dave!

Rob Greasley also swam well but had the worst luck regarding medals. He swam in age group C and achieved 4th at 50m Breast (39.76), 25m Free (14.84), 100m I.M. (1:23.56) and 25m Fly (16.32), with a 5th at 50m Free (32.61). But his time was to come later in the freestyle relay.

Our other debutant, Phil Hands, swam in age group D. He should actually have been in group C, but the organisers put him in D with older swimmers like Jon! Phil also had the cunning ploy to put in times of 9 mins 59.99 seconds for each event, so he would not only be in the slowest heat for each event, but he would also achieve PBs in every race (although the 50m Back was touch-and-go)! He achieved 2 Silver medals at 25m Back (17.07) and 25m Free (13.97) and a Bronze at 50m Back (39.55), in spite of a coffee break after the first length. He finished 4th in the 50m Free (32.06). Just like Dave, Phil had a cracking debut.

Pete Hemmings, once again swimming in his daughter's swimming hat (though not her costume this time!) competed in age group C, and had a good day. He won 3 Bronze medals at 50m Breast (37.41), 25m Free (14.35) and 25m Breast (16.71). He was also 4th at 50m Free (31.93), but he did not show up for the 25m Fly due to a sudden mystery illness that cured itself right after the start of his heat. Weird! Maybe next year, eh Pete?

Jon Hewitt competed in Group D and had a mixed day. Having replaced his trademark supper-baggy transparent trunks with a new pair of lack-of-Speedo trunks, he won Silver at 25m Fly (15.79). Gold was just stolen from him by a chap from Liverpool, who also stole the hubcaps from Rob's Ford Galaxy.........allegedly. However, as the leading Staffordshire swimmer in the event, Jon also became County Champion, the second of the day for COSACSS. He was also 4th in the 50m Fly (34.81) and 5th in the 100m I.M. (1:30.75) and 50m Free (36.63, nightmare!).

In the 4 x 50m Medley Relay, our team of Phil (Back), Pete (Breast), Jon (Fly) and Dave (Free) took the bronze in a time of 2:19.51.

However, they saved the best until last. In the 4 x 50m Freestyle relay, the team of Phil (31.07), Rob (31.59), Pete (32.11) and Dave (27.35) took not only Silver behind Derby, but in a thrilling race they pipped Leek to the County Championship. A fantastic effort in a time of 2:02.12. Gold next year chaps in sub 2 minutes.

So there you have it. Final tally reads 3 Staffordshire Championships, 4 Silver and 9 Bronze. A great day out, competitive but light-hearted, but above all keeping everyone fit. The standard and age-range is really diverse at these galas, so even if you're not an exceptional swimmer, it's worth having a go. All of these lads had a 15 - 20 year break from swimming before starting training again, so it's never too late. Contact the Masters' section if you want a go.