Record-Setting Performance for Navy Masters Swim Team
Over the May 24th long weekend, eight members of the MARPAC Navy Masters Swim Team ventured across the Rockies to the 50-metre pool in the Kinsmen Sport Centre, Edmonton Alberta. They were there to participate in the 2004 Canadian Masters Long Course Swimming Championships. After a strong showing at the BC Provincials, the team was looking forward to competing against the best swimmers from across the country. Early in the meet, the Navy Mixed 4 x 100 Medley Relay team set a BC record with LS Haley John - Backstroke, LS Doug Lloyd - Breaststroke, Lt(N) Zezza - Butterfly and Lt Karla Alexander - Freestyle. Over the next few days, all team members gave impressive performances, and many personal best times were recorded.
The Navy
Mixed 4 x 100 Relay team had the goal of breaking the existing BC record.
Earlier in the season, the team had just missed the record by half a second at a
Saanich Commonwealth pool swim meet.
This time, the team was rested and tapered. OS Lianna Doherty and LS Haley John
led off the relay and put the Navy team on a record setting pace. LCol John
McManus and Lt(N) Zezza brought it home for a total time of 4:19 which was 10
seconds off the existing record of 4:29.
The
highlight of the swim meet was the attempt by LCol
John
McManus to set a Canadian record in his age group for
the Long Course 1500 Metre Freestyle event. Known as the toughest race in
swimming, it requires a combination of speed, endurance and mental
determination. His task was made all the more difficult because the present
record holder, Mike Morrow of Calgary, swam in the
heat ahead and improved his Canadian record to 21:13. LCol McManus knew what
had to be done, and hit the water. At the 800 metre point, his time was at
11:13 - about 3 seconds behind Morrow’s pace. The entire Navy Masters team was
on the deck showing support and trying to motivate him to pick up the pace.
Going into the final 50 metres, he was still 3 seconds behind Morrow’s pace.
McManus could see Lt(N) Zezza, the Navy Masters Coach, on the deck getting very
excited and he prepared himself for a final sprint. He touched the wall and a
time of 21:12 lit up! The long season of 6 AM practices and excellent coaching
had paid off.
The Navy Masters Swim Team swims every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Naden Pool and all levels of swimmers are encouraged to come out. On Sunday 13 June, the team will participate in the final meet of the season. It is a ‘Sprint and Relay’ Meet, and will be hosted by the Navy Masters Swim Team at Saanich Commonwealth Place.