14 Apr 2007 - Essex Masters 2007
Thurrock Swimming Clubs Masters swimmers amassed a total of 45 medals on a glittering day at their home pool, Blackshots Grays. The 11-strong Thurrock squad finished a highly credible third placed in the Top club competition which attracted over 21 teams across the county and region. Thurrock's Men were third placed overall in the Men's competition, whilst Thurrock's Ladies team finished well in fifth place in their team competition. This high calibre competition attracted many swimmers who having represented Britain at major championships, including the Olympics and commonwealth games in past glory days are now swimming in Masters Competitions around the globe. World, European and British Masters champions and record holders were present on the day too and several Regional records were broken in the process. Tough competition indeed.
Ben Millington-Jones who works for impulse leisure Corringham, was one of the superstars of the day. Finishing with 7 gold medals, Ben was placed top male in the 25/29 age group and 4th placed overall in the leading men's competition. MJ's Golden haul came in the 100 Free (55.27), 50 Free (25.33), 50 Fly (27.69), 100 Back (1:08.32) 100 Breast (1:11.11) 50 Breast (32.50) and finally the 100 IM, which combines all 4 strokes. Ben's winning time for this event (1:02.89) was a new Regional record and established the swimmer as the fastest all rounder in the East of England at his age group.
Dave Blandy from Corringham was equally impressive as he became the joint overall winner of the Top Drawer Trophy for Top male swimmer. Blandy recorded his second overall men's title win in three years. Blandy won himself a haul of 3 gold medals, 100 Fly (1:23.44), 100 Back (1:20.99) and 50 Back (36.69), 3 Silvers in the 400 Free (5:19.54), 50 Fly (36.37) and 100 Breast (1:22.08). Plus a further two Bronze medals were won in the 200 Free (2:36.29) and the 100 IM (1:16.41). Blandy's busy day was rewarded with 4th places in the 100 Free (1:10.65) and 50 Free (31.95). Blandy was Top male in the 40/44 age group.
Corringham's Paul Coster, swimming in the men's 30/34 year age group was placed top male in his age group with Gold in the 400 Free (5:41.08), followed by Silver success in the 50 Fly (34:79), 50 Back (40.38) and 100 IM (1:24.82). Paul managed 4th places in the 50 Free (31.89) and 50 Breaststroke events to finish one of his best meets to date.
Cliff Rozee swimming his first Masters event won an excellent Silver medal in the men's 40/44 year 50 Breast (42.75). Rozee produced two further solid swims to gain a 4th place in the 100 Breast (1:33.54) and a fifth place in the 50 Free (33.21).
Another swimmer making his Essex championship debut was Steven King. There was little horror on the cards for King though, swimming in the 35/39 year age group as he swam a fast 50 back to record a time of 38.95 and win a well earned Bronze in the process. Three 4th places followed. 100 Free (1:10.11), 50 Fly (38.50) and 50 Breast (41.98). Plus 5th place in the 50 Free (31.80).
South Stifford swimmer and assistant club coach Paul Hayes 45/49 year age group a veteran of these championships and event organiser, won Silver medals in the 400 Free (5:49.31), 100 Back (1:28.49) and 100 Breast (1:29.18). Hayes followed with a bronze in the 50 Back (39.13) and finished the day with 4th place in the 50 Fly (35.59).
Fellow Club Teacher Ray Moore from Grays had his best championships for many a year. The Thurrock stalwart won 4 silver medals in the 400 Free (5:58.63), 200 Free (2:47.98), 100 Free (1:13.62) and 50 Fly (38.91). Bronze medals followed in the 50 Free (32.89) and 50 Back (42.85). Moore finished a busy day taking a well earned 4th place in the 100 IM and found himself 2nd placed overall, in the men's 50/54 age group.
Thurrock Ladies had a successful, haul too.
Daniella Nice 18/24 year age group, a former Essex age group champion in her Junior/Senior triumphs with the club added a Masters title to her impressive collection with Gold in the 50m Free (30.66) Daniella also won the coveted Albyns Cup Women's 18/24 year speed trophy in the process which was presented by Essex County President Kay McGuire. Kay having been a former swimming coach at the club. Daniella followed up this triumph with Silvers in the 100 Back (1:13.05) and the 100 IM (1:15.02).
Twin sister Francesca Nice, certainly not to be outdone presented a family win double by romping to victory in the 100 Breast (1:24.22). Two further Silvers followed in the 100 Fly (1:19.61) and the 100 Free (1:10.17), before collecting a Bronze in the 100 Back (1:19.61) and finally a 4th place in the 100 IM (1:18.21). Francesca was rewarded finally with 3rd place overall in the women's 18/24 year age group. Father Phil, Thurrock SC secretary, who spent the day setting up the pool for competition as well as running the superb electronic timing system at Blackshots, must have been delighted by his daughter's twin successes on the day.
Newcomer Kathy Weiss a school teacher at Stifford Clays Primary, swimming in the 25/29 year age group had a marvellous first championship at the pool where she swam as a youngster for Thurrock. Kathy won Gold in the 50 Free (30.98). Kathy then went on to record hard earned Bronze medals in the 50 Back (39.30), 200 Free (2:34.73) and 400 Free (5:29.53) a 4th place in the 100 Free (1:08.96) capped off a super day for the Thurrock swimmer.
Returning to the Masters circuit was Christine Bearwish from Horndon, whose son Aaron is part of the clubs successful Gold squad. Christine, a teacher at the club, who has swum at British and World Masters Championships in previous years gone, was swimming in the 40/44 year age band. Her comeback was rewarded with a terrific gold in the 50 Free (33.75). Two silvers followed in the 50 back (42.81) and 50 Breast (48.97). Christine finished 3rd overall in her age group category.
In the relays Thurrock men powered to a fantastic Bronze medal in the 160+ age group (58.53) consisting of Blandy, Hayes, Coster and Moore. The quartet swam to a fine 4th in the 160+ Medley relay team event (1:06.04) against very strong opposition. The younger age group relay team of the busy Coster, plus Rozee, King and Millington-Jones secured 4th places in both the Free (54.38) and Medley relay (1:04.79). Thurrock's male and female swimmers then combined for the final successes of the day. Kathy Weiss, Hayes, Moore and Christine Bearwish fought off Colchester and Rochford to steal a hard earned Bronze in the mixed Freestyle 160+ age group (58.02). The mixed quartet, combined again to deliver a 4th place in the medley event (1:08.45).
Paul Hayes Essex Masters Secretary and Thurrock Masters Coach was very proud of his swimmers afterwards and praised the efforts of his debutants and senior masters. Hayes the county team manager, immediately rewarded Milington-Jones with a call up to the Essex inter-counties team squad. The event, which will be held at Colchester pool in November, will see Essex seek to defend the title they won last year at Peterborough. Such is the strength of Essex swimming in the region.
On the lighter side...Spare a thought for two of Thurrock's longest serving Teachers. Paul Hayes and Ray Moore, who have been teaching and coaching at the club for well over a decade, Swimming in the 400 Freestyle event, the two veterans, not content to battle over the usual distance of 16 lengths of the 25m pool, decided instead to keep swimming and swimming and swimming. Pool side officials, decided it would be best to drop the false start rope situated at the halfway point to finally end the poor old fellows distress but only after almost 19 lengths! The exhausted duo had a good laugh about it though...after they got their breaths back. Hayes swimming very shortly afterwards in the 100 Breast received tremendous advice from several people based at the end of the first length of his 100 Breaststroke heat. The 'advisors' consisting of swimmers and officials, reminded Hayes that he had just the 3 lengths to go!
Thurrock swimming club has a long established Masters section, which boasts swimmers of World, European, British, regional and county class. If you are interested to join the Masters, why not go to www.thurrockswimmingclub.ik.com.
Ben Millington-Jones who works for impulse leisure Corringham, was one of the superstars of the day. Finishing with 7 gold medals, Ben was placed top male in the 25/29 age group and 4th placed overall in the leading men's competition. MJ's Golden haul came in the 100 Free (55.27), 50 Free (25.33), 50 Fly (27.69), 100 Back (1:08.32) 100 Breast (1:11.11) 50 Breast (32.50) and finally the 100 IM, which combines all 4 strokes. Ben's winning time for this event (1:02.89) was a new Regional record and established the swimmer as the fastest all rounder in the East of England at his age group.
Dave Blandy from Corringham was equally impressive as he became the joint overall winner of the Top Drawer Trophy for Top male swimmer. Blandy recorded his second overall men's title win in three years. Blandy won himself a haul of 3 gold medals, 100 Fly (1:23.44), 100 Back (1:20.99) and 50 Back (36.69), 3 Silvers in the 400 Free (5:19.54), 50 Fly (36.37) and 100 Breast (1:22.08). Plus a further two Bronze medals were won in the 200 Free (2:36.29) and the 100 IM (1:16.41). Blandy's busy day was rewarded with 4th places in the 100 Free (1:10.65) and 50 Free (31.95). Blandy was Top male in the 40/44 age group.
Corringham's Paul Coster, swimming in the men's 30/34 year age group was placed top male in his age group with Gold in the 400 Free (5:41.08), followed by Silver success in the 50 Fly (34:79), 50 Back (40.38) and 100 IM (1:24.82). Paul managed 4th places in the 50 Free (31.89) and 50 Breaststroke events to finish one of his best meets to date.
Cliff Rozee swimming his first Masters event won an excellent Silver medal in the men's 40/44 year 50 Breast (42.75). Rozee produced two further solid swims to gain a 4th place in the 100 Breast (1:33.54) and a fifth place in the 50 Free (33.21).
Another swimmer making his Essex championship debut was Steven King. There was little horror on the cards for King though, swimming in the 35/39 year age group as he swam a fast 50 back to record a time of 38.95 and win a well earned Bronze in the process. Three 4th places followed. 100 Free (1:10.11), 50 Fly (38.50) and 50 Breast (41.98). Plus 5th place in the 50 Free (31.80).
South Stifford swimmer and assistant club coach Paul Hayes 45/49 year age group a veteran of these championships and event organiser, won Silver medals in the 400 Free (5:49.31), 100 Back (1:28.49) and 100 Breast (1:29.18). Hayes followed with a bronze in the 50 Back (39.13) and finished the day with 4th place in the 50 Fly (35.59).
Fellow Club Teacher Ray Moore from Grays had his best championships for many a year. The Thurrock stalwart won 4 silver medals in the 400 Free (5:58.63), 200 Free (2:47.98), 100 Free (1:13.62) and 50 Fly (38.91). Bronze medals followed in the 50 Free (32.89) and 50 Back (42.85). Moore finished a busy day taking a well earned 4th place in the 100 IM and found himself 2nd placed overall, in the men's 50/54 age group.
Thurrock Ladies had a successful, haul too.
Daniella Nice 18/24 year age group, a former Essex age group champion in her Junior/Senior triumphs with the club added a Masters title to her impressive collection with Gold in the 50m Free (30.66) Daniella also won the coveted Albyns Cup Women's 18/24 year speed trophy in the process which was presented by Essex County President Kay McGuire. Kay having been a former swimming coach at the club. Daniella followed up this triumph with Silvers in the 100 Back (1:13.05) and the 100 IM (1:15.02).
Twin sister Francesca Nice, certainly not to be outdone presented a family win double by romping to victory in the 100 Breast (1:24.22). Two further Silvers followed in the 100 Fly (1:19.61) and the 100 Free (1:10.17), before collecting a Bronze in the 100 Back (1:19.61) and finally a 4th place in the 100 IM (1:18.21). Francesca was rewarded finally with 3rd place overall in the women's 18/24 year age group. Father Phil, Thurrock SC secretary, who spent the day setting up the pool for competition as well as running the superb electronic timing system at Blackshots, must have been delighted by his daughter's twin successes on the day.
Newcomer Kathy Weiss a school teacher at Stifford Clays Primary, swimming in the 25/29 year age group had a marvellous first championship at the pool where she swam as a youngster for Thurrock. Kathy won Gold in the 50 Free (30.98). Kathy then went on to record hard earned Bronze medals in the 50 Back (39.30), 200 Free (2:34.73) and 400 Free (5:29.53) a 4th place in the 100 Free (1:08.96) capped off a super day for the Thurrock swimmer.
Returning to the Masters circuit was Christine Bearwish from Horndon, whose son Aaron is part of the clubs successful Gold squad. Christine, a teacher at the club, who has swum at British and World Masters Championships in previous years gone, was swimming in the 40/44 year age band. Her comeback was rewarded with a terrific gold in the 50 Free (33.75). Two silvers followed in the 50 back (42.81) and 50 Breast (48.97). Christine finished 3rd overall in her age group category.
In the relays Thurrock men powered to a fantastic Bronze medal in the 160+ age group (58.53) consisting of Blandy, Hayes, Coster and Moore. The quartet swam to a fine 4th in the 160+ Medley relay team event (1:06.04) against very strong opposition. The younger age group relay team of the busy Coster, plus Rozee, King and Millington-Jones secured 4th places in both the Free (54.38) and Medley relay (1:04.79). Thurrock's male and female swimmers then combined for the final successes of the day. Kathy Weiss, Hayes, Moore and Christine Bearwish fought off Colchester and Rochford to steal a hard earned Bronze in the mixed Freestyle 160+ age group (58.02). The mixed quartet, combined again to deliver a 4th place in the medley event (1:08.45).
Paul Hayes Essex Masters Secretary and Thurrock Masters Coach was very proud of his swimmers afterwards and praised the efforts of his debutants and senior masters. Hayes the county team manager, immediately rewarded Milington-Jones with a call up to the Essex inter-counties team squad. The event, which will be held at Colchester pool in November, will see Essex seek to defend the title they won last year at Peterborough. Such is the strength of Essex swimming in the region.
On the lighter side...Spare a thought for two of Thurrock's longest serving Teachers. Paul Hayes and Ray Moore, who have been teaching and coaching at the club for well over a decade, Swimming in the 400 Freestyle event, the two veterans, not content to battle over the usual distance of 16 lengths of the 25m pool, decided instead to keep swimming and swimming and swimming. Pool side officials, decided it would be best to drop the false start rope situated at the halfway point to finally end the poor old fellows distress but only after almost 19 lengths! The exhausted duo had a good laugh about it though...after they got their breaths back. Hayes swimming very shortly afterwards in the 100 Breast received tremendous advice from several people based at the end of the first length of his 100 Breaststroke heat. The 'advisors' consisting of swimmers and officials, reminded Hayes that he had just the 3 lengths to go!
Thurrock swimming club has a long established Masters section, which boasts swimmers of World, European, British, regional and county class. If you are interested to join the Masters, why not go to www.thurrockswimmingclub.ik.com.