US Masters Long Course Nationals, Day One: Heim-Bowen, Troy Set World Marks in the 1500  -- August 14, 2003

By Phillip Whitten

PISCATAWAY, New Jersey, August 13. SUZANNE Heim-Bowen and Jean Troy each set world records in the 1500 meters freestyle to highlight competition on Day One of the USMS Long Course Nationals at Rutgers University.

Heim-Bowen, 46, demolished the record in the women's 45-49 age group by an amazing 80 seconds. Her time of 17:55.83 destroyed the old mark of 19:15.90 set by Karen Einseidler last year.

Actually, Heim-Bowen, swimming for Walnut Creek Masters made it a three-fer, breaking three world records in one swim. Even Michael Phelps didn't do that.

Heim-Bowen split 4:44.34 at the 400, erasing Laura Val's standard of 4:52.03 set in 2000. She then split 9:30.82 at the 800 meter turn, more than 20 seconds faster than her own world record of 9:51.71 set earlier this year.

Troy, 76, chopped more than half a minute of June Krauser's two year-old mark in the 75-79 age group. Troy, representing Florida Maverick Masters, clocked 27:09.75, well under Krauser's 27:40.67.

George Wendt set a US national record in winning the men's 55-59 division. Wendt, 56, touched in 19:16.02, 11 seconds faster than the former mark of 19:27.48, set by Bill Darby last year.

Results: USMS National Long Course Championships