Bumpy Jones Turns 80, Breaks Seven Short Course Yards Masters National Records

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida, March 25. BUMPY Jones got the best birthday present a Masters swimmer could possibly get, breaking seven short course yards Masters national records last weekend at the 43rd St. Pete Championships.

Jones, who turned 80 on Saturday, wasted no time in getting his name in the record book for the 80-84 age group. Following is the list of the seven national records he set, with the names and times of the former records in parentheses:

100 Back: 1:18.51 (Clarke Mitchell, 1:21.16)
500 Free: 6:53.87 (Graham Johnston, 7:02.70)
200 IM: 3:06.65 (Frank Piemme, 3:10.28)
200 Back: 2:48.59 (Bob Miller, 3:03.89)
1000 Free (split as part of 1650 swim): 14:39.84 (Johnston, 15:17.73)
1650 Free: 24:22.59 (Johnston, 25:17.92)
400 IM: 6:45.91 (Piemme, 6:52.79)

Jones tried to make it nine records last weekend, but fell short of two of the national records. His time of 2:33.91 in the 200 free fell short of Johnston's record of 2:33.21, and in the 50 back, he was unable to get Mitchell's mark of 35.289, posting a 36.02.

Jones left the 75-79 age group with four short course yards national records, five short course meters world records and four long course world records.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to include a seventh national record by Jones. Thanks to Sarasota Y Masters coach Rick Walker for the update.

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