Stevenson Blasts Two Masters World Records at AUSSI Masters Meet

By Stephen J. Thomas

ETTALONG, Australia. October 31. SYDNEY-based Masters swimmer Lyn Stevenson set two short course world records at the New South Wales AUSSI Masters Championships (SCM) this past weekend. The 60-year-old sprinter from the Blacktown club clocked 31.39 in the 50 freestyle to take almost half-a-second off the old global standard. It also gave Stevenson the deuce over the distance as she already holds the world record over the long course format having set that mark at the AUSSI Masters Nationals in April. Not satisfied with one world record to her name, she stroked away to another in the 50 backstroke in 36.27, taking 0.11 off the old standard. As a bonus, her 100 IM swim on the weekend of 1:22.92 also set an Australian record.

Stevenson competed at Stanford at the FINA Masters World Champs in August but was out of the pool with injury and illness for a few weeks leading up to the meet. She told Swimming World Magazine, "I just didn't feel right over there, whether it was nerves because of the big occasion or the jet lag I'm not sure, it was disappointing given I was swimming so well in April."

Unfortunately for Stevenson, she finished fourth on five occasions in her events at Stanford but her 50 freestyle record of 31.40 was not broken at the meet.

Dubbed the "silver bullet" by her teammates, due to the distinctive color of her swimsuit, Stevenson is one of those fine examples you find the world over in Masters swimming. She swam with limited success in her teens having been coached by Pam Hutchings, another prominent name in AUSSI Masters swimming (see five national records below), before concentrating on water polo. She competed at the national level in water polo before retiring entirely from the pool in her early 20s.

Fast-forward more than thirty-five years to 2003 where Lyn and her husband Rick were battling to keep their spiraling weight under control. After making a pact to work together via a weight-loss program, Lyn returned to the pool and managed to shed around 16kgs (35 lbs) in six months and amazingly began competing at Masters level just two years ago.

There were twenty-three other individual Australian records set during the two-day event held on the New South Wales Central Coast one hour north of Sydney.

Pam Hutchings (70-74) posted five National standards out of five swims. Hutchings cleaned up in her signature backstroke, clocking 50m: 43.23, 100m: 1:36.72 and 200m: 3:31.52. She also posted Aussie records in the 50 and 100 freestyle: 35.86 and 1:22.57 respectively.

Tricia Liddy (70-74) the double in the 100 and 200 breaststroke: 1:46.15 and 3:57.72 respectively.

Kay Beer (60-64) went under the old National record for the 50 free clocking 32:04 but unfortunately for Kay this was short-lived with Stevenson's WR at 31.39 in the same age group easily surpassing her excellent effort.

Marilyn Earp (55-59) the 100 fly in 1:22.82

Sue Perkins (35-39) the 100 IM 1:11.49.

Jacqui Robinson the 200 fly in 2:30.57

In the men's events:

Bob Barry (75-79) posted three records in the 50 and 100 backstroke in 42.88 and 1:32.11 respectively and 200 free in 2:49.98.

Gary Nicholls (65-69) a double in the 50 back 37.15 and 100 IM in 1:20.00.

Alan Brown (60-64) cleaned-up his old records in the 50 and 100 free in 27.27 and 1:01.15 respectively, and 100 IM in 1:12.93.

Paul Wyatt (60-64) 100 fly in 1:13.67 and 200 breaststroke in 2:55.92.

John Stacpoole (50-54) 100 IM 1:08.89.

Simon Ho (30-34) lowered his old mark in the 50 back clocking 28.55.

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