Aussie Masters Update: Long Course, Short Course Records Downed

By Graham Senders, Swimming World Australia Masters correspondent

PERTH, AUSTRALIA, June 15. MASTERS Swimming Western Australia had two contrasting meets on the weekend, a 1500m long course State Swim at Challenge Stadium on the Saturday afternoon and a short course Club Challenge at the Mandurah Aquatic Centre, 100km south of Perth on Sunday morning.

On Saturday, redoubtable 85 year old Perc Edwards of Claremont Masters took more than 50 seconds off the 85-89 years Australian men's long course 1500m record in a time of 34:39.45. The previous mark belonged to Queenslander Arthur Thomas who swam 35:29.61 in 2004. Edwards then set an example for younger swimmers by officiating as turns judge for the rest of the meet after his swim.

At Mandurah in the 80-84 years age group, Rod Baker, swimming at his club's home pool, took more than two seconds off the Australian 100m Backstroke record of 1:48.75 set by Kevin Vickery in 2003 in a new time of 1:46.29.

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