Fritz Bedford, David Russell Set Masters World Records in New England

BOSTON – Several FINA Masters world records fell during the NELMSC short course meter championships at Boston University this weekend.

Vermont UVRays’ Fritz Bedford lowered his own masters world record in the 50-54 50-meter backstroke as the 51-year-old clocked a 27.28 backstroke leg for his team’s 160-199 200 medley relay. Bedford initially set the world record with a 27.36 in 2013 as part of an individual event, then equalled the mark in October of this year.

Bedford also eclipsed the USMS national record in the 50-54 50-meter fly. He clocked a 26.04 in the event, clearing the 26.12 set by Paul Carter in 2007.

Meanwhile, Cambridge Masters’ David Russell posted a 53.38 in the men’s 25-29 100-meter backstroke. That performance beat the previous world record of 54.23 set by Brazil’s Leonardo Sumida.

Notably, that time also lowered Kevin Doak’s 2009 USMS national record in the age division. Doak posted a 55.26 when he previously set that record.

Finally, the Boston University Masters women’s 110-119 400-meter free relay downed a FINA Masters world record as well. The foursome of Kelsey Wilson (W22) (1:01.55), Kelsey Roggensack (W24) (1:01.78), Ildiko Szekely (W35) (1:01.59), and Elizabeth Mancuso (W29) (59.46) turned in a time of 4:04.38.

That effort cut more than a second off the previous world record of 4:05.61 set by Great Britain’s Trafford Metro Masters in 2012. It also crushed the USMS national record of 4:09.19 set by the New England Masters back in 2001.

Additionally, David Sims downed his USMS national record in the men’s 50-54 400-meter IM with a time of 4:49.49. That’s his first time under 4:50 in the division, clearing his 2013 mark of 4:50.40.

Special thanks to Barbara Hummel for contributing this report.

Results: NELMSC Short Course Meter Championships

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