Paul Carter, 45, Smashes Masters Mark in 100m Fly, Clocks 56.42

CLOVIS, Calif., August 4. THE last race of the weewkend proved to be a crowd favorite — at least among the older set — at the Southern California Summer USA Swimming Sectionals Meet held this weekend in Clovis, California.

Paul V. Carter, representing the Trojan Swim Club, placed second in the finals of the 100 meter butterfly and, in the process, set two United States Masters Swimming records in the 45-49 age category.

Carter's 50 split of 26.56 was well under the standing mark of 26.97 set by Rick Abbott, and his 100 time was four full seconds faster than the 1:00.42 mark by Brad Horner. The old US marks were also the world records. However, under FINA rules, only swims performed at a Masters meet are eligible for recognition as world Masters records. Thus, Carter's new US records will go on the books conssiderably faster than the global standards.

Carter was only 23 years older then the other seven swimmers in the final eight.

Two weeks ago at the Janet Evans Invitational in Los Angeles, Carter erased the 200 meter butterfly record of 2:17.71, set by James Densmore, with a time of 2:12.94. Again, his time will only be recognized as a US record.

Carter was an All American at the University of Tennessee and a member of their 1978 NCAA National Championship Team.

"I trained really hard this summer and this was my first really good swim. Too bad the summer season is over. I had really wanted to make the Summer Nationals in Fort Lauderdale, but unfortunately that didn't happen."

Carter was only .43 seconds off the 55.99 time standard for the 100 meter butterfly, but did become the oldest qualifier for the U. S. Open this December in Minneapolis. His ultimate challenge is the 55.39 qualifying time for the Olympic Trials to be held in Long Beach California, July of 2004.

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