PHOENIX, Arizona, April 8. FOUR U.S. Masters Swimming national records were set in short course yards over the weekend, with the first of several state and regional championship weekends taking place across the country.<\/p>\n
With Lance Armstrong unable to compete at the South Central Zone championships in Austin, Texas, the focus returned to the pool, where David Guthrie broke two breaststroke records in the 50-54 age group. Guthrie, 52 years old and representing Longhorn Aquatics, swam a 2:10.76 in the 200 breast on Saturday, shattering Jon Blank's mark of 2:13.77 from 2010. Another Blank record fell on Sunday at Guthrie's hands, as he swam a 59.04 in the 100 breast, breaking Blank's mark of 59.94.<\/p>\n
Guthrie's 200 breast splits:<\/b>
\n29.79, 1:03.08 (33.29), 1:36.73 (33.65), 2:10.76 (34.03)<\/p>\n
Guthrie's 100 breast splits:<\/b>
\n27.84, 59.04 (31.20)<\/p>\n
Longhorn also broke a relay record in the men's 800 free relay on Saturday for the 55+ age group. Dick Worrel (1:57.40), Max Stinchcombe (2:02.39), Larry Wood (2:05.34) and Jim Sauer (1:55.32) teamed up for an 8:00.45, obliterating Ventura County's 8:08.33 from 2011.<\/p>\n
Laura Val of Tampalpais Masters braved the chilly air at the Pacific Masters championship in Moraga, Calif., last weekend, breaking one of her own national records in the 200 free. Val swam a 2:06.14, lowering her mark of 2:07.35 in the 60-64 age group. <\/p>\n
Val's 200 free splits:<\/b>
\n28.48, 1:00.54 (32.06), 1:33.33 (32.79), 2:06.14 (32.81)<\/p>\n
Val is one of the 12 swimmers profiled in the April issue of Swimming World Magazine<\/i>, honoring the top 12 World Masters swimmers of 2013. Guthrie was named as a runner-up for 2012.<\/p>\n
David Guthrie “Morning Swim Show” interview, December 2012<\/b><\/p>\n