2014 Season Review
Blacktown NSW Long Distance Championships – 16th November
Our team of six locals and one city slicker (Emma) jumped in at the deep end for the NSW Long Distance Championship.
Overall the club came 7th out of 28 competing clubs and Emma, Wendy, Rhonda and Michelle Herms won their age divisions and Robin was 3rd in her age division.
More importantly:
- Emma set a new State Record in the 800 backstroke with a time of 12.34.85 breaking the old record by 1 min 45 sec.
- Rhonda set a new State Record for the 800 fly with a time of 16.33.79 breaking the old record by 2 min 7 sec and
- Michelle H set a new National Record in the 400 fly with a time of 6.24.67. She broke the old National Record by 8 seconds and broke the State Record by 46 seconds.
Congratulations Emma, Rhonda and Michelle.
NSW Short Course Championships (Woy Woy) – 18-19th October
A strong contingent of eight swimmers represented Novos at the recent NSW Short Course championships.
Some excellent results were achieved with our swimmers collecting 24 gold, 13 silver and 3 bronze medals.
Emma (1 gold and 4 silver), Michelle Herms (3 gold and 2 silver), Rhonda (1 gold and 4 silver), Wendy (5 gold), Robin (1 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze), Bill (5 gold) and Lesley picked up her first state medals (1 silver and 1 bronze). In addition Emma, Michelle, Rhonda and Wendy picked up two more gold medals each in the freestyle and medley relays. Check out Michaels video of their medley relay win below.
Wendy and Bill claimed first in their age divisions, Emma and Michelle got seconds and Rhonda a third.
Novos were placed 8th (out of 38 clubs) in the aggregate point score with 383 points and 4th (out of 21 clubs) in the average point score with 47.88 points.
Sixteen new club records were established. Emma (100 free, 100 back, 200 back and 200 I/M), Rhonda (200 free), Michelle (50, 100 and 200 fly, and 100 I/M), Robin (200 free and 100 breast), and Bill (50 back, 200 back, 50 breast, 200 breast and 100 I/M).
The girls also set new relay club records for the 4 x 50 160+ freestyle and medley relays.
The girls also set new relay club records for the 4 x 50 160+ freestyle and medley relays.
Bill was at it again and broke four state records. Three of the records Bill held but he also broke the 200 backstroke record which had been established in 1994 by over 20 seconds. IN ADDITION BILL WAS PRESENTED WITH MALE SWIMMER OF THE MEET AWARD. Congratulations Bill.
Thanks to our members Maureen and Tracey who gave up their day to sell raffle tickets and were able to generate over $450 for our kitty. Thanks also to our members for their generous contributions to make the raffle worthwhile.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warringah – 11th October
Despite good intentions the day got off to a poor start when one of the drivers realized quite late that his five passengers could not be accommodated because his vehicle only had four seatbelts. Fortunately Michael H came to the party and two vehicles were dispatched on their way to Sydney.
The day finished better than it started. The nine swimmers scored 307 points and came 5th (out of 24) in the overall point score and 4th in the average point score.
Age division winners were Emma and Bill. Tracey and Robin were runners up in their age divisions.
Six new club records were established. Emma (50 free, 50 back, 50 breast and 100 I/M), Robin (25 back) and Bill (25 breast).
Bill’s 25 breast swim broke his own State Record. This year in his new age division Bill has broken 13 State records and 2 National records for short course and 8 State records and 4 National records for long course. Congratulations Bill.
Bill’s 25 breast swim broke his own State Record. This year in his new age division Bill has broken 13 State records and 2 National records for short course and 8 State records and 4 National records for long course. Congratulations Bill.
Emma also did us proud. She qualified for the final eight in the Women’s medley shoot out and was still there as one of the final two swimmers. Unfortunately she was just touched out in the last swim of breaststroke. Well done Em.
Our two relay teams finished with a second and a fourth.
In the BPS point score we have slipped to 4th behind the Sydney heavies Warringah, Ryde and Manly but with a couple of local carnivals coming up we should make up some ground.
NSW Relay Champs – 20th July
Brad had been talking about organising a team for the NSW Relay Champs at SOPAC for a while, but as there was minimal training by most of the key participants throughout the winter there was a considerable chance of no Novo teams going down. Rhonda was having similar issues with the girls team as many people were unavailable for that weekend – it fact Emma had to join the Seaside Pirates just to get a relay swim. (Ouch!)
Fortunately Brad persisted as despite minimal preparation the incredible swimming of Brad, Adam, and Ian lead the Novo’s team to 3 *national* record times! Unfortunately on 2 of these swims we were narrowly beaten by a very strong Seaside Pirates team from Sydney – Greg Phillips in particular was extremely quick!
- 400 Freestyle Relay (Men's 160+) - 03:58.46 (2nd)
- 200 Freestyle Relay (Men's 160+) - 01:42.07 (2nd – broke previous National Record)
- 400 Medley relay (Men's 160+) - 04:16.06 (2nd – smashed previous National Record)
- 100 Freestyle Relay (Men's 160+) - 00:46.56 (1st – equals National Record)
- 200 Medley relay (Men's 160+) - 01:56.41 (2nd)
Some selected highlights from the day – Ian swam 1m07.6s for 100 breast!, Adam swam 28.8 for 50 back!, and Brad swam 25.7 (PB) from a standing start for 50 free!
In the first photo Ian Jeffery is in the water in lane 3, with the black cap; and Paul is on the blocks of lane 5.
Ettalong – 24th May
A strong contingent of eighteen Novos headed south at the lovely Ettalong pool. And a good result it was too. Novos topped the point score for the day with 618 points coming first out of 33 clubs. We were 9th (out of 20) in the average point score with 34.33 points.
Age division winners were Rhonda and Bill, runners up were Michelle H, Wendy, Robin and Barry and Maureen was third in her age group.
New club records were achieved by Michelle H in the 100 back (1.26.64), 25 fly (16.50) and 200 I/M (2.57.69); Rhonda in the 25 free (14.27), 50 free (31.10), 100 free (1.09.28) and 50 back (38.31); Tracey in the 200 back (3.20.61); Wendy in the 200 breast (3.32.87); Robin in the 200 back (4.54.84) and Bill in the 50 breast (1.03.54) and 200 breast (5.40.26).
New club records were achieved by Michelle H in the 100 back (1.26.64), 25 fly (16.50) and 200 I/M (2.57.69); Rhonda in the 25 free (14.27), 50 free (31.10), 100 free (1.09.28) and 50 back (38.31); Tracey in the 200 back (3.20.61); Wendy in the 200 breast (3.32.87); Robin in the 200 back (4.54.84) and Bill in the 50 breast (1.03.54) and 200 breast (5.40.26).
Wendy’s time in the 200 breaststroke broke her own mark and set a new state record and Bill set new state records in the 50 breaststroke, 100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke and 25 fly.
Worth noting is that Bill times for the 25 fly and 100 breaststroke were outside the times he set at the Myall carnival earlier this year but because the tea Gardens pool is not surveyed they cannot be recognized as records. Consequently Bill’s club records for the above are faster than the official state records.
Our four relay teams finished with two firsts and two thirds. It is reluctantly noted that the girls 200+ team beat the boys 240+ team by 3 seconds.
Rusty’s luck was not as it should be. He won a raffle prize but unfortunately it only consisted of perfume and ladies cosmetics. Didn’t hear Kim complain though.
Novos are still running third in the Division 1 BPS point score behind Warringah and Ryde.
National Masters Swimming Championship – 23rd-26th April
Rockhampton, Queensland was the place to be for the 2014 National Masters Swimming Championship. The championships were held over four days which allowed plenty of time for sightseeing or just relaxing following each day’s events. The event was well organised, the weather was perfect one day, beautiful the next, the carnival atmosphere was friendly and exciting, and I’m sure everyone who attended had an enjoyable and memorable time.
443 competitors attended the carnival travelling from as far as Tassi and WA. Novo’s were represented by six members; Bill Walker, Wendy Gordon, Rhonda O’Donnell, Leslie Doran, Michele Van Der Werken and Tracey Whalan who did the club proud and helped our club came 14th in the points tally with their great swimming. Well done to everyone.
Individual results were:
- Michelle 2 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze,
- Rhonda 4 silver, 3 bronze,
- Wendy 3 gold, 3 silver
- Tracey 2 bronze, 1 silver
- Bill 8 Gold, 4 silver
Leslie PB’s in every swim including a 3 second PB in the 50m Free, a 5 second PB in the 100m Free and a very impressive 12 second PB in the 200m Free. Congratulations Leslie.
Special congratulations also goes to Rhonda and Michelle who set new club records. Rhonda in the 50, 100 and 200 Free and the 100m Back and Michelle for the 400 IM and to Bill Walker who set 5 club records, 2 state and 1 national record for the 85-89 age group.
NSW Long Course Champs – 4th-5th April
State Long Course held at SOPAC has come and gone for 2014. Some mixed reactions to this year’s program being a Friday night and all day Saturday program however good results were obtained by all who participated. The club was represented by 10 swimmers, 7 females and 3 males. From the 41 clubs who participated, Novo’s came an impressive 11th with 377 points awarded. We are currently in 3rd position in the BPS score points behind Warringah and Ryde.
Congratulations to all medal winners. Novos came away with 36 medals in total. Emma Bartley winning 2 silver and 2 bronze, Michelle Herms 3 gold and 1 silver, Robyn Carson 2 gold and 3 silver, Tracey Whalan 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze, Brad Levey 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze, Paul Murray 1 gold and 2 sliver, Bill Walker 4 gold and 1 silver, and Michelle Van De Werken and Wendy Gordon both winning gold in every event they swam in.
Several club records also fell during the meet. New records were set by Emma for the 100 Freestyle, 50 and 200 backstroke, Michelle H. for the 200 backstroke, 200 & 50 butterfly, Michelle Van De. Fro the 100 freestyle, Robyn for the 200 freestyle, 50 & 100 backstroke, Paul for the 50 backstroke and Bill Walker for the 50 freestyle and 100 breastroke which was also a State Record. Congratulations to all.
And last but not least a very special congratulation to Brad Levey, Bill Walker, Wendy Gordon and Emma Bartley who all won their individual age groups and to Leslie Doran who swam 3 PB’s at the carnival proving that hard work in training really does pay off.
Blacktown – 23rd March
Some early threatening skies dissipated to reveal beautiful sunshine for most of the day at Blacktown. The outdoor warm-up pool was bathed in sunshine, so warming up was not difficult! The main indoor pool was protected from the sun, but still very warm for the swimmers.
Even though Warringah and Ryde had almost twice the number of swimmers than our 11 Novo participants, we still managed to place 5th with 338 points and an average points score of 30.73 (4th).
Michelle, Kay, Wendy, Brad, and Bill all won (or were equal 1st) in their respective age-divisions.
Both our relay teams exceled is their usual resolute fashion – winning the 200 Medley Relay Women's 200+ and 200 Medley relay Men's 200+. (With a few of us attempting to execute the form stoke technique explained to us by our patient coach.)
Cessnock – 1st March
A second year in a row for overcast skies and rain for the Cessnock carnival and no need to erect those damn marquees.
Twenty starters (alas Rhonda and Kim reported sick) and a great result from the club members.
Overall first place out of the 26 competing clubs with 588 points and 4th in the average point score with 29.4.
Age division winners were Michelle Herms, Kay, Wendy, Robin and Bill. Michelle VDW and Ann were runners up in their age divisions.
Our four relay teams came away with two firsts, a second and a third.
New club records were established by Wendy (1500 Breast), Ann (100, 200, 400, 800 & 1500 free), Robin (100, 200, 400, 800, 1500 free and 100 breast) and Bill (400, 800 and 1500 breast).
But that’s not all:
Wendy’s time in the 1500 breast was a new State Record (30.26.56).
Ann moved into her new 65+ age group and took all before her. On her way through the 1500 freestyle she established new records for 100 free (1.23.00), 200 free (3.02.56), 400 free (6.14.17), 800 free (12.33.92) and 1500 free (23.35.49). The 800 and 1500 times were new State records. The previous 1500 record was set in August 1993 and she smashed it by 2 min 36 sec.
Not to be outdone Robin also moved into her new 75+ age group and being Novos first female to enter this age group established new records for all her events. As her first event was the 1500 free she captured the 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1500 records plus a 100 breast later in the day.
Bill was also in the winners circle establishing new records in the 400, 800 and 1500 breast on his way through to completing his 1500 breast. Bill’s time for the 800 (25.14.67) broke the previous National record by 61 seconds and his 1500 time (47.52.61) broke the previous National record by 5 min 15 sec.
WELL DONE WENDY, ANN, ROBIN AND BILL.
An achievement worth noting was Colin Cook’s 1500 freestyle time. Colin reduced his time from last year by nearly 3 minutes. Just goes to show that Adam’s work is showing up with some of us.
Back to second in the BPS point score behind Warringah and still ahead of Ryde.
North Sydney – 15th February
Only four swimmers headed to the North Sydney pool for their twilight meet, Wendy, Tracey, David G and Bill.
Wendy and Bill won their age divisions and the club scored 89 points which placed them 12th out of 25 clubs.
Bill’s record breaking streak continued with three new club records. (50 back, 50 breast and 50 fly)
He broke the state record in the 50 breast by six seconds and set a new national record in the 50 fly by breaking the old record by four seconds. Congratulations Bill.
Photos attached are by courtesy of David Goninan and Tracey Whalan.
Myall Lakes – 8th February
A beautiful day in paradise at the Myall Lakes inaugural carnival at Tea Gardens to celebrate their 10th anniversary. Congratulations to Myall for a successful carnival.
Our club didn’t do too bad either.
Our 708 points placed us second on the day behind the host club and our average points of 37.26 placed us sixth.
Age division winners were Michelle VDW, Wendy, Maureen, Kay and Bill. Runners up were Michelle Herms and Robin.
New club records were achieved by Maureen (200 free), Robin (25, 50, 100 and 200 free), Carl (25 free) and Bill (25 and 100 breast and 25 fly). Robin is our first female to go into the 75-79 age group so you can expect to see her name establishing new records everytime she swims. Not to be outdone Bill’s three times would have been State records had the pool received survey recognition.
Our four relay teams finished with three firsts and one third. In the BPS point score we are running a close second behind Warringah but this will change in the near future with one local carnival (Cessnock) and three Sydney carnivals (North Sydney, Blacktown and Manly).
Gosford – 18th January
Another year, another carnival. Welcome to 2014 with 19 members heading south to the Gosford pool on a day we all wish was a little cooler.
But all’s well that ends well and we done good. At the end of the day the Novos led the point score with 627 points in front of 35 other clubs and our average point score of 33 placed us 6th out of 18 clubs.
Age division winners were Rhonda, Kay, Wendy, Paul and Bill and third places went to Kim, Oona, Maureen and Barry.
New club records were set by Rhonda (50m free and 200m free), Tracey (100m back), Maureen (200m free) and Bill up into his new age division (50m breast, 50m and 100m fly and 200m I/M).
Bill’s time in the 50m fly (1.08.37) broke the State Record by 8.32 seconds and his time in the 100m fly (2.59.54) broke the State Record by 15.11 seconds. Congratulations Bill.
Our four relay teams finished with two firsts, a second and a third. New club records were established by the womens 240+ team and the mixed 240+ team.
Unfortunately Lesley’s first away carnival got off to a bad start. A motorist driving behind her using his mobile ran into the back of her car. Pleased to advise no one was hurt.
Obviously we are leading the BPS Division 1 at this stage but our old rivals Warringah and Ryde are closely behind.
