GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Garden Route-based Fish Eagles Masters swimming team (FEMS) enjoyed a great week of racing at the National Masters Long Course Championship held at the University of the Western Cape last week.
Fish Eagles placed fifth out of 14 competing teams. A total of 55 pool medals was awarded to FEMS competitors.
Chairperson Cheryl Griffiths said attending an event such as this is truly inspirational. The astounding ability of so many seniors is very special to experience.
The fun, camaraderie and support for each other is also something all members need and enjoy.
She said the gala, hosted by the Cape Town Masters Swimming, was well organised.
The hosts have had a very difficult task, coping with first a Covid postponement in 2021 and then complications in finding a suitable pool venue for 2022. The team would like to express appreciation to them as well as to all who contributed to the success of the event.
The top achievers were:
- Judy Dixon (80): 64 points, seven pool medals, gold for 1km open water swim.
- Jenny Sheehy: 55 points, six pool medals, bronze 1km open water swim.
- Tanya Osborne: 53 points, six pool medals, gold in 1km open water swim.
The oldest team member, Buddy Borstlap (89), earned two gold medals, one silver and two bronze.
Points order: Eugene Schoonbie 48; Marilyn Orren 43; Buddy Borstlap 42; Erhardt Gerber 39; Jill Black 36; Lanie Bornman 36; Fernando Tallie 30; Theo Pieterson 29; Cate Pietrobon 27; Cliff Wallace 27; Cheryl Griffiths 26; Neil McLellan 25; Johan Kok 21; Rouan Weideman 20; Mandi Wallace 8; André Weideman 0.
Seven medals were awarded to the team swimmers in the challenging open water swim:
- Tanya Osborne, Judy Dixon, Mike McDonald: gold for 1km swim.
- Eugene Schoonbie and Jill Black: silver for 1km swim.
- Jenny Sheehy: bronze for 1km swim.
- Cliff Wallace: bronze for 3km swim.
Judy Dixon (80), the team's top achiever, and Buddy Borstlap, the oldest team member, with some of their medals.
The Garden Route-based Fish Eagles Masters swimming team enjoyed the camaraderie at the gala.
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