Merrylands’ Masters Team produced some outstanding performances at the Australian Masters Championships last week, winning 13 Medals and swimming 27 new Personal Best times. The 6 member team took on the top Masters Swimmers in the country at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre from April 17-20 with some excellent results.

Ian Wilson swam a massive 12 new personal best times which included new PBs in every individual event he swam, a new 400m Freestyle PB during the 800m Freestyle and if that wasn't enough, he swam a new 50m Backstroke PB in the lead leg of the Medley Relay – the final event of the meet. To top it off, Ian also won a Bronze Medal in the 400m Individual Medley.

Steven Nguyen won 6 medals at the meet, including a Gold Medal in the 100m Freestyle. Steve also swam 5 new personal best times, with the highlights being his 50m Freestyle and 50m Breaststroke.

Alison Sakurovs took home 3 medals, with Silver in the 200m Butterfly and Bronze in the 100m Butterfly and 800m Freestyle. Alison also swam two outstanding personal best times, with a new PB in the 50m Butterfly and a fantastic swim in the 200m Breaststroke.

Mathew Edsall also won 3 medals, with Bronze in the 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke and 800m Freestyle. Mat swam 4 new personal best times, none more impressive than the 50m Freestyle where he finally got under 30 seconds for the first time.

Graham Edwards swam 4 new personal best times, with PBs in all three Breaststroke events and the 100m Freestyle.

Peter Johnston was our 6th swimmer at the meet. Following injury, Peter was unfortunately unable to swim for most of the meet and only competed for the first time in the relay on Day 3. On Day 4 he swam the 50m Breaststroke and then the Freestyle leg of the Medley Relay where he swam a new un-official PB.

The following swimmers were Medallists at the meet:

Alison Sakurovs
800m Freestyle Bronze
100m Butterfly Bronze
200m Butterfly Silver
Ian Wilson
400m Individual Medley Bronze
Mathew Edsall
800m Freestyle Bronze
50m Backstroke Bronze
100m Backstroke Bronze
Steven Nguyen
50m Butterfly Bronze
200m Freestyle Silver
200m Individual Medley Bronze
50m Freestyle Silver
100m Freestyle Gold
50m Breaststroke Silver

New Personal Best times were swum by:

Alison Sakurovs
50m Butterfly
200m Breaststroke
Graham Edwards
100m Breaststroke
200m Breaststroke
100m Freestyle
50m Breaststroke
Ian Wilson
800m Freestyle
400m Freestyle (800m Split Time)
400m Individual Medley
200m Freestyle
100m Breaststroke
200m Individual Medley
100m Backstroke
200m Breaststroke
50m Freestyle (Freestyle Relay Split - Un-Official)
400m Freestyle
200m Backstroke
100m Freestyle
50m Backstroke (Medley Relay Lead Leg)
Peter Johnston
50m Freestyle (Medley Relay Split - Un-Official)
Mathew Edsall
50m Backstroke
200m Freestyle
200m Individual Medley
100m Backstroke
50m Freestyle
Steven Nguyen
200m Freestyle
200m Individual Medley
50m Freestyle
50m Freestyle (Freestyle Relay Split - Un-Official)
100m Freestyle
50m Breaststroke
50m Butterfly (Medley Relay Split - Un-Official)


Medal Tally
Gold 1
Silver 4
Bronze 8

As a club we finished in 25th place on 224 points. Congratulations to our whole team on their results. Congratulations to Ian Wilson and Alison Sakurovs on the great job organising the Happy Hour our club hosted on Thursday night - you did our club proud.

Thank you to everyone who came along to support the team: Margaret Edwards, Nana May Wilson and the Wilson kids, Nichole Edsall, Robert & Carl Sorensen, Emily & Leanne Tovkach. It was great to see you all there. Big thank you to Rachel Palise for coaching the team in the mornings over the summer. Last but not least, thank you to Peter Johnston for all the hard work, commitment (and patience!) to inspire and drive the team to the excellent results which were achieved this week!

Photos from the meet can be found in the Gallery.

See Also
  • 2013 Australian Masters Championships - Results
  • 2013 Australian Masters Championships - Photos
  • 2013 Australian Masters Championships - Team
  • 2013 Australian Masters Team
The Merrylands 2013 Australian Masters Team of Steven Nguyen, Ian Wilson, Peter Johnston, Alison Sakurovs, Graham Edwards and Mathew Edsall on Day 3 of the 2013 Australian Masters Championships at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Friday, 19th April, 2013.
    2013 Australian Masters Team
    The Merrylands 2013 Australian Masters Team of Steven Nguyen, Ian Wilson, Peter Johnston, Alison Sakurovs, Graham Edwards and Mathew Edsall on Day 3 of the 2013 Australian Masters Championships at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Friday, 19th April, 2013.