BRINGING home an impressive haul of 34 medals from the NSW State Masters Championships held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, members of the Merrylands Amateur Swimming Club (MASC) masters squad also won the Executive Trophy for the highest proportion of members swimming at the Championships.

Publicity officer Ian Wilson said their team of 13 swimmers also finished second in Division 2 at the meet, with 17 gold medals, 11 silver and 14 bronze.
"Our team also swam 17 personal best and a number of season best times over the weekend," he said.

"I really credit our coach Peter Johnston with the large part of our success. Peter really knows how to get the best out of each of us."

However Mr Wilson said that while they celebrated their successes in the pool, there was also a strong social element to the club, adopting the Master's Australia motto of "fun, fitness, and friendship".

He added with a laugh that sometimes their coach does get "a little frustrated" with some of the older swimmers who "spend a little too much time chatting instead of training".

"We do take competition seriously but the camaraderie is much more important to us," he said.

The MASC caters for all ages, with registered swimmers aged from five to 65, however with the Merrylands Pool now closed for winter, they are on hiatus until May when training moves to the Granville Swimming Pool.

For more information, visit merrylandsasc.asn.au.
Ian Wilson
Merrylands ASC swimmers competing at this month’s NSW State Masters Championships picked up 34 medals, including Ian Wilson who took gold in the Men’s 50-54 200m Breaststroke event, and Peter Johnston who finished with silver in the Men’s 35-39 100m Breaststroke event.
Ian Wilson
Merrylands ASC swimmers competing at this month’s NSW State Masters Championships picked up 34 medals, including Ian Wilson who took gold in the Men’s 50-54 200m Breaststroke event, and Peter Johnston who finished with silver in the Men’s 35-39 100m Breaststroke event.