Masters Swimming Hub
Impressive performances from Trafford Metro sees them retain Otter 150 Cup
October 29, 2023Trafford Metro were described as a team that ‘never ceases to impress’ as they retained the Otter 150 Cup at the GoCardless Swim England Masters National Championships 2023.
The club from Greater Manchester were consistent throughout the entirety of the competition and had a lot to celebrate across the three days at Ponds Forge.
Club chairperson and masters coach at Trafford Metro, Bob Bolton, explained that he was ‘over the moon’ that the club had won the ‘prestigious trophy’ in consecutive years.
He said: “It’s a target for us now each year because it’s quite a prestigious trophy that Otter donated as part of their 150th anniversary, so we recognise it as a key focus for the whole club.
“It’s a focus for the team, and not just individuals within the club, and it really is about gelling the team.
“This team never ceases to impress me. There’s some swimmers who have done exceptionally well, some who haven’t done quite as well as they would’ve liked to have done, and that happens every year.
“You get some amazing performances from people that you maybe weren’t thinking it would happen. Some have had some massive highs and massive lows – but again, it’s all back to that team.
“Everybody’s very supportive of each other, regardless of whether you’ve swam well or whether you’ve not swam well.”
All about the team
On the preparation for this event, Bob described the Masters National Championships as a ‘big focus’ for the club.
“We’re always focused on the nationals, it’s our big focus when we put together the annual plan,” he continued.
“Our focus is very much focus from the beginning of November and culminates in the nationals at the end of October.
“We target other meets throughout the year and build towards things like the British Championships and one or two other meets, we try to build towards being in prime condition for then.
“And also just generally being supportive of the whole masters community because it’s not just about us, it’s about everybody that makes events like nationals such as fantastic place to be at.”
When asked about how he motivated the team to retain the title, Bod said: “It’s a little bit like anything else in business – getting to number one is tough, staying at number one is tougher.
“It requires full commitment, as I’ve said to the swimmers. Once we realised that we were probably in an unassailable position for this trophy this year, I said ‘we have no room for complacency. Everybody must still be swimming at their very best’. This is all about the team once again, not the individuals.”
Phenomenal times
Looking ahead to next year and the hopes of retaining the trophy again, he added: “I hope so. We’ll certainly be targeting this again and there’s a lot of fantastic swimmers out there.
“I know there’ll be a few of them out there thinking ‘right, we’re going to push them all the way’ and I hope that happens, because what happens from that is that the standard just gets higher and higher, and you see that every year now.
“Some of the guys that are swimming at nationals now are putting in some phenomenal times and there’s some amazing times from lots of clubs throughout the country.
“The standard just gets better and better and I think masters swimming needs to be even more on the map of swimming generally, because it really is a phenomenal part of swimming.”
Images: Will Johnston Photography
You can find all the results from the GoCardless Swim England Masters National Championships 2023 here.
Day Three, Session Two, Medal Roll of Honour
Open/Male 4x50m Freestyle Team
72+ Years
1. Portsmouth N, 1:37.21
2. Crawley, 1:38.75
3. West Suffolk, 1:39.71
100+ Years
1. Woking, 1:32.29
2. Dartmoor DA, 1:32.85
3. Birmingham M, 1:39.02
120+ Years
1. Portsmouth N, 1:36.39
2. Otter, 1:38.91
3. Bristol Hen, 1:39.40
160+ Years
1. East Leeds, 1:32.81
2. Kenilworth M, 1:40.01
3. Exe Masters, 1:42.01
200+ Years
1. Warrington M, 1:39.94
2. Basingstoke, 1:41.52
3. Woking, 1:42.23
240+ Years
1. Warrender Ba, 1:49.16
2. Teddington, 1:54.94
3. Otter, 1:55.53
280+ Years
1. Trafford Metro, 2:05.23
320+ Years
1. Otter, 3:08.68
Female 4x50m Freestyle Team
72+ Years
1. Portsmouth N, 1:51.39
2. Kenilworth M, 1:52.66
3. Trafford Metro, 1:54.38
100+ Years
1. Cardiff Mast, 1:51.82
2. Trafford Metro, 1:52.05
3. GB Police, 1:57.80
120+ Years
1. Co Cambridge, 1:57.03
2. Otter, 1:57.54
3. Kidlington, 1:57.99
160+ Years
1. Basingstoke, 1:50.14
2. Teddington, 1:55.00
3. Birmingham M, 1:55.25
200+ Years
1. Kenilworth M, 2:01.52
2. Teddington, 2:07.72
3. Exe Masters, 2:21.04
240+ Years
1. B C & P Mast, 2:13.40
2. Bracknell, 2:23.24
3. Team Anglia, 2:28.65
Open/Male 100m Individual Medley
18-24 Years
1. Christopher Wood, Kidlington, 58.80
2. Ethan Riches, Co Lincoln P, 59.33
3. Alexander Edge, Portsmouth N, 59.50
25-29 Years
1. Ryan Flanagan, East Leeds, 55.80
2. Thomas Bloor, Newcastle St, 57.12
3. Neil Redman, Portsmouth N, 58.83
30-34 Years
1. Bartek Karpisz, Co Bristol, 57.02
2. Kalon Veale, Totnes, 58.64
3. Robert Shaw, Dartmoor DA, 59.18
35-39 Years
1. Oliver Espinasse, Basingstoke, 1:01.29
2. Matt Wan, OTS London, 1:03.37
3. Goncalo Amaral Pinto, Crawley, 1:03.42
40-44 Years
1. Christopher Aust, Kidlington, 1:01.06
2. Leon Smith, Teddington, 1:01.94
3. Peter Williams, Kidlington, 1:02.02
45-49 Years
1. Ben Harkin, Warrington M, 58.23
2. Martin Bennell, Basingstoke, 1:01.27
3. Neal Smith, Kenilworth M, 1:01.31
50-54 Years
1. Marcus Smallbone, Newquay, 1:03.62
2. Spencer Turner, Basingstoke, 1:05.31
3. Robert Robson, Kenilworth M, 1:05.61
55-59 Years
1. Michael Hodgson, Woking, 1:01.71
2. Patrick Gore, Reading, 1:08.28
3. Garry Vickers, Etwall, 1:09.84
60-64 Years
1. Mark Reynolds, Barnet Copt, 1:06.30
2. Russell Mason, Warrington M, 1:06.69
3. Mark Robertson, Crawley, 1:10.81
65-69 Years
1. Simon Veale, Totnes, 1:12.71
2. Ronny Oltner, Teddington, 1:17.56
3. Trevor Clark, Birmingham M, 1:18.19
70-74 Years
1. Steve Grossman, Wellinborough, 1:17.30
2. Chris Fidler, Teddington, 1:25.67
3. John Anderson, Wincanton, 1:26.08
75-79 Years
1. Derek Parr, Otter, 1:37.26
2. Peter Vider, Otter, 1:48.03
3. Geraint Griffiths, Leicester Ma, 1:55.87
80-84 Years
1. Michael Read, Brighton, 2:04.68
85-89 Years
1. Colin Sage, KingstonHull, 1:59.40
Multi-Classification by British Para-Swimming Points
1. Owen Garsides, KingstonHull, 532 points
2. Peter Winter, Team Anglia, 295 points
Female 100m Individual Medley
18-24 Years
1. Zoe Cawsey, Portsmouth N, 1:03.62
2. Jessica Shaw, Southwold, 1:03.65
3. Chantelle Waugh, Donc Masters, 1:07.52
25-29 Years
1. Melissa Dolby, Co Southampton, 1:07.24
2. Rikke Nagell-Kleven, East Anglian, 1:07.47
3. Megan Berridge, Birmingham M, 1:08.42
30-34 Years
1. Kellyn Caldwell, Wycombe Dist, 1:06.88
2. Ruth Sutherland, Heart of Mid, 1:08.24
3. Julie Howe, Woking, 1:08.92
35-39 Years
1. Georgina Heyn, Teddington, 1:05.52
2. Laura Cranshaw, Birmingham M, 1:09.69
3. Katie Holmes, Harwich DP, 1:14.46
40-44 Years
1. Rebecca Newson, Exe Masters, 1:09.26
2. Elizabeth Godfrey, Basingstoke, 1:09.69
3. Kirsty Johnson, Bracknell, 1:10.27
45-49 Years
1. Fleur Turner, Basingstoke, 1:10.41
2. Dawn Palmer, Basildon Ph, 1:14.00
3. Helen Barrison, Barnet Copt, 1:15.12
50-54 Years
1. Helen Gorman, Co Cardiff, 1:09.74
2. Melanie McWhirter, Kenilworth M, 1:15.96
3. Philippa O’Grady, Exe Masters, 1:16.26
55-59 Years
1. Allie Price, Bridgend SC, 1:15.13
2. Laura Cooke, Bracknell, 1:20.45
3. Adele Parham, Exe Masters, 1:24.30
60-64 Years
1. Judith Pearson, Gates & Whick, 1:17.53
2. Suzanne Linton, Kenilworth M, 1:18.24
3. Helen Kula-Przezwanski, Devonport, 1:23.55
65-69 Years
1. Alyson Fordham, Bishop Stort, 1:19.69
2. Amanda Doyle, Kings Corm, 1:40.58
70-74 Years
1. Christine Ayers, South Beds, 1:36.37
2. Diana Groat, Aylesbury, 1:51.47
80-84 Years
1. Janet Masters, South Beds, 2:02.40
2. Jose Adam, Brighton Dolphin, 2:10.70
85-89 Years
1. Maureen Fakley, Dover Life, 4:21.00
Multi-Classification by British Para-Swimming Points
1. Lara Ferguson, Carnegie, 850 points
2. Caitlin Trevor, Kingston Roy, 190 points
Open/Male 400m Freestyle
18-24 Years
1. Alexander Harrand, Derby Excel, 4:01.39
2. Jordan Ormond, Bebington, 4:33.15
3. Angus Leckonby, Scarborough, 4:42.29
25-29 Years
1. Matthew Evans, Walsall, 4:10.09
2. Elliot Routledge, Workington, 4:16.62
3. George Russell, Rotherham Mc, 4:21.46
30-34 Years
1. Greg Bird, Kidlington, 4:03.35
2. Daniel Mills, Trafford Metro, 4:04.95
3. Alexander Mackay, Otter, 4:07.40
35-39 Years
1. Dan John, Reading, 4:17.55
2. Scott Lathrope, Kenilworth M, 4:23.34
3. Shaun Challis, Brighton Dolphin, 4:32.32
40-44 Years
1. Paul Barnard, Trafford Metro, 4:16.55
2. Tristan Hymers, York City, 4:27.33
3. Chris Jones, Portsmouth N, 4:29.51
45-49 Years
1. Mark Wallace, Matlock, 4:22.78
2. Christopher Rix, Warrington M, 4:26.57
3. Adam Acland, Teddington, 4:35.25
50-54 Years
1. Robert Wood, Darlington M, 4:32.63
2. Marcus Smallbone, Newquay, 4:40.39
3. Ian Wallace, Bo Newham, 4:52.28
55-59 Years
1. Peter Dixon, Bo Newham, 4:30.85
2. Andrew Carr, East Leeds, 4:41.79
3. Simon Emm, Colchester, 4:54.54
60-64 Years
1. Mark Reynolds, Barnet Copt, 4:42.20
2. Mark Jones, Warrington M, 5:02.98
3. Rob Arnold, Trafford Metro, 5:11.54
65-69 Years
1. Colin Stephenson, Gloucester M, 5:02.52
2. Simon Veale, Totnes, 5:09.92
3. Neil Weatherburn, Teddington, 5:50.84
70-74 Years
1. Nick Minns, East Anglian, 6:14.37
2. Stuart McLellan, Hadleigh, 6:21.43
3. Terence Mansi, Hadleigh, 7:03.32
75-79 Years
1. Derek Parr, Otter, 6:32.85
2. Peter Stephens, Spencer, 7:14.63
3. William Sampson, Melton M’bry, 7:57.58
80-84 Years
1. Tony Cherrington, Gloucester M, 7:02.57
2. Michael Read, Brighton, 7:28.81
3. John Goodbody, Otter, 9:10.08
Multi-Classification by British Para-Swimming Points
1. Angus Leckonby, Scarborough, 634 points
Female 400m Freestyle
18-24 Years
1. Anya Preece, Derby Excel, 4:16.21
2. Lucy Wheeler, Bishop Stort, 4:32.68
3. Avani Gill, Wycombe Dist, 4:34.54
25-29 Years
1. Amie Buttle, Kenilworth M, 4:29.77
2. Sophie Elphick, Otter, 4:36.57
3. Elizabeth Walker, Kidlington, 4:41.67
30-34 Years
1. Anna Cheesbrough, East Leeds, 4:45.70
2. Nia Westlake, Gloucester M, 4:48.59
3. Fiona Carroll, Co Southampton, 4:49.80
35-39 Years
1. Sophie Casson, Carnforth, 4:20.40
2. Jennie Clarke, Woking, 4:47.62
3. Sarah Roberts, Manch Tri, 4:51.97
40-44 Years
1. Nicole Hamilton, Teddington, 4:56.93
2. Victoria Williams, Bath Dolphin, 4:59.26
3. Katie Pateman, Exe Masters, 4:59.80
45-49 Years
1. Jessica Partridge, Gloucester M, 4:51.40
2. Susan Evans, Biggleswade, 4:58.91
3. Samantha Lake, Tavistock, 4:59.21
50-54 Years
1. Janet Mclean, Carnegie, 5:05.96
2. Philippa Rickard, Harrogate, 5:10.56
3. Rona Edwards, Newcastle, 5:23.90
55-59 Years
1. Silvia Ferdin, Co Cambridge, 5:09.41
2. Vicky Linton Crook, Crawley, 5:25.63
3. Elizabeth Shaw, Otter, 5:26.30
60-64 Years
1. Karen McBeath, Silver City, 5:27.50
2. Catherine Munro, Winchester, 5:43.86
3. Verity Dobbie, Gates & Whick, 5:49.31
65-69 Years
1. Joan Edwards, Gates & Whick, 5:36.99
2. Jayne Stephenson, Gloucester M, 6:02.30
3. Amanda Doyle, Kings Corm, 6:16.67
70-74 Years
1. Susan Haigh, Exe Masters, 6:17.29
2. Valerie Thorp, Derby Excel, 6:46.07
75-79 Years
1. Alison Gwynn, Mid Sussex, 7:00.99
2. Rose Dudeney, Mid Sussex, 7:08.46
80-84 Years
1. Elaine Bromwich, Birmingham M, 9:55.84
