Masterful Mark still leading the way for Berkhamsted

A busy weekend for Berkhamsted Swimming Club produced some terrific results across the board.
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At the East Region Masters competition in Newmarket, 53-year-old Mark Strakosch hit four PBs from five swims – taking gold in the 400m freestyle, 100m backstroke and 200m freestyle, plus a silver in the 200m backstroke.

Elsewhere, at the Aquavale complex in Aylesbury, 34 swimmers competed in 170 events; producing 93 PBs, 49 new county qualifying times and five new regional times.

Highlights included Chris Nel’s first sub-60s 100m freestyle and his regional qualifying time in the 50m free where he won his heat. Nel set PBs in all six swims.

Mark Strakosch, Berkhamsted Swimming ClubMark Strakosch, Berkhamsted Swimming Club
Mark Strakosch, Berkhamsted Swimming Club

Izzy Soulsby was busiest with 12 races, winning five golds and six silvers, as well as setting nine PBs.

In the 50m butterfly, Jack Filer led home Jamie Hoyes and Tom Lyons to a Berkhamsted 1,2,3 in their heat, with PBs for Filer and Hoyes.

Jordan Northwood led the regional qualifications with a silver and club record in the 400 IM and gold in the 400m freestyle, followed by Ollie Hurst, Mason Brand and Tom Strakosch in the 200m breaststroke, 200m backstroke and 50m backstroke, respectively.

Tom Weston was another in freestyle form, setting a 100m PB, while Amy Stoker trimmed her 400m IM time by 17 seconds among four PBs.

Dan Stace chopped eight seconds from his 100 IM, Jess Potts set two PBs in her backstroke events, and Amy Pemberton made improvements in seven of her eight races.

Izzie Painter set six PBs from nine races, while Elli MacDonald had three from four and Jamie Hoyes swam five out of five.

Niamh and Roisin Clarke took a total of 43 seconds from their 200m freestyle PBs, and Tamsin Moren won bronze in the 200m backstroke.

Amelie Baker set a PB in the 100m breast, with James Corner clocking new PB times in the 200m free and 100 IM.

Jenny Atwill, Abbie Brown, Emily Hannaby, Adam Hawkswood, Louise Holden, Abbie Hurst, Peter Lever, Ellen Northwood, Grace Payne, Elly and Izzie Sansom, Jess Stace, Owen Strakosch and Charlotte Watson completed the successful squad.

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