Young & Old Share Gold
Noosa Masters Swim Meet Summary 2021
By Brian Hoepper and Ian Tucker
Seventy-one years. That was the age gap between the youngest and the oldest gold medallists at Noosa Masters 2021 swim meet. Genesis Aquatics’ Caitlin Cuff (age 22) and Noosa’s own Bob McCausland (age 93) book-ended a total of 32 gold medal winners at the meet last Saturday.
Noosa’s superb Aquatic Centre came alive as 121 swimmers from 22 clubs battled it out under a perfect spring sky. It was a scene to savour after the disappointment of last year’s ‘lockdown’ cancellation. The venue setup with lots of shade and shelter helped create the friendly relaxed interaction between officials, marshaling, timekeepers and announcers.
David Findlay ran the meet to perfection, on time, with a constant flow of results to be posted by the premier results team in Queensland. Brian and Kathleen have over many years honed their artistic skills presenting the results with colour-coded clarity for men’s and women’s events, skillfully cut and pasted to the wall of the gym. No other club to date has demonstrated such flair to this critical task. In the hands of Masters Swimming Queensland officials, the meet ran like clockwork.
Results board
Raffles were a highlight with many carefully selected options greatly supported by the arriving crowds. The happy winners were drawn during the short break after relays and some who missed out eager for next year’s range of goodies.
The meet also stirred Olympic memories – one poignant, the other exquisite. The presentation of the John Konrads trophy injected a celebratory but sad note. The trophy celebrates the life of Olympic legend John Konrads, who died in April. John’s Olympic gold in Rome in 1960 was the pinnacle of a career in which he set 26 world records and held every freestyle world record from 200 metres to 1500 metres. Eventually retiring to Noosa, John became a great friend of the Noosa Masters.
Appropriately, the John Konrads trophy was awarded to Genesis Aquatics’ Kim Finch who swam ‘closest to nominated time’ in the 200 metres freestyle – John’s favourite event.
At day’s end, competitors and officials gathered for a poolside barbecue, during which medals were awarded and overall statistics announced. Noosa BBQ kings cooked up a beautiful steak burger for all competitors, officials, and support crew. Many were seen still licking fingers whilst leaving the venue proudly displaying a shiny medal around their necks. Predictably, Noosa Masters’ large contingent ran away with the trophy for highest aggregate points. And in the competition for ‘highest average points per swimmer’, the powerhouse Miami Masters team secured the trophy.
A full range of age group winners, many sharing positions with other friendly competitors, made for a relaxing sit on the grass ceremony, capped by trophies presented for the following;
- Closest to nominated time – John Konrads Trophy won by Kim Finch from Genesis Masters with a differential of 0.03 seconds.
- Club with the Highest Average Points per swimmer at the meet – Miami Masters and;
- Highest Aggregate points won by a club going to host Club Noosa Masters.
Provisional Branch State Records were swum in the following:
- 50m Freestyle LC female 55-59 age group. Jennifer Campbell in a time of 00.30.71 sec. Current Record 00.31.08
- 50m Butterfly LC female 55-59 age group. Jennifer Campbell in a time of 00.34.43 sec. Current record 00.34.87
- 200m Butterfly LC female 75-79 age group. Marsha Reddiex in a time of 04.21.99 sec. Current record 04.29.68
After a fabulous day together, and great team work, the Noosa Masters farewelled the visiting teams, and Noosa’s President and Meet Director Ian Tucker was all smiles.
Choose your own starting style!
Noosa legend Jan Croft and 93 year old gold medalist Bob McCausland
QNA photos – Richard Sanderson
