Local Masters swimmers excel at New Englands

Five local swimmers competed in the New England short course champsionships earlier this month. Brunswick’s Dave Bright, Dale Syphers and David Vail, Harpswell’s Katrine Alcaide and Phippsburg’s Bob Nelson all won individual events, relays, or both. Vail captured first place in seven events, winning the 50, 100 and 400 meter freestyles, the 50, 100 and 200 backstrokes and the 50 butterfly. Bright was victorious in five events: the 100 and 200 meter backstrokes, the 200 and 400 individual medleys, and the 200 fly. Alcaide out-sprinted her 30-34 age group competitors in three fifty meter swims: butterfly, breast and free, and added a first place in the 100 IM. Syphers parlayed excellent swims into a second place finish in the 50 meter back, thirds in the 100, 400 and 800 free plus the 100 IM, and a fifth place finish in the 100 backstroke. Nelson’s top finish was second place in the 100 meter breaststroke for men 65-69. Bob added thirds in the 200 breast and 200 IM, plus fourth in the 50 breaststroke. In relay action, Vail and Nelson combined with Maine Masters Bill Rupert and Bill Jones to win the 400 meter medley and 400 meter freestyle relays, both in New England record times for their age group. Vail’s 200 meter free relay was also victorious. Alcaide and Syphers combined with two other Maine Masters to win the mixed 200 freestyle relay.  Alcaide’s foursome also captured second place and Syphers’ team third place in the 400 medley relay.