Congratulations to Our Club Member Mike Carnegie: A New Provincial Record!

Ancaster swimmer, Michael Carnegie, set a new provincial record for his age group in the long course 100 meter butterfly event at a race on Saturday, April 5th in Toronto. Carnegie posted a time of 1:04.60, breaking the previous record set in 2009 at 1:05.41.

Carnegie set the new record while competing at the Toronto Downtown Swim Club “All Out Swim 2014” at the University of Toronto, and took first place in the 45-49 age category in all five of his long course events: 100 m butterfly, 100 m freestyle, 200 m freestyle, 50 m butterfly, and 200 m individual medley. 

Carnegie also competed the weekend of March 28-30th at the 2014 Ontario Masters Provincial Championship in Windsor, in the 45 to 49 age category.  He finished first in the 100 m butterfly and 200 m backstroke, second place in the 50 m butterfly, 100 m individual medley, and 200 m individual medley, and fourth place in the 100 m freestyle.

The fast times reflect Carnegie's renewed focus on training and preparation over the past year, including dry-land training with his friend and personal trainer, Connie Hoffmann.  "The times I posted were faster than any times I had posted in the last three years, including 58.19 seconds in the 100 m freestyle. Although that was a fourth-place finish, in all other age groups at the meet, both older and younger, that time would have put me in the top three in Ontario," says Carnegie.  His dedication to the sport continues to inspire other swimmers in the area and at the Ancaster Masters Swim Club.

"Mike has done an amazing job this year," says Alex Parent, coach at Ancaster Masters Swim Club. "He is always working towards something new in the pool and outside on land. Mike worked on sharpening his races this season. He chose to do it and he put this work in at the pool, and I'm really happy for him.. He had provincials two weeks ago and to repeat his performance -- well, it's not easy.  It's not easy to have back to back performances like his. It takes rest and focus in between races. It's quite spectacular." 

"You don't have to be a swim champion like Mike to be inspired by his dedication and perseverance to train for excellence,” says Linda Vanderhout, lead coordinator of the Ancaster Masters Swim Club. “He is a determined and disciplined athlete who encourages club members of all abilities to try their best and aim for improvement."

For more information about the Ancaster Masters Swim Club visit ancastermasters.blogspot.ca or email ancastermasters@gmail .com