Six adults from Bicester Blue Fins took part in the British Gas National Masters and Senior Age Group Championships at Swansea’s Olympic-sized National Swimming Pool.
Jack Rowland won a bronze medal in the age 17-24 200m backstroke and was fifth in the 100m backstroke – both in Oxfordshire county record times, subject to ratification. He was also ninth in the 50m freestyle, just a second off the medal places.
In the 65-69 age category, Julie Evans claimed bronze in the grueling 1,500m freestyle in a provisional county record time of 31.45.90mins. Estelle Fisher also took bronze in the same event in the 55-59 category in 25.31.50.
Andrew Pryce was another to break a county record as he clocked 30.35secs for the 50m freestyle in the 50-54 category.
Also competing were Gary Souch, who finished fifth in the age 35-39 200m breaststroke in a new club age group record as well as seventh in the 50m breaststroke, and John Littlewood in the freestyle.
Blue Fins head coach, Struan McNeil, said: “The younger swimmers tend to grab the headlines but our masters are also an integral part of the club. We were proud to send six swimmers to the National Championships and to come away with three bronze medals and a clutch of personal best times shows how their quiet dedication is paying off.
“The highlights of the championship are the provisional county records claimed by Jack Rowland, Julie Evans and Andrew Pryce. It just shows how adult swimmers can continue their development throughout their lives and clearly proves that age is no barrier to achievement.”