Sunderland’s para-swimmers were in record breaking form when they competed in the British Para-Swimming International Meet held at Glasgow’s Tollcross International Swimming Centre. Competing as part of a high class field of British and International swimmers, the club’s swimmers once again highlighted the growing success of City of Sunderland’s swimming programme. This was a multi classification meet where the final places are determined by British Para Swimming points rather than who touched first.
Josef Craig, a S8 swimmer and Matt Wylie, a S9 swimmer, claimed a hugely impressive, four British Senior records between them over the first two days of competition. The first record went to Matt in the 100m freestyle. Competing in the B Final, Matt shaved 0.25 seconds off his PB finishing in 58.44 – a S9 British Record. This was the equivalent of 815 points which placed him first in the B Final. Just minutes later, Josef took to the water for the A Final and completed the race in 1:00.27. This improved the PB he set in the heats by 0.25 seconds and clinched the S8 British Record. His time represented 814 points and placed him 5th in the final.  Two British Records on Day One!
Day 2 saw Josef and Matt back in action in the 50m freestyle. After the heats, Matt was in 11th place with a time of 27.04 and 803 points, equalling his PB. Josef finished in 17th place setting a new PB of 28.15 the equivalent of 728 points. Both qualified for the B Final and the race could not have gone better – almost unbelievably another two British Records fell! Matt touched in 26.70, knocking 0.34 seconds off his PB and setting a new S9 British Record. This placed him first in the B Final with 834 points. Josef lowered his PB set that morning by a further 0.3 seconds to clinch the S8 British Record and the resulting 751 points gave him third place.
Following a rest day, Josef and Matt were back in action on the final day of the meet, in the 400m freestyle. In the heats Josef gained 2nd place with a time of 4:40.76 and 851 points. Matt finished in 4:41.85 to gain 19th place and 697 points. In the finals Matt improved on his heat swim by 6 seconds to give him 749 points and 5th place in the B Final. Josef swam in the A Final and set a new PB of 4:37.40. This was the equivalent of 883 points and gave him second place behind Oliver Hynd and a podium place where he was awarded a silver medal.
Gareth Orr, a S14 swimmer, has recently joined City of Sunderland having relocated from his former club, City of Peterborough. Gareth showed his versatility by competing in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle, the 100m breaststroke, 200m I/M, 100m backstroke and 100m butterfly. His best results came in the 100m butterfly and 200m freestyle events where he finished in 33rdplace with 451 points and 35thplace with 467 points respectively. He achieved a new PB in the 50m freestyle, finishing in 30.32.
The results this weekend serve to underline how healthy para-swimming is in Sunderland. The club has every chance of seeing its swimmers competing with the best in the world in Rio 2016 – an exciting prospect!
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