WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT, October 20, 2018 – Etna’s Fritz Bedford set a lifetime ninth masters world record last weekend at the 10th Annual Leaf Peepers Masters Mini Meet at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center (UVAC).
During the meet, the 55-year-old Bedford, a member of the UVRays masters team, launched three attacks on the record book. In his first event, Bedford’s 28.16 in the 50 backstroke was half a second off the world record of 27.62, but good enough for a new regional record. In the 50 butterfly, Bedford had more success. His 26.55 set a new national record in the men’s 55-59 age group and was one-tenth of a second shy of the world record. Finally, in his third event, Bedford blasted a 1:00.78 in the 100 backstroke, clipping six one-hundredths of a second off the previous world record.
A total of 19 UVRays combined to set additional records on the weekend. Bedford’s races were automatic meet bests, as was his 35.51 in the 50 breaststroke. Arnold Meardon broke two regional records in the men’s 85-89 age group (50 butterfly; 1:07.26 and 100 IM; 2:28.79). Marilyn Williams broke women’s 70-74 meet records in the 25 free (24.23) and 25 breast (30.31). Glenn Johnson set a meet record in the 50 back (45.51). Rob Starkey, in the men’s 40-44 age bracket, swam every possible butterfly event, establishing meet records in the 25 fly (13.94) and 200 fly (2:49.75). Nick Holt (men’s 45-49) dashed to a new meet record in the 25 free (14.29) and Jim Larrick (men’s 35-39) took home “Fastest Man in the Pool” honors with a meet record 12.11 in the 25 freestyle.
Press release and photos of Fritz Bedford by UVAC Masters coach, Barbara Hummel
