Six Airdrie swimmers who compete with the Nose Creek Swim Association (NCSA) turned in some excellent performances at the 2019 Alberta Masters Provincial Championships held recently in Calgary.  

The NCSA team, consisting of three men and three ladies, collected numerous medals and personal best times at the meet.

Linda Bruce became a triple gold medallist and three-time provincial champion by winning all three of the breaststroke events she competed in.  Bruce won the 50m, 100m, and 200m for a breaststroke sweep in the 55 - 59 age category.  Bruce also attempted the 50m backstroke for the first time and captured a silver medal.

Susan Benoit was crowned provincial champion in the 100m and 200m butterfly in the 35 - 39 age category.  She also made two more appearances on the podium, winning silver medals in the 50m breaststroke and 100m butterfly.

Cheryl Van Dewark also had an outstanding meet, turning in new personal bests in all five of the events she took part in.  She won bronze in both the 50m breaststroke and 400m freestyle in the 50 - 54 age group.

Among the men from NCSA, Howard Kirbyson made his first appearance at the provincials and posted the fastest freestyle times among everyone on the team and barely missed a third-place finish in the 55 - 59 age category.

Ron Farrell posted new personal best times each time he raced at the championship.  He placed fourth in one of his four individual events and dropped an impressive 5.82 seconds in the 50m freestyle.

Dan Massey also was a first-time competitor at the provincials.  He finished 6th and 5th respectively in the 50m and 200m freestyle in the 50 - 54 age group.

The Airdrie swimmers are now talking about the possibility of attending the Nationals in Montreal next month and could even make a trip to South Korea in August for the World Championships.  

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