Two World Records were set at the inaugural October Swim Fest, a Masters swimming mini-meet hosted by Simmons College Swimming and Diving on Saturday, October 18.

Michael Ross (Maine Masters) beat the world record in the 100-meter freestyle by 53-hundredths of a second to clock a time of 51.54. He also sliced the 100-meter IM world record by a whopping 1.86 seconds to set a new word mark of 57.71. Both records were for the Men's 40-44 age group. 

Masters swimmers ranging from age 20 to 75 descended on the Holmes Sports Center Natatorium for the competition. Many local teams, including Jumbo Aquatics, BC, Wellelsey, Cambridge, ABC Sharks and, of course, Simmons Masters, were in attendance, in addition to swimmers from Maine and New Hampshire.

Other highlights from the meet included two more swims that were under US Masters record times. Ross posted a time of 25.77 in the 50-meter butterfly that was 7-hundredths of a second faster than the USMS record. Louis Kronfeld (New England Masters) took down the USMS 50-meter breaststroke record for the 65-69 age group by 46-hundredths of a second to clock a time of 35.61.

With just under 35 swimmers, the meet moved along at a nice pace, while still leaving time for participants to socialize with each other and the Simmons varsity team. The Simmons swimmers and divers organized and ran the meet, and aside from making some money that will go towards the team's winter training trip to Florida, a great time was had by all. The sharks look forward to hosting this meet again next year.

At the conclusion of the meet, the Sharks athletes asked their guests if they would return for next year's event. The unanimous response was, "Absolutely!"