Courtesy: Barbara Hummel
Fritz Bedford of the New England Masters Swim Club notched yet another world record last weekend, competing in the 10th Annual Leaf Peepers Masters Mini Meet at the Upper Valley Aquatic Club (UVAC) in Vermont.
During the three-hour meet, 55-year-old Bedford launched three attacks on the record book, each time taking aim at a record held by USA’s Steve Wood. In his first event, Bedford’s 28.16 in the 50 backstroke was just off Wood’s world and national record of 27.62 set in 2015. In the 50 butterfly, Bedford had more success. His 26.55 took down Wood’s USMS national record, and was just a tenth of a second shy of Canadian Dan Thompson’s 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, held by Wood.
Fritz’s mom, Jane, was watching from the stands, no doubt remembering the day she watched Fritz’s younger sister, B.J. Bedford, win relay gold at the Sydney Olympics.
Way to go for my awesome big brother, Fritz! He always inspired me as a kid, and now he keeps on doing it as an adult!!
Hello Fritz,
Andy Schloesser here. Checked it out online. You are an awesome swimmer! With records to prove it. Don’t know if you remember me but I was a live-in helper in your parents house back in the mid to late 70s. I believe you were 12, Charles 10, Edward 7 and Barbara Jane was 5. Something like that. One evening we were relaxing watching TV and you discharged a rifle. Shot right through the wall in your bedroom. Those were the good old days for sure. Anyway I’m trying to connect with you and your family. Can you please help me make contact with Jane, Fred, You, Charles, Edward, Barbara Jane?
Thank You.
Andy
That’s so fast! Congratulations!