Over 1,700 masters swimmers aged 18 and above converged on the Urayasu City Athletic Park Pool(SCM) in mainland Japan to compete in the 2002 New Years Masters Swim meet on Sunday, January 20th, including 4 members of the MCCS Okinawa Dolphin Masters Swim Team.

Led by double gold medalist Martha Stanton, 45, the team returned to Okinawa with 6 medals. Stanton cruised to first place finishes in the 200 meter freestyle (2:29.92) and set a new Japan Masters Swimming National Record for Women 45-49 in the 200 meter backstroke (2:53.30). Stanton's performance was one of 30 National Records set at the meet. There was also one World Record established at the competition.

Silver medal winning performances were turned in by ODST swimmer's George Novinger, 45, in the 100 meter breaststroke (1:23.12) and Eiko Chinn, 30, in the 100 meter freestyle (1:34.07) and bronze medals were won by Colin Chinn, 43, in the 100 meter freestyle (1:01.72) and Novinger in the 200 meter individual medley (2:47.51). The Dolphins plan to compete again at the Okinawa Spring Championships in Urasoe City and hope to compete in Hong Kong and Taiwan later this year.

Complete Results:

Colin Chinn (USN)
100m free 1:01.72 3rd
200m Free 2:17.51 4th (30.80 - 34.43 - 35.99 - 36.29)

Eiko Chinn (Spouse)
100m free 1:34.07 2nd
50m free 42.33 19th

George Novinger (US State Dept.)
100m breast 1:23.12 2nd
200m IM 2:47.51 3rd (36.03 - 45.34 - 46.76 - 39.38)

Martha Stanton (DoDDS Teacher)
200m free 2:29.92 1st (34.78 - 37.98 - 38.61 - 38.55)
200m back 2:53.30 1st NR (40.94 - 43.75 - 44.27 - 44.34)

Mixed 200m free relay 2:12.51 6th
(Stanton - 32.38; E. Chinn - 41.93; Novinger - 30.86; C. Chinn - 27.44)

Mixed 200m medley relay 2:30.67 4th
(Stanton - 37.00; Novinger - 39.23; C. Chinn - 32.67; E. Chinn - 41.77)