SYDNEY Australia, May 6. AUSTRALIAN Masters swimming star Jenny Whiteley is the queen of the breaststroke events in the 55-59 age group, having shattered all three long course world records recently at the Australian Masters national championships in the Sydney Olympic Pool.
Whiteley, 55, started the meet with a blazing 1:23.16 in the 100 breaststroke, breaking the world record of 1:25.19 set by American Lo Knapp in 2009. Notably, the short course world record in this age group is only 1:25.18, which bodes well for Whiteley when the short course season begins. The following day, Whiteley also made a run at Knapp's 200 breast world record of 3:04.32, shattering the record with a 3:02.67.
Whiteley wrapped up her amazing meet with a 37.04 in the 50 breaststroke, beating Alison Nye's world record of 38.24 set last year.
With the exception of the women's 200 backstroke world record in the 55-59 age group, which is owned by Nancy Steadman Martin, only two women now hold world records in long course individual events in this age group. Whiteley owns three of the marks, while Laura Val has claimed the other 14.