Steve West Betters Pair of Masters World Records At Southern California Invitational
This summer has been an impressive one for Steve West, the former University of Michigan standout and United States National Team member. During July’s Southern California Invitational, the perennial Masters record-breaker established a pair of long-course world records in the 50-54 age group. The performances complemented a world record from earlier in the year in the 50-meter breaststroke.
In the 100 breaststroke, West clocked a time of 1:06.12 to shave .02 off the previous standard, which was set by Russia’s Vladislav Bragin in April of this year. The 50-year-old West went out in 31.42 and came home in 34.70 to clip the previous standard. Meanwhile, he turned in a time of 2:24.44 to easily better his age group’s world record in the 200 breaststroke. Bragin also held that standard, at 2:25.00.
In addition to his newest Masters world records, West continues to hold the world record in the 40-44 age group in the 200 breaststroke (2:18.57) and he owns the 100 breaststroke (1:04.77) and 200 breaststroke (2:19.44) world records in the 45-49 age group.
In addition to representing Team USA in international competition, West was a member of the Michigan squad that captured the 1995 NCAA team title.