Seven local masters swimmers plus two Harpswell natives traveled to Harvard University’s Blodget Pool last weekend for the annual New England winter championship meet. They were joined by over 630 other competitors. The Maine Masters Swim Club, represented by 44 swimmers, placed third among the meet’s 34 club teams.

Four swimmers had multiple first place finishes. Harpswell native Katrine Alcaide led the way with five gold medals in five races: the 50 and 100-yard freestyles, 50 butterfly, 50 breaststroke, and 100 medley. Katrine’s breaststroke and medley times broke the New England records for her 35-39 age group.

Several of the meet’s most exciting races pitted Katrine against her younger sister Jessie, visiting from Florida. Jessie captured gold in the 50 and 100 free, 100 fly and 100 medley for women 30-34 and placed second in the 50 fly.

Fred Schlicher capped-off a remarkable five years in the 65-69 age group with four gold medal performances, in the 50 backstroke, 200 free, 200 fly and 200 medley. Fred also was a close second in the 50 fly.

At the youthful end of the 65-69 age range, Brunswick High School swim coach Dave Bright took gold medals in the 200 back and 400 medley plus a silver in the 100 freestyle.

Other mid-coast medalists were Ben Morse (45-49), second in the 500 and 1000 free plus third in the 200 breast; Bob Nelson (70-74), second in the 200 breast and 200 medley, 3d in the 1000; and Dale Syphers (60-64), second in the 1000 freestyle and third in the 100. Joe Zrioka and Alan Northup also scored valuable points for the Maine Masters team.