BRUNSWICK

Well over 1,000 swimmers traveled from as far as Argentina and Alaska to compete in the Pan American Masters Swim Championships last week in Orlando, Florida.

Two Midcoast Maine swimmers, Fred Schlicher and Dave Bright, had outstanding performances as “youngsters” entering new age groups.

Schlicher had an amazing run of four gold medal swims and one second-place finish in his five events. He established world records for men 70-74 in the 200- meter freestyle and the grueling 200 butterfly. Schlicher also toppled the American record in the 400 freestyle while placing second.

In addition, he won the 50 and 200 backstrokes in near-record times. In just two months as a 70-year old, Schlicher has already shattered six American records. He trains with the Polar Bear Masters group at Bowdoin College and competes for New England Masters.

Bright, swimming with the Polar Bear Masters as well as leading the Brunswick High School swim team, was a medalist in three of his four events, taking second in the 400 individual medley plus third in the 800 freestyle and 200 backstroke. Bright also placed seventh in the 100 backstroke.

Several of Bright’s times cracked New England records for the 65-69 age group.

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