There is a separate report for the 9 & under 25 metre championships.
The weekend’s competition began with a demonstration of perfect long-distance breaststroke technique from 8 year old Bethan Payne and finished with two Masters-age swimmers battling it out stroke for stroke in the 200 fly. Peter Gleed (36) overcame Neil Holloway (43) and took the club 19+ all-time record by 5 seconds, although Neil had earlier won their 100IM duel.
The big winner of the weekend in the male races was Jon Lowther (400 free, 100 back, 50 back and 200 free) this last one by just 0.01 seconds from George Boulton, who compensated by winning the club 50 metre sprint title.
It was an eventful couple of sessions for the Boultons with five silver and bronze medals for young Billy including an enthusiastic ten-length 200 free! Cousin Jack impressed in the freestyle (two silvers), reminiscent in style of the smooth and efficient James Webb – four golds on Saturday and a 12 year old club record in the 400 free.
Previous holder of that record was Henry Bennett, unmissable in his sky blue jammers, who can now boast the 13 year 200 fly record. He relished the battles with Ben Rawlins across all eight events with Ben now the club 200 breaststroke champion at only 14.
Jessica Shaw reigned supreme in the female events, winning all eight with three new 15 year old club records, all taken from Bethan Tomlinson.
Bethany Cox swam with her usual smiles and determination and may be the one to push Jess hard in future years. In her 13 years category, Beth won five golds, two silvers and a bronze.
Other females with weekends to be proud of were:
- Thea Stephens-Tuffee (13) – PBs in all eight events, unmatched by any other swimmer in the club this weekend
- Jess Swales (12) – the biggest PB of the weekend (70 seconds) in the 400 free
- Katie Pellow who won all seven 11 year old events
- Abbie Matthews (10) whose 100IM looked pure class for her age
- Jess Hawkins (10) and Emma Roddan (14) with four golds each, all in PBs
- Becca Lowther (12) with three golds and five PBs
Becca’s father, our new Chairman David, sadly did not secure any medals in his first gala back as an active swimmer. He did however demonstrate why we use the anti-wave lane ropes in this meet, swimming alongside slightly younger and smaller competitors!
Finally, it was great to see some of our 9 & under boys testing themselves in these longer distance events. There were some really competitive first heats between Oliver Thornell, Ben Holloway, Will Paget and Jack Baker with medals shared across all three. Keep it up, lads and see you all next Sunday!