In the long distance events, 12 year old Alex Macaulay was 4th in the 800 freestyle and 16 year old James Manning trashed the opposition to win his 800m swim with a 20 second pb!! James then went on to knock 11 seconds off his 400m free time to win his age group and come 3rd in the Junior event. He is proving his all round abilities as a sprint, middle distance and long distance freestyle swimmer. 16 year old Niki McDonald was in good form in her 1500m race with second place and a 26 second pb and to add to her delight she also knocked 11 seconds off her 400 IM to bring in another silver medal.
There were pb’s galore over the weekend just swum and medals aplenty to boot!
9 year old Rebecca Harris was unstoppable with 2 silver medals in the 50m butterfly and freestyle.
10 year olds Phoebe Osler and Susannah Kitto swimming in their first County Champs both knocked seconds off their times in the 50m fly and 50m freestyle respectively and Susannah winning a 6th place medal.
13 year old Joseph Choong was in exceptional form, knocking huge chunks off his old times in 50m back in 5th place, 200 fly in 2nd place, 100 free in 1st place 58.84, 200 back in 6th place and is beginning to show great promise.
Alexander Macaulay at 12 years old is also coming on nicely with a whole range of pb’s, he won silver in the 50 back, was 4th in the 100 free, pb in the 400 free and won the 200 back with a 4 second improvement.
Both these boys will be ones to watch in the upcoming Regional Championships and will be hoping for National Qualifying times before the summer.
10 year old James Murphy was bringing his times down every time he got in the water, in the 50 and 200 back, he is also at his first County Champs and won a 5th place medal. As he learns to race he looks to have a lot more left in the tank!
12 year olds Nathan Marsh and Alex Robbins swam pb’s in the 50 back and were ably joined by Cecilia Fenner, Gabby Norris, Lucy Pigott, Maddy Smith, Charlotte Coxon and Lindsay Sawyer!
In the ladies 100 back, Jessica Biggs, Lauren Goodchild, Natasha and Sarah Hickey all swam pb’s and Natasha Hickey (17) stormed through to the Open final where she lowered her time once again and came in 4th place overall, 1.08.56. Natasha also swam brilliantly in the 100 free with a 59.96 which won her gold in her age group and bronze in the Open final.
She was ably joined by Emily Cast, Caroline Gloyne and sister Sarah Hickey who all lowered their 100m free times.
In the girls 50m free Gabby Norris and Paige Stapleton both improved their times and Paige also pb’d in the 200m free.
Brother Jacob Stapleton (15) swam a great 200m back and 400m free 2 second pb’s in both.
Moving swiftly on to the Breaststroke boys! Brothers Hamish and Angus Wyatt, 12 and 15 respectively were in good form with the 100m both knocking seconds of their previous times. Hamish won gold in his age group and has certainly left the County with no question as to who their champion 12 year old is, he has now won the 50, 100 and 200 events!! Angus won a bronze in his age group 200m and was 5th in the Junior event with a 5 second pb. Team mate Xander Alari-Williams was proving his National form with wins in the 100 and 200m both in his age group and the Junior, he was also 2nd in the Open. With a 1.7.05 and 2.25.78 he is holding his Country rankings within the 16 year old age group, both fine swims. He also won the 100m IM.
11 year old Fred Biggs was swimming well again, he stormed a 5 second pb in the 400m free and won a bronze medal and with a 1 second pb in the 200m back he was in 4th place.
Last but not least, Paddy Maclachlan took 4 seconds off his 100 free and Max Wallis lowered his 400 free time.
