MORE than 200 people, including Otters swimmers, their family and friends and VIP guests, assembled in what earlier in the day had a been a typical school sports hall - creativity from secretary Debbie Webber with the assistance of other club members left the college sports hall transformed into a venue worthy of a presentation ceremony.

The introductions were by club chairman Kevin Jones followed by an inspiring message from newly qualified club coach Rob Aubry.

The presentation of 20 trophies to the Age Group Club Champions, runners-up and third place medals together with almost 100 certificates were performed by VIP guests Olympic swimmer Nick Gillingham and Okehampton College principal Chris Powell. Other invited guests were Pam Wade and Larry Hill.

Presentations of the age group trophies and medals were:

Boys 8 years and under: 1 Jack Cherrington, 2 Jonathan Aylen, 3 Christopher Mearden.

Boys 9 years: 1. Sam Collett, 2. George Speak, 3. Kieran Mitchell.

Boys 10 years: 1 Tom Aylen, 2 Oliver Kirby, 3 Sam Hill.

Boys 11 years: 1 Matthew Webber, 2 James Speak, 3 Matthew Harding.

Boys 12 years: 1 Matthew Westlake, 2 Michael Alyen, 3 William Leech.

Boys 13 years: 1 Edward Molyneux, 2 Robert Chapman.

Boys 14 years: 1 John Radnor, 2 Luke Wonnacott, 3 Joshua Speak.

Boys 15 years: 1 Janek Jachnik, 2 Paul Lawrence, 3 Joe Rice.

Boys 16 years: 1 Gavin Best.

Men?s Masters: 1 David Dennis, 2 Nick Bowles, 3 Paul Hammet.

Men?s Open Champion (50m events and over): 1 Janek Jachnik, 2 Gavin Best, 3 David Dennis.

Girls 8 years and under: 1 Kim Stanton, 2 Isabelle Ewen, 3 Sarah Thomas.

Girls 9 years: 1 Eloise Allen, 2 Abigail Stocks, 3 Chloe Sanders.

Girls 10 years: 1 Rebecca Vile, 2 Lucy Dixon, 3 Isabelle Seccombe.

Girls 11 years: 1 Charlotte Radnor, 2 Rebecca Chapman, Mia Fallon Clarke.

Girls 12 years: 1 Charlotte Rowe, 2 Elona Wonnacott, 3 Abigail Hill.

Girls 13 years: 1 Scarlet Geering, 2 Jessica Miller, 3 Stacey Endacott.

Girls 14 years: Vicky Medlyn, 2 Rebecca Rowe.

Girls 15 years: 1 Katherine Manchip.

Girls 16 years: 1 Jo Cade.

Girls 17 years: 1 Holly Dennis, 2 Gemma Jachnik, 3 Hayley Jones.

Girls 18 years: 1 Jenny Rice.

Ladies? Masters: 1 Alison Kimber, 2 Jackie Jarvis, 3 Fiona Aylen.

Ladies? Open Champion 2003 (50m events and over): 1 Jenny Rice, 2 Vicky Medlyn, 3 Rebecca Rowe.

Additional awards went to Matthew Westlake and Elona Wonnacott with trophies for the most improved boy and girl swimmer as selected by the club teachers.

The ?Otter? figurine for the coaches? choice for outstanding competitor went to Lucy Dixon.

Kieran Mitchell and Charlotte Rowe were awarded the chairman?s shields for the most enthusiastic boy and girl swimmer.

Masters swimmer and teacher Nick Bowles received the Club Members? Trophy for his outstanding efforts on the committee.

The evening presented an opportunity to thank outgoing club captains Gavin Best and Jo Cade for their hard work and dedication over the year and introduce the new captains for 2004. Incoming captains and vice-captains are Rebecca Rowe assisted by Vicky Medlyn and Paul Lawrence assisted by John Radnor.

Following a buffet supper provided by the swimmers? parents, a lively disco completed the evening?s entertainment.

The swimming club expressed thanks to everyone who helped on the day. To those dedicated committee members who have worked so hard over the last few months making this event possible, and the swimmers and their parents who support the club week after week.

Special thanks should be extended to parent Phil Allen for creating the fantastic shields and to Chris Powell for allowing the club to use the college buildings during the day and evening.

Training this week will be focused towards this Saturday?s home venue for the next round of the North Devon Mini League series of galas.

The committee will now be concentrating on arrangements for the annual meeting scheduled for Saturday February 28.