A HIGHLY motivated and improving Okehampton Otters swimming squad travelled to Honiton last week to compete in a five way inter club event.
In a tightly fought gala Okehampton were narrowly beaten into a respectable third spot by a difference of only eight points. Gala victors were Kingsbridge followed by Honiton and Okehampton ? Bridport and Ilminster taking the minor positions.
Exciting racing and close finishing was the essence of this evenly matched gala keeping the atmosphere highly charged, the travelling support very vocal and on the edge of their seats throughout.
Okehampton came away winning a third of the events. Other finishes being so close that places were literally decided on the touch!
Five club records were broken with eleven swimmers achieving sixteen personal best times between them.
Notable performances came from Gareth Jones, Alex Wooldridge and Jenny Rice in the 14/U, 12/U and Open age groups respectively, breaking club records and personal bests in their age groups.
The boys in the 100m IM and 50m Freestyle and Jenny in the Open 50m breaststroke event.
In addition to the club records and personal bests, sixteen first places were notched up with Gareth and Jenny walking away with four first places each, Alex and Vicky Medlyn three a piece, Matthew Wise and Matthew Westlake a further one each.
Okehampton gained further success accumulating eight second positions, three of these being in the mixed relay events.
Other Personal Best times were improved on by Amelia Allen (100m IM and 50m Butterfly ), Oliver Kirby ( 100m IM and 25m Butterfly), Matthew Wise (50m Backcrawl and 50m Freestyle), Gavin Best (100 IM), Natalie Bowles (50m Freestyle), Charlotte Radnor (100m IM), John Radnor (50 Backcrawl) and Elona Wonnacott (50m Freestyle).
The Captain?s swimmer of the Gala was awarded to 9 year old Oliver Kirby who swam a total of 4 individual events and 3 relays on the night.
Club secretary Debbie Webber officiating at the finish said:The end result does not reflect the levels of the swims on the night.
?As a finish judge I can say that this was no gala of clear and easy placings. The finishes went down to the very finger nails.?
l Devon Youth Trials, May 24:
Okehampton swimmers have again been in action this weekend in a Devon Youth Trials Gala at Okehampton swimming pool.
Around twenty young swimmers entered from their academic year groups 4, 5, 6 and 7, swimming in 50m events, 100m Individual Medleys and a 200m Freestyle trial.
For many of the children this represented a taste of the thrill of competition for the first time and for some, gaining valuable racing experience.
The Gala was supported by West Devon Borough Council and times have been forwarded for consideration in the squad selection.
West Devon Youth Squad will be in action in the Devon Youth Games in June. Okehampton Otters? swimmers represent a rapidly improving and expanding swimming club.
Anyone considering joining, young and old alike ? the club boasts a thriving Masters section ? should contact the membership secretary on 01837 840362 for more information.