A HIGHLY competitive swimming gala was held last weekend at Crediton Pool, resulting in a mere eight points separating the final positions.
The fact that Okehampton Otters, Crediton and Tiverton swimming teams were competing at such an even level meant the outcome in the majority of races was not concluded until the last stroke.
There were some exciting finishes and the recent training emphasis Okehampton Otters have been putting into their starts, turns and finishes seemed to make the difference.
The Okehampton swimmers displayed a fantastic level of teamwork with a number sportingly competing in higher age groups to ensure the squad had a swimmer in the water for every event.
Twelve-year-olds Matthew Westlake and Charlotte Rowe appeared to be more in the water than out as between them they competed in 13 events.
Club newcomer 10-year-old Lucy Dixon competed for the first time bravely swimming the scheduled 50m events of her age group.
The 10 years and under squad of Lucy, Charlotte Radnor, Jessica Vick, Eloise Allen, Kieran Mitchell, Tom Aylin, Oskar Mackay and Oliver Kirby had a tough night with all their events, including the relay legs, being over the 50m distance.
The squad finished with 14 first places, 14 personal best performances and three club age group records established.
Individual first places went to Tom Aylin 50m backstroke; Elona Wonnacott, 50m breaststroke; John Radnor, 50m fly; Charlotte Rowe, 50m fly (pb) and 50m backstroke (pb); Matthew Westlake, 50m fly and 50m backstroke; Rebecca Rowe 50m backstroke and Rob Aubry, 100m freestyle.
Relay firsts went to boys 12 and under 200m medley team (Tom Aylin, Michael Aylin, Matthew Webber and Matthew Westlake); girls 14 and under 200m freestyle team (Vicky Medlyn, Scarlet Geering, Rebecca Rowe and Imogen McCullock); boys 14 and under 200m freestyle team (Tom Bradley, Luke Wonnacott, Matthew Westlake and John Radnor); girls 14 and under 200m medley relay team (Rebecca Rowe, Scarlet Geering, Imogen McCullock and Charlotte Rowe) and boys 14 and under 200m medley relay team (Matthew Westlake, Tom Bradley, John Radnor and Luke Wonnacott).
Further personal best performances went to Scarlet Geering, 50m freestyle; Michael Aylin 50m, breastroke; Matthew Westlake, 100m backstroke; Tom Bradley, 50m breastroke; Gemma Jachnik, 100m breastroke, Charlotte Radnor, 50m fly; Gavin Best 100m IM, Lucy Dixon, 50m breastroke; Charlotte Rowe, 100m fly, Oliver Kirby 50m fly, Paul Lawrence, 100m fly, and Luke Wonnacott 50m freestyle.
Age group records are now held by Tom Bradley, 50m breastroke (13 years); Charlotte Rowe, 100m fly (12 years) and Matthew Westlake 100m, backstroke (12 years).
Sam Bradley, Jo Cade and Amelia Allen made up the remaining squad members competing in individual events and relays.
The Otters will be in action again this weekend on home ground, their final gala before their club championships in early December.