KELLY College swimmers took on the rest of the country at Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham in the National Open Water Championships over the bank holiday weekend and came out on top with some excellent individual swims. Matthew Henry, aged 17, national champion in the boys? 1,750m 15/16years Open Water 2006, moved up to the men?s 2k, 17 to 24 years age group and finished a minute ahead of his nearest rival to take the gold medal and championship title. Matthew has been invited by Plymouth Sports Forum to attend the visit of Lord Coe to Plymouth in September to enable Lord Coe and guests to meet elite athletes and their coaches who have the opportunity to participate in 2008 and 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Caroline Ball (18), won the ladies? 2k, 17 to 24 years age group, well ahead of any opposition to become the ladies? champion. Caroline is now heading for The Lake District, where she will be competing in the Windermere 10 mile swim. Matthew Stacey (15), competing in the boys 15/16 1,750m placed fourth whilst his sister Kathryn (13), swimming at the championships for the first time swam a brave race to take the bronze medal in the girls 13/14, 1,500m championship. Hannah Ball (13) also placed well in the same age group. l Devon County ASA took part in the National Team Event and Matthew Henry, Matthew Stacey and Kathryn Stacey of Kelly College, representing Devon County, took the gold medal with the fastest time of the day from the three individual events, when added together. Teams from Scotland North and Gloucester came second and third respectively.
