OKEHAMPTON Otters swimmers travelled to Bude for an interclub relay gala held at the Splash Leisure pool. Opponents were Bude, Camelford, Wadebridge and Dawlish. Some forty swimmers competed in 25 relay events and although there was no catching the runaway victors, Dawlish, a tightly fought competition ensued for the minor places between the hosts Bude, Okehampton and Wadebridge. By the close only fifteen points separated second third and fourth places and the Otters went home justly satisfied that they had given an excellent performance. With all but one first place comfortably falling to Dawlish there was much competition for second position. Despite numerous close finishes the Otters only managed two seconds. These fell to boys 15-open 4x 100m medley relay team of Matthew Westlake, Gareth Jones, John Radnor and Joe Rice and mixed masters 4x 100m medley relay team of Nick Bowles, Alison Kimber, Paul Biddle and Susie Rice. With typical gala conditions not being possible at this leisure pool the swimmers adapted well and there were several notable and promising performances especially from the younger swimmers. Last minute stand in and swimming against swimmers more senior than himself, nine year old Ben Hurley swam a fantastic 50m backstroke leg performance in his medley relay. Kieran Mitchell swam two 50m butterfly legs in impressive style and although not having competed for a number of months Masters swimmer Paul Biddle swam a notable 100m butterfly in the master?s medley relay. Team Captains John Radnor and Vicky Medlyn were kept busy all evening. Relay squads were as follows: 10 years, Eloise Allen, Eleanor Oakley, Sarah Thomas, Isabelle Ewen, Emily Alexander, Abi Stocks, Sam Collett, George Roberts, George Speak and Ben Hurley. 11 years Alex Hurley, Kimberley Balsdon, Clemency Tilley, Chloe Sanders, Kieran Mitchell, Oliver Kirby and Jake Jendon. 12 years Charlotte Radnor, Rebecca Chapman, Rebecca Vile, Emma Jackman, Tom Alyen and James Speak. 13/14 years, Elona Wonnacott, Amelia Allen, Rebecca Ewen, Rebecca Jarvis, Matthew Westlake, Matthew Webber, Michael Aylen and Tom Gill. 15 and over Vicky Medlyn, Jessica Miller, Scarlett Geering, Matthew Wise, John Radnor, Luke Wonnacott, Josh Speak, Joe Rice and Gareth Jones. Masters Nick Bowles, Paul Biddle, Kevin Jones, Fiona Aylen, Susie Rice and Alison Kimber. The Otters have a record entry exceeding twenty young swimmers for the Devon development galas being held over the next couple of weekends. Organiser and teacher Jane Jachnik is delighted with the interest and enthusiasm being shown currently by the younger club members. The Otters next home gala is on July 16.
