THE final gala of 2000 for Okehampton Otters Swim Club was held at Sidmouth.
Numbers were down, especially on the boys' team, with only 11 attending. This included Scott Tremain who, being only nine years old, helped the team to fill all the events by swimming in the 11 years relays.
The unusual way that Sidmouth arranged their gala meant that several of the boys were swimming one event only to be back in the water moments later.
However five new club records were set, by: Gareth Jones, 12 years 50m free and 4x25m IM; Simon Medlyn, 15 years 50m free; John Radnor, 11 years 25m fly; and Rebecca Rowe 11 years 50m back.
Individual winners included Jenny Rice, 16/U 50m fly, 50m free and 4x25m IM; Rebecca Rowe 11/U 50m free and 50m back; Imogen MacCullock, 11/U 25 fly; Gareth Jones, 13/U 50m free; Janek Jachnik 13/U 50m breast; Simon Medlyn 16/U 50m free; Holly Dennis 14/U 50m breast; Jo Cade 13/U 50m back, 8x50m canon relay and the girls' 11/U 4x25m medley relay team breaking a club best time.
Seven second places came on the night with the 11/U girls' relay team breaking a club best time in the freestyle relays. This helped them to collect 37 points out of 40 in the gala.
Coach Nigel West said it was sad to see so many not available to swim due to one thing and another. 'This puts extra strain on limited club resources'.
However, he thanked the boys' team for their extra effort to compete in all of the races on the night.
'The valuable point here and there helped us at least beat Wellington.'
He went on to give especial credit to Jo Cade and Janek Jachnik who have both had very good results this year in their number one strokes. They have contributed valuable points throughout the year by remaining virtually unbeaten in inter club galas.
As well as these two, club captains Jenny Rice and Simon Medlyn have both had to cover many events on their own due to lack of numbers in their age groups. They have swum their hearts out on many occasions this year.
At the gala, 19 personal best times came from: Gavin Best, Gemma Jachnik, Janek Jachnik, Gareth Jones (3), Imogen MacCullock, Simon Medlyn (2), Matthew Mingo, John Radnor, Jordon Pring, Jenny Rice (4), Joe Rice, Rebecca Rowe and Jo Cade.
The club can look forward to the year knowing that Devon championship qualifying times are well up on last year and will be better prepared to cope in the North Devon mini league.