FOR the first time Okehampton Otters are in a league — they are competing against Barnstaple, Torridgeside and Ilfracombe.

Otters look upon it as an exciting challenge to see how they can improve regularly swimming against bigger clubs.

The first event was in Barnstaple on February 5, Otters came last, 55 points behind third placed Ilfracombe.

Otters were disadvantaged in that 18 swimmers asked to swim did not swim. Some did not even let the coach know they could not compete.

In the league events each swimmer is only allowed to swim a maximum of two events in their own age group and two in the age group above. For example, in the 10 and under boys, only one swimmer attended, but he was only allowed to swim two races, so two events could not be contested. Nine other events also could not be swum by Otters.

This is throwing points away, even for coming last the club gets some valuable points. Otters are urged to try harder to be available and check the time the coach leaves on the notice-board, which is in the entrance to the swimming pool.

Those that did attend swam very hard. This resulted in two first places, four seconds, 17 thirds, six new club records and 19 new personal best times.

First places: Joanna Cade 12 and 13 backstroke, 1.23.58 (this is a Devon qualifying time). Girls 11 years 4x12 medley relay.

Second places: Vicky Medlyn, 11 years 50m freestyle; Sally Young, 11 years 50m backstroke; David Dennis 100m open breaststroke; girls 11 years 4x25 freestyle relay.

The club records were set by Joanna's backstroke, Janik Jachnik, 12 years 100m breaststroke (1.35.30); Simon Medlyn, 15 years 100m backstroke (1.22.58); Emma Pollard 12 years breaststroke (1.42.85); Andrew Smith set two 16 years old records — 100m freestyle and individual medley (1.16.00, 1.21.66); Catherine Souness, 9 years 50m freestyle (00.54.09).

Personal bests were achieved by: Joe Rice, Gavin Best, Alistair Felton (2), Victoria Medlyn, David Dennis, Holly Dennis, Sally Young, Jenny Rice, Matthew Wise, Imogen Maccullock and Caroline Law.

Overall, the standard in Otters has improved rapidly, it now has eight Devon Championship qualifying times. This is a vast improvement as the last few years there have been one or two county times. Congratulations go to those swimmers who have done the necessary training to achieve these times.