OKEHAMPTON Otters Swimming Club travelled to Honiton to compete in a five-way contest.
Charlotte Radnor, Imogen MacCullock, Amelia Allan and Vicky Medlyn swam in 29 events, including relays, so the club could fulfil all but two of the races. Thanks to their spirit, along with the rest of the squad, the club managed to finish in fourth place ahead of Ilminster. Honiton and Ilfracombe were only 24 and 25 points ahead with Exmouth a further 25 points in front to take the top three positions.
A total of seven first places were swum. Matthew Westlake came away with three of these in the ten years age group swimming the 4x25m, im, 50m back and 50m free.
Success came in the breaststroke events with Imogen, Janek Jachnik and Merrick Kirby all winning 50m events.
The other win was by the 10 years 4x25m medley relay team of Tom Aylen, Merrick, Matthew Westlake and Matthew Webber.
A total of 21 personal best times were swum by Amelia Allen x 3, Robert Aubry, Gavin Best, Gemma Jachnik, Janek Jachnik x 2, Gareth Jones, Merrick Kirby, Imogen MacCullock x 3, Vicky Medlyn, Charlotte Radnor, John Radnor x 2, Connie Shackleton, Matthew Westlake, Alex Wooldridge and Daniel Worrall.
The captain's choice for their swimmer of the gala was Amelia Allen.
On the following Sunday, Vicky Medlyn, Alex Wooldridge and Matthew Westlake made the long journey to Truro for an open sprint meet. All three swam to a high level and came away with a clutch of medals. Matthew Westlake fell into the 10 years age group and competed in all five events. He swam to three finals gaining a fifth at 50m breast, fifth at 50m fly, fifth at 50m back and a good third at the 4x25m individual medley.
Alex swam five events and in the 11 years age group gained a third at 50m breast, sixth for his im and an eighth for the fly, back 15th and free 19th.
Vicky was consistent with swims that produced a third at 50m breast , third at 50m fly and sixth at the im event.
Coach Nigel West said that for the swimmers to have swum hard the evening before and come away with such good results showed what character there was in the club.
At Honiton gala the swimmers achieved a fourth place and were not that far off the others in real terms despite being without some regular people who were unavailable.
The sports week gala is being held on Sunday July 14 at 5.30pm. All are welcome to join in. For further information about the club ring Nigel on 53431.