THE 2002 annual Okehampton Otters Swimming Club championships became one of the most open competitions for many years.

This year?s competition had many age groups where no one person was to dominate overall.

The introduction of many new distance and sprint events in all categories gave all abilities the chance to shine in their particular physical strengths.

The championships were held over three evenings, for the first time, due to the amount of entries and the expanding programme.

This year?s galas also proved to be a record breaking affair with as many as 27 current championship records broken and 47 new times set in the new events.

Two swims of note went to Jenny Rice, who swam to a new 17 and over age group100m breaststroke record. The time beaten was the longest female championship record on the books, going back to 1993.

Alex Wooldridge emulated this by erasing the 11/12 years? 50m butterfly record set back in 1992; again this was the longest standing boy record.

The swimmers kept the analysts busy by posting a total of 51 club record swims and amassing a terrific 240 personal best swims, too many to include in this report.

Head coach Nigel West said the figures spoke wonders for the ability in the club. ?We have achieved so much this year, in and out of the water. The Devon qualifying times have gone up by 20% on last year and competition for places in the squad is stronger than ever,? he said.

Overall placings in the age groups: - Boys 8/under: 1 Kieran Mitchell , 2 Jacob Law. 9 years: 1 Oliver Kirby, 2 Chris Courtier. 10 years: 1 Matthew Webber. 11/12 years: 3 Michael Aylen, 2 Matthew Westlake, 1 Alex Wooldridge. 1 3/14 years: 3 John Radnor, 2 Janek Jachnik, 1 Gareth Jones. 15/16 years: 1 Gareth Jones. Open: 2 Gareth Jones, 1 David Dennis.

Girls? 8/under : 3 Rachel Coombe, 2 Isobelle Ewen, 1 Eloise Allen. 9 years: 3 Jessica Vick, 2 Jody Bailey, 1 Rebecca Vile. 10 years: 3 Lily Davies, 2 Georgia Kelly, 1 Charlotte Radnor. 11/12 years: 3 Amelia Allen, 2 Scarlett Geering, 1 Charlotte Rowe. 13/14 years: 3 Imogen MacCullock, joint 1 Vicky Medlyn and Rebecca Rowe. 15/16 years: 3 Gemma Jachnik, 2 Holly Dennis, 1 Johanna Cade: 17/18 years: 1 Jenny Rice. Open: 2 Vicky Medlyn, 1 Jenny Rice.

The awards were given to the above at the annual meeting held at the Conservative Club by retiring chairman Mike Reynolds. Mike has been with the club virtually from the start and has been in the chair for 7 years. Sadly, he has stepped down, but is keeping links with the club.

Others to receive awards on the night were: Captain Gavin Best?s nominations of most improved swimmers: John Radnor and Holly Dennis.

The coach?s Otter award was shared between Imogen MacCullock and Amelia Allen, mainly due to their performances at galas where both swam many races in the cause of getting extra points for the club.

The club also expressed thanks to Waitrose, Okeford vets, Paula Allen and Robert Aubry for donating trophies for the club championships.