A TEAM of Okehampton Otters swimmers accompanied by a host of new faces travelled to Barnstaple on Saturday evening for the last in this year?s North Devon Mini League series against Barnstaple, Ilfracombe and Torridgeside.

With a significant number of regular squad swimmers absent an ideal opportunity presented itself for the team selectors to trial a number of talented young swimmers with their first gala experience. They did not disappoint, presenting a taste of the young potential yet to be realised within the club.

Despite finishing in fourth position behind Ilfracombe, team spirit remained high and the event was enjoyed by all.

Of the 37 individual events swum, 26 personal best times were set and in most cases numerous seconds erased from previous times.

There were six maximum points swims. These were shared between Jenny Rice, Matthew Westlake and Vicky Medlyn. Ten second places were notched up, six being individual swims. Two apiece went to both Rebecca Vile and Rebecca Chapman and one each to Tom Aylen and Joe Rice.

Three Otters age group records went to Jenny Rice (2) and Matthew Westlake. Jenny also improved on her own 100m freestyle Otters club record.

Around a third of the team consisted of swimmers either making their debut performance or were not regular squad swimmers. These could all be termed ?swimmers of the gala? as they were outstanding.

Special recognition should be extended to Martyn Allen, Thomas Adam, Tom Gill and Jonathan Aylen as first swims and to Rebecca Vile and Rebecca Chapman, who were fantastic, and to Rebecca Ewen and Michael Aylen who bravely swam 100m events above age group to gain that valuable team point - and set all new personal best times in doing so.

Personal bests were set by Kieran Mitchell, Chloe Sanders (2), Rebecca Chapman (2), Rebecca Ewen (2), Rebecca Vile (2), Amelia Allen, Sam Bradley, Joe Rice (2), Jenny Rice, Tom Aylen (2), Charlotte Radnor, Matthew Westlake (2), Michael Aylen, Oliver Kirby, Paul Lawrence, Elona Wonnacott, Eleanor Oakley, Martyn Allen and Katherine Manchip.

Boys? squad: Paul Lawrence (captain), Matthew Westlake, Nick Bowles (Master) Sam Bradley, Matthew O?Neil, Tom Gill, Thomas Adam, Matthew Webber, Michael Aylen, Tom Aylen, Jonathan Aylen, Oliver Kirby, Joe Rice, Kieran Mitchell, Janek Jachnik, John Radnor, Martyn Allen, Luke Wonnacott.

Girls? squad: Vicky Medlyn (captain), Katherine Manchip, Jenny Rice, Gemma Jachnik, Rebecca Chapman, Rebecca Vile, Rebecca Ewen, Elona Wonnacott, Kelly Holter, Chloe Sanders, Eleanor Oakley, Abigail Stocks, Eloise Allen, Amelia Allen, Charlotte Radnor, Alison Kimber (Master), Rebecca Jarvis.

This concludes this year?s North Devon Mini League series. Okehampton Masters swimmers will be competing in two weeks? time at the Devon Masters event at Tiverton and a large number of young Okehampton Otters swimmers have entered this year?s Devon Development galas in June.