SAMANTHA Calcutt competed at the Great Britain Masters Championships in Sheffield and did so in the tough age group of 19-24 — Sam is at the bottom end of the age group at 19.
Sam, who was a swim star at Kelly College, has moved on to university at Loughborough and used Masters racing as a springboard to her England swim team ambitions.
Sam's first event was 50 metres freestyle and she narrowly missed first place with a fast time, doing 27.54 for the silver medal.
50 metres butterfly was the next event and 27 swimmers competed in it, all of them talented. Sam from Tavistock fought hard to the end and again came second and so close to first place.
50 metres breaststroke was next and Samantha does not consider this to be her best stroke. Sixteen swimmers fought hard for this medal but, at last, Sam won gold, with an outstanding time of 34.62
The next event came a little quickly as it was immediately after the breaststroke win — 100 metres freestyle, and a tired Sam gave her best and achieved a good time of 60.38, another medal, this time bronze.
In the last event, the 100 metres individual medley, 21 swimmers took part in the 19-24 age group.
Sam worked hard and, by now a little tired, came second. Her time of 1.08.79 was good and at the end of the day and weekend Sam was pleased with her results — one gold medal, three silver medals, one bronze medal.
Sam lives in Tavistock and was at Kelly College from age 11 under coach Archie Brew and director of swimming Robin Brew.