A CONTINGENT of 20 swimmers of all ages from Tavistock Swimming Club took part in the Torquay Leander Christmas Sprint Meet last month — six gaining top five places and many with personal best times. The club finished in seventh position overall.
In the nine years age group, Beth Thompson finished sixth in the butterfly, seventh in the freestyle, eighth in the 100m individual medley (IM) and 10th in both the breaststroke and backstroke and gained three personal best (PB) times. Jake France (nine years) gained two PBs and Maddie Handel (10 years) earned three PBs.
Emily Attfield (11 years) enjoyed a successful meet, coming fifth in the breaststroke, sixth in the backstroke and seventh in the freestyle, butterfly and IM with four PBs. James Anderson (11 years) finished seventh in the freestyle and IM, eighth in the butterfly, ninth in the breaststroke and 10th in the backstroke and two PBs. Chloe Marks (12 years) took eighth place in the freestyle and earned PBs in four of her races. Kieran Rookes (12 years) swam well to gain first places in the freestyle, backstroke (PB) and IM, second in the breaststroke and third in the butterfly. Harry Thompson (12 years) gained fourth place in the freestyle, fifth in the butterfly (PB), sixth in both the backstroke and IM and seventh in the breaststroke.
Cameron McGurk (13) earned first place in the backstroke, second in the butterfly, third in the freestyle, fourth in the IM and sixth in the breaststroke with three PB times. Holly Gibbs (13) finished fifth in the freestyle (PB), seventh in the breaststroke, eighth in the IM (PB), ninth in the butterfly and tenth in the backstroke race.
The 14 years and over age group is always hotly contested. Abigail Best (14) gained a PB time, whilst Rhys Merriott came 10th in the backstroke and earned three PBs. Nathaniel Rookes (16 years) finished seventh in the breaststroke and eighth in the backstroke earning two PB times.
Girls' club captain Kirsty Best (18) came first in the breaststroke in a personal best time, third in the IM, sixth in the butterfly (PB), seventh in the freestyle and eighth in the backstroke (PB). Boys' club captain Ross Williams (18) gained fifth place in the butterfly and tenth in the IM.
Michael Best (20) was placed second in the breaststroke, third in the IM, fourth in both the butterfly and backstroke and sixth in the freestyle. Jason Butler (21) swam to third place in the freestyle, fifth in the IM (PB), sixth in the backstroke (PB), seventh in the butterfly race (PB) and ninth in the breaststroke (PB).
Also taking part and gaining valuable competition swimming experience were Gemma Arundel (nine years), Verity Germon (10) and Bel Germon (12).
In the total points score, Kieran Rookes won the 12 year-old boys, with Harry Thompson in fifth place. Cameron McGurk came third in the 13 year old boys. In the 14 years and over boys, Michael Best finished third with Jason Butler in equal fifth place. Kirsty Best finished third in the 14/O girls.
If you are interested in joining Tavistock Swimming Club, please speak to Sheila Radgick on 01822 618272.