SATURDAY was the first session of the Devon County Amateur Swimming Association Championships and Age-groups.

Kelly College sent eight swimmers to compete in this session for the long distance events, 1500m freestyle for men 13 and older, 800m freestyle for 12 year old boys and 800m freestyle for ladies 12 and over.

Gavin Stokes (14) represented Kelly College in the men's 1500m freestyle, coming sixth in his age-group in a time of 21.00.35, a personal best.

Gavin is a National Triathlon Age-group Champion and was competing in the long distance to help improve the swim section of his Triathlon.

Kelly had four girls in the 800m freestyle with Beth Campbell-Boseley (14) repeating her win of last year in her age-group and coming fourth in the Championship in 9.44.06 (pb).

Beth, swimming in an outside lane and seeded the slowest in her heat, put on an excellent exhibition of intelligent swimming to win her heat.

Jessica Clear (12), swimming the 800m competitively for the first time, performed well to take nearly a minute off her entry time with 11.51.72 and was placed tenth in her age-group.

Rachel Banfield and Jacqui Couch were both seeded into the fastest heat of the competition.

Jacqui, swimming in the 16 years age-group, came second in 9.50.49, which was a seven second personal best.

Rachel, in the 17 years and over age-group, also came second in 9.24.92, a personal best by 16 secs, which placed her third in the championship.

The best race of the session was the last heat of the boys 800m freestyle which saw three Kelly College boys, Thomas Howe, Nye Levett and Daniel Kidwell competing for the title.

Thomas Howe and Patrick Friel (Exeter City) swam neck and neck for the first 26 lengths.

Patrick then took the initiative and pulled a body length ahead of Tom but on the last length Tom fought back and finished just .44 of a second behind Patrick to take second place in 9.38.95 with Nye third in 9.51.43 and Daniel fourth in 9.56.29.

All three swimmers performed personal best times.

Kelly College achieved one gold, three silvers, and two bronze medals at this the first of thirteen sessions in the Championships.

Thist weekend is the middle distance freestyle events and the 400m Individual Medley on the Saturday and the relay events on the Sunday.