TAVISTOCK Swimming Club members started the season with determination with a record number of 52 swimmers competing at the City of Plymouth Gala at The Life Centre over two weekends.  

Some tough training sessions put into place by coaches James Lake and Nathaniel Rookes in September paid off as 197 personal best times were achieved. A total of 68 medals were won – 23 golds, 26 silver and 19 bronze and 17 TSC club records were broken along the way. Nine year-old Evie Palmer swam an incredible 50m breaststroke in a time of 47.27secs to claim a gold medal, the TSC club record and the City of Plymouth Championship record for her age group.

Six swimmers qualified and competed in championship finals. Hannah Walker, seventh 100m butterfly; Cara McVeigh, eighth 100m backstroke; Hannah Gellatly, third 100m butterfly; Sarah Teague, second 100m breaststroke and eighth 100IM; Alfie Morgan, sixth 100m freestyle; Nathaniel Rookes second 100IM and second 100m breaststroke. 

Head coach James Lake attended each session over the gala keeping a watchful eye over performances. He said: ‘I am immensely proud of each and every swimmer, for some it was their first gala. What a super start to the season. I’m very excited to see what the rest of the year holds for Tavistock Swimming Club swimmers.’