SIXTEEN-year-old Kieran Rookes from Tavistock Swimming Club travelled to Gloucester to compete in the Western Sprint Gala.

Kieran produced a series of good swims, achieving one personal best time in the 50m backstroke and times close to his personal bests in all four of the other events.

After three events — 50m backstroke and freestyle and 100m IM — Kieran was equal fourth in his age group with a number of swimmers close behind him.

In his favourite event, the 50m breaststroke, Kieran produced an excellent swim well ahead of most of his rivals. Kieran then backed this up with a very strong swim in the 50m butterfly to earn himself a well-deserved third place overall in his age group.

Head coach James Lake said: 'Kieran had a tough battle on his hands racing in each stroke, a great swim with his best stroke but he really took it to the competition on his weaker stroke, which gained him a great bronze trophy overall.'

n If you are interested in joining Tavistock Swimming Club, visit its website http://www.tavsc.co.uk/">www.tavsc.co.uk/ and 'contact us'