13 Jul 2014




24 youngsters from Pershore Swimming Club entered the annual ‘Pied Piper’ Aquathlon held at Cheltenham’s Sandford Park 50m outdoor lido, coming away with five age group titles.

David Annis (8) was the first winner for Pershore, with a massive victory in the Tristar 8 year old boy age group (54m swim, 400m run) and a new course record too.  Annis, one of several promising young talents coming through Pershore’s ranks, led from the whistle putting in a dominant display on the swim and putting a staggering 15m into his rivals over the sprint distance.  Coming into transition with a clear lead, Annis then set about increasing this on the 400m run and never looked troubled to win in 02.14, almost 45 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.  Euan Kirby (8) also made the podium, coming home in an excellent third in a time of 2.57 after good performances in the swim and run.

In the girls Tristar 8 year old girls event, Leah Saunders (8) looked very strong and was in second place after the swim.  A good transition ensured Saunders didn’t lose any time and putting in a good run, she managed to grab a fantastic second in 2.49 and only seven seconds behind the winner.

In the boys 9-10 year old age group (100m swim, 1300m run), Cameron Leach (10) ensured that Pershore were again amongst the medals.  Exiting the water in first place, Leach set about building upon his early lead and settled in quickly to the run.  With two laps of the course completed, Leach put in a final sprint to ensure victory number two for Pershore with a time of 9.04. In the girls 9-10 age group, Jasmine Franks and Lauren Annis were just beaten into fourth and fifth places respectively to narrowly miss out on the podium.

Megan Annis (11) made it a double family celebration, taking gold in the girls 11-12 year old age group (200m swim/1900m run).  With a typically strong swim on the 200m freestyle, Annis was in the lead from the start and after another good transition soon set about putting more time between her rivals.  And after three laps of the course, Annis romped home in 13.36 which was nearly a minute ahead of her nearest rival.  Satara Ferreira, who used to swim with Pershore SC but now competes for Evesham Vale Triathletes, came home in fourth in 14.40.

In the boys 11-12 year old age group, William Gearey (11) brought home the fourth title for Pershore with a dominant performance. Exiting the swim in second place just behind team mate, Simon Sweatman, a very quick transition from Gearey saw him take the lead before moving onto the run course.  Gearey then extended his lead with a powerful display of running, coming home in 12.30, over 20 seconds ahead of second place.  Chris Vizard (12) also put in an excellent performance with sixth in a time of 13.50.

Pershore struck gold again in the boys 13/14 year old age group (400m swim/2500m run), with Callum Sanderson retaining his title from 2013. Exiting the water in second place, Sanderson (14) soon set about clawing back the leader on the run, over-taking his rival on lap two.  With two laps to go, Sanderson never looked like losing his position and extended his lead by nearly 20 seconds to take victory in 18.02.  Josh Sharratt (13) was unlucky not to get on the podium, finishing with a fine fourth place in 21.49. 

In the girls event, Casarena Ferreira grabbed second spot in the 13/14 year old age group, with a steady swim seeing her exit the water in fourth position.  A customary strong run over the four laps saw Ferreira over take her rivals in the first few laps to move into second and she finished in 19.23.  Helena Leach was another PSC swimmer unlucky to miss a podium place, finishing in fourth position with a time of 22.18.

In the 15/16 year age group events (400m swim/3100 run), Katie Sharratt grabbed the final podium for the club with a time of 25.50. Sharratt’s swim was strong and she put in a brave run performance battling through the pain barrier.

Other Pershore swimmers who took part included Caitlin Yates, Amelia Gearey, Gabriella Barry, Sophie Thomas, Georgia Winkley, Simon Sweatman, Jamie Saunders, Alexandra Barry, Owen Kirby, Hazel Clay and Holly Winkley.


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