City of Coventry Open Meet - May 2015
16 May 2015
Pershore’s Simon Sweatman was in dominant form at the recent Level 1 Coventry Open Meet, taking seven gold medals from seven events. Competing in the 12 year old age group, Sweatman saw off challenges from top opposition from some of the Midland’s biggest swimming clubs including City of Derby, Boldmere, Nova Centurion and City of Coventry.
Sweatman (12) took all four gold medals in the freestyle, producing a series of strong performances to win the 50m in 28.86 (MQT), 100m free in 1.02.83 (MQT), the 200m free in 2.16.34 (MQT) and 400m free in 4.45.07 (MQT). He then made it a clean sweep in the backstroke, again winning all three events with wins in the 50m back in 33.17 (MQT), 100m back in 1.08.89 (MQT) and 200m back in 2.28.90 (MQT).
Alexandra Barry (11) was another swimmer in sparkling form and looking to achieve qualification times for the forthcoming Midland District Championships in June. Barry stormed to five gold medals, with her best performance of the weekend coming in the 200m IM, clocking 2.43.38 to claim a well-deserved MQT. She then claimed four more gold medals in the 50m back (36.77), 200m back (2.46.84), 200m free (2.27.22) and 400m free (5.14.40) and had to settle for second places in the 100m free (1.09.56) and 50m fly (35.03 MQT) plus bronze in the 400m IM (5.55.94).
Patrick Heeks (11) bagged six medals across the weekend including two gold medals. Heeks’ best performance was undoubtedly in the gruelling 200m fly, when he edged out some top District swimmers from Nova and Ellesmere to win gold in 2.48.96. Heeks’ second victory came in the 50m free (31.93) and he then snatched silver medals in the 100m back (1.17.35), 100m free (1.08.23), 50m fly (35.62) and bronze in the 100m fly (1.16.72). And although he didn’t medal in the 200m IM, his time of 2.51.62 was enough to secured another MQT.
In the girl’s 10 year old age group, Jasmine Franks claimed her first gold at a Level 1 meet, with a fantastic swim in the 50m breaststroke with a time of 45.55. Franks came close to making it double gold in the breaststroke, being edged into second place in the 100m breast with 1.34.71 and was unlucky to finish fourth in both the 50m free (34.32) and 200m IM (3.05.24).
Despite Chris Vizard (13) producing massive long course personal bests throughout the weekend, the competition in the 13 year age group was such that he only came away with bronze medals in the 200m fly (2.41.54) and 50m fly (31.78). He came close to two more podium finishes, with fourth places in the 100m fly (1.11.49) and 50m breast (38.02).
Other swimmers competing at Coventry, either just missing out on medals or producing personal bests included:
- Megan Annis (12) - 100m free (1.09.86), 200m back (2.45.79) and 50m fly (34.70);
- Isobel Cumming (12) - 400m IM (6.14.43), 100m free (1.14.18), 200m free (2.37.31), 200m IM (3.03.22), 50m fly (37.41), 50m free (34.12), 100m fly (1.30.21), 100m back (1.24.90) and 400m free (5.21.30)
- Amy Weston (13) - 100m free (1.11.78), 200m back (2.40.53) and 50m fly (35.08)
- Jasmine Taite (14) - 100m free (1.08.37), 200m free (2.33.84), 100m back (1.18.26), 50m fly (33.36) and 50m free (31.14)