Personal Bests fall at Wolverhampton
15 Jan 2012
Personal Bests fall at Wolverhampton.
When twenty seven members of Pershore Swimming Club travelled to Wolverhampton last week to compete individually in the annual Stourbridge Crystal Open Meet they came away with 75 personal bests (pbs), 55 County Qualifying times (CQT) being achieved means it looks like they are reaching peak condition for the forthcoming County Championships with twenty two of the club having now qualified.
The club's youngest swimmers showed their strength throughout the day and were never out of the medals. Nine year old Simon Sweatman fresh from his record breaking appearance in the South Worcestershire Middle Schools Gala and although over qualified (too quick) to compete in the 50m free, took a prized commemorative crystal glass trophy for winning the combined 9/10 year group in the 50m fly (37.62) as well as taking a 1st place in the 50m back (39.02) and 100m Individual Medley (IM). Sweatman now officially sits in 2nd position, in the whole of the UK, in the 50m free, 50m back and 50m fly events and being 3rd in the 100 IM, 5thin the 200 back, 5th in the 200 free and 6th in the 200 IM for his end of year ranking in May matching anything anyone in the club has ever achieved before.
For the girls, nine year old Naomi Marsden also set some new startling pbs with 54.30 in the 50 breaststroke; 39.69 in the 50m free and an 8 second improvement in the 100m IM (1:46.48). Isobella Woodcock set a great new pb in winning the nine year old 50m breaststroke with 47.44 also setting pbs in the 50m free with 40.68 and the 100m IM with 1:41.76.
Sister and brother swimmers Katie and Josh Sharratt (now 4thin the County in the 50 fly) set pbs in nearly all their events as too did Drew and Angus Jones. Younger of the brothers twelve year old Drew collected 2nd place medals in the 200m back; 50m breaststroke' and 3rd place in the 100m (1.14.70) gaining the CQT 50m back (38.96) to go with his fifteen others. Elder brother Angus (14) set five pbs out of his six events being victor in the 200m fly (3:03.78) and taking 2ndplace in the 200m back with 2:38.16. Ten year old Christopher Vizard collected a similar haul winning the 1stplace trophy in the 50m free (36.68) and 2nd places in the 50m back (43.84) and 50m fly (45.23) whilst elder sister Lizzie set three pbs in the 200m breast (3:09.80); 200m back (2:54.24) and the 100m free (1:11.41) out of her seven events. Brothers Benjamin (aged 11) and William Clarke (aged 9) recorded pbs in nearly all their eleven events in their grueling first major all day Open Meet.
Ten year old Makenzie Christys won the 3rd place medal in the 50m fly with a great new pb of 41.19 also setting new pbs in the 50m free (38.79) and gained her first CQT in the 100m IM (1:31.55). Still aged eleven Jack Betteridge proudly took his 3rd place medal in the highly competitive 50m back with a new pb of 40.25 setting another three pbs in the 50m breast (46.37); 50m free (34.38) and 200m free (2:42.53). Brothers Benjamin (aged 11) and William Clarke (aged 9) recorded pbs in nearly all their eleven events in their grueling first major all day Open Meet.
Setting great new pbs was Isobel Cumming improving by over 2 seconds in the 50m back (51.36); 50m free (43.40) and 100m IM (1:56.86), together with fourteen year old Ashley Gribble gaining another CQT in the 100m free (1:09.13) with a pb in the 200m IM with 2:59.00. Another member setting a record in the Middle Schools gala last week was Owen Leeks and once again proving he is steadily improving with a pb in the 50m fly (37.01) and winning a well deserved 2nd place medal. Eleven year old Callum Sanderson not only set four pbs but recorded a CQT in the 200m backstroke. Amy Weston added to the medal haul with a 3rdplace in the 50m back with 42.08.
Other swimmers impressing on the day by setting a host of pbs were County qualifiers Hope Rochell; Maisy Robertson; Joseph Doyle; together with Daisy Tolley; Louise Hird; Emily Burton and Hannah Simister.
Ian