Sheffield 'Dukeries' Open 2013
08 Sep 2013
Pershore
Swimming Club got off to a flying start to the 2013/2014 swimming season,
sending a small youth squad to compete in the annual Dukeries Open Meet in
SheffieldÆs Ponds Forge 50m international pool. Competing against some very strong swimmers from Yorkshire and the
northern county regions, Pershore came away with a very credible nine podium finishes,
two BAGCAT age group gold medals for top individual performances and smashed
countless personal bests during the meeting.
Simon
Sweatman (11) produced a string of class performances and proved to be
PershoreÆs star swimmer over the weekend. Sweatman won a staggering six trophies during the meeting including
three golds, two silvers and a bronze medal as well as picking up the BAGCAT
trophy for the single best performance for an 11 year old boy.
SweatmanÆs
first medal came in the boys 11/12 year old 50m butterfly, producing a new pb
time of 33.87 seconds to take silver û this time also now puts Sweatman at the
top of the end of year UK rankings for long course. This was soon followed by a gold medal as
Sweatman powered to victory in the boys 10/11 year old 100m freestyle in a
brilliant 1.05.13 which was three seconds ahead of his second place rival. His performance in the 100m freestyle also
earned him 373 points and the 11 year old BAGCAT trophy for best individual
age-group performance. Sweatman added a
second silver medal in the boys 11/12 year old 50m backstroke in 36.27 and then
smashed his opposition to take gold in the boys 10/11 year old 100m fly in a
massive pb of 1.17.73 and nearly five seconds clear of his rivals. Sweatman added two further medals taking gold
in the boys 10/11 year old 100m backstroke, one of his strongest events, again
in a new pb time of 1.18.41 and a second bronze in the boys 11/12 year old 50m
freestyle in 30.22 which Sweatman is now third in the end of year UK rankings.
William
Gearey (10) and Megan Annis (10) also both produced a set of strong
performances that saw them both in medals and also challenging in the top six
places for most events. In GeareyÆs
favourite event the 50m freestyle, he started as top seed and never looked like
being challenged. Gearey took gold in
the boys 10 year old 50m freestyle in a new pb time of 32.12 which also moved
him into second place for end of year UK rankings for long course. His performance in the 50m freestyle earned
him 275 points which was sufficient to take the BAGCAT trophy for the single
best performance for a 10 year old boy. Gearey also produced a 1.12.38 in the boys 10/11 year old 100m freestyle
which saw him take fifth place, the highest 10 year old in the event, and also
another top five UK ranking for long course.
Annis grabbed
an excellent silver in the girls 10 year old 50m freestyle, coming home in
34.76 seconds and showing that she is one to watch at this distance. Annis currently lies second in the Midlands
region for her age at this distance in the long course. During the meeting, Annis produced a string
of strong performances including fourth places in the 10 year old 50m
backstroke (42.53) and 50m breaststroke (48.40) and a fifth place in the 10
year old 50m fly (41.60).
Other
notable performances including Hazel Clay (10) competing in her first long
course meeting ever who showed real determination in all her events and smashed
several personal bests on the way.
Clay set
48.33 in 50m free, 1.07.03 in the 50m fly and 1.55.64 in the 100m free.
Alexandra
Dobell (16) 1.40.27 in the girls 14 year and over 100m breast, 37.10 in the 14 year and over 50m fly and 1.13.01
in the girls 14 year and over 100m free and 1.27.00 in the 100m back.
Patrick
Heeks (10) continued to show promising signs, producing several massive pbs
during the day including the boys 10 year 50m butterfly (42.16), the 100m
freestyle (1.25.55), 44.00 in the 50m backstroke, 37.75 in the 50m freestyle
and 1.40.45 in the 100m backstroke.
Calum
Sanderson (13) produced a 34.06 in the 50m free, 1.28.18 in the 100m backstroke
and 1.12.68 in the 100m freestyle, while younger sister Kate Sanderson (10)
braved the girls ten year old 100m fly finishing in 2.07.83 and then went on to
set 46.54 in the 50m fly.
Other
Pershore swimmers that competed well and set pbs included Josh Sharratt (11),
Katie Sharratt (15), Isobel Cumming (10), Charlotte Downey (10) and Melissa
Radley (11).
Ian
Cumming, Pershore swimming coach, said: "The Yorkshire region is one of the most competitive in the UK so itÆs
great experience for our swimmers to go up against them. We are delighted to get so many podium
finishes and personal bests especially as it is much harder swimming in a long
course 50m pool. SimonÆs performance was
exceptional and heÆs now chasing national times so hopefully he will get one of
these in the next six months!ö
Ends