Dolphin are ‘Best Visiting Club’ at Swansea Long Course Open

Event: Swansea 2007 Long Course Open Meet

Venue: Wales National Pool Swansea (50m)

Date: 18, 19 & 20 May

Andi Manley, Mark Tanner & Gary Southern with the ‘Best Visiting Club’ trophy

Swindon Dolphin returned from the Swansea 2007 Long Course Open Meet at the Wales National Pool, Swansea last weekend as the ‘Best Visiting Club’. After 3 days of competition, Dolphin’s 15 swimmers collectively finished ahead of the 30 visiting clubs by bagging 42 medals (16 gold, 16 silver and 10 bronze).

Ben Mathews and Cathal Westman secured new long course National Qualifying Times (NQTs). Mathews clocked 24.62 in the heats of the men’s open 50m freestyle and won gold in the final, while Westman having achieved his NQT in the heats of the 14 years 100m breaststroke improved it further on his way to gold in the final in a time of 1.12.70.

Westman and Melanie Agius were both well inside their NQTs winning the 14 years 200m brs and 16/17 years 400m frs finals respectively. Mark Tanner also achieved a NQT in the men’s open 50m frs. Sam Wells (15/16 yrs) took the boys’ 100m butterfly but missed his NQT by .28 of a second while his sister Rosie (13 yrs) missed her 200m backstroke long course NQT by a similar margin.

Ben Mathews: new NQT in 50m frs

Cathal Westman: new NQT in 100m brs

Other gold medal winners were Mel Agius (16/17 yrs 50m fly & 400m IM), Tim Berry (14 yrs 100m & 200m fly), Katie Hall (16/17 yrs 50m & 800m frs), Mark Tanner (boys’ 17/18 yrs 200m IM & 400m frs ), Ed Jefferys (boys’ 17/18 yrs 200m brs), Elizabeth Beckett (14/15 yrs 100m brs) & Jose Prunty (13 yrs 100m fly). Results: