Dolphin Home-Grown Talent on Show at County Championships

Event: Wiltshire County BAGCAT Championships Venue: Link Centre, Swindon Date: 20th and 21st March 2010

The Wiltshire County Championships concluded last weekend with the final block of the BAGCAT (9 to 14 year old) competition at the Link Centre.  More than fifty young Dolphin swimmers followed the example set by their older counterparts in the Youth competition a few weeks older by amassing more medals than any other club.

With all swimmers having come through the Dolphin learn-to-swim and development programme, the 28 gold, 38 silver and 38 bronze medals were a testament to the Clubs commitment to providing all swimmers with the opportunity of successful and lifelong participation within the sport.

Charlotte Pitts was outstanding throughout the competition, taking eight gold, one silver and four bronze from 14 swims and swimming under the regional qualifying time on nine occasions.  National qualifier Samantha Berry also impressed with four gold, four silver and two new age group best times in the 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley.  Other top medallists were James Watson (3 gold, four silver, 2 bronze), Joanna Farley (3 gold, 2 bronze, 3 silver), Niall Westman (2 gold, 7 silver), Mathew Sambrook (2 gold, 1 silver), Victoria Tainty (1 gold, 6 silver, 3 bronze), Jack Patey (1 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze), Georgia Dicks (1 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze) and James Chantler-Mayne (1 gold, 3 bronze).

Many swimmers had their sights set on gaining regional qualifying times, either adding to existing ones or making that first important step into the world of long course (50m) competition.  Booking their Millfield places for the first time were James Watson (200m individual medley, 100m and 200m backstroke, 100m and 200m freestyle), Ben Sarachi (100m and 200m freestyle) and Samuel Woolford (200m breaststroke, 400m freestyle), bringing the total number of Dolphin regional BAGCAT qualifiers to 16.

In the relay events, the Dolphin team ethic shone through as the girls “A” team took gold and set new age group best times in both the medley and freestyle.  Finishing way ahead of the field on the freestyle left their “B” team counterparts in a battle for second place against Trowbridge; an encounter they won to take well earned silver.  The boys also finished in podium positions taking silver from both events.

Dolphin BAGCAT Award Winners Celebrate!

As with the age group medals, the much coveted overall BAGCAT awards included an abundance of Dolphin competitors.  Joanna Farley took gold in the girls 10 years category with James Watson, Victoria Tainty, Niall Westman and Samantha Berry all picking up silver in their respective age groups.  Collecting bronze were James Chantler-Mayne, Georgia Dicks, Alex Chantler-Mayne and Charlotte Pitts with other top six places going to Jack Patey(4th), Rebecca Matthews(4th), Lauren Matthews (4th), Mathew Sambrook (4th), Ben Sarachi (5th), Noah Kirby (5th), Georgia Pitts (5th), Abbie Hawkins (6th) and Abigail Easter (6th). 

Louise Clayton, Dolphin Chief Coach commented “I am pleased overall with the results from this year’s County Championships.  The experience has given both the swimmers and me something to build on for the future.”

Full results are available on the Competition Page.