Dolphin on the County trail at Corsham

Event: Corhsam Level 3 Open Meet Venue: Springfield Leisure Centre, Corsham Date: 9th and 10th February 2013

A Dolphin squad of 27 were at the Corsham Level 3 Open Meet, this being the last chance opportunity for “age group” (9 to 14 year old) swimmers to achieve qualifying times for the Wiltshire County Championships in March.

Nine year old Matty James achieved his first every county qualifying time in the 50m backstroke whilst Franklyn Wong and Eleanor Brown also added themselves to the list of swimmers who have qualified in Dolphin colours this season which stands at an impressive 87. Wong also came close to achieving his first regional time with a notable 200m breaststroke swim.

All swimmers had something to celebrate, whether achieving county qualifying times, swimming personal bests or competing in an event for the first time and laying down benchmarks for the future. Henry Pearce continues to impress as he swam three personal best swims, all within the county qualifying time whilst Calum Marriott went a few steps further to achieve the same feat over five swims. Oscar Pearcey, however, matched his combined team-mates tally by achieving eight personal best qualifying times, ensuring him of a fighting chance in the overall standings at the County Championship in a few weeks’ time.

Henry Pearce was Dolphin’s top medallist with two gold and one silver. Oscar Pearcey earned one gold, two silver and two silver for his efforts and Calum Marriott took home one gold, one silver and one bronze. Top girl medallist for Dolphin was Alice Lockey with one gold, one silver and two bronze. Other medallists were Matty James (silver, 2 bronze), Lucie Wells (silver), David Ward (bronze), Franklyn Wong (bronze), Hannah Brown (bronze) and Millie Jeans (bronze).

The meet included overall age group awards with points scored for a swimmers best 50m or 100m sprint, 200m individual medley, 200m backstroke, breaststroke or butterfly and 200m freestyle. Not surprisingly Oscar Pearcey and Henry Pearce fared well, coming second and third respectively in the 9 year old boys category. Alice Lockey showed her consistency over the event types, particularly in her 200m breaststroke, and deservedly won the 10 years girls age group.