Double Delight for the Dolphins

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Wednesday 11th Jan 2006.

Swindon Dolphin received a late Christmas present with a catalogue of new personal best times, club and age group records, together with five new National Qualifying Times (NQTs) Their swimmers produced a series of stunning performances to begin their 2006 campaign on two fronts, attending open meets in Sheffield and Corsham.

A total of 21 Dolphin swimmers made the trip north to the home of British swimming at the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in the City of Derby Open Meet .

On the back of an intensive Christmas training programme, which saw the elite swimmers cover 60 kilometres over the festive season, Dolphin bagged a total of five NQTs, with James Clark (2) and Cathal Westman (1) gaining their first-ever qualifying times to raise the total number of Dolphin swimmers to reach elite level to nine.

With 65 personal best times, Dolphin elevated their status among the big names of Nova Centurion, Stockport Metro and Lincoln Vulcans to finish a creditable sixth in the team rankings.

Tilly Gray became the first Dolphin to claim NQT status in the heats of the 100 metres freestyle to sneak inside the entry barrier in 1:02.29 seconds, to bring her tally to three for the season.

James Clark fulfilled his early season promise with two outstanding performances, netting his first NQT in his favoured 200 metres breaststroke to finish comfortably inside the entry time with fully three seconds to spare.

And the 10-year-old doubled his NQT tally soon after, demonstrating his all-round ability in the 200 metres individual medley to finish in 2:43.65 seconds to top the BAGCAT points table at the close of play.

Dolphin will be gunning for national honours on two fronts in the breaststroke discipline, with Cathal Westman joining seasoned campaigner Peter Wasielewski, as the former claimed his first national time in the 200 metres breaststroke with teammate Wasielewski booking his lane in the 100-metre event.

Jon Audis reached the final in the 200 metres individual medley, finishing fifth, but fared better in the 100 metres backstroke to claim bronze.

Louise Maynard added to the bronze medal total in the 100 metres breaststroke, with James Clark making it triple bronze for Dolphin in the 200 metres individual medley.

Mark Tanner missed out on the 200 metres freestyle NQT but set a new club record in 2:03.62 seconds, while Gray (4), Sam Flint (2), Mark Tanner (2), Emily Bathe, Tim Berry, Peter Wasielewski and Cathal Westman all setting new Age Group Best Times (AGBT).

Dolphin were equally forceful in the Chippenham and Corsham Open Meet with Samantha Berry the star performer, sweeping the board to take the girls’ 9 years BAGCAT title.

Dolphin were without doubt the dominant club with the girls’ and boys’ medalling in all bar one age group category.

BAGCAT Medallists

Gold: Samantha Berry 9 years, Katie Hall 15 years/over, Douglas Alexander 16 years/over.

Silver: Charlotte Pitts 9 years, Ailie Waite 11/12 years, Sarah Baker 15 years/over.

Bronze: Emma Prunty 10 years, Jack Janicki 9 years, Tom Birch 14/15 years.