First RQTs for Alex and Liam

Date: 12th & 13th January 2008

Location: Link Centre Event: Tigersharks Level 2 Open Meet

Alex Chantler-Mayne (9) – first RQT

Liam Jefferies (10) – first RQT

A mix of young and experienced swimmers attended another well organised Tigersharks meet at the Link Centre on Saturday and Sunday, amassing 7 gold medals, over 60 personal best times, 36 Wiltshire qualifying times (WQTs) and five South West Regional qualifying times (RQTs). The highlight of the weekend was a tremendous tussle between Liam Jefferies and Alex Chantler-Mayne in the 200m freestyle. A fiercely competitive heat saw both achieve their first RQTs. Another young swimmer to achieve a RQT was Niall Westman, thanks to a 15 second PB in the 200m breaststroke.

It was a busy few days for Charlotte Pitts and Joe Kerslake, both of whom swam at Swansea and the Link Centre during the weekend. Kerslake was in good form in the backstroke and breaststroke events, achieving an RQT in his 200m backstroke swim and coming within one second of his RQTs in the 100m backstroke and 100m breaststroke. Pitts went one better in the breaststroke with an RQT for the 100m event.

Leading the Dolphin’s medal table for the weekend was 14 year old Ailie Waite who collected 5 medals, including golds in the 200m and 400m freestyle and 200m backstroke to add to a silver in the 100m backstroke. Alex Chantler-Mayne was close behind with four medals including golds in the 50m and 200m freestyles, whilst Joe Kerslake’s four medal haul included a gold in the 200m backstroke. Niall Westman and Charlotte Pitts were also first place finishers. Other medallists were Emma Coleman (two silvers), Chiara Pascarella and Georgina Pitts (one silver each), whilst Sam Hunter, Liam Jefferies , Victoria Tainty and George Bouverie-Brine all won bronze.

Niall Westman (10) – RQT

Overall it was a very encouraging meet. With most swims resulting in PBs and over half of these resulting in WQTs, Swindon Dolphin’s younger swimmers are coming into form at the right time for the Wiltshire BAGCATs in March.

Source: Swindon Dolphin Press Team