Last chance in Trowbridge

Event: Trowbridge Spring Level 3 Open Meet Venue: Trowbridge Sports Centre Date: 12th May 2013

Swindon Dolphin were out in force at the Trowbridge Spring Level 3 Open Meet with 36 swimmers attending, mainly from the club’s younger County Squad.  This would be the last chance for swimmers aged 11 to 14 years to achieve regional qualifying times and as always a good opportunity to set new personal bests.

A full programme of 50m, 100m and 200m events packed into two sessions on just one day was always going to be tough for all competitors.  With some swimmers having had a long evening of racing in the Southern Junior League the previous day, it was a time for the youngsters who are still very much in the relatively early part of their swimming development, to show their mettle.

There was stong show of personal best swims across the board, although going one step futher Sophie Bartlett added the 100m breaststroke to her existing regional qualifying times, as did Livvy Flack in the 200m individual medley and Ella Wardale in the 200m freestyle.  Regan Jefferies has been making some significant gains over the past year in his 200m breaststroke times and an equally impressive drop on this occasion give the 13 year old his first ever regional qualifying time.

The 100m backstroke proved to be a “regional nemesis” for several swimmers with Laura Brown, Annie Ward and David Ward all coming agonisingly within one percent of the regional mark in the event.  Ellen Hicken however secured the time and will represent her first claim club Marlborough at the regional championships.

There was no shortage of Dolphin medallists at the event with Annie Ward top of the podium finishers with 3 gold and 3 bronze.  William Davies secured 2 gold, 4 silver and bronze whilst Henry Pearce collected 2 gold, 2 silver and bronze.  Other Dolphin top medal winners included Ellen Hicken (gold, 3 silver), Alice Lockey (gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze), Calum Marriott (gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze), Rebecca Flack (gold, silver, bronze) and Georgia Dicks (gold, silver).