Twelve Dolphins Swimming…

Event:  Plymouth Leander Level 1 Open Meet Venue:  Millfield Date:  18th, 19th & 20th December 2009

The first snowfall of the winter could not cool the enthusiasm of twelve Dolphin swimmers as they set off last Friday to the three day Plymouth Leander Level 1 Open Meet at Millfield. With a four month block of training behind them, all swimmers were at least looking to edge closer towards a place at the National Finals next year.

Elizabeth Beckett and Liam Herbert both converted their existing short course NQTs to long course; Beckett in the 100m and 200m breaststroke and Herbert in the 200m backstroke. Beckett’s 2:39.99 in her 200m swim earned her a new club record and a top 10 place in the British age group rankings whilst Herbert also lowered his own club record with a 2:12.61.

Other swimmers coming close to booking their ticket to Sheffield next year include Joe Kerslake, finishing agonisingly close on both the 100m and 200m backstroke, Charlotte Pitts, who is now starting to make big improvements in her middle-distance freestyle events, and James Clark, who is starting to show a return to form on breaststroke. Victoria Tainty’s hard work in the training pool is starting to pay dividends with a fine 800m freestyle swim and fellow BAGCAT Niall Westman also made an impression by finishing top in his age group in the 200m breaststroke.

In the Junior Championship stakes, Charlotte Pitts picked up silver in the 1,500m freestyle and  James Clark won a hard earned bronze in the 200m breaststroke, as well as reaching the finals of the 200m individual medley and 100m breaststroke.

With the next long course meet at Swansea barely three weeks away, the importance of the Christmas training schedule over the holiday period surely now cannot be underestimated.

Full results are available on the Competition Page.