Youngsters Turn on the Style at Novice Gala

Event: Small Pool Novice Gala 2007

Date: 24th November 2007

Venue: Marlborough College (25m)

Emily Dixon (10) – freestyle record

Swindon Dolphin’s young swimmers were in action last Saturday at the annual ‘Small Pool Novice Gala’ where they competed for honours in this very exciting 25 meter sprint competition.

It was evident that all the youngsters participating in the event have taken huge strides forward since joining the prestigious Swim Channel learn to swim and pre-development programme – none more so than Rebecca Matthews, William Pilsworth and James Chantler-Mayne, who won three events each.

Matthews (8 years) and Pilsworth (9) both took gold in the butterfly, backstroke and freestyle, while 7 year old Chantler-Mayne was victorious in the backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle. 

The sprint of the meet went to 10 year old Emily Dixon who put in an excellent performance to win her age group freestyle in a time of 18.26, breaking Ellie Bilko’s Novice Gala record by .65 of a second in the process. 

Dixon was also triumphant in the backstroke and breaststroke.

12 year old, Sophie Connaghan was in top form cruising to gold in all four strokes.

Katy Coleman (7 – bk; brs), Charlotte Brooker (7 – fly; frs), Jack Patey (8 – brs;frs), Eliza Garnett (9 – bk; frs), Lucy Bailey (9 – fly; brs), Luke Willis (10 – bk;frs), Charlotte Denley (11 – bk;brs), Kyle Suthers (11 – bk; brs) and Bradley McCabe (11 – fly; frs) were all on fire with 2 wins apiece.

Other noteworthy, first place finishes went to Gemma Lucas (10), Jonathan Rendell (10), and Rebecca McKemey (11) in the butterfly; Conor McGillian (8) in the backstroke; Holly Parsons (8), Stephanie Dabbs (10), William Bennett (9) and Thomas Gase (10) in the breaststroke and Adrienne Southern (11) in the freestyle.

Source: Swindon Dolphin Press Team