1066 Sprint Away with Medals

A squad of 13 swimmers from local club, 1066 Swimmers, descended on Bognor to compete in the Vanessa Knight Open Meet and came away with a bag load of medals. In addition every swimmer bettered their previous clocked times notching up a total 32 PBs out of 48 swims. The meet consists of 50m sprints in all four strokes plus the 100 metre Individual Medley.

The morning session saw the team of 6 swimmers record an amazing 13 PBs between them. Josh Bishop, Harry Crotty and Molly Paulin clocked 3 PBs each with Ben King following close behind with 2PBs; brother and sister Billy and Cassie Matthews achieving a well-deserved PB each. The morning medal table was led by Harry Crotty gaining gold in 50m fly and 2 bronze medals in both 50m breast and I00m IM. Billy Matthews picked up 2 silvers (50m fly and 50 breast) and 1 bronze (50m free) whilst 11 year-old Molly Paulin gained 2 silvers (50m breast and 100m IM). 14 year-old Josh Bishop swam exceptionally well against a strong field of 14+ year olds which included some swimmers in their late teens and early twenties to achieve silver in 50m free and bronze in 50m back. Team-mate and friend, 17 year-old Ben King, also clocked a life time best in the 50m back to gain bronze in the 14+ age group.

The afternoon brought more PBs and medals for 1066 when 12 year-old Lucy Howes swam 3 personal best times which resulted in her gaining medals in every race which she competed in. Her medal haul included 1 gold (50m fly) and 4 silvers (50m breast, 50m back, 50m free and 100m IM). Competing in her first open meet for 1066 Swimmers 13 year-old Rebecca Elphick swam the races of her life to gain 2 golds in both 100m IM and 50m breast, silver in 50m fly and bronze in 50m free. 11 year-old Ben Bishop achieved a fantastic 4 PBs out of 5 swims, and came away with his first ever medals - gold in 50m back and a bronze each in the 50m free and 100m IM. 13 year-old Johanna Welford bagged gold in the 100m IM with a life-time best time, which she also achieved in the 50m fly and back. Hot on her heels, older sister Catherine Welford also bagged a gold medal in the 50m breast clocking up a personal best time, followed by silvers in both 50m back (another PB) and 100m IM.

The successful day ended with the club coming a creditable 8th out of 16 clubs, many of whom had far more swimmers competing than 1066. Special mention to the youngest boy and girl swimmers - Ben Bishop and Cassie Matthews - both of whom knocked a massive 5 seconds off their previous best times.

Anyone wishing to learn to swim contact Tracey on 07720293697