SEVEN youngsters from Pershore Swimming Club will be competing against some of the best age group swimmers from around the Midlands at Coventry’s 50m international pool.
Over the next two weekends, Pershore’s seven-strong squad will be competing against swimmers from the region’s biggest city and elite-performance clubs including the likes of City of Birmingham, City of Coventry, City of Derby, City of Leicester, Ellesmere College, Northampton and Nova Centurion.
The format of this year’s ASA Midland District Championships have changed, with entrants competing in ‘end of year’ age groups and, adding to the excitement, sprint finals have been introduced for all events except the 400m.
It will be the first time at the championships for certain members of the team including Alexandra Barry (11) and Christopher Vizard (13), while Megan Annis (12), Will Gearey (12), Naomi Marsden (13) and Simon Sweatman (13) all qualified last year and will be looking to improve on their 2014 performances.
Several of the squad will also be looking to use the championships to move up the UK age group rankings for qualification to the new Summer Home Nations Championships, which will be held in Sheffield in August.
The Midland District entries from PSC are as follows:
Boys’ 11/12-year-old age group – Patrick Heeks (11) – 200m IM, 2:41.55; 50m Backstroke, 35.05; 200m Backstroke, 2:36.67.
Will Gearey (12) – 50m Freestyle, 27.34; 200m IM, 2:29.60; 50m Backstroke, 32.60; 100m Breaststroke, 1:19.59; 100m Freestyle, 1:00.06; 400m IM, 5:21.90; 50m Breaststroke, 36.26; 100m Butterfly, 1:08.30; 200m Breaststroke, 2:50.87; 400m Freestyle, 4:43.99; 200m Backstroke, 2:28.50; 50m Butterfly, 29.70; 200m Freestyle, 2:12.80; 100m Backstroke, 1:09.24.
Girls’ 11/12-year-old age group – Alexandra Barry (11) – 50m Butterfly, 34.50; 100m Backstroke, 1:15.09; 50m Freestyle, 30.30; 200m IM, 2:40.90.
Megan Annis (12) – 200m Backstroke, 2:37.18; 50m Butterfly, 33.50; 100m Backstroke, 1:14.01; 50m Freestyle, 30.54; 50m Backstroke, 35.10; 50m Breaststroke, 39.90.
Boys’ 13-year age group – Chris Vizard (13) – 200m IM, 2:33.70; 400m IM, 5:22.30; 50m Breaststroke, 37.20; 50m Butterfly, 31.20; 50m Freestyle, 28.80.
Simon Sweatman (13) – 50m Backstroke, 32.10; 100m Freestyle, 1:00.00; 400m Freestyle, 4:40.10; 200m Backstroke, 2:26.60; 50m Butterfly, 30.70; 200m Freestyle, 2:12.80; 100m Backstroke, 1:07.70; 50m Freestyle, 27.50.
Girls’ 13-year age group – Naomi Marsden (13) – 200m Backstroke, 2:32.74; 100m Backstroke, 1:11.28; 50m Backstroke, 33.28.