PERSHORE Swimming Club started the 2015/16 National Arena League Division Two season in fine fashion with an impressive third placed finish.
Following a well earned promotion from Division Three, Pershore find themselves taking a huge step up as their members swim against some major city clubs and travel further than ever to compete.
First up was a visit to Market Drayton and many swimmers doubled up across age groups to ensure full events and to maximise points. Out of 50 races, Pershore swimmers were first in 12 and secured top three positions in 23.
Significant recognition needs to go to the younger swimmers who delivered some incredible performances. Swimming for the girls in 11 years and under were Jasmine Hoskins (ten), Hannah Woodcock (11), Jasmine Franks (11) and Lauren Annis (ten) who won both freestyle and medley relays and secured some great first and second places in the individuals.
The boys’ 11 years and under team was equally strong, comprising of Cameron Leach (11), Max Aris (11), David Annis (nine) and Olly Smith (ten).
Best performances came in the 4x50m freestyle relay (second) and from Leach who secured an individual win in the 50m freestyle (34.06).
Annis, aged nine, swam in the 11 and under category and further demonstrated his future potential.
In the 13 years and under there were some very strong performances from the girls’ team of Megan Annis (12), Isabella Woodcock (13), Alex Barry (12) and Naomi Marsden (13).
Strong relay performances saw them earn two wins and individual swims were very strong too.
The boys’ 13 years and under team performed exceptionally. Simon Sweatman (13), Chris Vizard (13), Patrick Heeks (12) and Luke Perry (13) took first place in both relays and were totally dominant in the individual races as Sweatman and Vizard won all four races.
All boys swam very well but Vizard particularly had some exceptional swims including a 1.20.72 in the 100m breaststroke.
Swimming in the 15 years and under girls’ team were Amy Cooper (14), Megan Annis (12), Hannah Simister (14) and Alex Barry (12), whilst the boys’ team comprised Josh Sharratt (14), Chris Vizard (13), Will Clarke (14) and Simon Sweatman (13).
Both teams showed remarkable commitment and dedication and delivered some great results, the pick being third place for the boys in the freestyle relay and third place for Sweatman in the 100m backstroke with a strong 1.03.94.
Swimming in the Open category were Alex Dobell, Emily Burton, Helen Annis, Marie Porter, Amy Cooper, Hannah Simister and Naomi Marsden and a male team of Angus and Drew Jones, James Gribble, Ben Clarke, Simon Sweatman, Chris Vizard and Patrick Heeks.
There were some excellent swims and a hatful of points which contributed to the fantastic third place overall.
Team results were: 1st Northgate, 236 points; 2nd Shrewsbury, 177; 3rd Pershore, 166; 4th Kingsbury Aquarius, 162; 5th Cheadle, 156; 6th Leicester Sharks, 149.
PSC head coach Tom Naughton said: “I am so proud of the swimmers. The effort and commitment they have shown was incredible and third place was beyond my expectations. It was a great result.”
Glory for Pershore boys at Long Distance Championships
A SMALL but dedicated band of PSC swimmers starred at Queen’s Leisure Centre in Derby in the Long Eaton Long Distance Open Meet.
The only events being swum were 400m freestyle, 400m individual medley, 800m freestyle (ladies) and 1,500m freestyle (men).
The swimmers were inspired by the fact this pool is the home pool of world record breaststroke holder Adam Peaty and, as a Nova Centurion target meet, the competition was fierce.
The PSC boys produced some very strong 1,500m swims early on. Cameron Leach (11) commenced with a 24.25.57, followed by a super-fast 19.42.79 from Chris Vizard (13).
Simon Sweatman (13) then impressed in recording 18.26.43 to take the gold medal and it was left to Leach to represent the Pershore boys in the 400IM with a cracking 6.47.20.
The final event for the boys was the 400m freestyle in which Leach delivered 5.46.58 at the end of a gruelling day to become a worthy silver medallist in the 10/11-year-old category.
Three Pershore girls were competing and the day started with the 400m freestyle in which Gabriella Barry swam her first competitive 400m freestyle and clocked 6.40.09 to come fourth as a ten-year-old.
Alex Barry (12) and Izzie Cumming (13) both swam nicely but just outside their personal bests of 5.29.54 and 5.12.64 respectively.
This event was followed by the 800m freestyle in which there were better swims from both Barry and Cumming who clocked 10.41.98 and 10.47.06 respectively.
Cumming then took on the 400m individual medley at the end of a gruelling day and swam a solid 6.23.70.
Report compiled by Julie Cross.
