SEVEN Pershore Swimming Club members took part in the City of Bristol Swimming Club’s Long Course Open Meet at the superb 50m, ten-lane Hengrove Park pool.
Saturday saw 14-year-old Helena Leach compete in the 200m individual medley along with the 400m freestyle in which she swam a 26-second personal best time of 5.45.84.
Later in the day she swam a five-second PB of 2.45.77 in the 200m freestyle, whilst Isobel Cumming (13) swam close to her new PBs in the 400m freestyle, 200m individual medley and the 50m breaststroke.
In the afternoon, however, she injured her back on one of the 200m backstroke turns. She valiantly finished the race but withdrew from the rest of the day’s events.
Isabel Fairchild (ten) swam exceptionally well to earn PBs in all her events. The 200m individual medley produced a ten-second PB of 3.49.78, whilst other times were the 100m breaststroke (1.59.72) and 50m breaststroke (53.25).
She then ended the day with a fantastic 25-second PB in the 200m backstroke.
Beth Carter (15) impressed in her two breaststroke races. In the 100m event she swam 1.26.62 to take the bronze medal and she went on to win the gold medal in the 50m event in 39.42.
The only Pershore boy competing on Saturday was Cameron Leach (11) who swam long course PBs in both the 100m freestyle (1.17.00) and 200m freestyle (2.46.00).
Sunday saw a great start to the day as Cameron Leach won a silver medal in the 400m freestyle (5.44.89).
Cumming, having recovered from Saturday’s injury, took silver medal in the 400m individual medley (6.09.09).
Olivia and George Howard joined the competition and 12-year-old Olivia swam long course PBs in the 100m backstroke (1.24.03) and 100m freestyle (1.15.04). She also impressed in the 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly.
Nine-year-old George, in his first long course competition, seemed undaunted by the surroundings and achieved an impressive seven-second PB in the 50m breaststroke (1.09.00).
Helena Leach was back in action too and swam a long course PB in the 100m freestyle (1.14.85), followed by good swims in the 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly.
Cumming added more medals to her collection with a bronze in the 100m backstroke (1.20.52) and silver in the 200m butterfly (3.05.93), whilst more great swims came in the 50m backstroke, 100m freestyle and 50m butterfly.
Cameron Leach then added two more long course PBs in the 200m individual medley and another PB came in a closely fought race in the 50m freestyle.
He also added to his medal haul by taking silver in the 200m backstroke (3.02.24).
PSC coach Ian Cumming was very pleased with the Pershore swimmers, commenting: “This was a long and tiring event, especially considering how many top competitions we are swimming in at the moment, but the results show how fit and committed our swimmers are.”
Report complied by Mike Leach.