A county double of freestyle firsts
Freestyle swimmer Jessica Reed claimed two first places as Newark Swimming Club enjoyed good results at the Nottinghamshire ASA County Championships.
Fifteen swimmers competed for Newark at the Harvey Hadden Sports Centre, Nottingham, over the weekend.
Rebecca Franks, Newark’s national disability swimmer, swam to gold in the 100m backstroke while Amelia Gibson made three finals in her first county championships.
More than 40 personal best times were achieved by Newark swimmers, while five swimmers reached finals.
Head coach John Palmer said he was encouraged by the performances.
“Jessica did very well to get her golds,” he said. “She is a very good freestyler so the result wasn’t unexpected.
“It was Amelia’s first time at the event so I am very pleased with how she is progressing.
“This would have been the first time some of our swimmers would have competed in long-course events so they have done very well.”
The club moved to their new home at Newark Sports and Fitness Centre in April 2016, and Palmer said certain aspects were stronger.
“Since moving we have seen an upsurge in the number of enquiries for membership and we have a huge waiting list of around 60 people,” he said.
“We seem to be getting more people learning to swim, whereas we are getting a little thin on the competitive side.
“When kids get to the age of 15 or 16, if they go into the county programme, the distances they have travel to swim at places like Nottingham and Mansfield go up, they can stop swimming competitively.
“The club is working on a few ideas, including more sessions of long course distances. Hopefully we will see the numbers of competitive swimmers increase.”
Success for Franks
At the championships, Reed gained first places in the girls’ 14-years’ 100m freestyle and 50m freestyle with personal bests in both events.
She was a second quicker than her nearest rival in the 100m before finishing half-a-second clear of her nearest rival in the 50m race.
Reed also reached the final of the 100m fly event, coming home in sixth place.
Rebecca Franks, who competes nationally in disability swimming, swam for gold in the 100m backstroke in 1min 41.36secs.
Amelia Gibson was second in the girls’ 10/11 years’ 100m fly, just over nine seconds off the overall winner.
She also reached the final in the 100m freestyle and 50m fly events.
Toby Love also competed in three finals, with a fourth in the boys’ 12-years 100m breaststroke, fifth in the 50m breaststroke and sixth in the 400m freestyle.
Team-mate Gracie Palmer was fifth in the final of the girls’ 14-years 50m fly, gaining a personal best in the process.
Other swimmers achieving personal bests were Frankie Ward, Kate Walker, Jamie Love, Owen Hathaway, Tristan Dixon-Teasdale, Miles Shaw, Jamie Love, Dawid Grab and Angus McCallion.
Calverton and Bingham Swimming Club members also featured at the event.
Cameron Breedon claimed two firsts in the 12-years’ 100m breaststroke and 50m breaststroke.
George Cummings also won the 10/11 years’ 50m breaststroke, while William Halstead was second in the 15-years’ 50m backstroke and 100m breaststroke.
Amy Mead claimed the club’s other second place in the 16-and over 50m freestyle.
James Berry was third in both the 10-11 years’ 50m backstroke and 50m breaststroke, while Matthew Cox achieved the same finishes in the 10/11 years’ 100m backstroke and 50m breaststroke.
