Record number of swimmers bid farewell to Grove Leisure Centre pool

A record number of swimmers took part in the final Newark Swimming Club age groups championships at the Grove Leisure Centre, Balderton, at the weekend.

More than 80 competitors were involved, comfortably the highest number of entries in the sprint event ahead of the club’s move to the new Newark Sports And Fitness Centre.

Distances of 25m, 50m and individual medley races were completed by swimmers aged six to 18.

Jessica Reed won all six of her heats in the 12-year girls’ competition, ahead of Gracie Palmer in second.

Brothers Angus and Joe McCallion were also unbeaten in the 12-year boys and 15-year boys’ categories, respectively.

Other swimmers unbeaten in their respective age categories at the event were: Mya McCarthy, Joseph Marlow, Ben Bilton, Frankie Ward, Harold Mizen, Abby Ward, and Jake Geary.

There was a close battle in the 13-year-old girls’, with Molly Prowse edging out Sarah Durham by the finest of margins after the pair had finished level on points.

Individual times for races were taken into consideration, meaning Prowse won the title by three points.

There was a similar win for Amber Redmile over Kathleen Sanger in the 14-year-old girls’ with both also locked on the same points after the six heats.

During the course of the event, 250 swimmers recorded personal best times as they left the Grove pool for the final time in competition.