Cumbria Winter Meet 2016
33 young swimmers who train at Salt Ayre Sports Centre with Carnforth Otters have returned from the Cumbria County Championships with an impressive 44 podium places and in one event, the 14 and over girls 100 Freestyle, a clean sweep with Gold, Silver, Bronze and the fourth position against tough competition. Eleven swimmers achieved Lancashire County qualifying times, some in numerous events.
The meet held at Kendal Sports Centre was selected to give younger swimmers, especially those starting out in competitive swimming a chance to put their training to the test, however, the opportunity for many of the clubs more experienced swimmers to update their times was also taken up by several members who were looking for qualifying times for Lancashire County Championships in January.
At the younger 9 year old age group, Evie Robinson returned with a Gold in the 50m Freestyle with a time of 40.17 with Kayleigh Craggs taking Silver in the 50m Backstroke in 46.18. Also putting in superb swims in their first gala was Felix Brakewell who took Silver in 50 Freestyle with a 39.10, Ronan Maher who won Bronze in 50 Freestyle and 100m Freestyle, Honey Pinington-Mclean in 50 Backstroke (44.00), Amy Huntington in 50 Freestyle (42.11) and Madeline Meeks in 50 Breaststroke (61.22)
At the ten-year-old age group, Owain Heathcote Jones took 4 Golds and a Silver medal with Lancashire County Qualifying times in all events. George Wilby took 1 Gold and 3 Bronze medals with a Lancashire County Qualifying Time and Anya White took 2 Bronze medals in 100 Freestyle (1:20.78) and 50 Breaststroke (48.52). Archie Honeysett won Silver in the 400 Freestyle (7:02.75) and Ashton Pinnington took Silver in the 100 IM (1:36.79). Rosie Wallings had a superb meet taking Bronze in the 100m Breaststroke in 1:45.50 and the 50m Backstroke (42.14). Also clocking some good times was Angus Sands and Imogen Sharpe.
At the 11 year old age groups, Sacha Robb was superb, capitalising on 3 months of solid training to take 4 Silver medals and 3 Bronze. Hannah McMillan took silver in the 200IM in 3:03.41 with new member Paige Evans putting in some good swims including a 4th place in the 400m Freestyle.
The 12 and 13 year old age group where represented by 5 swimmers including Alice Sands who had a fantastic meet with a Gold in the 200m Freestyle (2:24.72), 2 Silvers in 200 Breaststroke (3:03) and 200IM (2:46.79) and a Bronze in the 50 Breaststroke (39.71) two of which were Lancashire County Qualifying times. Also Ieuen Blackwell took a Gold in 50 Backstroke (36.24) and two Silvers in 50 Freestyle (31.51) and 100 Backstroke (1:18.70). Ellie Howley achieved excellent times in 7 events with a solid 4th place in the 400 Freestyle (5:37.49). Kirsty Maher competed in the 50 Breaststroke and 50 Fly and Madison Craven in 4 events with a solid 9th place in the 50m Breaststroke (46.77).
The 15 year old girls were superb with Ella Mounsey leading the way in the 100 Freestyle with a 1:04.23 closely followed by Emma Whittaker (1:04.87), Hannah Edwards (1:05.16) and Stephanie Driscoll (1:06.81). Hannah Edwards also took a further 2 Golds, 3 Silvers and 2 Bronze achieving Lancashire County qualifying times in all but 1 event. Kiera Richmond took Bronze in 200m Breaststroke with Lancashire County times in this and the 200m IM, Ben Winterburn took Gold in the 400 Freestyle (4:28.03), a Lancashire County Time, Gold in the 50 Backstroke (31.08) and Silver in the 50m Fly (31.46). Aimee Turner took Bronze in the 50 Fly (1:19.21). Isabelle Woodman achieved a personal best in the 200m Freestyle (2:38.07), Ruby Frankland a Lancashire County Time in 200m Freestyle and Verity Mills personal bests in all events.
Carnforth Otters now looks forward to Lancashire County Championships in January, the North Lancs League and for the younger swimmers Microleague North West. Carnforth Otters would like to thank their sponsor Oglethorpe Sturton & Gillibrand solicitors for their support.
