SWIMMING: Records were sent tumbling by a strong contingent of East Anglian swimmers at the fifth Mid Suffolk Open Meet.Some 19 clubs took part in the ever-popular event, with numerous personal bests smashed across the various age groups and competition remaining extremely high throughout.

By Debbie Watson

SWIMMING

RECORDS were sent tumbling by a strong contingent of East Anglian swimmers at the fifth Mid Suffolk Open Meet.

Some 19 clubs took part in the ever-popular event, with numerous personal bests smashed across the various age groups and competition remaining extremely high throughout.

Hosted by Stowmarket Swimming Club, the meet welcomed both able-bodied and disabled swimmers for the first time in the event's history. Notably, Colchester Phoenix Club sent a strong team of disabled swimmers, many of whom swam personal best times.

In a closely fought competition, the overall Bobby Wilson Shield – for top visiting club – was eventually awarded to Waveney who bagged 334 points.

Sudbury finished second on 302 points and West Suffolk claimed third spot with 298 points.

"We were extremely pleased with the standard of swimming at the open this year," said event organiser Liz Christian.

"All clubs recorded a good number of personal triumphs, including those clubs whose disabled swimmers entered."

She added: "A mixed event like this, bringing together both able-bodied and disabled swimmers goes a long, long way towards integrating some very good disabled athletes into mainstream sports events."

The event's respective awards for Top Boy and Top Girl were both claimed by Mildenhall on the day, proving an unreserved success for the team. Matthew Jones and Lianne Morley claimed the prizes.

With the open meet branded a 'B grade meet', strict time restrictions were placed on the entry to all events to encourage swimmers to compete in their second or third stroke race.

Under these restrictions, any swimmer who then swims faster than the maximum entry time is subsequently issued with a "speeding ticket".

In the case of Stowmarket's meet, numerous swimmers smashed through the entry times and claimed such tickets.

Equally, a number of the existing Mmeet records were beaten throughout the event, with exceptional swims recorded by many of the entrants.

"We're really pleased with the overall performance of our club, and of the other swimmers involved," added Liz Christian. "We're already looking forward to next year's event."

Results

TOP AGE GROUP CATEGORY SWIMMERS: Athena Graham, Thetford (girls 10 years), Courtney Jackson, Waveney (11 years), Catherine Wosford, Ipswich (12 years), Izzie London, Norwich (13 years), Nikki Shrimpton, Hadleigh (14 years), Annabel Argent, West Suffolk (15 years), Lianne Morley, Mildenhall (16 years), Emily Christian, Stowmarket (17+ years). Sam Molyneux, Mildenhall (boys 10 years), Oliver Townsend, West Suffolk (11 years), Matthew Jackson, Sudbury (12 years), Matthew Jones, Mildenhall (13 years), Michael Welsh, Sudbury (14 years), Philip Brooker, Deepings (15 years), James Ellis, Stowmarket (16 years), Colin Wright, Stowmarket (17+ years).

SWIMMERS AWARDED SPEEDING TICKETS: Sarah Pettican (200 back), Nicola Prowse (200 back), Inigo Eizaguire (200 back, 50 fly), Kimberley Watkins (100 free), Martin Brooker (100 free), Emma Johnstone (50 fly, 50 free), Georgina Blundell (50 fly), Amanda King (50 fly, 200 free), Troy Lynch (50 fly, 50 free), Jonathan Gillingham (200 IM), Joshua Pettican (400 free), Joshua McMullan (400 free), Adam Puddick (400 free), Oliver Davies (50 back), Guy Jarrett (50 back, 50 free), John King (50 back), Emily Roberts (50 free), Cassie Cox (50 free), Ashley Drake (50 free), Daisy Mansi (50 free), Georgina Blundell (50 free), Oliver Townsend (50 free),Bethanie Dann (200 breast), Samuel Seddon (200 breast), Adrian Bird (200 breast), Izzie London (200 free), Harrison James Smith (200 free).

NEW MEET RECORD HOLDERS: Sarah Pettican (West Suffolk), Inigo Eizaguire (Stowmarket), Annabel Argent (West Suffolk), Emma Johnstone (Chelmsford), Georgina Blundell (West Suffolk), Lindsey Cox (Thetford), Philip Brooker (Deepings), Emma Reece (Chelmsford), Cheryl Brooker (Deepings), Clair Attwood (Norwich Swans), Charlotte Boakes (Norwich Penguins), Sarah Goddard (Stowmarket), Joshua Pettican (West Suffolk), Adam Puddick (Canvey Island), Nikki Shrimpton (Hadleigh), Lawrence Howes (Stowmarket), Carl Duff (Ipswich), Bethanie Dann (Mildenhall), Mark Offord (Stowmarket), Colin Wright (Stowmarket), Athena Graham (Thetford), Sam Molyneux (Mildenhall) and Martin Brooker.

DEBEN fell just short of victory in its latest closely-fought bid for the Aldous Homes Trophy.

Swimming at home in Woodbridge, Deben claimed several impressive positions throughout the evening's gala, but couldn't quite hold off the competition from rivals Stowmarket.

Competing with two teams, Deben Red and Deben Blue, the home club completed the night just 31 points behind the winners.

The most outstanding performance of the gala for Deben was young Ben Davies.

He stole two impressive victories in the 11 years age group, racing on behalf of Deben Red.

On both occasions the youngster claimed glorious finishes well ahead of his fellow competitors.

For Stowmarket, impressive victories were claimed by Adam Batchelor, David Harrison, James Christopher, Thomas Harrison, Keiran Clement-Smith, Amanda King, Sarah Cuff and Jenna North.

Final results were: Stowmarket 255, Deben Red 224, Beccles 198 , Deben Blue 147, Halstead 133 and Royal Hospital School 61.