SWIMMING: Triumphant swimmers from Stowmarket Swimming Club have been celebrating their most successful County Championships ever. With a record 13 swimmers obtaining qualifying times for the Midlands Area Championships, and the club finishing a clear fourth overall, swimmers and coaches were understandably delighted.

By Debbie Watson

TRIUMPHANT swimmers from Stowmarket Swimming Club have been celebrating their most successful County Championships ever.

With a record 13 swimmers obtaining qualifying times for the Midlands Area Championships, and the club finishing a clear fourth overall, swimmers and coaches were understandably delighted.

Stowmarket and Suffolk County swimmer Sarah Goddard, 17, achieved a hat-trick of bronze medals after she managed to clinch her third in the final sessions at the weekend.

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Sean Harrison completed his set of three medals with a silver for the 100m freestyle to join a gold for the 50m freestyle and a bronze for the 50m fly.

In the final session on Sunday, Stowmarket teams achieved four relay bronzes in the 11/12 years boys, 15/16 years boys and the male open competitions. The 13/14 years boys' team came close to the medals with two 4th places in both the medley and freestyle relays.

Club coach Nick Minns commented: "This year's county championships have seen the club push forward once again.

"Although we achieved fourth place last year, the points margin this year was much greater and it was achieved in spite of our two best swimmers last year, Jamie Algar and James Freezer, moving on to swim for West Suffolk and Ipswich respectively.

"I am also very pleased with our swimmers BAGCAT (British Age Group Categories) placings."

He added: "Many swimmers have improved their positions in the rankings – now seen as the most important indicator of form.

"Without dedication and hard work these results just would not have been possible – every single Stowmarket swimmer in these championships has achieved either a place or a personal best time."