More of our younger swimmers made their debut for the Club as the junior team were back competing in Diss.
Anna Thurston achieved a maximum of five wins out of five in only her second gala. Over the 25m the 11 year old won three races; the Butterfly in 23.39, the Freestyle in 19.06 and the Breastroke in 26.84. Then over 50m, she took the Backstroke in 23.28 and the Freestyle with 39.47 when she finished ahead of fellow Viking Isabelle Bird who touched in 43.88 to take second .Isabelle later went one step better winning the 50m breaststroke in 59.35 . Meanwhile, there was a double second for her 7 year old sister, Ivy in her very first gala. Over 25m Freestyle (29.72) and 25m Breastsroke (34.02) respectively.
Leona Scott, aged 10 won two races. Perhaps the most significant was the 50m Backstroke when she beat a strong field of six, winning in 50.28. In the 50m Butterfly she completed the course in 53.4. in first place. Then she achieved a second place in 1;08.6 on the 50m breaststroke whilst Viking Milly Edridge came third with 1:10.64 in the same event.
Debutant Isla Haynes had a win in the 25m butterfly with 25.52. Not far behind was fellow 10 year old Heidi Davison who came in on 28.00 to make it a Viking first and third place respectively. Fearne Sadler came first in the 25m freestyle defeating a field of eight when she hit the pad in 20.38 whilst Isla was third in 20.87 as only split seconds separated the first three in an exciting finger tip finish. There was a consolation place for Fearne’s elder sister Rosa finishing second behind Anna with 25.91 for 50m backstroke in the appropriate age group.
Also competing for the first time was 9 year old Lexie Parker who had three consolation places to be proud of. Lexie achieved two seconds and one third. Her two second place swims came in the 50m freestyle with 1:18.6 and her second second is was for the 50m Breastroke. with 56.50 respectively. In the 25m Breastroke, her time of 35.0 was enough for third.
At the conclusion of the gala, Club Coach Roxanne Demmen said
“ Fantastic time for our juniors at the Diss Otters gala! Lots of fun and lots of learning to take away onto the next one.”
We had 32 PBs from 43 swims which equals a 74.42% success.