Record Entries at Club Championships
North Norfolk Vikings Swimming Club had a record number of entries when it staged its Annual Club Championships at the Victory Pool in North Walsham.
In the 100m freestyle, there was an exciting finish when Louis Goultry won by a finger tip by breaking a minute in 59.20 from Isaac Buchan’s 1:0123 with club captain Ashley Jones taking third in 1:03.63.
The 200m freestyle did not disappoint either. In front of a pack house of spectators, Louis and Isaac went head to head again. Lewis was the early pace maker but Isaac came back on the last 75m to record the fastest time in 2:13.85 from Lewis’ 2:18.16
In contrast, the 200m breastroke, saw Sam Morton and Emily Beighton win their respective races easily with Sam going 2:57.39 and Emily 3:12.33.
11 Year olds Lily Dear and Grace Parker were involved in some close races through out. None closer than the 50m freestyle when it seemed that they “dead heated” both touching first but the timing had Lily winning by a split second in 36.22 from Graces’ 36.62. This proved to be the most popular event of the championships attracting 18 competitors. Grace won six gold medals beating Lily into second place twice and Lily won five golds beating Grace into second place four times. The two 11 year olds left the championships with 11 gold medals between them.
For eight year old twin sisters Holly and Tessa Cartwright they swam against each other on a number of occasions over 50m. In the freestyle Holly won gold, defeating a field of thirteen in 48.84 and sister Tessa was runner up in 51.44. The backstroke followed and again it was Holly who won her second gold in 57.48 from Tessa’s silver in 1:01.85 respectively. The twins’ elder sister Isla, aged ten, also collected a freestyle bronze over the same distance with 53.96.in her age group.
In the intermediate category, Michael Sayer easily won both the 100m and 200m backstroke. The former in 1:20.15 and the latter in 2:44.70 respectively.
Noah Buchan, who in the summer was crowned Scottish open water age group champion, was also involved in a close 200m individual medley. The 12 year old won the event by a split second in 3:01.94 over Michael’s 3:04.43.
It was five wins in a row for 20 year old Senior Leah Harris who broke 30 seconds for 50m freestyle in 28.93. Leah then completely dominated the 100m Individual Medley in 1:09.91 proving what an excellent athlete she is. Meanwhile, the race was still on for the consolation places when club captain Jess Seamark touched in second with 1:29.45 and Rebecca Burrows third in !:29.68 respectively
Emilia Sequeira-Reis’ endeavour was simply outstanding. Although she did not medal the 11 year old also swam five events. The 50m backstroke in 1:07.10 100m freestyle in 2:10.78 and 200m breaststroke in 5:18.11 to highlight just three.
There were two more initiatives introduced for the first time this year. The club invited “Little Fish Swim School” from Norwich to take part and they swam very well. It was also deemed a “licenced gala” which meant that any times recorded would be official. Subsequently, Vikings have achieved a record 28 County qualifying times this year for next year’s County Championships.
Thanks and congratulations to all who took part.