A squad of 36 swimmers from Fareham Nomads Swimming Club entered the annual Salisbury Open Meet, amassing a huge medal haul and an amazing 126 personal best times.
Joshua Lees led the way for the Nomads with six gold medals (all PB times), while nine-year-old Ellen Jewell won gold in the 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle, along with silver in the 50m backstroke. She also improved her PB by 19 seconds in the individual medley.
Other gold medallists were Alice Moyse in the 100m breaststroke, which she backed up with silver in the 50m breaststroke and 50m freestyle. Anna Ross took top honours in the 100m backstroke, while younger brother Cillian won gold in the 50m backstroke. Not to be outdone, elder brother Dan picked up three silvers (50m fly, 50m back and 100m free) and a bronze in the 100m breaststroke, all times being personal best performances.
Other swimmers to mount the medal podium were Hilary Vulliamy (silver, 100m butterfly), Nicole Ainsworth (silver, 50m freestyle), Rachel Matthews (silver, 100m breaststroke). Bronze awards were achieved by Aiden Phillips (2) and Cillian Ross, Dan Ross, Rachel Matthews, Rebecca Young, Xanthe West and Zara Mitchard.
Delighted with the results, head coach Stewart Crowe said: “126 PBs from only 36 swimmers is proof that the future of Nomads is bright.” l A small squad of 13 swimmers from Fareham Nomads Swimming Club competed at the Swim Bournemouth Open Meet. Between them they competed in 64 events, gaining 39 PBs.
Jessica Davies and Lara Barnett both won double gold while there were silver medals for Jessica Davies (4), Hannah Cooper (2) and Sam Cooper. Hannah Cooper, Michael Andrews, Lara Barnett and Sam Cooper all picked up bronze medals.
Massive PB improvements were gained by most of those competing in the 200m and 400m freestyle, with the best of these being Cillian Ross with an impressive 18 seconds in the 400m event and 17 seconds in the 200m event.
Also displaying similar improvements were Dan Ross, Beatrice Hollands, Sam Cooper, Jess Davies and Nicole Ainsworth.
l At the schools biathlon held at the London Aquatics Centre Chris Finch placed second after recording personal best times in both the swim and run. Ellie Sproul also competed and was placed 17th in the U12 girls’ category.
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