Pembrokeshire’s top swimmers have started the new season with a splash!
A group of the best young swimmers in the County took part in the annual Lincoln Vulcans meet in Sheffield this month.
Swimmers were pooled against the top talent in the UK at the championships held in the 50m Ponds Forge pool on October 16th.
Pembrokeshire’s team of 13 swimmers from the County Swimming Performance Squad came home with a total of 19 medals including 15 gold, one silver and three bronze.
Carys Thomas from Pembroke was awarded the second best girl overall award, while Sion Bevan, also of Pembroke, was third best boy.
Carys won five golds in total coming first in the 200m individual medley, 200m butterfly, 200m freestyle, 100m butterfly and 100m freestyle in the 13-year age group races.
She also won silver in the 100m breaststroke and was 4th in the 200m backstroke.
Hollie Thomas from Haverfordwest and Hannah Saunders from Tenby struck gold in the 100m breaststroke in their age groups, while Hannah also won gold in the 200m breaststroke as well as picking up bronze medals in the 100m backstroke and 50m freestyle 12-year age group category.
Meanwhile in the boys competition Sion Bevan also won five golds winning the 100m and 200m breaststroke and the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle races in the 11-year age group.
Dan Thomas from Pembroke won gold in the 13-year age group 100m and 200m butterfly races, while Michael Hire, also from Pembroke, scored bronze in the 100m backstroke 14-year age group race.
There were personal best swims from fellow team members Isabel Johns, Isabelle Davies, Kelsey Williams, Niamh Slack and Ross Sutton.
Pembrokeshire’s swimming development coach Paul Dowey praised the efforts of the youngsters.
“Every season our young swimmers are performing increasingly well and are now beginning to make their mark on the national stage. It’s all down to their hard work and effort as well as the dedication of their coaches.”
