Totnes Swimming Club
The Devon County Masters and Seniors Championships slotted into their new place in the calendar during the first weekend of July, having moved from early September.
The change to having the event before the summer break did not cause any trouble for the Masters swimmers representing Totnes Swimming Club, though. On a hot Sunday afternoon, nine swimmers took to the water, bringing home 36 medals between them.
The usual protagonists were at it again, with Simon and Kalon Veale both winning all four events they swam. Simon started well, with a fast 1.02.35 in the 100 free, also taking gold in the 100 fly and back. He then showed his versatility in a seldom-raced event for him to swim to a time of 1.22.65 in the 100 breast.
Kalon improved as the afternoon went on, starting out with wins in the 100 free and 50 back. He backed this up in session two with a 55.98 100 back and 1.56.33 200 free.
Two other swimmers notched up 100 per cent success rates of races to wins. The first was Emma Challis in the 30-34 age group. She swam her way to golds in the 50 free, back and butterfly, as well as the 100 butterfly and 100 individual medley. Tom Hughes in the men’s 30-34s claimed victory with a swim of 32.33 in the 50 breast and 1.04.22 in the 100 IM to go with his 50 fly first place.
Dave Clarke, in the 55-59s, competing for the first time in a year, raced his way to three golds and a silver medal. His golds came in the 50 fly, 100 back and 200 front crawl, with swims of 41.83, 1.42.40 and 3.04.01 respectively, with his silver in the 100 IM.
John Brunn was competing in the slightly younger 50-54 age group, winning the 50 back along with two second-place finishes in the 50 and 100 breasts.
Margret Bickley in the 65-69 age group stuck to the 50m events – she was also stuck with silver medals after three close races. Margaret raced her way to 40.85 in the 50 free, 48.45 for the back and 49.20 in the breast event.
Alongside the Masters competition, the county runs a senior meet. This is for swimmers aged 15-16 and 17-18.
This year Roman Zaki and Cameron Harris both represented Totnes in the 17-18 age group. The boys went one-two in the first event, the 100 free, which set the mood for the rest of the races. Roman went on to win the 50 and 100 breasts with strong swims, as well as picking up silver in the 50 butterfly.
They were at it again in the 50 freestyle, Roman taking gold and Cameron picking up silver. Cameron added to his two silver medals in the sprint freestyles with gold in the 200m event, also adding the 50m and 100m backstroke gold medals to his tally for the day.
Totnes Swimming Club is always looking for new members and helpers. If you are interested in finding out more about the club, email [email protected], or see the volunteers at Totnes Pavilion on a Thursday club night.