DRSA

October’s busy schedule began this weekend (7th and 8th October) with the annual City of Plymouth Championships. Local competing clubs included Plymouth Leander, Dinnaton, Tavistock, Kingsbridge Kingfishers, Kelly College and RNRM. Devonport had a swimming contingent of twenty-seven representatives, these included Rachel Ward, Charlotte Roberts, Rebecca Ward, Rebekah James, Victoria Philpot, Rebekah Warren, Paige McBeath, Sam Wilkes, Jade Leeke, Abby McBeath, Abbey Ward, Nicki Stepp, Sinead Davies, Sam Bowden, Jacob Roberts, Nat Chartres, Peter Gates, Aaron Nicholson, Michael Warren, Chris Philpot, Tom Mermagen, Ryan Moreno-Chamorro, Jordan Nicholson, Angus Robertson, Daniel Warren, Sam Tucker and Sam Leeke. Awards were given to the top three swimmers in their age group alongside this; finals were swum in all 100m events for the six fastest qualifying times.

Devonport had an excellent weekend with a huge medal haul of seventy-eight medals: twenty-five gold, twenty-five silver and twenty-eight bronze medals were won over the two days!

In addition, the first session saw Jordan Nicholson (15yrs) and Chris Philpot (14yrs) reached the 100m backstroke final finishing 3rd and 4th respectively. Tom Mermagen (14yrs) finished in 5th place, (1.17.03) in the 100m butterfly final. Ryan Moreno-Chamorro (14yrs) took 6th place in the 100m breaststroke final (1.25.21.) Sam Tucker (14yrs) finished 6th in the 100m IM final (1.19.39.)

Jordan Nicholson had a busy weekend taking nine gold medals. He was successful in the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, 50m, 200m and 400m freestyle, the 100m and 200m breaststroke and finally the 100m IM (1.14.84.) He also took silver in the 100m butterfly.

Chris Philpot had a rewarding weekend taking gold in the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke and 50m freestyle. Silver medals followed in the 200m freestyle, 100m butterfly and 100m IM. Chris went on to take a bronze in the 400m freestyle.

Tom Mermagen took three gold medals from the 200m and 400m freestyle and 100m butterfly, two silver in the 50m and 100m backstroke and bronze in the 50m freestyle.

In addition to competing in the 100m breastroke final, Ryan Moreno-Chamorro took two silver medals in the 200m backstroke and 200m breastroke; bronze medals were added in the 50m and 100m backstroke and 100m breastroke.

The boys continued their winning form with Nat Chartres (13yrs) taking gold in the 200m breastroke (3.14.67) and silver in the 100m breastroke.

Peter Gates took bronze in the 100m breastroke.

Sam Bowden (11yrs) took two bronze medals in a strong age group. Success came in the 100m breastroke and 100m IM.

Aaron Nicholson (13yrs) took silver in the 200m butterfly and bronze in the 400m IM.

Sam Tucker (14yrs) won gold for the 100m IM (1.14.68.)

Not to be overshadowed, the girls equalled these performances with Nicki Stepp (16yrs) taking five gold medals in the 100m and 200m backstroke, 200m IM, 200m breastroke and 200m butterfly. Silver came in the 100m butterfly, 50m breastroke and 400m freestyle followed by four bronze medals in the 50m and 100m freestyle, 50m backstroke and 100m IM.

Abbey Ward (15yrs) had an equally busy two days taking gold in the 50m freestyle and silver medals in the 200m backstroke, 100m and 400m freestyle and 200m breastroke, five bronze medals followed in the 50m and 100m backstroke, 100m butterfly and 100m and 200m IM.

Abby McBeath (14rs) had four silver medals in the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke and added the 100m butterfly to her success.

Jade Leeke (14yrs) gained a gold medal in the 200m breastroke and three bronze medals for the 50m breastroke, 50m backstroke and 400m freestyle.

Rebecca Ward (11yrs) had a competitive weekend by taking silver in the 100m butterfly, (1.29.67) and two bronze medals in the 100m freestyle (1.14.66) and 200m backstroke (2.56.31.)

Sinead Davies (10yrs) continues to impress with a gold medal in the 200m breastroke (3.36.89) and two bronze medals for the 100m IM and 100m backstroke.

Sam Wilkes (14yrs) took gold in the 50m freestyle (32.06) a silver in the 50m breastroke (40.93) and bronze in the 200m IM (3.02.86.)

Rebekah James (11yrs) had two bronze medals in the 100m butterfly (1.32.58) and 200m butterfly (3.29.51.)

Our City Championships conclude on the 28th and 29th October. Many thanks to all the officials and team coaches who give their time so generously and to the swimmers who all gave an excellent account of themselves.