Report on the West Suffolk Open

Runnymede's Jason Daniels scooped 4 gold medals at the West Suffolk Open Meet in Bury St Edmonds.  13 year-old Jason produced some of his best performances of the season and set himself personal best times in all events that he competed in.  Jason's best performance came in the 200m Freestyle where he claimed the Gold medal and knocked nearly 5 seconds off his previous best time, which was set at the end of 2005.  He also took the Gold medal for his 200m Butterfly swim with a 4 second improvement of his personal best time, and further Golds for the 200m Backstroke (PB) and 100m Butterfly (PB).  All of Jason's times qualify him for the Regional Championships at Norwich in June.

Younger brother Ryan Daniels (11 years-old) was determined to put in a good performance to show the improvements he has made recently in training.  Ryan scooped the Gold medal in the 200m Butterfly with an incredible 16 second improvement to his personal best time and he also picked up a Regional Championship qualifying time to cap a great swim.  Ryan also took 4^th place for his swim in the 200m Backstroke and 10^th position in the 50m Breaststroke with a personal best time.

Howard Clarke was in great form in the 15-year age group.  He clinched a well-deserved Gold Medal in the 200m Butterfly with a 9 second improvement on his best time.  Howard also gained 4^th place for his swim in the 200m Individual Medley with another PB improvement of over 8 seconds, and took 8^th place in the 400m Freestyle with a 3 second PB.  In the same 400m race, Harry Smith improved his personal best by over 8 seconds to take the 5^th place honours.

In the Girls 14 year age group Charlie Beale swam to 4^th place in the 200m Freestyle and set personal best times for 7^th in the 200m I/M and 10^th in the 100m Breaststroke.  In the same age group Charlotte Davis achieved 6^th position in the 50m Freestyle.  12 year Chloe Davis took 5^th place with an amazing 32-second PB in the 200m Butterfly and also set herself two best times in the 200m Breaststroke and 400m Freestyle races.

Runnymede newcomer Alex Cowell achieved personal best times in all six events he competed in and continues to improve with every week of training.  Bethany Goldfinch (11-year) swum well for 7^th position in the 50m Breaststroke with a new best time.  Sam Goldfinch (13-year) took 7^th in the 100m Butterfly and improved his personal best by 5 seconds in the 200m Backstroke race.  Alex Delicata (12-year) took 3 seconds off his Regional qualifying time in the 200m Backstroke event and in the same age group George Smith qualified for the Regional Championships, with a 3 second improvement of his best time in the 100m freestyle event. 

Runnymede Swimming Club is always looking for talented young swimmers to join their team.  If you would like to try this sport then please contact Paul Eveleigh on 01268 759043 or Heather Davis on 01702 478380