This last weekend City of Sheffield Swimming Club held their annual Snow Frills Gala at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre. Rotherham Metro fielded a strong team of swimmers and medals were won by Callum Simmons (2B 2S 1G), Shannon Eades (1S), Rebecca Britten (3G 1S), Dayna Towns (1G 1S), Harold Cocking (3B 1S 1G), Connor Wood (1S 1B), Daniel Lyon-Smith (1B), Ehren Beresford (1B), Devin Kellett (1G 1S 1B), Connor Neal (3S), Abigail Jackson (2G 1S), Abbie Ackroyd (2S), Owen Mason (2B), Rebecca Finnie (1B), Ty Burrell (1B). Rotherham’s true grit was demonstrated by Carys Neal who achieved a fifteen second personal best in the 200m freestyle even though her goggles came off on the initial dive.

Meanwhile the Barnsley Minors League Individual Gala was held at Knottingley Sports Centre. Medallists include Jorge Croyden (2B), Hannah Burgess (1B), Charlotte Tingle (2G) and Seth Blundell (1G).

13 year old Debbie Cocking has qualified for the 2015 British Swimming Championships which will be held at the London Aquatic Centre in April. Debbie has earned the right to compete in the 100 metres butterfly event at the most prestigious meet on the British Swimming calender.

This is a fantastic personal achievement for Debbie and also a great boost for the club to have a representative at this high calibre event, well done Debbie.

A small team of swimmers traveled to Stockport to take part in their annual short course open. As usual it was a fast gala with some of the UK’s big teams in attendance including the odd Olympian and Commonwealth Champion for good measure. Despite the tough opposition our swimmers did very well posting a host of personal best times including a couple of new club records.

Debbie Cocking gained 4 pbs with a series of strong swims and set a new junior record in the 50 metre butterfly with a time of 31.18 seconds. Dayna Towns improved her times in the 50 & 200 free, Abigail Jackson knocked 5 seconds off her 200 breastroke time and Alice Aucott finished 3rd in the 100 breastroke.

The boys also performed well with George Russell setting 5 pbs and also finishing 2nd in the 400 free & 50 fly and 3rd in the 200 free. George also broke the 4 minute barrier in the 400 free to set a new senior club record of 3:59.81. Jack Anderson also performed well over the weekend again with 5 pbs including a second place in the 50 free. Rob Pearson finished 2nd in the 50 free and 3rd in the 200 back and also picked up two pbs to round off a good weekend for our swimmers.

Full results

Just as you thought it was safe to go back into the water South Axholme Sharks Swimming Club held their Halloween Sprints B/C Grade Gala at Beverley Leisure Centre in East Yorkshire last weekend. Always a well attended event this gala manages to blend the supernatural with a much needed fun element. Rotherham Metro always field a great team of swimmers who yet again showed that the town will continue to be a force to be reckoned with over the coming years.

Personal best times are always a great goal for all swimmers, with 10 year old Oliver Russell smashing his own PB over 50m breaststroke by 11.7 seconds and Ebony Steele pummelling her 100m Individual Medley time by a whopping 23.3 seconds, but the kids were particularly keen to win one of the fabulous spooky etched glass trophies.

Trophy winners include Jorge Croyden (9), Charlotte Tingle (9), Lucy Ellis (9), Carys Neal (11-12yrs), Adam Hamstead (10), Oliver Russell (10),  Grace Russell (11-12yrs), Abigail Martin (11-12yrs), Jack Steele (11-12yrs), Chloe-Rose Monks (10), Saoirse Behan (10), Lauren Empson (10), Alexander Roberts (11-12yrs), Kitty Bramhall(10), Charlotte Jeffries (13-14yrs), Luke Monks (11-12yrs), Antonio Mars (11-12yrs), Hannah Burgess (13-14yrs), Luke Hamstead (15yrs and over), Thomas Blank (11-12yrs),

Speeding Tickets awarded to those just too quick included Oliver Russell, Grace Russell, Jack Steele, Kitty Bramhall and Chloe-Rose Monks.

Full results