Yorkshire’s elite swimmers gathered for 12 sessions spread over four weekends between 31st January and 22nd February. Rotherham Metro Swimming Club were out in force with a strong team of swimmers, many of whom finalled in their swims.

A large contingent of Rotherham Metro swimmers were at Ponds Forge on Sunday 1st February for the level 4 Sheffield and District ASA Championships.

The meet is open to clubs affiliated to the Sheffield and District ASA across South Yorkshire. Other clubs competing included City of Sheffield, Sheffield City, Barnsley, Stocksbridge, Adwick, Dearne Valley, Armthorpe, Edlington, Askern Spa and Chapeltown. For some of the youngest swimmers, this was their first opportunity to wear the Rotherham Metro hat in a licensed meet. The future of Rotherham Metro was sealed with a fantastic 25m swim in the first race of the day with a cup awarded to four year old Charlotte Clements in the Water Babies class. There were a number of events where Rotherham dominated by winning more than one medal. PBs were achieved across all age groups. Eleven year old Abigail Jackson took the Top Girl (11-15yrs) with a fantastic medal tally which included gold medals in 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 100m breaststroke, silver medals in 100m backstroke, 50m backstroke and 50m freestyle and finally bronze in 50m breaststroke. An amazing result for Abigail and definitely one to watch.

Rebecca Britten continued her improving form returning home awash with silverware having secured the Blatherwick Cup (for best aggregate score) after winning six gold medals (100m butterfly, 100m backstroke, 200m breaststroke, 400m freestyle, 100m freestyle and 200m backstroke).

Medal winners include: Devin Kellett (5G 3S), Debbie Cocking (7G 3S), Ceri Thorman (2G 3S 1B), Callum Simmons (2G 4S), Ty Burrell (1B), Harold Cocking (3G, 3S), Thomas Blank (1B), Josh Turver (3G 3S 1B), Saoirse Behan (1G 2B), Abigail Jackson (4G 2S 1B), Rebecca Durn (1G), Rebecca Britten (6G), William Whitehead (2S), Harri Thorman (3G 2S 1B), Mollie Fisher (1S), Milly Neal (1B), Kayley Britten (5G 1B), Shannon Eades (1G 3S), Jack Steele (1G 1S 1B), Jack Whitehurst (1S 1B), Kitty Bramhall (1S), Chloe-Rose Monks (2S 2B), Grace Russell (1B), Kenyon Kellett (1S), Thomas Hesling (1B and second in long plunge), Kitty Bramhall (1S 1B), Benjamin Gavelle (1S).

Full Results

Connor Wood became Metro’s second swimmer to qualify for this April’s British Championships in London when he went under the qualifying mark of 25.90 seconds in the 50 Freestyle at this weekend’s Yorkshire Sprints.

Connor recorded a time of 25.72 seconds in the heats and so earned the right to swim at this year’s premier British swimming event.

A great personal achievement for Connor.

Debbie Cocking built on her 100 metre butterfly British Championships time achieved last year by qualifying today for the 200 IM & 50 Freestyle. Debbie took part in the Burns Meet at Ponds Forge and produced some fantastic swims clocking 2:27.89 in the 200 IM and 28.88 in the 50 freestyle to take her tally of British Championship times to 3 meaning she will have a busy week at the London Aquatic Centre in April.

Debbie also narrowly missed out on the 100 backstroke mark but with time still remaining to qualify for this prestigious event watch this space.

Well done Debbie.

It was an away weekend for Rotherham Metro swimmers who competed at the City Of Bradford Swimming Club’s Winter Meet last weekend held at Shipley Leisure Centre.

Rotherham yet again fielded a strong squad of swimmers from age 9 to 44. This festive themed gala always manages to blend the fun side of swimming with the more serious competitive element having many swimmers chasing Yorkshire and North Eastern qualifying times for next year in races ranging from 50m sprints to more gruelling 400m freestyle and individual medley events.

Rotherham’s superb Cannon team brought home the money where eight swimmers were selected to compete in the only team event of the weekend and the only race offering prize money. Always a highlight of any gala weekend this race was no exception with the eight swimmers comprising Daniel Lyon-Smith, Ehren Beresford, Abigail Martin, Kenyon Kellett, Harri Thorman, Carys Neal, Kayley Britten and Jack Fox swimming one of the most exciting races seen at this event for many years. Rotherham fended off City of Leeds Swimming Club’s strong race by finishing 8 x 25m freestyle in a time of 1m55.25secs with Leeds less than one second behind posting a time of 1m56.17 secs.

The success in the Cannon set the scene for the weekend’s great performances. Medallists include Saoirse Behan (1B 1S), Ceri Thorman (1G 3S 1B), Holly Empson (1B 2S), Callum Simmons (4G  1B), Harri Thorman (6G 4S), Ehren Beresford (4G 1S 1B), Josh Turver (1G 1S 2B), Devin Kellett (8G), Carys Neal (1B), Isabelle Bailey (1S), Owen Mason (3G 1S 1B), Kenyon Kellett (2G 2S 3B), Becky Britten (7G 2S), Kayley Britten (4G 4S), Jack Whitehurst (3B), Thomas Blank (1S), Ben Cliff (2S), Benjamin Gavelle (2S), Daniel Lyon-Smith (1G 2S) and Ty Burrell (1G).

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