Doncaster DARTES Swim A Long A Santa 2009

Posted by Andy on the 10th of December, 2009

Driving rain and an early start didn't dampen spirits for our outing to this year's swim a long a santa and a fantastic effort was put in by all our swimmers. This was amply rewarded by everyone coming away with either a trophy, speeding ticket or personal best. Overall we came an admirable second in the team competition, losing in the final event to Dearne Valley by 310 points to 334. Nineteen swimmers took part gaining fifty-nine personal bests, twenty-two speeding tickets and fifty trophies.

Possibly the biggest cheer went to Andy Blacklock who achieved his aim of breaking a minute for 100m freestyle but all in all everyone deserves a pat on the back for their achievements. Other highlights are Aaron Walker achieving his Yorkshire time in the IM, Jason Atkinson winning the top boy in his age group, Joshua Greenhalgh getting a first in the 100m fly after deciding on the day to take part, the girls excelling on the IM with Chelsea Eales knocking 16 seconds off her PB, Farrah Gaskell breaking the 3 minute mark and Sasha Gaskell and Lauren Pendlebury knocking over 6 seconds off their times, Lewis Jessop losing his goggles and feeling sick but still getting a couple of first places, Leah Oliver getting a second and a PB in the 50m free, Lauren Walker getting 3 PBs and a trophy to add to the points total, Jacob Greenhalgh getting 2nd in his age group, Jacob Warner's first in 50m breaststroke, Eva Clark knocking nearly 4 seconds off her 50m freestyle PB , Joshua Sellars narrowly missing out on top boy but compensating with some A grade times, Caitlin Feirn and Katie Pendlebury getting a clutch of A grade times, Shannon Allerton collecting a PB and adding to the points tally with a third in backstroke and Becky Warner making an excellent contribution with a mix of first and second places.

Thanks go to Sandra Eales for her excellent organisation, in spite of having to cope with me as a poor substitute for the usual Clive Greenhalgh presence (at home studying - in there in spirit and fiercely proud of all the competitors), Neil Sellars for a full day of time keeping, all the parents and supporters (Julie and Glynn Walker, Cath Pendlebury, Natalie Feirn, Dot Grogan, Josie Blacklock, Alison Warner, Nige Clark, Andy Allerton, Laura Bates) for bringing the children and cheering loudly, to our DARTES swimmers (Heidi Smith and Jess Gillatt) and parents for helping out (Helen and Chris Smith and Les Brown). Also to Ian Gordon who was a judge for the full day and did a sterling job as always and entered into the Christmas spirit by sporting the beginnings of a Santa style beard.

Doncaster DARTES Swim-A-Long-Santa 2009

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