Worcester Swimming Club were dominant at the first weekend of the 2017 ASA County Championships held at Wolverhampton Central Baths, claiming several County and numerous age group titles as well as breaking para-swimming British records.
County titles were claimed by Anthony Redfern, Olivia Fletcher, Robin Williams and Matt Richards, while Matt Redfern broke British records in two SB13 classification events.
In the boys 10/11 age group, David Annis was in sparkling form, winning gold medals in the 50m fly (35.44), 50m back (35.49)100m fly (1.19.56), 100m back (1.20.62), 200m free (2.30.02) and 200m back (2.45.69).
Bryony Lowe took gold in the girl’s 12-year age group, after a new personal best performance in the 400m freestyle. Aimee Monks also claimed gold in the same age group. Leading from the gun in the 100m fly final, she never looked troubled winning in 1.18.04.
Adam Rutter won gold in the boy’s 12-year age group, snatching the win in the 50m back final (36.67) after a very closely fought race.
In the boy’s 13-year age group, Daniel Day put together a series of strong swims, winning the 200m breaststroke (2.57.51), 50m back (31.01), 100m back (1.07.14), 200m free (2.11.40) and 200m back (2.24.93).
In the boy’s 14-year age group, Will Gearey claimed eight wins from eight events, with victories coming in the 50m fly (28.19), 100m fly (1.02.87), 50m back (29.97), 100m back (1.04.25), 200m back (2.17.87), 200m free (2.08.61), 100m breaststroke (1.14.78) and 200m breaststroke (2.44.30). Gearey also claimed the silver medal in Open category in the 200m backstroke.
In the girl’s 14-year age group, Megan Annis won the 100m IM (1.10.14) and picked up wins in the 50m back (32.50), 50m freestyle (28.08), 100m back (1.10.57), 100m fly (1.10.49). Annis’ performance in the 50m free, earned her the bronze medal in the Open category too.
In the 15-year age group, Matt Richards was also in dominant form, winning seven gold medals and seven Junior County titles in the 50m fly (27.04), 100m fly (1.00.80), 50m back (28.86), 100m back (1.03.05), 200m back, 200m free (2.02.02), 200m breast (2.31.47) and 200m back. Richards was also crowned County Open Champion in the 200m back (2.15.13).
Olivia Fletcher, competing in the 15-year age group, picked up a Junior and County title. Fletcher’s stunning swim in the 100m IM (1.07.20) was enough to secure both the Junior and County Open titles. She picked up silver in the Open category in the 50m free (27.37) and 100m back (1.06.57) and bronze medals (Open group) for 50m back (31.42) and 200m free (2.10.66).
Robin Williams stormed to victory in the 100m fly (58.83) to claim the County title and 16 years and over age group, leading from the gun and then increasing his lead at the half way point to win the gold medal.
Anthony Redfern took the 50m backstroke County title in 27.83 and 16 years and over age group gold, with a superb display of power and underwater work. Redfern also bagged championship silvers in 100m back (1.00.63), 50m fly (25.90), 200m free (1.57.60) and 100m breast (1.05.12).
Charlotte Hall won gold in the 50m free (28.58) in the 16 years and over age category and added the 100m fly title too in 1.07.94. Matt Thomas picked up the gold medal in the 200m back (2.22.13) in the boys 16 years and over category.
Despite just coming back from injury which had seen him out of training for couple of months, Matt Redfern set new short course British records for SB13 200m breaststroke (2.44.62) and S13 200m backstroke (2.24.01), subject to ratification.
Other swimmers claiming either silver or bronze medals across the age groups included Anthony Redfern, Robin Williams, Aimee Monks, Charlotte Hall, Brodie Willetts, Samuel Hall, George Glover, Rebecca Yates, Lauren Annis, Maisie Lyons, Megan Annis, Olivia Fletcher, Ellis McGinnes, Bryony Lowe, Naomi Marsden, David Annis, Daniel Day, Louis Doyle, Alex Westwood, Matt Redfern and Lauren Hill.