Wear Valley Amateur Swimming Club was in action again at the Gateshead and Whickham Summer Meet held at Dunston Leisure Centre on the weekend of 13th to 15th July 2018. A total of 17 other North East swimming clubs were also competing. Wear Valley sent a squad of 13 swimmers and over the weekend, 7 gold medals, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals were won, 28 short course Personal Bests (PBs) gained and Wear Valley swam in 8 finals.
James Holliday swam six Personal Bests and won a gold in the 200m breaststroke, a bronze in the 200m Individual Medley (IM) and swam in the 50m breaststroke final. Emily Whitton swam 3 PBs in the 50m and 100m butterfly (Fly) and in the 50m backstroke. Sophie Liddell gained 4 PBs in the 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 50m backstroke and swam a 7 second PB in the 100m freestyle. Ryan Baker swam in 2 events and gained places in the finals for both events. Ryan won a silver medal in the 50m freestyle and a bronze medal together with a PB in the 50m fly. Lauren Flint was delighted with her 2 PBs in the 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke.
Lily Mulholland gained a PB in the 50m breaststroke. Lucy Randall won medals together with PBs in both of her events. Lucy won a gold medal in the 50m freestyle and a silver in the 200m freestyle gaining a 13 second PB in this event. Jessica Maughan swam one event and won a gold in this event, the 50m fly gaining a 2 second PB in the final. Ella Sowerby swam PBs in the 100m backstroke and in the 200m freestyle. Oliver Sommerville had an excellent race in the 50m free and gained a 3 second PB. Madison Peveller continued her winning streak with 2 gold medals and PBs in both the 50m and 200m backstroke. Annabel Cooper won a silver medal in the 100m fly and a PB in the 50m breaststroke. Nic Cooper won 2 gold medals in the 200m breaststroke and 200 backstroke. Nic also gained a PB in the 200 backstroke and in the 50m breaststroke.
The gala had a great atmosphere and there were some fabulous swims by the Wear Valley team.