Wear Valley Amateur Swimming Club (WVASC) swimmers were very excited to witness a World Downs Junior Record set in the 100m Individual Medley (IM) by visiting swimmer Harvey Stonebank (14) from Richmond Dales swimming club. Harvey also swam European Junior Downs Records in the 200m freestyle (free) and in the 100m butterfly (fly) very many congratulations Harvey!
At the same Wear Valley Gala, a fantastic total of 15 gold, 15 silver and 11 bronze medals, together with 42 personal bests (pbs) were won by WVASC swimmers. The gala took place at Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre, Bishop Auckland over the weekend of 10/11th November. Visiting clubs included Richmond Dales, Middlesbrough, Hetton, Sedgefield, Stokesley, Darlington, Derwentside, Tynedale, Bedale and Sunderland. During the gala the two minutes silence was observed by all swimmers, staff, coaches, officials and spectators.
From the Junior squad, Katie Brooks-Shea swam a pb in each of her 3 events and took 4 seconds off her 50m backstroke (back). Lauren Flint also gained 3 pbs and a 2 second pb in the 100m free. Adam Readman took 6 seconds off the 100m IM winning a bronze medal. Lily Mulholland achieved 2 pbs including a 2 second pb in the 50m back. Nicole Walker swam a 5 second pb in the 50m back. Reece Cunnachie had a fantastic gala gaining a pb in every event swam. Reece took 4 seconds off his 100m free. Sophie Liddell gained a pb in the 50m butterfly and a bronze medal in the 50m free. Lucy Randall also swam a pb in the 50m fly, won a gold in this event and a bronze medal in the 50m free. Ella Sowerby took 5 seconds off her 100 IM time and also gained pbs in the 50m back and 50m fly. James Holliday took 13 seconds off the 200m back and won a bronze medal. James also swam pbs in the 200m free and 100m breaststroke. Joseph Brown just missed out on a medal in the 50m fly, coming 4th and swam the 100m free for the first time. Ethan Flint swam a good 50m free and Amy Frame took 5 seconds off her 50m back.
The Senior Squad also gained lots of pbs and medals. Emily Power had two fabulous swims taking 19 seconds off her 50m free and 5 seconds off the 50 breaststroke times. Emily Whitton took 11 seconds off her 100m breaststroke, 5 seconds off her 100m free and swam a fantastic first 400m free, taking 52 seconds off her fastest training time. Joseph Dobson achieved an 11 second pb in the 400 IM and won a gold medal in this event. Joseph also won 2 other gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals. Jessica Maughan swam the 400 IM for the first time and won a silver medal in this event, together with another silver and bronze medal. Thomas Power took 49 seconds off his 400m free and 14 seconds off the 200m free. He also won 2 gold and 3 silver medals. Nic Cooper took 2 seconds off the 100m fly and won 3 silver and 3 bronze medals. Annabel Cooper took 3 seconds off the 100m breaststroke and won 4 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze medal. A great gala, thank you to the volunteers, officials, coaches, swimmers, Committee, spectators, WHCLC staff, Papa Kel’s (snack van) and NESS swimwear for a very memorable event.