Saturday, October 11, 2008
Skip Navigation LinksHome / News

Age is no barrier to being best

Friday, July 18, 2008
Age is no barrier to being best
Medal winning masters Helen Fletcher and Nikki Wood, with Garry Wood.
Sport/SwimmingTHREE members of West Wight Masters Swimming Club amassed 15 medals at the weekend’s Centenary Hampshire County Championships in Waterlooville.
Helen Fletcher was outstanding in her category, 35 to 39 years, winning gold in 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke, and also obtaining personal bests in both.
She went on to gain two silvers in 50m breaststroke and 25m fly and a bronze in 100m freestyle, where she knocked two seconds off her personal best times.
Nikki Wood fought off stiff competition in her category, 40 to 44 years, gaining a silver in 25m breastroke and bronze medals in 200m freestyle and 25m backstroke, with personal best times in two other races.
But star of the day was Garry Wood, who was magnificent in the 60 to 64 years age group, competing in seven races and winning seven gold medals, including 25m, 50m and 100m fly.

Top team sets the standard
TWO weekends of top swimming action in Southampton yielded some fantastic results for members of the IW Swim Team, with 76 new personal bests recorded.
The standard of swimming at the two Hampshire Development meets were, as always, very high and the good results achieved by the Island swimmers gave a reflection of the effort they put in, and gives hope of more success next season.
In the 17 to 18 years age group, both Byron Parkin and Mark Alchin were consistently in the top places.
Byron came second in the 100m backstroke, 50m breaststroke and 50m backstroke, came fourth in the 100m individual medley, third in the 50m butterfly and won both 100m and 50m freestyle.
Mark won the 200m breaststroke and 200m freestyle, came second in the 100m breaststroke, fourth in the 100m individual medley, third in the 100m freestyle, fifth in the 50m freestyle and third in the 50m and 100m backstroke.
Chelsea Bell in the 15 to 16 years age group won the 200m butterfly, debutant Rebecca Woodford took sixth places in both the 100m and 50m butterfly
David Blackman in the 13 years age group, came fifth in the 200m breaststroke and achieved sixth places in backstroke and butterfly.
Izabella Blacklock enjoyed a great all-round display, coming ninth overall in the ten years age group, the highlight being a win in the 50m butterfly.
Melissa Hewson came sixth overall in the 14 years age group and Charlie Stevens came ninth overall in the 14 years age group.
The team has also been involved in galas on the mainland and on the Island, with mixed results. At Alton, for the last round of the Rother League, the team came second overall, with individual wins for Alex Edmunds in the 50m breastroke, Cody Mallett in the 50m freestyle, Izabella Blacklock in the butterfly, Sam Sussmes in both the 50m backstroke and freestyle, and Alex Evans in the freestyle.
At Woking, for the Minor League, the team found the competition too tough and did not feature in the main places. However, 18 new personal bests were achieved.
At the gala organised at West Wight, young members came second overall, recording 22 new personal best times.
Lauren Taylor, Rhiannon Williams, Oliver Thompson and Carla Roberts all won their races.
Finally, the swim team organised the Cherriman Trophy Gala at Medina, and another 42 personal bests were achieved.

Youngsters make a splash then dash
ALMOST 20 youngsters took part in West Wight Sports Centre’s Splash and Dash competition, a swimming and running duathlon event.
Paige Critchley and Billy Hancock were the winners of the longest race of the day for Year 7 and 8 pupils, comprising a 150m swim and 800m run. Paige finished in seven minutes, 30 seconds, with Billy finishing 25 seconds earlier.
In the Year 5 and 6 race (100m swim, 800m run), the girls’ category was won by Skye Critchley in 8.20 and Charlie Norman won the boys race in 5.47.
In the girls’ Year 3 and 4 race (50m swim, 400m run), Amy Jones won in 3.45, and Jack Pickford won the boys race in 3.13.
For children in Year 1 and 2, the race was a 25m swim and 400m run.
The girls’ race was won by Molly Fennimore in 3.16 and the boy’s race was won by Elliot Griffiths in 3.30.
• Picture in the Friday, July 18, County Press.