Rebecca's Hat Trick of Golds
Girls Competition
This year’s Sheffield & District Gala was held at Ponds Forge International venue on the 8th of January and Metro sent a contingent of swimmers to compete in the competition and for many of the younger swimmers it was their first gala and to be swimming it at an International pool just added to the experience. All events are age group except the 200 and 400 events, which are open.
In outstanding form was twelve year-old Rebecca Finnie who claimed a magnificent eight medals with two of these coming in the open section, her medals consisted of a hat trick of Gold’s in the 100 fly, 100 freestyle and 50 freestyle, silvers in the 50 fly, 100 backstroke and 200 freestyle with bronze medals in the 50 backstroke and 400 freestyle and finally Rebecca was awarded with the Owen Murfin trophy for the overall top girl in the 11/15 year-old category. Pushing Rebecca all the way was Dayna Towns also twelve who claimed gold medals in the 50 backstroke and 100 breaststroke with silvers in the 100 fly and freestyle and bronze in the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke.
Eleven year-old Abbie Ackroyd was another swimmer in scintillating form claiming gold’s in the 50 and 100 breaststroke and a hat trick of silvers in the 50 freestyle and 50, 100 backstroke. Up and coming backstroke specialist Rebecca Durn (11) claimed gold in the 50 and 100 backstroke with a brace of bronze medals in the 50 fly and breaststroke. Rebecca Britten (14) was in fine form taking the gold in the 200 freestyle with a total of 4 silvers in the 50,100,400 freestyle and 200 backstroke. Alicia Hartley (13) was defending her 50 breaststroke title which she has won for the last four years, not only did she take gold to make it 5 years on the trot but she did it by a 5 second margin and she followed this up with silver in the 50 backstroke and bronze medals in the 100 backstroke and breaststroke. Taking gold, silver and bronze to complete the set was ten year-old Kayley Britten in the 50 fly, backstroke and freestyle respectively, also ten Debbie cocking claimed gold in the 100 fly and silver in the 100 breaststroke. Putting in a measured swim was Ceri Thorman (11) who claimed silver in the 100 freestyle and finally a special mention to Abigail Kennett who was the youngest metro medal winner of the day claiming bronze in the 50 backstroke with a fantastic performance.
Boys Competition
Twelve year-old Connor Wood was in splendid form claiming double gold in the 50 and 100 fly and followed this up with silver in the 50 freestyle. Jack Whitehirst was once again in stunning form claiming gold in the 50 freestyle and a hat trick of silvers in the 50 backstroke, 100 breaststroke and freestyle and to top off a fine day Jack won the Ethel White trophy for the top ten year-old boy. Adam Blackwell (14) had a fantastic day when he claimed gold in the 100 backstroke and silver in the 50 backstroke and the long plunge event, also having a fine meet was Ehren Beresford (11) who showed his versatility by winning a medal in each stroke that consisted of gold in the 50 breaststroke and silvers in the 50 freestyle and backstroke with finally a bronze in the 50 fly. Claiming the full set of medals with outstanding performances was eleven year-old Joshua Turver who won gold in the 50 freestyle, silver in the 50 fly and bronze in the 50 breaststroke. Three boys all winning bronze medals were twelve year-old Brodie Benson in the 50 backstroke, 50 freestyle, Harry Buxton (11) 50 backstroke and Thomas Hesling (13) in the long plunge event.
Also competing: Jack Steele, Devin Kellett, Benjamin Gavelle, Dylan Bohn, Owen Mason, Bradley Wallis, Kenyon Kellett, Ryan Coyle, Jack Fox, Brandon Jackson, Ella Baillie, Liam Blackwell, Lana Doneo, Abigail Martin, Kaci Smallwood, Holly Empson, Hannah Burgess, Reiss Chambers, Ellisa Dawson, Madeline Jones, Sophie Jones, Isla Doneo, Courtney Cutler, Luke Hamstead, Jack Fox, Danielle Marsh, Rebecca Bamber and Thomas Charnock,