Distance swimmers take centre stage to start off day four

The distance swimmers took centre stage in the afternoon session on day four at the Swim England National Summer Meet.

The early medal events mainly fought out in the Men’s 1500m Freestyle with athletes showing their speed and determination in the battle for gold at Ponds Forge.

The first medal action of the day however came in this morning’s Multi Classification events where a number of personal best times were set.

City of Cambridge’s Claire Cannon and City of Coventry’s William Newton both broke their best 200m Freestyle times.

Cannon, an S5 swimmer, won gold with an excellent time of 2:52:37. The effort knocked almost 45 seconds off her original time as the 38-year-old earnt 369 points to leave Ponds Forge with the title.

Newton, also took time off his previous best in the Men’s 200m Freestyle event. His determined swim shaved just under two seconds off his original time.

The 15-year old S14 swimmer swam a very strong 2:17:55 to see off Angus Leckonby and Harvey Philips to claim the gold medal.

Newton scored 545 points for his swim just ahead of Leckonby’s 539 with Louth swimmer Phillips completing the podium on 369 points.

And more personal bests followed in the men’ and two coming from the women’s 100m Butterfly.

Ella Williams took gold in the women’s 100m fly however she came up just short of her personal best. 23-year-old Rebbecca Hardy Bishop finished second with her first personal best of the day. The S13 Jersey swimmer finished with a time of 1:28:01.

Third place Isabella Haynes swimming for Bournemouth was another one to break her top time. The 15 year old S9 swimmer put in a very fast time of 1:33:63.

Williams earnt 367 points to top the podium, with Haynes only slightly behind with 359 points in third.

The two records in the men’s event came from Mark Evans and Aidan Stanbrook. Only Stanbrook managed to get a medal position with his time of 1:15:12. The 16 year old managed to earn himself 374 points and left the forge with a well earnt bronze.

Evans’ performance was also quick however just missing out on the podium by five seconds. Evans’ who is an S14 swimmer from Hitchin, swam a pleasing time of 1:20:76. The 27 year old also earned himself 301 points.

Impressing for gold however was Preston’s Ryan Potter. He set a time of 1:08.42 for 496 points with Leckonby winning his second silver of the session with a time of 1:10.34 and a score of 456 points.

Swales adds another gold

The distance swimmers took to centre stage this afternoon and after a fantastic set of swims in the Men’s 1500m freestyle tied up session 10.

One of the standout performances came from 14 year old Thomas Swales – who has made a name for himself at this competition. The Nova Centurion knocked nearly a minute off his already impressive time meaning he walked away with the gold, finishing in 16:49.10.

William Hicklin was just shy of reaching the sub 17 minute mark, however his time of 17:02:57 saw him pick up the Silver Medal.

Just less than two seconds behind Hickin was Portsmouth competitor Makar Yakhno. Yakhno the youngest of the three, recorded a time of 17:04:32.

Selmani takes the gold

In the 15 year old age group Yassin Selmani took home the gold and whilst also breaking the 16 minute barrier with a time of 16:53:33.

Hugh Mason-Williams was just seven seconds slower for silver with the bronze medal spot going to Oscar Bellinger who touched the wall just four seconds after Mason-Williams after a strong swim.

Wall goes under 16-minutes for the first time

In the 16 Years competition Ryan Wall took the gold as he swam under the 16-minute mark for the first time in his career.

The City of Cambridge swimmer set one of the times of the day with a 16:53.55 as he finished 10 seconds ahead of his nearest rival for his age.

The silver medal went to the swimmer that was third in the same heat as Wall with Kenechukwu Harris-Eze who lowered his entry time by 13 seconds in a strong swim.

Barnet Copthall’s Harris-Eze made it two silver in as many days after his effort in the 800m Freestyle yesterday.

Rounding out the podium was Alan Parra-Manzo of Maidenhead – setting a time of 17:04.55 for bronze.

Jackson sets fastest time of the day

Borough of Kirklees’ Daniel Jackson set the fastest time of the day to win gold in the 17 Years event.

Swimming in the final heat of the session, Jackson led the way to better his lifetime best by 25 seconds in a stunning swim.

His time of a 16:38.63 put him clear of Teddington’s Billy Bainbridge who impressed to win silver.

Bainbridge’ time was the only other swimmer in the age group to complete the 30 lengths in under 17 minutes.

He completed the race in 16:49.01 ahead of Cayman’s Will Sellars who won commemorative bronze and national bronze winner Jacob Pillinger of Bicester (17:07.47).

Robinson adds another gold for Northumberland and Durham

Joshua Robinson added to a successful week for Northumberland and Durham with gold in the Men’s 1500m 18 Years and over.

Robinson swam a consistent race to finish three seconds faster than Wrekin Swimming Club’s Joe Ritson.

It was time of 16:49.43 that got the gold for Robinson with Ritson finishing in 16:52.06.

George Lambert also swam under 17 minutes for the first time as he took bronze. The Portsmouth Northsea swimmer touched the wall in a time of 16:58.88.

Images: Morgan Harlow