Swimmers settle for second at Sittingbourne

Faversham Swimming Club returned home with their heads held high after snatching a sensational second place at the recent Sittingbourne One Length Gala.

Determined performances from the young swimmers smashed a total of six club records. Faversham’s record breakers included Blaine Ramsden for his dynamic dash in the boys 11 years 25 metre backstroke in a time of 20.15 and also in the 25 metre freestyle race in 17.66. James Guthrie raced home in the boys 12 years 25 metre breaststroke in a time of 18.56, whilst older brother Tom broke the boys 14 years breaststroke record in a time of 17.37. Lydia Scott smashed her records in the girls 13 years 25 metre freestyle (15.35) and the 25 metre breaststroke (20.00).

Those swimmers scooping 1st place were the 12 x 25 metre breaststroke squadron relay team, Richard Catton boys 10 years 25 metre backstroke (Personal best time 22.25) and the boys 10 yrs freestyle, Blaine Ramsden boys 11 yrs backstroke (P.B.20.15), Flora Westlake girls 11 yrs breaststroke (P.B.21.04) and backstroke (P.B.20.84). Rebecca Crouch girls 12 yrs butterfly (P.B.18.87), Tom Guthrie boys 13 yrs freestyle (P.B.14.25), 13 yrs breaststroke (P.B.17.40) and 14 yrs breaststroke (P.B.17.37).

Second place was awarded to Joe Wall boys 10 yrs 25 metre butterfly (P.B.21.09) and breaststroke (P.B.23.92), Molly Stemp girls 10 yrs breaststroke (P.B.24.91), James Guthrie boys 12 yrs breaststroke (P.B.18.56), backstroke (P.B.20.47), butterfly (P.B.18.66) and freestyle (P.B.16.31). Lydia Scott ladies open breaststroke (P.B.20.00) and girls 13 yrs breaststroke, Tom Pearce mens open breaststroke, backstroke (P.B.16.22), freestyle (P.B.13.57) and butterfly (P.B.15.00).

Third place winners were Molly Stemp girls 10 yrs 25 metre backstroke, Lauren Scott girls 10 yrs butterfly, Molly McKenna girls 11 yrs freestyle, Blaine Ramsden boys 11 yrs freestyle (P.B.17.66), Flora Westlake girls 12 yrs breaststroke (P.B.21.43). Rebecca Crouch girls 12 yrs freestyle (P.B.16.07), Lydia Scott girls 13 yrs freestyle (P.B.15.35), ladies open freestyle (P.B.15.54) and girls 13 yrs backstroke. Francis Nye boys 13 yrs butterfly, Joanne Hawkins ladies open backstroke, 14 yrs backstroke and 14 yrs breaststroke (P.B.21.00), Jasmine Locke ladies open butterfly and the 12 x 25 mtr freestyle relay team.

Personal best times were also achieved by Lauren Scott in the girls 25 mtr freestyle (19.81), Blaine Ramsden boys 25 mtr breaststroke (25.56) and butterfly (21.00), Rebecca Crouch girls 25 mtr backstroke (19.84), Ben Collins boys 25 mtr freestyle (15.75), backstroke (18.72) and butterfly (16.88).

The events final placings were Beachfield in 1st place with 244 points, Faversham in 2nd place 215 points, 3rd place Sittingbourne A team 198, 4th Folkestone 196, 5th Sheerness 96 and 6th Sittingbourne B team on 66 points.