Richmond Dales gala report
24 Sep 2021
A BLUE wave descended on the Neptune Centre in Middlesbrough as dozens of Tynemouth ASC swimmers made the trip south for Richmond Dales’ Iain Young Back To Pool gala – with no less than 32 of them returning home with medals.
In total Tynemouth swimmers landed 54 golds, 30 silvers and 34 bronze – a total of 118 medals – during an impressive weekend of racing, plus many youngsters were rewarded with some great PBs even if some of those didn’t result in medals.
Harry Ripley had a golden start to the new season as the nine-year-old secured SEVEN golds for his weekend’s efforts, while in the 10 years age group Abby Coventry also had plenty to smile about thanks to her six gold medals and two silvers. Hannah Gray took home three golds and three silvers, Sophia Anderson secured two golds and three bronzes, Harry Willis two silvers and four bronzes while Hari Diddee won a couple of silvers.
There was no let up in the 11 years age group as Kathryn Otterson secured an incredible haul of EIGHT gold medals while Freya Beach took home an excellent four golds, three silvers and a bronze, with Annabel Cowens adding a silver and three bronze medals.
The 12-year-olds category saw Aidan Turner take three golds, three silvers and a bronze, Ruby Dann secured three golds plus a silver, Beth Richardson took home two golds, Daniel Payton won one gold, Olivia Willis a silver and two bronzes, Mitchell McDermott a silver and bronze, while Kajetan Guzikiewicz took home a bronze.
Niamh Savory landed six golds plus a silver and bronze in the 13 years age group, while Jamie Beach was rewarded with three golds, two silvers and two bronze medals for his efforts. Jai Diddee won two silvers and a bronze, Katie Coventry one silver and one bronze, Megan Comrie won a silver medal, Isobel Munnoch secured no less than six bronzes, while Toby Ross landed another bronze.
In the 14 years age group, George Turner took home the full set winning one each of gold, silver and bronze, Jack Kelso won a gold and a bronze, and Rosie Smith secured a bronze.
Finally in the 15 years and over category, Amy Heron (17) bagged herself a couple of gold medals, James Hayes (16) also took home a set of gold, silver and bronze medals, Sofia Krasauska (17) landed another gold, Katie Stobbs (16) and Benjamyn Hartridge (15) both took home a silver, while Jack Ashurst (16) added another bronze to an impressive Tynemouth total.
Many thanks to the coaches and volunteers for giving up their weekends to ensure Tynemouth swimmers got the chance to get back into the water again for some very welcome competitive swimming action, and well done to all the swimmers for doing the club proud over the two days.
