Kelly Swimming

DEVON COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Long Distance 2002

Saturday, 2nd February, 2002 was the first session of the Devon County Amateur Swimming Association Championships and Age-groups. Kelly College sent eight swimmers to compete in this session for the long distance events, 1500m freestyle for men 13 and older, 800m freestyle for 12 year old boys and 800m freestyle for ladies 12 and over.

Gavin stokes (14) represented Kelly College in the mens 1500m freestyle coming sixth in his age-group in a time of 21.00.35 which was a personal best. Gavin is a National Triathlon Age-group Champion and was competing in the long distance to help improve the swim section of his Triathlon.

Kelly had 4 girls in the 800m freestyle with Beth Campbell-Boseley (14) repeating her win of last year in her age-group and coming 4th in the Championship in a time of 9.44.06 (pb). Beth swimming in an outside lane and seeded the slowest in her heat, put on an excellent exhibition of intelligent swimming to win her heat. Jessica Clear (12) swimming the 800m competitively for the first time performed well to take nearly a minute off her entry time with a time of 11.51.72 and was placed 10th in her age-group. Rachel Banfield and Jacqui Couch were both seeded into the fastest heat of the competition. Jacqui, swimming in the 16 years age-group came 2nd in 9.50.49, which was a seven second personal best. Rachel in the 17 years and over age-group also came 2nd in 9.24.92, a personal best by 16 seconds, which placed her 3rd in the Championship.

The best race of the session was the last heat of the boys 800m freestyle which saw three Kelly College boys, Thomas Howe, Nye Levett and Daniel Kidwell competing for the title. Thomas Howe and Patrick Friel (Exeter City) swam neck and neck for the first 26 lengths. Patrick then took the initiative and pulled a body length ahead of Tom but on the last length Tom fought back and finished just .44 of a second behind Patrick to take second place in 9.38.95 with Nye third in 9.51.43 and Daniel fourth in 9.56.29. All three swimmers performed personal best times.

Kelly College achieved 1 gold, 3 silvers, and 2 bronze medals at this the first of thirteen sessions in the Championships. Next weekend is the middle distance freestyle events and the 400m Individual Medley on the Saturday and the relay events on the Sunday.