Kelly College - Top Team at DCASA Open Water Championships 2007

For the second year running Kelly College Swim Squad took on and beat the rest of Devon County Clubs at the DCASA Open Water Championships at Oddicombe. The Team of Matthew Henry , Caroline Ball, Matthew Stacey, Kathryn Stacey, Cameron Carpenter-Warren, Rebecca Windemer and Hannah Ball were never seriously challenged as they won all the individual events.

Matthew Henry (17), winner of the 16 and under 1500m for the last three years, stepped up to the 17 and over 3k this year and just carried on where he had left off. His win was very impressive, being nearly 5 minutes ahead of the second placed swimmer. Matthew's next event is at the end of August, when he will be taking on the top swimmers in the country at Holme Pierrepoint, Nottingham in the National Open Water Championships. Matthew won the 15/16 years title last year, but this year moves up the 17 to 25 years age group.

Caroline Ball(18), defended her 3k title that she won last year with great aplomb and goes back to full training for her attempt at the Windermere swim at the beginning of September and the National Open Water Championships.

Matthew Stacey(15), runner up for the past two years to Matthew Henry in the 1500m, swam away from the rest of the field to take the 16 and under title for the first time. Matthew is now heading for Nottingham , where he hopes to improve on his 4 th place from last year. Team-mate, Cameron Carpenter Warren, swimming an open water event, for the first time, took equal second place.

Not to be outdone, Matthew's younger sister, Kathryn Stacey (13), swam brilliantly to make it a 'full house' for Kelly College, when she took first place in the girls 16 & under 1500m. Kathryn also will be attending the National Open Water championships, where she will be taking part for the first time, as swimmers have to be 13 to enter. Rebecca Windemer and Hannah Ball, both swimming in open water events for the first time, finished well up the field and were both highly delighted with their performances.

The medals and trophies were presented by Robert Margetts, ASA President, Keith Pring, President ASA South West, and Steve Ward, DCASA President. Steve Ward thanked Maggie Pike for organizing the event, which once again was a great success. Even the weather played its part well.