THERE were several outstanding swims for Solihull-based Blythe Barracudas inside the Wolverhampton Leisure Centre for the John Vaughan Trophy Gala.
The Barracudas came up against teams from Kingsbury, Pershore, Stourbridge, Swadlincote and Telford and the recently deployed Red and Blue teams finished first and third respectively.
The club’s red team clocked up no fewer than ten first place finishes with wins for Harvey Blackhurst, Jack Kirby, Fraser Blackhurst, Myles Harris, Tom O’Hanlon, James Morris, Dave Fellows and Val Sarigins.
The boys relay teams also excelled with success for the nine and 13-year-olds in the freestyle and medley races.
Meanwhile the girls in Blythe Barracudas Red were also in fine form with wins for Carmen Whaley, Jessica Deans, Freya Lindsay, Emily Worrall and Grace Dowse.
The girls relay teams also shone with first places for the nine-year medley race, while the 11 and 13 and 15-year age groups won their respective freestyle and medley races, with the open girls also winning their freestyle race.
Swimmers from Blythe Barracudas were also in action over the weekend at the City of Coventry January Open Meet, which was held inside the 50m swimming pool in the city centre.
Nine-year-old Charlotte Maloney shone by winning gold in the 50m breaststroke and she also came home with bronze in the 50m freestyle.
There were superb swims from 10-year-old Aahana Jain who picked up silver in the 200m backstroke and 400m IM as well as bronze in the 50m backstroke, while team mate Beth Morris was awarded silver in the 50m and 200m breaststroke and bronze in the 100m breaststroke and 200m IM.
Elsewhere there were silver medals in Coventry for Carmen Whaley, Hannah O’Leary and Scarlett Flynn secured gold in the 50m and 100m breaststroke.
For the boys, nine-year-old Joseph Franklin excelled by gaining a gold in the 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle and silver in the 50m backstroke and 50m breaststroke.
Ten-year-old Lukas Whaley attained gold in the 200m breaststroke, silver in the 100m breaststroke and 50m butterfly and bronze in the 50m backstroke, 50m freestyle and 200m IM.
Zack Keavney, 12, secured silver in the 100m freestyle and bronze in the 100m butterfly.
Fourteen-year-old Callum Mitchell picked up gold in the 50m and 100m freestyle, while James Morris picked up gold in the 200m freestyle and 200m IM and silver in the 50m backstroke and 50m and 100m freestyle.
Val Sarigins picked up gold in the 100m backstroke, the 50m and 100m breaststroke and bronze in the 50m freestyle.
Blythe Barracudas is a friendly club offering lessons and training opportunities for all levels of swimmers in the Solihull and South Birmingham areas. For further information or to book a trial with one of our fully qualified coaches, please visit www.blythebarracudas.com.
