Bradford Christmas Meet 2010
While all the other Galas over the weekend of 5th and 6th of December where cancelled due to heavy snow fall Rotherham Metro’s trip to Bradford’s open short course gala still went ahead with many swimmers thinking Christmas had come early as they came away with a sack full of medals. In total there was 106 medals won with 44 Gold, 36 Silver and 26 Bronze, which is an exceptional feat at such a high class Gala.
Boys Competition
Fourteen year-old Matthew Sotheran once again proved what an exceptional talent he has by securing Gold medals in eight events which were 50,100 and 200 Backstroke, 50, 200 and 400 Freestyle, 100 Fly and 200IM and also winning Silver medals in the 50M Breaststroke and Fly and finally rounding the meet off with a Bronze in the 100M Freestyle. Hot on Matthew’s heels in the Gold medal stakes was up and coming talent Connor Neal eleven who won six Gold medals in the 50, 100 and 200 Freestyle, 50 and 100 Fly, and the 200IM followed by Silver medals in the 100 and 200 Breaststroke. Thirteen year-old George Russell put in some tremendous performances to claim a hat trick of Gold medals in the 50,100 and 200 Fly and also Gold in the 200IM, he also pulled off another hat trick in the Freestyle event claiming Silvers in the 50 and 200 with Bronze in the 100. In the 15 and over age group Dale Waterhouse secured four Gold’s in the 50 and 100 Freestyle, 100 Fly and 50 Backstroke as well as silver medal’s in the 50 and 100 Breaststroke and also the 50 Fly. Also competing in the 15 and over age group was Daniel McLean who won Gold’s in the 50 Fly and 100 Backstroke with Silver’s in the 100 Freestyle and Fly and Bronze medal’s in the 50 Freestyle and 200 Freestyle and IM. Seventeen year-old Aaron Waterhouse who claimed Gold in the 400 Freestyle with Silvers in the 200 Freestyle and IM and Bronze medals in 100 Freestyle and Fly. Taking Gold in the 200IM was nineteen year-old Thomas Nelson and he followed this up with Silver’s in the 400 Freestyle, 100 and 200 Backstroke with Bronze in the 50 Backstroke. Eleven year-old Robert Kirk proved he was almost back to full fitness by taking Silvers in the 100 and 400 Freestyle as well as the 100 Fly with Bronzes in the 100 Backstroke and Breaststroke and to finish off a Bronze in the 200IM. Seventeen year-old Ben Bainbridge gained Silver in the 200 Fly and Bronze in the 200 Breaststroke also in the same category Simon Worne took Bronze’s in the 50 Fly and 100 Breaststroke. Twelve year-old Robert Pearson produced an exceptional time to take the Silver in the 50 Backstroke with Ben Cliff eleven taking Bronze’s in the 200 and 400 Freestyle.
Girls Competition
Leading the way once again in the girl’s competition was sixteen year-old Charlotte Pearson who gained six Gold medals in the six events she entered which were 50 Freestyle, Fly and Backstroke followed by 100 Fly and Freestyle and the 200IM. Emily shone fourteen gained an impressive nine medals of which were four Gold’s in the 50 and 100 Breaststroke, 50 and 100 Backstroke with Silver’s in the 50 Freestyle, 200IM, 200 Freestyle and 200 Backstroke and finally a Bronze medal in the 100 Freestyle. Kelsey Longden also fourteen gained four Gold medals in the 50 and 200 Fly, 200 and 400 Freestyle and a Silver medal in the 100 Fly, Holly Sotheran twelve gained eight medals which consisted of Gold’s in the 200 Fly and 400 Freestyle, followed by Silvers in the 50 and 100 Fly, 50 and 200 Freestyle and Bronze medal’s in the 200 Backstroke and IM. Another up and coming talent Eleven year-old Rebecca Finnie gained a Gold medal in the 100 Freestyle followed by Silver’s in the 50 Backstroke and 200 Freestyle and a Bronze medal in the 50 Freestyle. Alice Aucott twelve took Gold in the 50 Breaststroke followed by Bronze’s in the 50 Fly and 100 Breaststroke with another eleven year-old Alicia Hartley taking Silver in the 50 Breaststroke. Bethany Woodcock gained two Silver medals in the 100 Fly and 200IM and also bronze medals in the 400 Freestyle. Fourteen year-old Nicole Clarke took the Silver Medal in the 400 Freestyle with Shannon Eades taking the Bronze medal; Shannon also took Bronze in the 50 freestyle and Backstroke.
Other swimmers competing were:
Jack Whitehurst, Josh Whitehurst, Kayley Britten, Rebecca Britten, Laura Gillott, Hannah Dannatt Scott Mason, Adam Parkes, James Shiel Frances McGrother Sam Pearson, Rebecca Durn, Thomas Gibbons, Jessica Bushby and Josh Hillman.