George and Robert Claim National Times
Rotherham Metro held their level one open meet on the weekend of 14th and 15th May and there were over 70 clubs competing from all over the UK with many national and international swimmers taking part. Numerous Metro swimmers came away with PB’s and North East times however thirteen year-old George Russell and twelve year-old Robert Pearson went one better by achieving National Qualifying times which enables them to enter the national finals later this year.
Robert was first to achieve his National qualifying time in the 100 Backstroke, he turned in 34:04 after the first 50 metres and then had everyone biting their nails has he finished in a time of 01:11:27 which is exactly the qualifying time to the hundredth of a second and in doing so claiming the Bronze medal to go with the Gold he had won in the 50 Backstroke and Bronze in the 50 Freestyle. George was then up in the next boys event the 200 Fly where he not only timed his move to perfection in the final 50 metres and also leaving nothing to chance by going 2 seconds under the qualifying time and in doing so claiming the Gold medal in the 13 and 14 age group.
Nine year-old Debbie Cocking was once again in outstanding form winning the Gold in the 50 Fly, Silver in the 200 IM and Bronze in the 200 Breaststroke. Sixteen year-old Adam Parkes claimed the Silver in the 50 Backstroke with Alice Aucott (12) and Rebecca Bamber (11) both taking Bronze in the 50 Breaststroke and Backstroke respectively.
Other swimmers competing were:
Rebecca Finnie, Holly Sotheran, Dylan Bohm, Jack Whitehurst, Samuel Pearson, James Newton, Scott Mason, Kenyon Kellett, Kayley Britten, Abbie Ackroyd, Rebecca Durn, Alicia Hartley, Shannon Eades, Bethany Woodcock, Fiona Connell, Chloe Rooker, Josh Hillman, Matthew Sotheran, James Shiel, Thomas Nelson, Hannah Dannatt, Rebecca Britten, Emily Shone, Nicole Clarke, Laura Gilliott, Abbie Hull, Charlotte Pearson, Kimberley Bush, Kelsy Longden, Jessica Bushby, Jack McGann and Benjamin Cliff.