The curtain fell on six tough sessions of swimming at the Calligo Tigers 37th Autumn Swim Meet this weekend. From Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, teams from England, Wales and the 4 Channel Island Clubs battled it out with 7 Meet records being broken.
The Barracudas were represented by a big team of 48 swimmers and were responsible for 2 of the new marks set. The first went to Molly Staples in the 50m butterfly (12/13 years) where she recorded a new lifetime best of 30.51. Molly had a great weekend, placing first in no fewer than 5 events, as she continues to work hard seeking County qualifying times and ultimately Island Games selection. Molly also won the Junior Skins competition at the end of the Meet, where no fewer than 4 out of the 8 girls selected were from the Barracudas. In the same age group, team mate Ailish Rabey placed first in 3 events – 400m, 200m and 100m freestyle and she was also awarded Best Girl overall in the 12/13 age group based on FINA points. A great honour for Ailish!
The second record broken by the Barracudas was from Tatiana Tostevin who smashed Courtney Butcher’s time in the 100m backstroke event. This had stood at 1.05.28, with Tatiana reducing it to 1.03.58. She also placed first in the 200m backstroke in a new lifetime best of 2.17.69.
Not to be out done by younger sister Ailish, Orla Rabey received the Best Girl award in the 16 years and over age group, winning all 7 of the events that she entered, winning – 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m freestyle, 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly – looking strong throughout.
Thomas Teasdale swimming in the 16 years and over age group placed first in 4 events – 50m and 100m freestyle, 50m and 100m backstroke and 50m butterfly. Looking particularly impressive in his favoured freestyle events, especially the blue riband 100m freestyle dash which he took in 53.21. Elliot Lock swimming in the 14/15 age group also looked remarkable in the freestyle as he took the 50m title in 25.25.
Another talent to watch out for is Oriana Wheeler and proving that hard work and commitment pays off, she placed first in the 50m 100m and 200m breaststroke, as well as gaining well-earned silvers in the 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly in the 12/13 age group. In the same age group Alexander Graham who has recently joined Millfield School placed first in the 50m breaststroke.
Based on FINA points again, four Barracuda members made up the team of 8 selected to take part in the Senior Skins competition. Tom Teasdale, Will Russell, Jonathan Beck and William Mansell sprinted their way through the first round,m eventually conceding to Robbie Jones of Tigers.
This meet offers a high level of competition, early in the season with an incentive to compete at either Level 2 or Level 3, giving swimmers a chance to shine at their own level.
All of the above gained success at Level 2, with the following all gaining gold medals at Level 3.
Raif Carre – 100m breaststroke, Sophie de Garis and Toby Fitzgerald – 50m backstroke, Xander Graham 100m backstroke, Jemima Green – 400m IM, Leanna Guille – 50m butterfly and 100m backstroke, Tomas Herquin – 50m butterfly, Max Lord – 200m breaststroke, Conor McKenna – 100m butterfly, Elodie Riley – 400m freestyle, Jamie Wrench 200m backstroke and Kayleigh Williams – 400IM.