Burnham-On-Sea Swim and Sports Academy’s Swim Team have made a big splash at their first ever open competition this week.
The Academy Swim Team travelled to Exeter for the regional event and came third overall out of 15 teams, a great result as the team was only formed on October 1st.
The team picked up ten gold medals, 14 silver medals and 12 bronze medals, while Callum Richards was placed second overall boy amongst all the age-groups which was an outstanding achievement.
Competing teams were Burnham’s Academy Swim Team, Bodmin Dragons SC, Chard & District, Dawlish Swimming & Life Saving, Devonport Royal SA, Dinnaton, Exeter City SC, Honiton Swimming Club, Kelly College, Paignton Swimming Club, Plymouth Leander, Newton Abbot SC, Sid Vale Swimming Club, St Ives Bay SC and Wells SC.
Medallists at the Exeter open meet included golds for Rebecca Mercer, Elizabeth Tolley, Samantha Vagg and Callum Richards. Silvers were won by Tilly Lawrence, Shannon Hooper, Rebecca Mercer, Ellen Lupton, Owen Mercer, Callum Richards and bronze medals were won by Anya Snowball, Emily Kay-Smith, Elizabeth Tolley, Rebecca Mercer, Samantha Vagg, Owen Mercer, Thomas Smithers, Joe Hancock.
Several of the swimmers also gained personal best times – Catherine Tolley (who also achieved a County Qualifying time), Leah Adams, Olivia Earthy and Kirsty Jenkins.
“Coaches Tracey, Andy, Nic and Emma have done an amazing job with the swimmers. The swim team is now setting its goals on the County Championships held at Millfield in March,” the academy’s Sara Cox Conklin told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“There are tough qualifying standards for swimmers to achieve just to be able to compete, however, The Academy Swim Team has now qualified 12 swimmers to race in 45 events and we still have four months training to go!”
If any swimmers would like to have a go at competitive swimming, or are interested in joining the team, then give the Academy a call on 01278 785909.
