Success is sweet as swimmers make a splash 

Faversham Swimming Club held their heads high after scooping third place at the recent Black Lion Development Gala held at the Medway Sports Centre, Gillingham.

Faversham entered with a strong and determined Squad with seven of the Squad picking up ‘speeding tickets’ (badges of honour) for exceeding times specified by the Amateur Swimming Association. Young Richard Catton’s blistering pace in the boys 11 years and under 50 metre backstroke earned him a ticket in an outstanding time of 44.36. There was no stopping Ben Collins, full of grit and determination, as he received two speeding tickets for his remarkable swims in the boys 15 years and under 50 metre backstroke (36.48) and 50 metre butterfly (36.09).

Faversham’s other speeders were Blaine Ramsden in the boys 11 years 50 metre freestyle (34.81), Alice Searley girls 11 years 50 metre freestyle (37.59), Joanne Hawkins ladies 18 years and under 50 metre backstroke (36.44), Jessica Stephens girls 15 years and under 50 metre butterfly (35.70) and Tom Pearce in the mens 18 years and under backstroke (33.48).

Nothing could wipe the smile from Young Joseph Russell’s face as he was awarded the Tesco Gala Star for some sensational swims in what was his very first Development Gala.

Joanne Hawkins collected the Tesco Gala Shield for producing an avalanche of perfect performances.

Swimmers snatching first place were Ruby Scott girls 9 years 50 metre freestyle, Nicola Crouch girls 9 years 50 metre breaststroke, Oliver Nye boys 10 years 50 metre breaststroke, Harry McKenna boys 10 years 100 metre individual medley, 9 years 50 metre butterfly and 10 years 50 metre freestyle. Alice Searley girls 11 years 50 metre breaststroke, Blaine Ramsden boys 12 years 50 metre backstroke, Lydia Scott ladies 18 years 100 metre individual medley, Joanne Hawkins girls 15 years 50 metre freestyle, Emily Westlake ladies 18 years 50 metre freestyle and the 18 years and under 4 x 25 metre mixed freestyle relay team.

Those awarded with second place were Joseph Russell boys 9 years 50 metre freestyle and 11 years 50 metre freestyle, Oliver Nye boys 10 years 50 metre backstroke and 9 years 50 metre breaststroke, Dervla Murphy girls 10 years 100 metre individual medley, Richard Catton boys 11 years 50 metre breaststroke, Olivia Hawkins girls 11 years 50 metre butterfly and Molly McKenna girls 12 years 100 metre individual medley. Marty Boorman boys 15 years 50 metre breaststroke and 50 metre freestyle, Emily Westlake ladies 18 years 50 metre breaststroke, Tom Pearce mens 18 years 50 metre butterfly. The 9 years and under 4 x 25 metre mixed freestyle relay team, the 9 years and under 4 x 25 metre mixed medley relay team, the 11 years and under 4 x 25 metre mixed medley relay team, the 15 years and under mixed medley relay team and the 18 years and under 4 x 25 metre mixed medley relay team.

Third place went to Ruby Scott girls 9 years 50 metre backstroke, Nicola Crouch girls 9 years 50 metre butterfly, Emily Ing Girls 10 years 50 metre freestyle, Olivia Hawkins girls 15 years 50 metre backstroke, Blaine Ramsden boys 12 years 100 metre individual medley. Flora Westlake girls 12 years 50 metre breaststroke, Nicole Collins girls 12 years 50 metre freestyle, Scott Kendall mens 18 years 100 metre individual medley, the 10 years and under4 x 25 metre mixed freestyle relay team, the 11 years and under 4 x 25 metre mixed freestyle relay team and the 12 years and under 4 x 25 metre mixed medley relay team.