AROUND 250 swimmers from 19 clubs located in the London and South East area descended on Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre for the annual Leighton Buzzard Swimming Club C Grade Open Meet.
A total of 977 swims took place over two sessions – an event designed to encourage less experienced swimmers, some of whom were taking part in their very first swimming gala. It was therefore time banded to restrict entry for swimmers who have fast
er times. Medals were awarded to the first six swimmers in each category and the LBSC squad won a total of 32.
Thirty six LBSC swimmers entered the gala and between them they won eight gold medals, nine silver, four bronze and 11 place (4th to 6th) medals.
Winners of the gold medals were Emily Glass, Georgina Hawkes, Oliver Lambourne, Alexander McDonald, Sam Twitchell, Molly Twitchell, Daniel White and Emily Wright. Silver medals were won by Fionn Bell, Louis Bell (2), Tom McGuire, Jake Irvine, Joel Morris, Alexander McDonald, Nikki Pike and Tara West.
The bronze medals were won by Didi Dyankov, Arnold Jeffs, Gurgeet Malhotra and Nikki Pike.
Place medals went to Sofia Avola, Elleanor Beach, Fionn Bell, Hannah Bulmer, Emily Glass, Tom Maguire (2), Alexander McDonald, Nikki Pike (2) and Mollie Twitchell.
PBs were achieved by the shed full – an amazing total of 61 in all! The LBSC swimmers who raced to new personal bests were Sofia Avolia (3), Elleanor Beach (3), Callum Beach, Fionn Bell (2), Louis Bell (2), Hannah Boozer, Hannah Bulmer, Didi Dyankov (2), Emily Glass (3), Georgina Hawkes (5), Imogen Hughes (4), Jake Irvine, Arnold Jeffs, Oliver Lambourne (2), Kerry Lambourne (2), Tom Maguire (2), Gurgeet Malhotra, Alexander McDonald (2), Joel Morris, Jacob Murtagh, Nikki Pike (3), Samantha Simpson (4), Samuel Twitchell, Mollie Twitchell (3), Jack Wears (2), Tara West, Rebecca White (2), Daniel Wright (2) and Emily Wright (3).
For the 'speedy' swimmers who exceeded the fastest time, the coveted LBSC 'Speeding Tickets' went to Sofia Avola, Elleanor Beach (twice), Callum Beach, Didi Dynakov, Emily Glass, Oliver Lambourne, Jacob Murtagh, Nikki Pike, Samuel Twitchell, Jack Wears (twice) Tara West, Daniel White and Emily Wright.
Lesley Cox-Smith, Chair of LBSC, said: "This is a great gala and it really helps to give the youngsters experience to go on to bigger and better things. I'm delighted that our own Leighton Buzzard Swimming Club swimmers did so well."
LBSC swimmer Chris Howe took part in the ASA East Region event in Norwich and achieved 4th place in the 200m Breaststroke final.
Leighton Buzzard Swimming Club can be contacted via the Membership Secretary on 01296 688761 or by email at LBSwimmingClub@aol.com
Details are also available on the new LBSC website at www.LBSC.org
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