2009 WELSH SUMMER NATIONALS report

While Vulcans were being represented at the British Nationals Age Groups and Youth Championships in Sheffield and Sophie travelled to London on GB call-up for the Tri Nations Championships against the Canadians and Russians, a further group of Lincoln Vulcan swimmers travelled to Swansea to represent the club in the Welsh Summer Nationals.

The group, comprising Sarah Fountain, Olivia Kelsey, James Fountain and Lewis Farren all produced medal winning performances in what was an exciting 4 day programme.

Day one started with Sarah producing a lifetime best performance in the 400 fc with 4.42.22 - well swum Sarah! and a gold medal to mark the occasion.

Lewis then brought home a silver medal in the male 800 freestyle with a respectable 9.05.66 - just outside his PB, and Sarah followed with another gold medal winning performance in the 200 IM where she posted a 3 second PB in the heat with 2.33.49 and claimed the first position in the final with a 2.34.72.

On Day two Sarah and Lewis were joined by James, arriving from the boys relay in Sheffield.

Today's swims included the 200 breast for James who produced near-PB times in the heats and final to take overall 4th position in the 15-16 Age Group.

Sarah swam to her PB in the 100 free taking her place in the final where she produced a near 1 second PB to snatch a new lifetime best time of 1.04.31 and 4th place overall in th 12-13 Age category. Then Lewis took to the water taking the gold medal in the 400 IM with ease in a comfortable 4.54.90 followed by a silver in the 100 fly where he also posted a new PB of 1.01.82.

James Fountain produced a strong swim in the heats to take a place in the final of the mens 200 freestyle and rounded off the day with both a gold medal and a new lifetime best time of 2.04.47.

On day 3 the good swims continued with James taking bronze in the 400 freestyle in a new PB of 4.25.45 - a 2 second improvement on his entry time. Sarah followed with the 200 breast taking a respectable 6th position in the final after two days of hard swimming. Lewis was on top form again and claimed a further two gold medals - firstly in the 100 back where he swam to his PB in the final with a 1.03.81 and then in the 200 IM where he produced a two second PB time of 2.19.54.

Outstanding swims everyone and one more day to go!

Day four brought the arrival of the fourth member of the group - Olivia Kelsey. and a busy day swimming for all. The day started well with Lewis swimming a comfortable heat to take his place in the 200 fly tonight. Olivia swam to her PB of 1.29 on the 100 breast in her first swim of the day.

This was followed by James in the heats of the 100 free where he swam almost one second faster than his entry time with a new PB of 58.38 and took a place in tonights final Olivia then claimed 5th place in the 400 Im with a near PB of 5.40.50 - a good solid swim.

Lewis then claimed his place in tonight's final of the 200 backstroke with a comfortable 2.20 18 and Sarah and Olivia both qualified for the final of the 200 fly. Sarah and Olivia both swam well in the 200 free heats, posting 2.17.62 and 2.22.95 respectively with Sarah claiming her place in the final.

In a the last series of finals Vulcans swimmers put on a display of great swimming. Lewis Farren claimed gold position in the 200 fly final with 2.15.84 - a one second PB. James Fountain took 5th place in the 100 freestyle with a further improvement over his heat swim to give 57.94 - almost 1.5 second PB in one day - great swimming James.

Sarah swam an outstanding 200 free final, taking the silver medal with a new PB of 2.16.47 - brilliant swim Sarah!

Lewis was back on form in the 200 backstroke final where he claimed another gold swimming to within a fraction of his PB with a 2.17.31.

Olivia then finished the day off for Vulcans by taking the broze medal in the 200 fly with an exciting swim - turning 6th in the field at the last turn and pulling back to a medal position - great swim Liv.

A fantastic series of swims for Lincoln Vulcans - well done to our swimmers!

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