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SWIMMING: Golden hat-trick for Holly




The medal-winning Deepings Swimming Club squad in their Anglian Water-sponsored shirts
The medal-winning Deepings Swimming Club squad in their Anglian Water-sponsored shirts

Deepings won 19 medals at the Netherlands Invitational Meet in Eindhoven after producing outstanding performances.

The squad of 23 competed at the Pieter van den Hoogenband Swimstadion against swimmers from 56 clubs representing eight countries - Belgium, Germany, France, Northern Ireland, Indonesia, Netherlands, UK and USA.

Six members medalled - winning four golds, eight silvers and seven bronzes - with younger swimmers competing in an eight-lane 25m pool and older swimmers in a 10-lane 50m pool.

Fifteen-year-old Holly Leggott, competing in her fourth Netherlands meet, had two memorable days - winning three golds (50m and 100m backstroke, 200m freestyle) and three silvers (50m and 100m freestyle, 200m individual medley) against strong competition in the 50m pool.

Her room-mate Lexy Cooper (15) reached the podium four times - taking silver in the 100m and 200m breaststroke plus bronze in the 100m and 200m freestyle.

Lexy Cooper and Holly Leggott celebrate their medals at the Pieter van den Hoogenband Swimstadion in Eindhoven
Lexy Cooper and Holly Leggott celebrate their medals at the Pieter van den Hoogenband Swimstadion in Eindhoven

Meanwhile, the boys celebrated two bronze medals in the 50m pool with Harry Cardell (200m freestyle) and Kallum Penman(100m butterfly) to ensure Deepings enjoyed success in all five swimming disciplines.

A golden performance also came in the 25m pool after a brilliant swim in the 100m breaststroke by 10-year-old Emma Dennis, part of her five-medal haul.

She also won silver in 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke plus bronze in 100m freestyle and 100m backstroke.

Completing the short-course medallists was 10-year-old Jacob Briers who won silver in the 100m individual medley and bronze in the 100m backstroke.

Deepings head coach Lynn Chapman said: “Our squad this year featured more young swimmers than ever before and they did themselves and the club proud.

“We had a great weekend of racing and team building. Whether they won medals or not, everyone worked hard, showed great skills and should be very satisfied with their performances.”

The team’s achievements, culminating in multiple county times and personals bests, were all the more impressive considering the long journey.

They travelled overnight by ferry, arriving at the pool ready to swim on the Saturday.

The trip was organised by Chris Shaw of Shaw’s Coaches -parent of Deepings ambassador George Shaw who competed at the meet - while Anne Penman - grandmother of bronze medallist Kallum Penman - ran the catering operation, ensuring the swimmers and their parents were fed and watered over the two days.

The squad wore specially designed T-shirts sponsored by Anglian Water for the second consecutive year.

Paul Gibbs, director of water recycling at Anglian Water, said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring Deepings Swimming Club.

"Water is precious and vital for every aspect of our lives, from the water we drink to using it for our hobbies and recreation. That’s why, with the recent hot weather, we’re asking people to be water-wise and help us to look after every drop.”

Deepings squad

25m pool: Jacob Briers, Molly Briers, Emma Dennis, Alice Dovey, Ella Gerrard, Holly Griffin, Oliver Harrison, Lucie Lund, Jessica O’Herlihy, Natalie Pecenkova, Lilly Tappern, Lara Treharne.

50m pool: Harry Cardell, Lexy Cooper, Robyn Gerrard, Holly Leggott, Emma Lund, Joe Lund, Kallum Penman, Raymond Sheridan, George Shaw, Amy Tappern, Zack Treharne.



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