Deepings Swimming Club race at Grantham Meres Leisure Centre

Deepings Swimming Club bagged eight medals and achieved 17 personal bests with eight county qualifying times in an action-packed weekend at Grantham Meres Leisure Centre.

A squad of 16 swimmers competed in four events at the long-distance swimming meet - 1500m, 800m and 400m freestyle and 400m individual medley (IM) - with boys and girls racing together in heats that were based on best times.

Among the stand-out performances were two gold medals by swimmers competing in their respective events for the first time.

James Cash, who has started the 2023/24 season with a series of outstanding competitions, continued his excellent run of form to win gold in the 13yrs 1500m freestyle, finishing a clear 24 seconds ahead of second place.

In his inaugural swim at this distance, James also secured the county qualifying time (CQT) for next year’s Lincolnshire championships with a time of 18:39.05. He also swam a 13-second PB in the 800m to come fourth in 9:48.50, achieving his second CQT of the weekend.

Deepings’ second gold medal went to nine-year-old Caitlynn Edmeades who made her debut in the 400m freestyle. Her gutsy swim earned an excellent time of 6:49.38.

Lottie Jenkinson demolished her previous personal best by 49 seconds in the 400IM with a superb swim to take silver in the 13yrs age group. Her time of 6:00.98 was also the county qualifying time.

Five swimmers claimed bronze medals.

Competing in the 400m freestyle for the first time, Toby Brown negative split his race, swimming the second 200m faster than the first, to touch the wall in third place in the 11yrs age group.

Also competing in the 11yrs age group, Lucy Jenkinson matched Toby with her own bronze medal in the 400m freestyle, swimming a new PB of 6:26.11.

Two more bronze medals came in the 400m freestyle, with Isabella Reynolds swimming a new PB of 5:30.70 in the 13yrs age group and Corey Fairley achieving the CQT with a time of 5:08.13 in the 14yrs age group.

Wrapping up the medals was Deepings boys club captain Jacob Briers, who shook off recent illness to shave 10 seconds off his previous mark and claim 800m bronze and the county qualifying time in the 15yrs age group.

Among the other excellent performances were county qualifying times by Oliver Shepherd in the 400m and 800m and William Burdock in the 800m, each with massive new best times.

Meanwhile, Emma Affleck, Orla Bailey and Rosie Jones all swam huge PBs in the 400m freestyle, finishing fourth, fifth and seventh respectively in the 12yrs age group.

Representing Deepings’s Master squad in the 1500m freestyle was Laura Hardy.

Her consistent pacing over the 60 lengths saw her clinch a new club Masters record with a time of 21:50.84.

Commenting on the club’s performance, head coach Sam Peeroo said: “I’m proud of the effort all our swimmers put into their races.

"It was wonderful to see all the success we had in the pool, whether it was our youngest swimmers taking on long distances for the first time, our eight medallists or our masters swimmer Laura achieving a new club record – everyone deserves the highest praise.”

Deepings Swimming Club is always looking for new members of all ages. To arrange a free trial, email deepings@swimclubmanager.co.uk