Wisbech swimmers make winning start in Junior Fenland League

Wisbech Swimming Club made a winning start in their quest to retain the Junior Fenland League in winning the first gala which took place in Whittlesey.

Although they were unable to celebrate on the evening until the results had been verified, Wisbech came out on top of the five-team format, and the 177 points achieved were enough to pip March to the top spot by a single point in what was a very hard-fought contest.

This was the first time some of the younger swimmers had experienced the JFL format, but on the evening the team managed a total of 18 first-place finishes and 31 personal best times were achieved.

The JFL meet came just a week after the club took 36 swimmers to a Norwich long course event which was held at the UEA Sportspark.

This was the first time many of the swimmers had competed in a 50m pool. However, this did not faze them, with a total of 41 medals coming home with the team, 10 gold, 13 silver and 18 bronze.

For some of the younger swimmers this was their first external competition.

In the under-9 age group, Ophelia Bradley managed two golds, a silver and three bronzes, while Maisie Bishop achieved four silvers and four bronzes.

Sophia Smithee brought home double gold in the 50m and 200m breaststroke.

For the boys, Jacob Hicks brought home gold for the 100m breaststroke and Toby Knott a silver for his 200m backstroke.

In the 10-year age group, Luke Wilson took gold in the 200m butterfly and followed that up with a bronze in the 100m butterfly.

Evalyn Wakeman managed a gold for the 200m butterfly and Lilly Wright took home two silvers and a bronze medal before, in the final event, storming home with gold in the 50m butterfly.

In the 11-year age group, Madison Hicks took home a gold in the 400m individual medley and a further three silvers and two bronzes medals.

And to make it a 400IM double, Isabella Burton also brought home gold in the 13-years age group.

The club will again this year be embarking on a 24-hour swim to raise funds for the club over the King’s coronation weekend.

Wisbech Swimming Club is always on the lookout for new swimmers, and anyone interested in trialling is encouraged to contact the club’s chair, Tracy Loughlin, on wisbechsc.clubchair@gmail.com for more details.