Lotte Parfit claimed the open 100m IM title at just 13 years old. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0709521)
THE final session of the Hampshire County Championships held at the Quays Pool, Southampton, saw Beau Sejour Barracudas swimmers return with seven open titles and five junior titles.
Three of the open titles went to 19-year-old Robyn Le Friec who dominated the butterfly, topping the rostrum in the 50, 100 and 200 events with times of 30.22, 1-05.13 and 2-21.97 respectively. Her gritty performance also earned her six gold medals in her respective age group.
Also on form and reaching finals in six events, Jonathon Le Noury won two titles.
In the 400 freestyle he was six seconds ahead of his nearest rival to take first in a time of 4-05.15.
He faced much tougher competition in the 100 backstroke final, in which a late surge earned him the title in 59.73.
He also won a bronze in the men’s open 100 freestyle and 50 backstroke.
Returning to competition after a short break, it was exciting to see Jeremy Osborne claim a championship title in the men’s open 100 individual medley, clocking 1-00.73.
He reached finals in six events, picking up a silver medal in the 100 freestyle in an impressive 52.99, just outside his personal best.
He also placed third in the open 50 backstroke and produced gold-medal-winning performances in his respective age group in four events.
Two of the most outstanding performances of the weekend came from 15-year Joshua Lewis and 13-year-old Lotte Parfit.
Lewis, competing at the top of the junior age group, won three county junior titles – the 100, 200 and 400 IMs in times of 1-03.43, 2-14.14 and 4-51.64 respectively.
He also claimed second junior in the 100 and 200 breaststroke and 50 freestyle in addition to winning a well-earned bronze medal in the men’s open section of the 200 IM.
Following her success the previous weekend at Waterlooville under the Bagcats system, Parfit joined the Barracudas this weekend to gain valuable experience competing at a higher level despite being a year young.
She excelled, placing well in both the open and junior events.
Her best performance, however, came in the 100 IM when going into the final in second place her technical skills and determination not only earned her the junior championship title but also the women’s open title when she produced a lifetime best of 1-09.17.
Other notable individual performances in the finals came from Victoria Parfit, who placed third in both the junior and open 100 breaststroke, Ian Hubert who placed third in the men’s 100 butterfly with a time of 1-00.20 and Paul Adkins who also picked up a bronze in the 50 butterfly with a time of 33.04.
In all the Barracudas claimed 21 gold, 14 silver and 10 bronze medals throughout the age groups all culminating in one of their most successful county championship events.
To round off a successful weekend, the Barracudas enjoyed further success in the relay events.
Fielding an A and a B team in the men’s open 4×100 freestyle, both reached the final with the A team, made up of Hubert, James Jurkiewicz, Le Noury and Osborne placing second overall behind City of Southampton.
The B team comprising Ross Yeates, Matthew Allen, David Hall and Lewis also performed well placing eighth overall.
Adkins and Lewis then teamed up with Le Noury and Hubert to place third in the final of the men’s 4×100 medley relay.
The girls’ junior relay team consisting of Francesca Lewis, Cody Butcher, Lotte and Victoria Parfit also excelled in the 4×50 freestyle and 4×50 medley.
Going into the final of the 4×50 freestyle in eighth place, they improved on their heat time to make up two places to finish in sixth.
Four swimmers representing the Barracudas were also in action in Aldershot – the first weekend of the championships – with the longer distance events now taking place in a 50m pool.
Le Noury placed second in the men’s open 800 and 1,500 freestyle, but took gold in the longer distance in the 19-and-over age group, also setting a new championship best performance time of 17-05.70.
Yeates finished in silver medal position with Allen claiming bronze in the 17/18 age group.
Allen and Lewis both won silver medals in 800m distance in their respective age groups.
The men’s 4×200 freestyle relay made up of all four boys placed second behind Portsmouth Northsea recording a time of 8-48.10.Hampshire County Championships: Beau Sejour and Guernsey swimming clubs excel
Article posted on 25th March, 2009 - 2.29pm
Most Commented: