THOMAS HOLLINGSWORTH excelled at Beckenham Swimming Club’s Open Swim Meet held at Crystal Palace, one of 27 Beau Sejour Barracudas to make a successful trip to Crystal Palace. ‘In a high-calibre meet with no fewer than 52 clubs participating, the Barracudas recorded some outstanding results,’ said coach Alison Frankland.

Hollingsworth, competing in the 16-year category, came away with the best-male-of-the-meet award not only in his age group but also in the men’s open section.

He received four gold medals, with an outstanding performance in the open 50m backstroke in 29.20sec. and in the open 200m individual medley in 2-16.38.

‘In his age group, he struck gold in the 100m backstroke and 100m butterfly. Four silver awards in 200m and 100m backstroke, 200m individual medley and 50m butterfly and a bronze in 400m individual medley added to his excellent points tally,’ said Frankland.

Matthew Robert, 17, set a new island long-course record in the 50m breaststroke in 33.15sec., placing third in the event overall.

The record previously held by Hollingsworth was also broken in two earlier heats, first by Julian Cochrane and then by Jack Le Poidevin, before Robert stormed in with his long-course best time.

Fourteen-year-old Jeremy Osborne won the 100m freestyle in his age group in a superb time of 58.06sec., followed by a silver in the 200m individual medley in 2-29.96.

He accumulated 15 points to place fourth in the top-boy awards in his age group.

Jonathon Le Noury took silver in a very close race in the 400m freestyle, just pipped at the touch by Allen Lindenberg of Waltham Forest, their times reading 4-18.37 and 4-18.73 respectively .

Le Noury also took bronze in the men’s open 50m backstroke in 30.34, placing fourth overall in the open top-male award.

The only other Barracuda medalist was 16-year-old Louisa Jurkiewicz, who placed second in the 100m butterfly in 1-12.81.

She entered 12 events in total, with her points placing her fourth overall in the best-girl award for 16-year-olds. Jenny Salmon was third in this same award.

‘All the Barracudas competing made full use of race practice in a 50m pool, with many never having had the opportunity to record long-course times.

‘The 10-lane 50m pool with underwater viewing provided not only an excellent competitive facility but also a brilliant training weekend,’ said Frankland.