Swimmers perform well
12 Oct 2002
PENRITH Swimming Club started its autumn competitive program by taking part in two galas. The first was the Carlisle Water Polo and Swim Team Friendship gala against two teams from the home club and teams from Appleby, Workington and Troutbeck Bridge.
Penrith were third behind eventual winners Workington. Several swimmers performed well and there were first places from Laura Huggon in the 10-11 years girls’ 25m backstroke, Naomi Smith in the 14-15 25m freestyle; Colin Slee in the 16 and over 25m backstroke, and Danny Smith in the 16 and over 25m breaststroke.
The club’s 12-year-old and over swimmers competed in the second round of the Sprint League at Kendal against the might of Cockermouth and Ulverston. Their performance, compared with the previous round in June, was much improved. They scored 190 points and were eighth out of 10 teams, whereas in June they had 164 points and were ninth.
Chloe Wilcox not only won her event, but was placed first overall in the county in the 50m breaststroke for girls aged 17, despite being only 15 and swimming out of her age group. Her time of 36.37 was 1.5 seconds clear of the nearest competitor.
Danny Smith also won his event and was second in the county in a time of 34.97 in the 14-16 50m breaststroke.
As the club had no swimmers in the 17 and over age groups, with the notable exception of chief coach Doug Huggon, who excelled himself, this was an excellent performance.