Fine Showing at the NER's

The NER's was a weekend on fire for our group of Regional Athletes. 8 medals from the Winter Competition is just the cherry that lies on top of a weekend full of positives, with too many to mention.

But first let's take a look at where those medals went.....

Top of the shop had to be the prolific James Ellis bringing home a whopping 6 medals in Backstroke, Butterfly, Medley, and Freestyle. He even threw in the 200m Fly, an event that's filled him with dread for some time but to come away with an NER medal at only his second attempt is awesome work. Fantastic stuff from the guy that's found himself in a very competitive Age Group in the North East Region. More medals followed in 1500m Freestyle for Jessica Hubery. While the ever-reliable Phoebe Weatherill was on fine form as always grabbing a Bronze in Butterfly and top 10 finishes in her other events, coming close to a podium place in some in what is becoming the Age Group to watch.

Secondly the younger boys.

The vastly improving Alex Belk found himself ranked in the top 10 for Breaststroke, 100m & 400m IM. Charlie Kershaw, after a slow start on Saturday found himself in the groove on Sunday, earning PB's in most events that day and and a top 10 finish as a reward for his effort in the 100m IM. Swimming alongside him more often than not, Ollie Castings showed he's got the engine (and the bravery) for the big distance events, finishing just shy of the top 10 in 3 events, we expect Ollie to go from strength to strength following his recent performances. Henry McKenzie bagged himself a top 10 in the 200m Breaststroke, sterling work with little preparation time following a recent injury.

Next mention, the girls.

Two of our female athletes in Millie Dey and Sofia-Elyse Sanders earned top 10 finishes while Ava Stocks, in her NER debut came excruciating close to earning that 10th place in the 100m Fly. Top stuff from a swimmer that has only recently joined the DARTES family. Final mention goes to Kiera Binns who surprised everyone knocking a whopping 3 seconds off her 400m IM PB, having lowered that only recently to 5:14 at the Winter Yorkshires, finishing in a 5:11 and 2nd place in the 15/16yrs final.