Team spirit was a big plus for Barry (From Barry And District News)

Team spirit was a big plus for Barry

TWELVE of Barry's swimmers took part in the Swim Swansea Junior Open Meet on October 15 and 16.

It was hosted at Penlan Leisure 8 lane pool, with 24 teams submitted from as far afield as Hatfield and Newquay, as well the usual array of highly-competitive Welsh squads from Aberystwyth to Neath.

The Barry swimmers were a credit to the club, both in terms of individual performances and the professional way they conducted themselves. Their team spirit and vocal support for each other was second to none, despite being among the smaller contingencies. Their parents were also very vociferous in their support.

In the 8 and under girls category, Lauren Blake, Georgia Looker and Lauren Williamson competed and acquitted themselves beautifully, all swimming excellent 25m freestyle times and every one a personal best.

Georgia and Lauren (W) both gained a place in the free final, having to better the existing club record to do so. Lauren finished 5th in the final with another club record of 18.06, with Georgia hot on her heels in 6th place.

Georgia also managed to make the finals for the 25 breast, 25 back, 100 free, finishing 6th, 5th and 5th, respectively, all with club record times. Her best performance was however saved for the 25 fly, and she was very happy to come away with a bronze medal to show for her efforts.

In the 9 and under category, Dominique Declaire, Ffion Roberts and Jac Harries swam against an extremely competitive field and gave sterling performances to each swim in personal best times. Dominique competed in 5 events, taking pbs in 25 free, back, breast and 100 IM.

For the 10 and unders, Alan Wilson and Rhys Palfrey competed in four events each, and credit must be given for their plucky individual swims.

Rhys swam personal best times for 100 IM and 100 fly. Alana swam a personal best in 100 back and a very strong personal best 100 free time of 1.26.6, which in a different competition would have given her a medal opportunity.

At 11 and under, Alice Lewis and Rebecca McTavish swam extremely well, with excellent performances. Special mention to Alice for her personal bests in 100 fly, 100 back, 100 IM, 100 free and 100 breast and to Rebecca for personal bests in the 400 free, 100 IM and 100 breast.

Last, but not least, in terms of medals, it has to be said that the brothers Balazs and Tamas Vincze were virtually in-Vincze-able, bringing home a total of nine between them.

Balazs swimming 10 and under, took gold in 50 fly and 100 free, silver in 50 back and 50 free (he was robbed) and a bronze in the 50 breast.