PIONEER 79 Swimming Club set 20 new personal bests when they travelled to the City of Sheffield Graded Meet held at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre.

The overall team performance was super and as the events consisted of a one-off race with no final, it was good how the swimmers responded to their one and only chance to record a placing and performance time.

Chris Pratt got much-needed race preparation in a 50m pool for the age group nationals later in August. Chris, who has qualified for both the 100m and 200m breaststroke raced in all the other events and collected gold for the 100m freestyle, 100m backstroke, and silver in the 100m butterfly.

In session one, Michael Simpson in the boys 11 years 100m backstroke, got a speeding ticket, and David Stones competing in the same heat also did well. Stephanie Abbott took gold in the 15 years 100m butterfly and Rebecca Stones gained second in the same event. For the boys 15 years, James Simpson gained bronze medal position in the 100m butterfly.

David Fairbrother in the 12 years 100m breaststroke was a silver trophy winner. Andrew Leeson, Jack Walsh and Oliver Brindle swam in two events and did well in the 10 years 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly. Session two started with good swims from Andrew Leeson, Jack Walsh and Oliver Brindle in the 50m backstroke, 11 year old David Stones in the 100m butterfly and Michelle Taylor 12 years 100m backstroke. From then on, Pioneer swimmers were repeatedly called for presentation: Ben Nichols second in the 12 years 100m backstroke; 15-year-old Stephanie Abbot, first 100m freestyle; James Simpson second 15 years 100m freestyle; and Robert West second 100m butterfly.

In the third and final sessions, Jack Walsh and Andrew Leeson for the 10 years boys, again got the session off to a good start in the 50m breaststroke, David Stones had 11 years 100m freestyle success, and Michelle Taylor 12 years 100m freestyle. Laura Pepper swam a best time to gain a speeding ticket in the 13 years 100m freestyle.

The 12 years 100m freestyle event saw Robert West taking the Gold Trophy and in the 100m backstroke, while 15-year-old James Simpson got bronze.

Gemma Holden won the final race 100m breaststroke, to take the bronze trophy.

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