PIONEER 79 Swimming Club members produced medal winning performances at the City of Salford Potential Olympians Swimming Gala.

The club, which is now based at Accrington Academy, sent a team of six swimmers to the event at Broughton Baths, Salford.

And while they all starred in the pool, there were a number of stand-out performances.

Due to the event being so close to other competitions, it was decided that they were only to take part in the 400m freestyle and or 400m individual medley events over the weekend.

In the 400m freestyle on the Saturday, Olivia Nicholls, 11, won gold in a new personal best time of 5 minutes 11.34 seconds – some 13 seconds ahead of the next placed swimmer, from Winsford.

Martha Smith, 11, finished in sixth place with Ellie Perris just behind in eighth.

Alice Harding took fourth place overall in the 12 year girls age group with Meghann Leaver also putting up a good show.

The British Paralympic Swimming Team were also competing at the pool and the girls got the chance to have their photograph taken with gold medallist, and British Paralympian, Jonathon Fox, with the gold medal he won in the men’s 100m backstroke (S7 category) at the London 2012 Olympics.

Suitably inspired, the Pioneer swimmers were in top form on the Sunday in the 400m individual medley.

In the 11 year girls category, Olivia Nicholls took her second gold of the meet in a time of 5mins 52.93 secs with Ellie Perris taking silver in 6 mins 03.55 secs – a fine effort in her first attempt the event.

Meghann Leaver took the bronze medal in the 12 year age group, knocking 10 seconds off her pb in a time of 5mins 48.94 secs Niamh Robinson also smashed her previous personal best time by seven seconds to win gold in a time of 5mins 19.11secs and finish second overall in the open event.

n For more details about Pioneer 79 Swimming Club contact Susan Walsh on 01254 390793.