Pioneer swimmers make a splash at Commonwealth pool (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Pioneer swimmers make a splash at Commonwealth pool

8:53pm Tuesday 26th February 2008 in

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PIONEER 79 swimmers made a splash at Manchester's Commonwealth Pool, collecting more than 70 medals at one of the North West's key age-group events.

A record 65 swimmers represented the club and secured 77 medals - 22 of them gold - in the Bolton and Manchester Preliminary Age Groups galas.

And the results confirmed Pioneer 79's status as one of the region's top clubs. The swimmers propelled Pioneer 79 to top Bolton-area club, beating Swinton, Horwich, Bolton, Worsley and Wigan and, in the overall points trophy, Pioneer were pipped only by by Trafford Metro for the combined Bolton and Manchester associations prize.

Head coach Lee Stringfellow was delighted with the club's achievements.

He said: "We are competing at a very high level now, and our swimmers have raised their game immeasurably.

"The club is now at the peak of its achievement, and I think we can put a lot of that down to the consistency and quality we have in our coaching staff, combined with the hard work of our swimmers and the dedication of parents."

Notable victories were gained by Conner Makin (11) and Millicent Forest (9) who both won the overall award for their age group. James Thompson(15), Amelia Candon(11) and Aaron Halstead (9), were all second in their respective age groups, whilst Rachael Atkinson and Paige Duutel were 3rd.

The swimmers now look forward to the Lancashire County galas in March, where over 30 Pioneer swimmers are hoping to exceed the four County titles they won in 2007.