Golden girl Olivia is Pioneer's star in the pool (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Golden girl Olivia is Pioneer's star in the pool

11:00am Tuesday 23rd November 2010 in Sport By Steve Tinniswood, Sports reporter

OLIVIA Nicholls was the stand-out swimmer for Pioneer 79 who returned from another competition with a haul of medals.

The club won a total of 15 gold medals, 13 silvers and 19 bronze - but it was golden girl Olivia who was the star of the show.

The Huncoat youngster won five golds, a silver and three bronze medals to be named top female swimmer at the Salford Potential Olympians Swimming Gala.

She was presented with a bronze statuette as she had accumulated the most points in the five age groups.

And it was the perfect birthday present for Olivia (left) who turned 10 the day after the event.

The club also retained the title of top visiting club for their medal haul.

Winners - Connor Roberts, aged nine, (1 bronze); Joseph Murray, 10, (2 golds, 1 silver, 2 bronze); Isaac Forrest, 10, (2 bronze); John McKavett, 13, (1 bronze); Richard Eccles, 19, (1 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze); Connor Makin, 14, (2 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze); Olivia Nicholls, 9, (5 golds, 1 silver, 3 bronze); Ellie Perris, 9, (2 silver, 1 bronze); Natasha Rogan, 9 (1 gold, 4 silver); Alice Harding, 10, (2 gold, 2 bronze); Niamh Robinson, 11, (1 bronze); Charlotte Britland, 16, (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze).

Other swimmers to take part: James Thompson, Ross Wheatley-Yates, Ewan Mckavaett, James Harding, Martha Smith, Abigail Murray, Jess Magee, Millie Forrest, Jasmin Scott, Chloe Shields, Mesha Ingham-Francis, Megan Eastwood, Phoebe Doyle.

Meanwhile, Niamh Robinson competed in the Harrogate Junior Open Meet and won a gold medal in the 11 Year Girls 200m breaststroke - knocking 11 seconds of her personal best - and added a bronze in the 200m backstroke.

Girls captain, Charlotte Britland was selected for the Division Two team (Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Isle of Man) at the English Schools Swimming Association Gala.

She clocked a personal best in the 200m individual medley on the way to a fourth place finish and was a part of the 4x50, freestyle and medley teams who finished in 10th place in both events.