PIONEER 79 Swimming Club sent a squad of 11 swimming to take part in the recent Aquae Sulis Spring Grand Prix in Bristol.

And young Harry Robinson was the star swimmer for the Accrington-based club after he scooped the top boy prize.

The 11-year-old had a busy weekend, competing in 11 events over the two days, achieving no fewer than eight personal best times, regional qualifying times in 10 events and won a silver and two bronze medals in his age group.

Harry’s results placed him as top 11-year-old in eight events and second in three to take the top boy accolade and the earn £50 prize.

The competition was a Level One event, attracting swimmers from some of the top club and squad programmes.

With the overall event oversubscribed, many entries were rejected upon entry, ensuring the top swimmers in each age group were competing.

Over the course of the weekend, Pioneer 79 swimmers achieved 59 new personal best times, 10 RQTs and came away with one silver and two bronze medals.

The small group were aged between 10 and 14-years-old, with age groups at the competition split into 10 years, 11/12 years and 13/14 year bands.

Rachel Waters, 10, swam in five events, producing PBs in three, finishing fifth in the 200m backstroke and sixth in the 50m butterfly.

In the 11/12 year age group, Pioneer had eight swimmers competing

Kenzi Ormerod, 11, competed in nine events over the two days, achieving PBs in all but one of them. Her top performance of the weekend came in the 100m freestyle, where she was the third fastest in her age group.

Emily Nuttall, 11, also had a great weekend, competing in seven events, and achieved six PBs and was the fourth fastest 11-year-old in the 100m butterfly.

Sam Fenton, also 11, swam in three events during the second day of competition, achieving PBs in all three and finished as 13th fastest 11-year-old in each event.

Katherine Waters, 12, made it five PBs out of five in each event she swam while Maddie Rogan, 12, competed in seven events - setting PBs in five and finished seventh and eighth in the 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly respectively.

Alisha Heath, 12, swam six races over the weekend, achieving new best times in all but one, her top placing was 13th in both the 100m and 200m breaststroke events.

Pioneer had three youngsters competing in the 13/14 year age group. Caitlin Armstrong, 13, swam in seven events, setting personal best in six of them.

Mia Nobbs, 13, competed in six events setting PBs in each event she swam in and 14-year-old Kara Pedley lowered her times in all five events she competed in.

The standard of competition at the event was extremely high and all Pioneer 79 swimmers did exceptionally well, showing the South West of England just what the East Lancashire club is capable of.

Pioneer Coach, Steve Davison, who accompanied the swimmers on the trip to Bristol was delighted with the youngsters.

“Their performances and attitude was exceptional throughout the two days of competition, they did themselves and the club proud,” he said.

The club is planning, at this early stage to send a much bigger team to the same event next year.