The Somerset County Championships have just finished on Sunday 25th March, after competition over 3 weekends in March. They have turned out to be the most successful in Clevedon Swimming Club's 79 year history. 54 swimmers took part and they achieved a staggering 278 personal bests, beating last year's record by 45. Clevedon swimmers finished in the top 8 in 94 individual races (beating last year by 35) and 12 relay placings in the top 6.

The prodigious Amber Summerell led the way in podium finishes, she won all 3 Gold medals on offer in her age group Breaststroke events and branched out to pick up a Bronze in the 200m Individual Medley. Ellena Ibal won Gold in the blue ribbon 50m Freestyle and a Silver in the 50m Backstroke. Katie Lee picked up a silver in the 50m Back. India Thomas won Silver in the 200m Butterfly. Vicky Smith bagged a Bronze in the 200m Back. Kelsey Khardine won Bronze in the 50m Back and George Harris gained a Bronze in the 50m Fly.

Overall, Amber came 2nd in her age group and was a few hundredths of a seconds away from a National Qualifying Time in Breaststroke. She will have several opportunities to gain this over the next few months. At the Somerset's, she also qualified for the Open age group finals for the fastest swimmers of whatever age in both 100m and 200m Breaststroke - this despite being only 12 years old! She was by far the youngest swimmer in either race and competed extremely well to pick up two 8th placed medals. Chelsie Kirman excelled and came 7th in the under 13 girls and Elizabeth Warnes was placed 8th in the under 11 girls.

Top relay performance came from the under 16 girls freestyle team of Megan Prideaux, Hayley Burston, Jenni Gilbert and Ellena Ibal who won Silver. The same team came 3rd in the Medley relay. The girls under 12 year Medley team of Danielle Appleford, Amber Summerell, India Thomas and Stef Reynolds won Bronze.

Given that Somerset contains Millfield School and Taunton Deane, two of the top swimming teams in the country, as well as many other top clubs, Clevedon's performance and their relentless progress has been truly remarkable. The Somerset's squad prepared by going to Lanzarotte for a warm weather training camp and this coupled with some expert coaching has undoubtedly aided their preparation. Effort and dedication was not confined to the Swimmers. Clevedon ASC also provided record numbers of Officials for the Championship. Overall 21% of the 273 official sessions were provided by Clevedon Judges and Timekeepers. Clevedon ASC's performance, in the water and on poolside was noticed and commented on by many.

Graham Feboul

For full results of the championships please check the Swimwest site, or for Clevedon's results check our results database