Diss Otters once again took to the water to compete in the Norfolk County Championships 2022 that had been delayed from earlier in the year. Following the sad event at the UEA Sports Park on Thursday 27th January the event was cancelled and Norfolk Swimming have worked tirelessly to bring the championships back at incredibly short notice.
Our special thanks go to Liam Harvey the Championship Secretary and our very own Head Coach, to Stewart Murray, Chris Galer, Tracey Spinner, Keith Belton and Karen Woodhouse. All the Parent Volunteers, Marshals, Coaches and Team Managers without their hard work and dedication this event simply wouldn’t happen.
Our young intrepid squad of 27 swimmers from the club took to the pool at the UEA Sportspark in Norwich on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th February. Due to the shortened schedule the weekend certainly felt a little different to the norm. There were no Finals, Relays or Skins events but we are hopeful these will be able to go ahead later in the year. This gala is the biggest event most club swimmers take part in and qualification for its various events, from 50m to 1500m is the benchmark that swimmers look to achieve throughout the year.
Diss Otters competitors took part in 118 individual swims over the weekend, achieving a staggering 85 PBs with 66 of those into finals reached or top 8 finishes. The club won 16 medals in total including 6 golds, 5 silvers and 5 bronze. Our swimmers were Ben Eastwood (Junior Captain), Olly Shadbolt (Junior captain), Thea Irvine (Senior captain), Finley Neve (Senior Captain), Ella Goodswen, Tayla Goodswen, Grace Cook, Ella Townsend, Laurie Shearer, Hebe Shearer, Jon Barber, Matthew Tatum, Jessica Freeman, Fay Wilson, Amber Daly, Noah Blair, Damian Lemke, Olivia Brewer, Emillia Clifford, Daisy Lewis, Freya Reed, Emily Rose, Elliot Barkway, Hollie Richards, Forbes Irvine, Kayla Dalliston and Roman Joseph. Qualifiers also included Donald Perrin and Gus Betts.
Special mention must go to Laurie Shearer for taking on the 400IM, no mean feet in this event and coming away with a cracking PB to boot. Hollie Richards for 50m Breaststroke, leading her heat in a fantastic swim and Finley Neve for coming third in the overall 200m Breaststroke and third in the 400m Freestyle 16 years and under Championships, a great result.
Medals going to Finley Neve (5G, 3S & 1B), Ben Eastwood (1G & 1S), Elliot Barkway (1B), Noah Blair (1S & 1B), Damien Lemke (1B) and Matthew Tatum (1B). In addition, our top 8 finishes / Finalists were Ella Goodswen, Grace Cook, Ella Townsend, Laurie Shearer, Jon Barber, Amber Daly, Jessica freeman, Freya Reed, Forbes Irvine, Thea Irvine, Fay Wilson, Kyla Dalliston and Emily Rose.