News

A squad of 22 swimmers from Diss Otters Swimming Club took part in this years Warwick Thompson Memorial Gala at Thetford's Waterworld pool last weekend.

A total of 116 individual swims by the Otters over the two day gala made sure that their supporters had plenty of action to watch and the results gave them plenty to cheer about.

82 top 8 swims were achieved, and from that the swimmers brought home a staggering 30 medals, consisting of 6 golds, 12 silvers and 12 bronzes.

The full Otters squad and medals won were as follows, Eleanor Godbold (1S), Alex Jackson (1B), Abigail Chisman (1B), Andrea Altadonna (1S), Ella Goodswen, Faye Wilson (1S,1B), Olivia Shadbolt (1G), Abigail Fletcher, Seren Jones, Molly Wilson (1S), Lily Ellis (2S,3B), David Cosgrove (1G,1S,2B), Finlay Neve (1G,1S), Ciaran Strike (1B), Jon Barber (1G,1S), Jacob Shadbolt (1B), Ella Townsend (2S,1B), Brandon Crisp (2G), Grace Cook (1S), Portia Bloomfield, Kyla Dalliston (1B) and Mya Sidwell. 

The Otters hit the water next when a squad of over 20 swimmers take part in a two day gala at the London Olympics Aquatic Centre on the 7th and 8th of March.

Diss Otters had 5 masters swimmers that tried to hide from the worst of storm Dennis by spending the day swimming in the Sudbury Valentines Meet.

Alison in a tough age group swimming against a British Record holder managed 3 silvers from 3 races in the 50 fly, 100 IM and 200 Free, all in just the final session of the day.

Simon spreading his 3 races throughout the day achieved silvers in 400 and 200 Free and a bronze in 50 Free.

Diss Otters had one of their most successful County Championship galas in recent years, when over the last three weekends a squad of 37 swimmers from the club took to the pool at the UEA Sportspark in Norwich.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 176 individual swims, converting 70 of those into finals reached or top 8 finishes. Out of those finals reached the club won 17 medals - 1 gold, 7 silver and 9 bronze as well as achieving many new personal best times.

Highlights of the gala included Elliott Barkway being crowned 12 year old boys butterfly champion, Finley Neve (with 6 medals) finishing 3rd overall in the 12 year old boys category, and Rosie Munnings receiving her Norfolk County Colours for representing the county in galas on 3 occasions.

Diss Otters squad and medals as follows - Thea Irvine, Matthew Tatum (1S,1B), Callum Blair, Harry Daly (1B), Matthew Munnings, Grace Cook, Lily-Anne Jones, Rosie Munnings (2S,1B), Imogen Grimes, Charlotte Gates, Finley Neve (3S,3B), Forbes Irvine, Oslo Chapman, Brandon Crisp, Kathryn Wood, Olivia Chapman, Noah Blair (1S,1B), Lucas Blair (1B), Ciaran Strike, Blossom Day, Faye Wilson, Amber Daly, Portia Bloomfield, Cassia Miller, Otillie Miller, Ella Townsend, Alex Jackson, Laurie Shearer, Angus Betts, Elliott Barkway (1G,1B), Heidi Noakes, Donald Perrin, Kyla Dalliston, Emily Rose, Harry Button, Olivia Shadbolt and Nathan Hunt.

Diss also took part in the County relay gala with an inexperienced young squad, and although ultimately finishing in sixth position there were lots of positives to be taken from the event into future years.

The next action the Otters will see is an exciting opportunity, with a squad of around 20 heading to the London 2012 Olympics Aquatic centre in Stratford for a 2 day gala at the start of March.