Ulverston Otters made their bid for honours at Cumbria’s County Championships with some highly impressive performances.

In the age group competitions, 12-year-old Ethan Alpress was in great form and distinguished himself winning two 1st places and a 3rd place badge.

The 100m backstroke saw him off to a superb start and he pulled clear and built on his advantage to come home a clear winner.

His best came from the 100m freestyle in which he set the pace and dominated throughout. Into the pressure zone he called on his reserves and stormed to victory.

He then went on to collect a third with an excellent swim in the 50m butterfly.

In a storming finish Isaac Tizzard snatched an excellent win at 50m butterfly following well-timed sprinting and a superb turn. Out of transition he held off all challenges to take that 1st place by a touch.

10-year-old Maisie Scales also pulled off a remarkable double win by first of all showing tremendous sprinting skill in the 50m butterfly then found herself in close competition in the 100m backstroke with Carlisle’s Olivia O’Mahoney providing the opposition.

Both girls kept up the pace all the way into the final metres and in the blanket finish neither swimmer could be parted both recording a time of 1:29.29 and therefore were declared equal winners.

Nicola Capstick, still not quite back to full fitness and saving her energies for her attempt to retain her 100m backstroke title, did just enough to keep her opponents at bay and take a well judged 1st place in her age group final.

Minor place badges also went to Tom Robinson, Annabelle Crayston, Imogen Stoker and Phillip Crayston.

Capstick, now fired up in defence of her title produced another devastating start and out of transition moved up a gear and placed herself in the clear. From then on she used all her skill, dictating the pace and not giving an inch, hitting the finish in 1:06.01 to take the title home again. Tom Robinson showed why he is one of Cumbria’s top swimmers. His heat performances got him places in five championship finals.

Despite drawing on all his skills he had to settle for Silver medals in men's 50m butterfly, 100m backstroke, and 200m individual medley all of which involved close finishes.

Alex Thompson had similar luck, missing out on gold but won silver medals for junior men's 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle.

Indya Sharp made a fantastic effort to take a well-earned 4th place in the women's 50m butterfly championship.

Then came the 4x50m team relays, where both the boys and girls 10-year-old teams pulled off some fine results taking 2nd place in the medley with Annabelle Crayston and Ethan Alpress leading out, followed by Orianne Sharp and Phillip Crayston. The Butterfly leg brought Imogen Stoker and Isaac Tizard into the mix then leaving anchors Ayla Stoller and Seth Kelly to bring them home.

A further effort from these talented youngsters brought them 3rd place badges in the 4x50m freestyle relay. The women's squad got a huge boost taking the medley championship with a magnificent effort.

With Shannon Parker replacing Capstick for the junior events, the medley squad swam brilliantly to collect the silver medal. Their performance was sufficient to bring them the gold medals for the 4x50 junior ladies Freestyle Championship and complete a highly satisfactory Meet for the Club.