Otters on song for Ulverston (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Otters on song for Ulverston

6:00pm Friday 24th August 2012 in Sport By Scott Kirk, Reporter

STAR swimmers from Ulverston switched from individual to relay events at county level.

Ulverston Otters once again got in amongst the top awards and top of the tree were the 15 and 16-year-old boys who took first place in both the medley and freestyle events.

Oliver Atkinson, backstroke, led out the 200m medley team, and gave them a great start handing over to Michael Cheetham, breaststroke, whose skill and technique kept the challenges of Barrow and Kendal at bay.

Taking over, Scott Munro-Bennett, butterfly, began to wind it up and burn off the opposition before a brilliant take-over from Callum Bond saw him burst into the lead, timing his swim perfectly to triumph in a storming finish.

The lads then went on to give a repeat performance in the 200m freestyle relay displaying superb skill and talent with immaculate takeovers and storming home with a two second victory.

Another fine display of teamwork came from the 11 and 12-year-old girls team in the 200m medley the combination of Megan Roper, backstroke, Rhiannon Ellis, breaststroke, Eden Joy-Light, butterfly, and Chloe Jackson, freestyle, proved too skilful and strong for Cockermouth and Kendal. They then went on to pick up third place in the 200m freestyle relay with some more fine swims. The 11 and 12-year-old boys team also produced outstanding performances.

Tom Robinson led them out in the 200m freestyle, followed by Sam Wicks and Charlie Seggers holding it together for Thomas Unwin to bring them home into second place behind Cockermouth with a fantastic swim. They too went on to give another great performance in the 200m medley, taking third place in style.

The nine and 10-year-old girls squad also worked hard to gain third place in both medley and freestyle with Ellie Simons, Starr Huntington, Sophie Richardson, Imogen Duncalf, Taylor Aplin, Georgina Milburn, Holly Parkinson and Anya Shepherd all giving performances to be proud of. With Cockermouth outstanding, the 13 and 14-year-old girls medley team battled it out with Barrow. Emily Wild, Alix Knagg, Amy Richardson and Hannah Roper just missed out on second place in a close finish.