THE young team of swimmers from Kendal travelled to Copeland for their latest competition.

The team sought to widen their experience and test their skills against other top swimmers from around the County.

They all had a fair degree of success, coming away with medals, qualifying times and personal bests.

The year nine girls 100m Breaststroke produced a classic race for Kendal with Indie Brookes, Ava Dixon and Charlotte Stainer giving dazzling performances showing lots of skill and talent.

Off to a great start the swimmers quickly settled into their stroke patterns and early on began to make challenges. Gradually Dixon began to edge ahead of Brookes and Stainer working hard to maintain the pace. Into the final length and it was Dixon who held her nerve and hit the pads for a super win in 1:50.93 with Brookes taking Silver and Stainer a 5th place.

It was 11-year-old speed merchant Kara Van Der Merva who smashed her way to a stunning victory in the 50m Freestyle.

A great start saw her come out of transition and set a devastating pace. Challenges came from Copeland and Cockermouth swimmers but Der Merve was equal to them all. A superb turn kept her ahead and she began to wind it up and moved up a gear into the pressure zone full of confidence to take gold in 34.11. She then went to the other end of the scale, showing her tactical skills in the 200m Freestyle.

Using her strength and stamina she stayed composed and placed herself in a position for success. Cockermouth’s Lily Bailey began to move ahead but Der Merva still continued to give a brilliant performance. Drawing on her reserves in the final dash she hit the pads to lift Silver in 2:43.12.

Whilst just missing out on Gold Indie Brookes gave a remarkable performance winning 5 Silver and Bronze medals for her efforts throughout the day. The 50 and 100 Freestyle resulted in silver medals following superb performances. She then smashed her way into bronze medal position with more solid swims. Both Elliot Dart and Jack Carradice continued their medal winning ways with a Silver and Bronze each.

Dart In the 50 Freestyle sprint he challenged for honours and in a blanket finish stormed into 3rd place.

The 200 Individual Medley called upon all his talent and tactical skills and again he was impressive, holding to his game plan and took Silver in 3:27.89. Carradice a Freestyle specialist at Freestyle showed himself well worthy of the Silver for the 100m and then followed this up with another powerful swim to snatch Bronze at 200m. Max Whitehead also came up with a powerful swim in the 100m Breaststroke.

He timed his race well taking it on and battling it out with Workinton’s Max McAllister.

Despite the pressure he forced his way into a close finish taking Silver in 1:28.85. Two others Ava Saunders and Janrno Stander gained a bronze medal each, both at 100m Breaststroke with performances they could be proud of. Jessica Atkinson, Sasha Whitehead, George Kinnear, and Harrison Dodd Hemmingway all received 4th place ribbons making it a highly satisfactory day for the Club.