ETHAN Alpress climbed to the top of the tree when a squad of Ulverston Otters swimmers compete in the Cumbria ASA winter meet at Whitehaven, claiming five gold medals and a silver for his efforts.

He reigned supreme at backstroke, with wins at 50, 100 and 200m, with his fourth gold coming for his 100m Individual Medley. And his power again came to the fore in the 50 butterfly for an outstanding winning performance before Ethan had to settle for the silver medal at the 200 breaststroke.

Annabelle Crayston also put in performances to be proud of in the sprints, where she won double gold for her 50m butterfly and backstroke, dominating both events.

But in her 200 IM, Annabelle had to settle for the silver medal before also going on to take bronze for 100 and 200 backstroke and 100 butterfly.

There was more Otters success when Felicity Boyle and Rebecca Duckworth both took double gold – Boyle had wins in the 100m and 400m IM followed by silver for 400m freestyle while nine-year-old Duckworth won her 200 breaststroke and 200 IM.

Three more swimmers to win gold were Nicola Capstick, who showed just why she is county champion at 50m backstroke,Marley Griffiths with a well-earned win in the 50m freestyle sprint and Adam Jones in the 100m butterfly.

And he didn’t stop there, taking bronze medals from the 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle.

Fifteen other swimmers, among them Daniel Jesson, Mazie Scales, Penelope Boyle, Nathan Tizzard and Isaac Tizzard, shared a total of 40 minor place medals to make it a highly successful weekend for the Otters.