Ulverston swimmers taking part in the Cumbria Age Group and County Championships had a great weekend with a host of successful swims.

Heading the list was 17-year-old Indya Sharp. She opened her score with a bronze medal having taken third place in the final of the Ladies 50 Backstroke and showing lots of controlled aggression she stormed to the finish of the Women's 100 Individual Medley to win the trophy in 1:06.58.

She then produced a magnificent swim to lift her second championship trophy, the Women's 100m Backstroke in 1:06.99, holding off spirited challenges from Cockermouth’s Jess Prokas and Madison Tuer.

Another great opportunity was the 50m Butterfly where in an exciting blanket finish she had to settle for the silver medal behind Copeland’s Rebecca Amour.

Then came her greatest challenge, having to call on all her power, talent, and technique in the 50 Backstroke. Four swimmers battled it out right to the finish, shoulder to shoulder and hitting the pads together, all on 31 seconds, only a fraction determined Sharp was the winner.

A similar situation arose in the Men’s 50 Freestyle where Alex Thompson had to pull out all the stops to snatch a brilliant win in 24.70 against four other swimmers, all on 24 seconds.

He then went on to compete in the finals of both 100 Freestyle and 50 Backstroke but was just outside the medals. Two other Otters made finals and Ethan Alpress produced a superb effort to collect a Bronze medal in the Junior Boys 100 Backstroke, whilst Anna Morrison gave her usual outstanding display of power coupled with great talent to take the Bronze Medal at 200 Butterfly.

The Otters continued to enjoy more success in the age group competitions where 14-year-old Ethan Alpress emerged with a total of four wins and three runner up badges.

At Backstroke he was supreme. Taking an early lead he forged ahead in both the 50m and 100m events and led from start to finish for comfortable wins.

He had to work hard in the 100m Butterfly as Kendal’s James Escolme put up a real challenge and it was only in the final 50m that Alpress got a slight lead to capture the win.

His 50m Freestyle sprint was a classic with a trio of swimmers matching each other stroke for stroke and hitting the pads in a blanket finish and Alpress proving victorious by a fraction of a second.

Despite further valiant efforts he had to settle for second place in 100 and 200 Breaststroke as well as the 100 Freestyle.

Adding to her County Championships Indya Sharp came up with superb wins in the 50 and 100 Backstroke.

She got a great start and set a devastating pace with power combined with superb technique to which her rivals had no answer.

Staying composed she saved enough for the final length to hold off spirited challenges to win both titles.

She also gained a second place in the 50 Butterfly sprint and a third in the 100 Butterfly.

Looking to the future, 10 year old Dexter Stoker showed his talent winning both the the 50 and 100m events where he quickly got into his stroke pattern and produced fantastic performances to triumph over his rivals.

The 200 Freestyle was to produce two winners for the Club with ten year old Percy Wignall and 11 year old Reuben Eley proving worthy winners with performances to be proud of.

Both then took on the shorter 100m event and had to settle for second places following exciting finishes from them both.

Speed merchant Alex Thompson powered his way to victory with a swim from the gods and one which took him on the road to his later victory in the County Championship final.

12 year old Olivia Penellum gave a spectacular performance to win the power sapping 400m Individual Medley. She moved ahead from the start and took it on and built up a comfortable lead.

Throughout the four strokes she called on all her reserves and into the finish showed great courage in the pressure zone with her rivals rapidly closing down.

The Otters other winner was Penelope Boyle who showed great skill, leading from the very start in the 200 Breaststroke.

She added to this victory with a further seven minor place badges ranging through all four strokes.

Other second and third badges were won by Maisie Scales, Isaac Tizzard, Marley Griffiths, Daniel Jesson, Jay Mulama,Abigail Caine, Annabel Crayston, Imogen Stoker and Anna Morrison.