County times were the order of the day as Boston Swimming Club hosted its annual summer championships. This event gave Boston’s swimmers their first opportunity to gain county qualification in the sprint events of 50m backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle and 100m individual medley for next season’s county championship.

For the first time, this year had races that every member of the club could compete in, ranging from swimmers from Sunday afternoon lessons who competed at 25m to gain competition experience in how to race in a non-pressurised and less formal environment, through to the more experienced Juniors, Future, County, Midland and Masters squads who were looking for county qualification times. This provided great interest as spectators watched Boston’s youngest swimmer on the day, five-year-old Lottie Street followed by Boston’s oldest competitor Richard Howes at the tender age of 69.

Not to be outdone by the children, a sponsored parents’ race was held with the two fastest male and female racers progressing through to the final to race club coach Ian Wells. Also to raise money for the club, in the dinner break, the swimmers had the chance to seek revenge on their coaches for all the gruelling training sessions they had been put through during the year by putting them in the stocks — and, if their aim was good, soaking them with wet sponges.

At the end of an enjoyable and successful day the organisers raised a significant amount of money for the club, many swimmers improved on their personal best times and a significant number of swimmers achieved the county qualification standard. The only disappointment on the day for many children was to see club coach Ian Wells keep his reputation intact by cruising home to victory beating fellow finalists Kate Craven, Steve Roberts, Karl Royce and Mandy Street.

Age group winners were as follows:

Girls: 8 years old, Bethany Holderness (backstroke, butterfly, freestyle, IM), Ella Parla (breaststroke); 9 years old, Holly Hutchings (backstroke, freestyle, IM), Chloe Mallet (breaststroke), Emily Murfin (butterfly); 10 years old, Amber Nuttman (breaststroke), Hollie Royce (backstroke), Pippa Wilson (butterfly, freestyle, IM); 11 to 13 years old, Stephanie Goodale (backstroke), Paige Royce (butterfly, freestyle), Kimberley Van Haren (breaststroke, IM); 14 years and over, Chloe Dix (breaststroke), Emily Dix (butterfly), Jessica Murfin (backstroke, freestyle, IM).

Boys: 8 years old, Ashley Berg (backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle, IM); 9 years old, George Hobbins (backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle, IM); 10 years old, Connor Spinks (backstroke, butterfly, freestyle, IM), Lewis Teague (breaststroke); 11 to 13 years old, Michael Craven (backstroke), Ikhuemose Ikhena (breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle, IM); 14 years and over, Patrick Ikhena (breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle), Ben Pogson (backstroke, IM).

Ladies: 20 to 29 age group, Abigail Clifton (backstroke, butterfly, freestyle, IM); 40 to 49 age group, Mandy Street (breaststroke)

Men: 20 to 29 age group, Adam Howard (backstroke, freestyle), Rikki Mitchell (butterfly, IM); 30 to 39 age group, David Graves (breaststroke), Nick Morris (butterfly, freestyle, IM); 40 to 49 age group, Mark Dunnett (backstroke, butterfly, freestyle, IM), Alistair Goodwin (breaststroke); 60 to 69 age group, Richard Howes (breaststroke, freestyle).

Round-up for July 18

Victorious finale for team skipper Zak

Boston Swimming Club were the hosts for round three of Anglian League action with the club’s A and B teams being drawn in the same group.

Having already qualified for the final in September Boston A were looking to cement their place at the top of the league, while a good result for Boston B would also guarantee them a place in the final.

Boston A started the strongest. In the first race, the boys open 100m individual medley, captain Zak Lomas led from start to finish for a thoroughly deserved first place in a time of 1 min 07.53 seconds. This meant that having now beaten the cut-off times for all the boys races, he will be ineligible for future Anglian League galas.

Three more wins followed in the first five races, giving the Boston A team a commanding points lead.

This was a lead that through consistently high place finishes and numerous personal best times, they were never in danger of losing. A further seven race wins meant that Boston A had already secured first place by the time the last race of the evening, the mixed 6 x 50m freestyle relay, was held.

With this being Zak’s last race in the competition, the relay team were determined to ensure they were well placed when it was the captain’s turn to take the anchor leg. Fittingly he signed off in style by bringing the team home in first place in the race and on the night.

Knowing that only a committed team performance would ensure a place in the final, Boston B set about the evening in an unsteady way and after 10 races they were in last place.

But then a string of personal best performances and three race wins propelled the team into third place after 20 races. It was a position they fought hard to retain and one they managed to keep for the rest of the night.

By finishing third on the night it guaranteed them a place in the final, an achievement that delighted coach Ian Wells, a feat that also shows the growing strength in depth of emerging talent at Boston Swimming Club.

Boston A race winners were: Brendan Clark, Michael Craven, Jack Featherstone (2), Emily French, Luke Jones, Zak Lomas, Amelia Murfin, Rueben Reed, Sam Reed, Ben Warren and the relay team.

Boston B race winners were: Henry Careless, Sofia Parla, Paige Royce, Susannah Yielding.

Personal best times were recorded by: Henry Careless, Brendan Clark (2), Matthew Coleman (2), Hannah Cox, Michael Craven, Jack Featherstone (2), Alex French (2), Emily French, Luke Jones, Zak Lomas, Hannah Macleod, Amelia Murfin (2), Amber Nuttman, Sofia Parla, Rueben Reed (2), Sam Reed (2), Paige Royce (2), Connor Spinks, Oliver Street (2), Kimberley Van-Haren, Ben Warren, Pippa Wilson, Molly Wright, Susannah Yielding.

Round-up for July 1

Personal best feats in tough competition

Six Boston swimmers aged between 10 and 14, travelled to Coventry over two weekends to compete in the Midlands Regional Championship. This is one of the hardest and largest regions to compete in with top swimmers from all the major clubs across the breadth of the country competing for top honours. The event was held in a 50m long course pool with all six Boston swimmers gaining long course personal best times. In total the sextet competed in 32 events.

Patrick Ikhena achieved the highest finish by a Boston swimmer with second place in the 14-year-old 100m freestyle. He also had notable swims by finishing sixth in the 100m breaststroke and butterfly.

Zak Lomas also competing in the 14-year-old age group had the most swims for Boston when competing in nine different events. Zak’s highest finishes were fifth in the 100m backstroke, sixth in the 200m backstroke and eighth in the 1500m freestyle.

Ikhuemose Ikhena produced two good swims in gaining personal best time in the 13-year-old 100m breaststroke and freestyle in his first Midlands finals.

Reuben Reed produced two weekends of high class swimming in the 12-year-old age group underlining his freestyle credentials by gaining not only his long course personal best times but also beating his short course times. Reuben’s highest finishes were ninth in the 1500m freestyle and tenth in the 800m freestyle.

Not to be outdone by the boys, Kimberley Van Haren had two busy weekends competing in eight events in the 12-year-old age group. Kimberley’s best finish was sixth in the 100m butterfly.

At 10 years of age, Boston’s youngest swimmer at the championships was Amber Nuttman. Competing in her first regional championship and her first time in a 50-metre pool Amber produced two consistent swims in the 100m and 200m backstroke.

Round-up for June 21

Fenland rewards for strong A team

A strong Boston Swimming Club A team travelled to March for round three of Fenland League action, with the team trying to improve on their current league position of third place. As expected, the team representing Deepings provided their main opposition on the night and it was Deepings who started the night in fine form. It took Boston A until race 10 to capture the overall points lead due to only two race wins emerging in the opening phase. But a further six race wins out of 10 stretched Boston’s lead to a comfortable nine points at the half way stage.

The second half of the programme produced some fine swims by the Boston swimmers who continually beat their Deepings counterparts. Nine race wins followed with numerous personal best times leaving Boston A winners on the night and more significantly moving them up to second place in the league just one point behind leaders Peterborough.

The most successful girl swimmer for Boston was Rebecca Craven with three wins in the 12-year-old 50m freestyle, breaststroke and 13-year-old 100m individual medley. For the boys, Connor Spinks won two races in the 11-year-old 50m freestyle and backstroke. A special mention must go to Liam Brotherton who ended up swimming all four of the 10-year-old boy’s races at short notice picking up valuable team points in the process.

Boston B, acting as hosts, were also in Fenland League action. The team got off to a good start with three wins in the first seven races. They were slowly pegged back by a good Grantham team who enjoyed a spree of first place finishes during the middle phase to take a clear points lead. Boston B swimmers persevered and achieved another six race wins leaving them in a comfortable second place beating three other first teams. This result moved the team up four places to seventh in the league.

Most successful girl swimmer for Boston B was Toni Keal with two wins in the 12-year-old individual medley and 50m butterfly. For the boys Michael Keal 10-year-old 25m butterfly, Lewis Teague, 10-year-old 50m freestyle, and Ben Warren, 13-year-old 50m backstroke, all achieved one win and three personal best times in their respect races.

Race winners for Boston A were: Ashley Berg, Natasha Berg, Rebecca Craven (3), Megan Edmonds, Stephanie Goodale, Bethany Holderness, Luke Jones, Hannah Macleod (2), Ella Parla, Isabel Swain, Connor Spinks (2), Oliver Street, Susannah Yielding (2).

Race winners for Boston B were: George Hobbins, Michael Keal, Toni Keal (2), Chloe Mallett, Victoria Needham, Abigail Teague, Lewis Teague, Ben Warren,

All personal best times: Ashley Berg, Natasha Berg (2), Megan Coleman, Brad Cooke (2), Michael Craven, Rebecca Craven (3), Morgan Dodd (2), Megan Edmonds, Stephanie Goodale, George Hobbins (2), Georgia Hodgkiss, Bethany Holderness, Thomas Hobbs, Harriet Housam (2), Luke Jones (2), Michael Keal (3), Toni Keal (2), Hannah Macleod (2), Chloe Mallett, Victoria Needham, Becky Pimlott, Hollie Royce, Megan Sargeant, Connor Spinks (2), Oliver Street, Isabel Swain (2), Thomas Tamberlin, Abigail Teague, Lewis Teague (3), Ben Warren (3), Ben Woods, Susannah Yielding (2).

Round-up for May 24

Quartet strive for national qualifying times

Four Boston swimmers travelled to Hatfield for a grade one event covering two days of swimming. This event represented the quartet’s final chance to gain national qualifying times in a short course pool (25m) for this summer’s National Championships. Although the standard of swimming was high, the Boston swimmers did not quite reach their top form with only two personal best times being set, although they did come close on several occasions and no new national qualifying times were achieved.

Kimberley Van-Haren (12) had a consistent weekend, setting a personal best statistic in the 200m backstroke with a time of 2 minutes 40.36 seconds while just missing out on PBs in the 100m butterfly (finishing third in her age group), 100m freestyle and 200m breaststroke.

Reuben Reed (12) also gained a PB in the 400m individual medley, producing a consistent rhythm in all four strokes to lower his time to 5:50.25. Reuben also came close to his PB time in the 100m freestyle.

Ose Ikhena (13) produced two spirited swims in the 200m individual medley and 100m breaststroke but struggled to compete with the older 14-year-old swimmers in his age group.

Patrick Ikhena (14) again achieved the national qualifying time in the 100m freestyle but just missed out on lowering his PB. In finishing secondin his age group, his time of 54.62 seconds beat the previous meet record.

First place reward for club novices

Boston’s next generation of swimmers travelled to Huntingdon to compete in the Copley’s Cup novice gala. This is a friendly gala for mostly young and inexperienced swimmers to gain race competition experience while not under the strict ASA rules, although any swimmer beating the stipulated cut-off time only gained half-a-point for their team instead of their full place points. This ruling tests the selectors’ judgement when selecting the team and played a major part in the team’s apparent slow start to the competition as six of the first 11 swimmers beat the cut-off time. By producing superb individual swims, they demonstrated the progress they have made through the hard work they have put in when training.

A string of five successive second placed finishes in the relay events propelled the team into first place, establishing a lead they never relinquished. The relays were particularly pleasing as not one Boston team was disqualified, a fate that no other team achieved and showed a maturity in the swimmers by being able to curb their eagerness in the take-over phase.

Although Huntington Blue pushed Boston all the way, consistently high placed finishes and numerous personal best times by the Boston swimmers meant that when it was time for the eagerly awaited parents’ race, first place had been secured and the pressure was off. The adult team of Lee Murfin, Emma Rogers, Perry Whitham and Tina Sargeant were greeted with ironic applause and cheering. Not wanting to let down their youthful peers, the team finished a creditable third and was last seen heading for the masseurs’ table.

Personal best times: Ashley Berg, Liam Brotherton, Brad Cooke (2), Tom Cooke, Kieran Edmonds, Megan Edmonds, David Guy, Toni Keal, Luke Macleod (2), Emily Murfin (2), Harriet Needham, Victoria Needham (2), Jessica Pettitt, Rhianne Rogers, Megan Sargeant, Nikita Singer (2), Katy Sutton, Thomas Tamberlin, Brandon Whitham and Ben Woods.

Round-up for May 17

Tulip gala success for swimmers

Boston swimmers made the short journey to Spalding for the Tulip Open swimming gala over the May bank holiday. This is one of the main social events in the calendar for swimmers and parents alike, due to the easily accessible camping facilities, where night time barbecues for the children and alcohol for the parents were in abundance.

This event is slightly different to many that the swimmers enter as heats are swum first with the fastest six swimmers qualifying for the finals later in the session with all finalists winning a trophy. This event is a good springboard for the inexperienced and younger swimmers to compete in a less pressurised environment culminating in a profusion of personal best times being achieved.

Luke Jones (11) became Boston’s first finalist in the Saturday morning session in the 100m breaststroke, eventually finishing fourth with a personal best time of 1 minute 36.77 seconds. Liam Brotherton (9) then gained second place and a personal best time in the 50m breaststroke. Also reaching the morning finals were Joshua Teague (13), fifth in the 100m butterfly, and Emily French, sixth in the 15-and-over 100m backstroke.

With the morning session finished, swimmers and parents then had time to enjoy the flower parade and its carnival atmosphere. The evening session brought more success, initially for the girls with Kathryn Sperring, in the 15-and-over 100m butterfly and Stephanie Goodale (13) 100m backstroke both finishing in fifth place. Joshua Teague kept up his good form with third in the 100m backstroke closely followed by Henry Careless in fifth place.

Susannah Yielding (12) then produced a superb swim to achieve Boston’s only first place of the weekend in the 100m breaststroke and Hannah Macleod (10) achieved fourth place in the 100m butterfly. It was then left to George Hobbins (9) to power his way to third place in the last final of the day, the 50m backstroke.

After enjoying the previous evening’s revelries, Sunday’s morning session started slowly. Susannah Yielding’s impressive form continued with fourth place in the 100m butterfly. George Hobbins was third in the 50m butterfly while Joshua Teague and Henry Careless were third and sixth respectively in the 100m breaststroke.

The final session of the meet saw another flurry of finalists for Boston. Luke Jones got the session off to a good start with fifth place 100m butterfly. This was quickly followed by George Hobbins in second and Liam Brotherton in fourth spot in the 50m freestyle. Joshua Teague equalled his best finish of the weekend with third in the 100m freestyle and Elvijs Roberts (14) also finished third in the 100m butterfly. It was then left to the evergreen Lewis Moses to finish the gala off in style with third place in the 15-and-over 100m freestyle.

Personal best times: Liam Brotherton (3), Eleanor Careless (3), Henry Careless (5), Brendan Clark, Matthew Coleman (3), Megan Coleman (2), Brad Cooke (2), Harry Dean-Allen (4), Jack Featherstone (2), Emily French, Stephanie Goodale (2), George Hobbins (3), Harriet Housam (4), Luke Jones (3), Michael Keal (4), Toni Keal (4), Hannah Macleod, Luke Macleod (3), Chloe Mallett (2), Amber Nuttman (2), Elvijs Roberts (3), Megan Sargeant, Thomas Sargeant (2), Nikita Singer (2), Holly Spinks (2), Katy Sutton, Abigail Teague (3), Joshua Teague (5), Lewis Teague (4), Susannah Yielding (4).

Round-up for May 14

Boston swimmers in Fenland double bill

Boston Swimming Club took two young and generally inexperienced teams to Peterborough for the second round of the Fenland League competition.

It was the host team Peterborough Cops that started brightly by winning the first four races, giving them a points lead that they never gave up for the rest of the night. Boston A got off to a slow start but race wins by Liam Brotherton and Bethany Holderness in the boys’ and girls’ nine-year-old 50m freestyle pushed the team into second place. Liam also gained race wins in the 50m backstroke and 25m butterfly. Pippa Wilson was the most successful girl winning the 11-year-old 50m freestyle and backstroke and gaining second place in the 50m breaststroke. With plenty of vocal parental support and personal best times recorded, the team tried hard to over haul Peterborough but could not get close enough to threaten their lead and finished second.

For Boston B, several swimmers were making their debuts at this level — all of whom produced good swims and personal best times. As expected, race wins were hard to come by but outstanding swims by Chloe Mallett, (nine years 50m backstroke) and Morgan Dodd (11 years 50m breaststroke) meant the team could have some bragging rights. Overall the team finished in a creditable fourth place.

Personal best times were recorded by: Liam Brotherton (3), Matthew Coleman (4), Megan Coleman, Brad Cooke (2), Tom Cooke1, Harry Dean-Allen, Morgan Dodd (2), Kieran Edmonds (4), Stephanie Goodale, David Guy, Thomas Hobbs, Georgia Hodgkiss (2), Bethany Holderness (2), Michael Keal (2), Toni Keal (3), Luke Macleod (2), Chloe Mallett (2), Victoria Needham, Sofia Parla (2), Becky Pimlott, Bethany Pogson (2), Isabel Swain (2), Thomas Tamberlain, Abigail Teague (2), Lewis Teague, Brandon Whitham, Pippa Wilson (3) and Ben Woods.

Round-up for May 9

Ben takes top honours in backstroke contest

Three Boston swimmers went to Coventry to compete in the Midland District Championships, an event where entrants were drawn from an stretching from the east coast across to the west of England.

Ben Pogson emerged as was overall champion and 15-16 years champion in the 50m backstroke making him the fastest backstroke swimmer in the district.

Elsewhere, schoolwork had hampered his training schedule, meaning he had lost stamina. He was unable to keep the speed up on his second length of the 50m pool. And although leading at the half way stage he had to settle for third place in the 100m backstroke. The biggest surprise for Ben, though, was in qualifying for the 50m butterfly final in fifth place. In the final Ben went even faster and finished in a creditable third place. Hopefully when examinations have passed, Ben can get the hours in the pool have good National Championships.

Sam Wright, who has struggled with injuries and his overall form this year, came away from the two-day competition with every swim being a new best time. He finished in fifth place in both 100m and 200m breaststroke events.

Jessica Murfin was Boston’s third swimmer involved. She had to rest in the week building up to the event due to arm injury sustained when playing rounders at school. Although she had to be pull out of two events as a precautionary measure, she still managed to swim two long course best times from her four programmed races.

Round-up for May 2

Club contingent gain qualifying standards

Boston swimmers travelled to Leicester for their last chance to qualify for this summer’s Midlands Championships.

Kimberley Van Haren started the first night’s session off in fine style by achieving the 12-year-old Midland qualifying time and setting a new personal best time in the 400m individual medley. This was quickly followed by Reuben Reed (11) and Zak Lomas (14) achieving the same feat in the 400m freestyle.

Day two started in similar fashion for Kimberley who went on to gain Midland qualifying times in the 200 individual medley, 100m and 200m butterfly. Zak also started well by finishing second in the 100m backstroke with a Midland qualification and later achieved a Midland time for the 200m freestyle along with Reuben Reed who finished second in his age group.

Boston Swimming Club’s youngest swimmer to be going to the Midlands this year will be Amber Nuttman (10) who produced a superb swim through consistently paced laps in the 200m backstroke.

Arguably the swim of the day came from Patrick Ikhena (14) in the 200m freestyle. In winning his age group, he gained not only Midland qualification but also the required qualification standard for the National Championships in August. Patrick also gained Midland times in the 100m breaststroke, finishing third, and 200m breaststroke. Not to be outdone by his brother, Ikheumose Ikhena (13) also gained Midland qualification in the 100m breaststroke.

Buoyed by his achievements from the previous day Patrick produced the swim of the weekend on the third morning by setting a new club record of 53.90 seconds in the 100m freestyle. This time gained him first place with National and Midland qualification. He also achieved Midland times in the 200m individual medley (finishing second) and by winning the 100m butterfly.

Zak Lomas’ consistent weekend continued with Midland qualifications in the 200m backstroke (first place), 200m individual medley (third place) and in the 100m freestyle. Reuben Reed and Ikheumose Ikhena also gained qualification times in the 100m freestyle.

It was then left to Kimberley Van Haren who continued her good form during the weekend by gaining qualifying times in the 200m breaststroke then producing her best swim of the weekend in the very last event by gaining Midland qualifying times in the 100m and 200m freestyle — the 100m time being gained by her split in the 200m race.

Trophy winners were: 14 years: Patrick Ikhena, first 100m butterfly; 100m and 200m freestyle; second 200m IM; third 100m breaststroke; Zak Lomas, first 200m backstroke; second 100m backstroke; third 200m IM; 11 years: Reuben Reed, first 200m butterfly; second 200m and 400m freestyle; Oliver Street, second 200m butterfly; 9 years: George Hobbins, third 400m freestyle.

Personal best times were set by: Michael Craven, Rebecca Craven, Harry Dean-Allen, George Hobbins (6), Ikhuemose Ikhena (3), Patrick Ikhena (5), Luke Jones, Zak Lomas (5), Hannah Macleod (2), Amber Nuttman (2), Reuben Reed (3), Jack Ross, Hollie Royce (3), Paige Royce, Connor Spinks (2), Oliver Street (3), Kimberley Van Haren (7), Susannah Yielding (3).

Round-up for April 23

Squads impressive in competitive action

The A and B teams from Boston Swimming Club were in competitive action at separate events in the Anglian League.

Boston B made the long journey to Bedford where an impressive string of consistent performances ensured a first ever gala win. This result is even more remarkable as they were against other clubs’ A teams — amply demonstrating the increasing talent and strength in depth of swimmers currently at the club.

Although race wins were hard to come by at the start, consistent high placed finishes ensured Boston’s points tally always gave them the edge. With good team spirit and support, confidence grew, culminating in 11 race wins from the final 21 races and plenty of personal best times ensuring victory.

Hannah Cox led the way with three wins, one second and four personal bests. Also in impressive form was 10-year-old Natasha Berg who won both her races in the 13 years age group as well as beating the cut-off time in the 100m freestyle.

Boston A made the shorter journey to Wisbech knowing a win would send them top of the league.

This they comfortably achieved. With race wins coming at regular intervals, Boston’s lead was never seriously threatened. With consistent performances and plenty of PBs, this was a good all-round team performance.

This was highlighted in the final race of the night, the 6 x 50m relay in which the team had to fight hard for a narrow victory.

Personal best times were achieved by:

Natasha Berg (2), Henry Careless, Brendan Clark (3), Matthew Coleman, Hannah Cox (4), Michael Craven, Kieran Edmonds, Jack Featherstone (2), Harriet Housam, Luke Jones, Amelia Murfin (2), Jessica Murfin, Zak Lomas, Reuben Reed, Sam Reed (2), Paige Royce, Jack Ross, Laura Swain, Abigail Teague (2), Joshua Teague (2), Kimberley Van Haren, Molly Wright and Sam Wright.

Round-up for April 16

Boston swimmers in medals haul

Thirty one swimmers from Boston Swimming Club travelled to Peterborough for their penultimate chance to gain Midland qualifying times for this summer’s championship. Race wins were in abundance throughout the various age categories, with Boston totalling 21 golds, 22 silvers and 23 bronze.

Most notable achievements from the open meet came from 15-year-old Ben Pogson winning all five of his races including the 50m backstroke in which he beat international swimmer Charlie Walker who then went on to compete in the World Short Course Championship held in Manchester the following week. Patrick Ikhena (14) achieved the most wins throughout the gala with six, including a personal best and Midlands qualifying time in the 200m freestyle.

Although race wins were difficult to come by in the girls events Jessica Murfin (14) won the 100m backstroke and 200m butterfly and Hannah Macleod (10) 200m butterfly. Due to their consistency over the two days and 84 personal best times Boston picked up the best visiting team trophy by gaining 456 points compared to runners-up Grantham with 294.

Medal winners

16 years-plus: Hollie Featherstone, one bronze; Chris Willerton, one bronze; 15 years: Heather Guy, two silver, two bronze; Ben Pogson, five gold; Sam Wright, three gold, two silver, two bronze; 14 years: Patrick Ikhena, six gold, one silver; Zak Lomas, two gold, one silver, one bronze; Jessica Murfin, two gold, four silver; 13 years: Ose Ikhena, three bronze; Amelia Murfin one silver, one bronze; Laura Swain, one bronze; 12 years: Jack Featherstone, one silver, one bronze; Kimberley Van Haren, one silver, three bronze; Susannah Yeilding, one bronze; 11 years: Rebecca Craven, one bronze; Luke Jones, one silver; Reuben Reed, two gold, three silver, one bronze; Oliver Street, one silver, one bronze; 10 years: Natasha Berg, two silver, two bronze; Megan Edmonds, one bronze; Hannah Macleod, one gold, two silver.

Personal best times

Natasha Berg 6, Michael Craven 3, Rebecca Craven 1, Kieran Edmonds 2, Megan Edmonds 1, Jack Featherstone 2, Stephanie Goodale 1, Heather Guy 3, Patrick Ikhena 1, Luke Jones 8, Zak Lomas 6, Hannah Macleod 8, Amelia Murfin 3, Jessica Murfin 3, Sofia Parla 6, Reuben Reed 6, Hollie Royce 4, Paige Royce 1, Connor Spinks 3, Oliver Street 1, Thomas Tamberlin 3, Kimberley Van Haren 5, Molly Wright 2, Susannah Yeilding 5,

Round-up for April 10

Ben rises to Olympic trials challenge

Ben Pogson now knows what it will take to become an Olympic swimmer for Great Britain.

The Boston Swimming Club youngster took his place in the recent Olympic trials event at Sheffield and learned much from the atmosphere and competitive intensity of the occasion.

Even though he never had any realistic hopes of making the qualifying standards, 15-year-old Ben improved his own personal best times in the 100m and 200m backstroke events.

Now, it’s down to four years of hard work to put himself in prime contention for a GB team spot when the London Games of 2012 come around.

At Sheffield, Ben was among all of Britain’s top international swimmers who were there trying to book their places in the squad heading for Beijing in August.

Ben swam his 100m backstroke race in a time of 61.47 seconds, taking 1.5 seconds off his previous best time. In tandem with guidance from Boston Swimming Club coach Ian Wells, Ben’s next aim will be to take two more seconds off every year.

This should mean that by the London Olympics he will be swimming 53.5 seconds for the event which should be good enough to book his place in the team. Ben is now ranked 40^th in the country in this event.

In the 200m backstroke, Ben is now ranked in 36^th place after improving his time by two seconds when swimming 2:13.93.

His aim here is to knock four seconds annually off his personal best times with a view to pushing himself into GB contention for 2012 — feats that will take lots of early morning training and devotion to the swimming cause if he is to fulfil his dream.

Round-up for March 1, 8 and 15

Club pride in ‘blue ribbon’ fastest pair

SPOTLIGHT ON THE LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Two youngsters from Boston Swimming Club are now ranked as the fastest in the county in the sport’s blue ribbon event.

In the Lincolnshire Championships’ 100m freestyle final, Ben Pogson and Patrick Ikhena occupied the top placings — the former winning in a time of 54.95 seconds and the latter touching home second in 55.74.

The pair dominated the discipline’s 15 and 14 years sections at the competition, staged at Grantham’s Meres Sports Complex over three weekends.

In the process Ben was officially crowned overall and junior champion while Patrick — a year younger than his team-mate — earned a national qualifying time for his efforts.

In addition, Ben also claimed success in landing the outright county titles for the 200m, 800m and 1500m freestyle, the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, the 50m butterfly as well as being junior champion in all these events plus the 50m and 100m freestyle categories.

In addition to his second spot in the 100m freestyle, Patrick also collected the junior titles at 50m butterfly, 100m individual medley and 100m breaststroke.

Among other highlights for Boston, Emily French was swimming only her second county championships and emerged with three gold medals in the guise of successes in the 16 years and over 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke events.

All told, around 40 members of the Boston club took part with some notable performances, including 32 gold medals, 37 silvers and 30 bronzes.

Boston swimmers attaining top three medal finishes in their respective age group disciplines were:

Boys

50m backstroke: 9 years, 3 George Hobbins 44.01; 10 years, 2 Jack Ross 40.14; 11 years, 2 Oliver Street 37.13; 14 years, 2 Patrick Ikhena 30.88; 15 years, 1 Ben Pogson 27.85; 16 years plus, 1 Lewis Moses 29.90; open age ranking, 1 Ben Pogson 27.85.

50m freestyle: 11 years, 2 Reuben Reed 31.97; 13 years, 2 Ikhuemose Ikhena 28.87; 14 years, 1 Patrick Ikhena 25.40; 15 years, 1 Ben Pogson 25.14; 16 years plus, 3 Lewis Moses 26.55; open age rankings, 2 Ben Pogson 25.14, 3 Patrick Ikhena 25.40.

50m breaststroke: 9 years, 3 Brandon Whitham 53.24; 11 years, 2 Oliver Street 46.06; 13 years Ikhuemose Ikhena 35.71; 14 years, 1 Patrick Ikhena 32.25; 15 years, 1 Ben Pogson 33.81, 2 Sam Wright 34.40; 16 years plus, 3 Lewis Moses 33.51; open age rankings, 2 Patrick Ikhena 32.25.

50m butterfly: 11 years, 2 Oliver Street 35.72; 13 years, 2 Ikhuemose Ikhena 32.21; 14 years, 1 Patrick Ikhena 27.42; 15 years, 1 Ben Pogson 27.79; open age rankings, 2 Patrick Ikhena 27.42, 3 Ben Pogson 27.79.

100m freestyle: 13 years, 2 Ikhuemose Ikhena 1:03.92; 14 years, 1 Patrick Ikhena 56.63; 15 years, 1 Ben Pogson 55.76; open age, 2 Ben Pogson 55.76, 3 Patrick Ikhena 56.63; overall final, 1 Ben Pogson 54.95, 2 Patrick Ikhena 55.74.

100m butterfly: 13 years, 3 Ikhuemose Ikhena 1:13.79; 14 years, 1 Patrick Ikhena 1:03.45; 15 years, 2 Ben Pogson 1:03.46; open age rankings, 2 Patrick Ikhena 1:03.45, 3 Ben Pogson 1:03. 46. overall final, equal 1 Ben Pogson 1:02.63, 3 Patrick Ikhena 1:03.69.

100m backstroke: 14 years, 3 Zak Lomas 1:06.60; 15 years, 1 Ben Pogson 1:02.64; 16 years plus, 1 Lewis Moses 1:05.76; open age rankings, 1 Ben Pogson 1:02.64; overall final, 1 Ben Pogson 59.56.

100m breaststroke: 13 years, 2 Ikhuemose Ikhena 1:18.11; 14 years, 1 Patrick Ikhena 1:12.28; 15 years, 1 Sam Wright 1:13.69; open age rankings, 3 Patrick Ikhena 1:12.28; overall final, 3 Patrick Ikhena 1:13.51.

100m individual medley: 9 years, 3 George Hobbins 1:38.60; 11 years, 2 Reuben Reed 1:21.41, 3 Oliver Street 1:22.16; 13 years, 2 Ikhuemose Ikhena 1:12.86; 14 years, 2 Patrick Ikhena 1:05.54; 15 years, 3 Sam Wright 1:08.00; overall final, 3 Patrick Ikhena 1:04.04.

200m breaststroke: 9 years, 2 George Hobbins 3:59.42; 11 years, 3 Oliver Street 3:25.02; 13 years, 2 Ikhuemose Ikhena 2:57.26; 15 years, 2 Sam Wright 2:39.05; open age ranking, 3 Sam Wright 2:39.05.

200m backstroke: 11 years, 2 Oliver Street 2:49.22; 14 years, 1 Zak Lomas 2:19.93; 15 years, 1 Ben Pogson 2:15.66; open age rankings, 1 Ben Pogson 2:15.66.

200m individual medley: 11 years, 2 Oliver Street 2:50.63, 3 Reuben Reed 2:55.57; 13 years, 3 Ikhuemose Ikhena 2:38.56.

200m butterfly: 9 years, 1 Michael Keal 3:54.67; 11 years, 1 Oliver Street 2:50.74, 2 Reuben Reed 2:59.60; 12 years, 3 Jack Featherstone 3:17.08.

200m freestyle: 11 years, 1 Reuben Reed 2:28.03; 13 years, 3 Ikhuemose Ikhena 2:22.21; 14 years, 2 Patrick Ikhena 2:06.03; 15 years, 1 Ben Pogson 1:59.77; open age rankings, 1 Ben Pogson 1:59.77.

400m individual medley: 11 years, 1 Reuben Reed 5:53.77, 2 Oliver Street 5:58.47.

400m freestyle: 11 years, 1 Reuben Reed 5:02.28, 2 Oliver Street 5:14.45; 14 years, 3 Zak Lomas 4:30.97; 15 years, 1 Ben Pogson 4:17.30; open age rankings, 2 Ben Pogson 4:17.30.

Girls

50m backstroke: 16 years plus, 1 Emily French 35.70, 2 Emily Dix 36.46.

50m breaststroke: 12 years, 2 Kimberley Van Haren 41.29; 13 years, 3 Laura Swain 39.42.

50m freestyle: 12 years, 3 Kimberley Van Haren 30.99.

50m butterfly: 14 years, 3 Jessica Murfin 34.60; 16 years plus, 3 Emily Dix 34.69.

100m butterfly: 12 years, Kimberley Van Haren 1:16.80; 14 years, 2 Jessica Murfin 1:13.87.

100m backstroke: 14 years, 3 Jessica Murfin 1:12.97; 16 years plus, 1 Emily French 1:17.68.

100m individual medley: 14 years, 3 Jessica Murfin 1:15.29.

100m breaststroke: 13 years, 3 Laura Swain 1:25.05; 16 years plus, 3 Emily Dix 1:31.72.

200m individual medley: 14 years, 2 Jessica Murfin 2:35.67.

200m breaststroke: 12 years, 3 Kimberley Van Haren 3:05.36; 16 years plus, 2 Emily Dix 3:17.57.

200m butterfly: 12 years, 2 Kimberley Van Haren 2:50.20; 14 years, 2 Jessica Murfin 2:40,29; 15 years, 2 Heather Guy 3:06.31; 16 years plus, 1 Hollie Featherstone 3:04.40.

200m backstroke: 14 years, 3 Jessica Murfin 2:31.37; 16 years plus, 1 Emily French 2:47.59.

400m individual medley: 14 years, 2 Jessica Murfin 5:29.39.

400m freestyle: 14 years, 3 Jessica Murfin 4:54.08.

Personal best times were achieved by: Susannah Yielding (5), Michael Craven (4), Kimberley Van Haren (12), Molly Wright (3), Natasha Berg (9), Rebecca Craven (6), Reuben Reed (5), Hollie Royce, Thomas Tamberlin, Jack Ross (2), Oliver Street (10), Brandon Whitham, Harry Dean-Allen (4), Ben Pogson (8), Heather Guy (10), George Hobbins (4), Mantas Knisevskis (2), Hannah Macleod (5), Emily French (3), Jessica Murfin (11), Brendan Clark (4), Ikhuemose Ikhena (13), Patrick Ikhena (12), Amelia Murfin (9), Laura Swain (2), Joshua Teague (4), Zak Lomas (6), Stephanie Goodale (3), Jack Featherstone, Joseph Howe (2), Lewis Teague, Chris Willerton, Jack Ross (4), Amber Nuttman, Luke Jones (2), Michael Keal (2), Elvijs Roberts, Paige Royce (2), Brandon Whitham, Hollie Featherstone and Sam Wright (2).

Round-up for February 15

Anglian credit for A and B teams

Anglian League action took centre stage for Boston Swimming Club when their team tackled three sets of opposition in a home gala staged at the Geoff Moulder Leisure Complex.

In the end, it was a close-fought tussle for top honours — ultimately Boston just being edged out by Louth via the slender margin of two points.

Boston got off to a blistering start with victories in the first three events. But as the event progressed, Louth clawed back the early deficit and as the programme entered its final stages, the lead role changed hands several times before gained the upper hand with wins in the closing three contests.

Overall, Boston gained wins in nine of the 31 races.

Successes went to: Ikhuemose Ikhena (boys’ open 100m individual medley, 15u 200m individual medley), Emily Dix (girls’ open 100m individual medley), Elvijs Roberts (boys’ 15-and-under 100m butterfly), Harriet Housam (girls’ 13u 200m individual medley), Paige Royce (girls’ open 50m butterfly), Molly Wright (girls’ 15u 100m freestyle, 15u 100m backstroke). Hannah Macleod (girls’ 13u 100m butterfly),

Personal best times were set by the following: Ikhuemose Ikhena (2), Elvijs Roberts, Paige Royce (2), Michael Craven, Harriet Housam (2), Stephanie Goodale, Mantas Knisevskis, Jack Featherstone, Molly Wright, Scott Richmond (2), Abigail Teague and Hannah Macleod.

Final points: Louth 120, Boston 118, Bottisham 92, Chatteris 83.

Elsewhere on the same night, a Boston B squad tackled action in the same league at March. And against strong opposition, the team emerged with credit in fourth place overall — only pipped for third place by two points.

Highlights in the Boston team performance was a hat-trick of race wins for Sam Reed (boys’ 15u 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle and 200m individual medley) plus a heat win for Matthew Coleman in the boys’ 13u 100m breaststroke.

Personal best times were established by the following Boston swimmers: Hollie Featherstone (2), Sam Reed (3), Holly Spinks, Ben Warren (2), Bethany Pogson, Emma Penniston (2), Megan Coleman, Brendan Clark, Sofia Parla, Melissa McDonnell-Woods and Matthew Coleman.

Final points: St Ives 123, St Neots 115, Wisbech 89, Boston B 87, March 48.

Round-up for February 8

Busy action spell for club youngsters

It’s been a period of intensive activity for Boston Swimming Club connections.

First up and most notably, one of the club’s youngster is on the way to the British Olympic trial to be held early in April in Sheffield.

Ben Pogson was in the “steel city” to tackle his final preparation swim before the trials.

He added the 200m backstroke to his 100m backstroke qualifying time. But at the age of just 15, he will be taking part in the trials mainly to sample the atmosphere of the occasion and use the experience gained to help his long-term aim of competing in the London Games in 2012.

He swam personal best times in the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke and also in the 50m and 100m freestyle events.

In addition, honorary member of Boston Swimming Club, Melanie Marshall (who trains with Loughborough University) is likely to carry the Boston town banner at this summer’s Beijing Olympics. At Sheffield she just missed out on going under the two minute barrier in the 200m freestyle (2:00.20) but it is expected she will beat that mark in the official trials. If she qualifies for the Great Britain squad, Beijing will most probably be Mel’s final crack at the Olympics.

Elsewhere, Zak Lomas, a year younger than the aforementioned Ben Pogson, is trying to follow in his club-mate’s footsteps and also swam best times in the 100m and 200m backstroke. Again, his ultimate aim is a place at London in four years’ time. Meanwhile, Boston sprint swimmer Patrick Ikhena (14) won bronze medals in both the 50m breaststroke and 50m butterfly. In addition, Reuben Reed finished second in the 200m butterfly and came third in the 400m individual medley in the 11 years age group.

***

Meanwhile, Boston A and B teams contested points in the latest round of Fenland League action.

The A squad swam in home water at the Geoff Moulder Leisure Centre when a haul of 175 points was good enough to see off the challenges of four other rival teams.

Main opponents were a Saxons team who had beaten Boston in the previous final of the competition back in October. But this time, despite both sides being locked neck-and-neck for much of the gala, the tables were turned.

And with a tidy haul of rewards over the closing stages, Boston eventually prevailed by 15 points with Wisbech, Ely and Chatteris trailing in behind.

Good start to the fenland league with victory, Saxon who beat us at the final back in Oct and finished one place behind us in the League, gave us run for first half of the gala and we strung some wins together near the end to win comfortable by 15 points.

From a Boston perspective, a total of 26 personal best time were established from the 38 races.

Notable highlights included Oliver Street smashing the cut-off time in his 50m backstroke event while in the girls’ event Paige Royce achieved the same feat but had to settle for second place.

Elsewhere, George Hobbins, in his first league gala, won his 50m freestyle contest with ease, again beating the event cut-off time. Rebecca Craven was a double winner, achieving success in the 50m breaststroke and backstroke contests. Jack Featherstone won the 50m butterfly and 100m individual medley events.

Joseph Howe won by three seconds in his 50m freestyle, Reuben Reed won the 50m breaststroke and Jack Ross took top honours in the 50m butterfly. Pippa Wilson always performed well and won her 50m backstroke race. Elsewhere, Amelia Murfin look comfortable in winning the 50m freestyle and Lewis Teague won the 25m butterfly.

Swimmer of the meet, according to coach Ian Wells was Luke Jones who won both the 12-and-under and 11/u 50m freestyle races with an improvement of four seconds (also breaking the cut-off time). He also won the 11/u backstroke with another three second PB and took top honours in the 11/u breaststroke with a one second PB.

Personal best times were established by: Jack Ross, Abigail Teague, Oliver Street, Paige Royce, George Hobbins, Chloe Mallett, Isabel Swain (3), Megan Sargeant, Luke Jones (3), Rebecca Craven (3), Susannah Yielding (2), Harry Dean-Allen, Pippa Wilson (2), Jack Featherstone, Liam Brotherton, Ella Parla, Joseph Howe and Amelia Murfin.

Meanwhile, over at March, Boston’s B team were also in Fenland League action and turned in a creditable performance to claim fourth place with 111 points, just 14 points adrift of second spot.

Cambridge took top honours by finishing well clear as gala winners on 176 points. But it was a tight scrap for minor placings with only a handful of points separating King’s Lynn (final score of 125), Downham (114) and boston B (111) with March well adrift in arrears on 71.

Race wins for Boston came via Bethany Holderness (9 years 50m freestyle), Connor Spinks (11u 50m backstroke) and Hollie Royce (11u 50m backstroke).

Personal best times were set by the following: Connor Spinks (2), Bethany Pogson, Ben Warren, Bethany Holderness, Michael Keal (3), Matthew Coleman, Michael Keal, Caoimhe Atkin-Palmer (2), Morgan Dodd (2), Bradley Cooke (2), Hollie Royce, Stephanie Goodale and Kieran Edmonds.

***

A large contingent from the club also contested the annual Thetford open gala.

Coach Ian Wells said there was a good mix of swimming abilities represented on a day when the Boston squad collected the best club trophy for most medals and points secured.

At the gala, the main aim for youngsters was to achieve personal best times. And in this respect, only five did not manage that feat.

Boston were well represented in the gold medal stakes with a clutch of event-winning performances. These came as follows:

Ben Pogson (100m backstroke, 200m individual medley, 100m freestyle), Kimberley Van Haren (100m breaststroke, 100m backstroke, 100m butterfly, 200m individual medley), Laura Swain (100m breaststroke), Reuben Reed (50m butterfly, 100m individual medley, 50m freestyle), Paige Royce (100m freestyle), Jessica Murfin (100m backstroke, 100m butterfly, 200m individual medley), Jack Ross (50m breaststroke) and Amelia Murfin (100m butterfly and 200m individual medley).

Notable feats that impressed club coach included a clean sweep of medals in the girls’ 12 years butterfly through the efforts of Kimberley Van Haren, Paige Royce and Susannah Yielding. In addition victories in the 13 years and 14 years sections of the same event went to sisters Amelia and Jessica Murfin respectively.

There was also a good swim from Emily French in the 100m freestyle with a sub-1:10 time being returned. In addition, Reuben Reed showed good determination to win the 50m freestyle after making a slow turn.

Other swimmers also impressed on the day.

George Hobbins has only just turned nine and was contesting his first open meet, in the process beating some future under-10s rivals. Conor Spinks showed a notable improvement in concentration levels in his butterfly event. Toni Keal has only been with the Boston set-up for a short time but is rapidly improving in training with the county squad and set some big personal best times in her races. In addition, Luke Jones had fantastic weekend and earn the coach’s praise.

But the coach’s vote for Boston swimmer of the meet went to Susannah Yielding who swam to best times in all her races, including a remarkable 10-second PB in the butterfly.

Round-up for January 12

Runners-up feat for Boston youngsters

It was a case of runners-up rewards for Boston Swimming Club youngsters in their latest action schedule.

Their squad were involved in a spectacularly close competition in which just 13 points separated the top four.

In the end, though, it was Dereham who just had the edge to land top spoils in the Arthur Bailey Trophy event staged at Whittlesey.

The event was a novice gala in which swimmers bettering specified cut-off times had their scores wiped out.