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Ben Pogson, Ikhuemose Ikhena, Patrick Ikhena and Sam Wright competed in an event staged in the steel city’s impressive Olympic-sized Ponds Forge pool complex.

Also involved during the high-class competition was multiple medal winning British star Melanie Marshall of Wrangle, swimming for Loughborough University.

The Boston quartet entered the fray aiming to impress as they strive, in due course, to emulate the feats of the celebrated one-time Boston Swimming Club member.

Melanie was, unsurprisingly, among the gold medals at Sheffield.

But her efforts in attaining success were mirrored by the Boston contingent.

Ben Pogson won the 14 years 100m backstroke event, in the process qualifying (along with Melanie) for the British National Championships to be held at the end of March at Manchester. And also like Melanie, Ben now has the chance to be selected for England and Great Britain. As such, he will be vying for selection for the European Youth Olympic Games in July this year.

Elsewhere, Ikhuemose Ikhena won the 11-and-under 50m breaststroke. This particular discipline was an especially strong stroke for the Boston boys. Patrick Ikhena was second in the 13 years section while Sam Wright also came second in the 14 years age group.

Boston Swimming Club coach Ian Wells — and currently keeping a close progress eye on Ben — said: “It was great see him qualify for the British nationals. It is to his credit that he is the first of our swimmers to do so.

“Ben has two years ahead of him in the 15/16 age group and this be good experience for him this year. Hopefully next year he can go on to qualify for the European Youth Olympics. Then if he can achieve that goal, we will be looking at keeping him on the international scene with the ultimate aim being the London Olympics.

“But of course, it won’t be easy. It would be great if Boston Swimming Club can attract sponsorship so we can keep providing the best service and facilities for our young swimmers and for the benefit of promising potential stars of the future like Ben.

“It is vital that Boston Borough Council also assists in making sure the training pool at the Geoff Moulder Leisure Complex is maintained because without this facility there would have been no Melanie Marshall and no chance for the town’s current swimmers to try to reach international levels.”

Round-up for January 26

Gala accolade for Kimberley

Trophy success came the way of Tower Road School pupil Kimberley Van Haren in the wake of her achieving the overall top girl swimmer award from Boston Swimming Club’s second open gala held earlier this month at RAF Cranwell. Kimberley (pictured above) proudly displays the silverware she earned by collecting a total of 28 points from a string of successful swims in the girls’ 11 years age category. (Photo: www.bostonbuzz.co.uk)

Round-up for January 20:

Fine displays in Anglian double bill

Excellent results were achieved by Boston Swimming Club teams in an Anglian League double bill.

The club’s A team squad were in action at King’s Lynn and emerged as gala winners. The B team, meanwhile, hit the road to March and turned in a fine display to secure second place rewards.

At King’s Lynn, the initial battle for supremacy involved the host club, Boston A and Wisbech while squads representing St Neots, St Ives and Huntingdon were locked in combat for the minor places overall in the 31-event programme.

At the one-third mark, King’s Lynn led the way, one point ahead of Boston who in turn were four clear of Wisbech. But then as the meet progressed, Boston started to exert some authority before going on to win by a nine-point margin.

Final totals: Boston A 135, King’s Lynn 126, Wisbech 110, Huntingdon 98, St Neots 97, St Ives 80.

Overall, Boston swimmers registered victories in 11 races.

Successes went to: Sam Wright (boys 100m open individual medley), Kimberley Van Haren (girls 15u 100m butterfly), Zak Lomas (boys open 50m backstroke and open 50m freestyle), Amelia Murfin (girls 15u 100m breaststroke and 13u 100m butterfly), Mark Tebbs (boys 50m open butterfly), Heather Guy (girls 15u 100m freestyle and 15u 100m backstroke), Stephanie Goodale (girls 13u 100m breaststroke) and the mixed 6 x 50m relay squad.

Personal best times were achieved by: Kimberley Van Haren (2), Oliver Street, Zak Lomas (2), Jessica Murfin, Mark Tebbs, Heather Guy (2), Emma Penniston, Sam Reed, Amelia Murfin, Alex French, Stephanie Goodale and Ben Pogson.

Over at March, the B squad did well to attain second position in a five-team gala. And for the first third of the meet, they were right in contention at the top. But then, the extra strength of Louth just held sway, Boston finishing 20 points adrift of their north Lincolnshire rivals — but comfortably clear of the chasing pack.

Three swimmers achieved race victories for Boston while 10 second places bolstered a solid all-round team performance.

Heat wins went to: Patrick Ikhena (boys 100m open individual medley), Joe Morris (boys 50m open 50m breaststroke) and Joshua Teague (boys 100m 15u backstroke).

Final totals: Louth 156, Boston B 136, Deepings 126, Downham 108, March 83.

Personal best times were set by: Hollie Featherstone, Mantas Knisevskis, Rebecca Craven, Joe Morris (3), Brendan Clark, Lycia Pitcher, Henry Careless, Jemma Tointon and Joshua Teague.

Round-up for January 18

Club collects competition’s cash backing

Boston Swimming Club today received a £225 boost to its funding as part of the profits from the locally-run Scorecast League football predictions competition (details of which can be found in the football section of this website). Membership secretary Sue Dix (above right) is seen accepting half of the contest proceeds from Dan Hague (centre), proprietor of Boston bookmakers Lincs Racing, the principal backers of the charity-orientated competition. Also pictured is John McGarel (left), chairman of Boston Cricket Club, a sporting organisation that also benefited to the tune of £225. (Photo: www.bostonbuzz.co.uk)

Round-up for January 13

Fourth place finish in trophy gala

Fourth place was the outcome for Boston Swimming Club’s contingent when competing in the Arthur Rowley Trophy gala at Whittlesey.

The team — a mixture of regulars and novices — accumulated a total of 153 points from the event’s 50-race programme involving six squads.

And such was the closeness of the overall competition that only 19 points separated Boston from eventual winners Wisbech.

Race victories went to four of the Boston team members: Luke Jones (boys 11u 25m breaststroke), Thomas Sargeant (boys 13u 50m breaststroke), Connor Spinks (boys 13u 50m backstroke) and Adam Clark (boys 11u 25m butterfly)

Several members of the Boston squad recorded personal best times.

These feats went to: Katy McDonnell-Woods, Connor Spinks, Hazel Panton, Luke Jones, Victoria Needham, Charlie Lay, Chloe Mallett, Lewis Teague, Jessica Lay, George Needham (2), Zach McDonnell-Woods (3), Isabel Swain, Ben Woods, Harriet Howsam, Thomas Sargeant, Sofia Parla, Katy Tointon (2), Brandon Whitham, Kieran Edmonds, Eleanor Careless, Connor Spinks, Nathasha Berg, Adam Clark and Thomas Tamberlain.

Overall gala points: Wisbech 172, Dereham 171, March 161, Boston 153, Deepings 144, St Ives 139.

Round-up for January 6

Second annual gala another success

Boston Swimming Club hosted their second annual open meet.

And once again, due to on-going financial constraints, the gala was run and organised nearly 20 miles away from “home” territory — at RAF Cranwell.

Club officials have expressed thanks to camp connections for granting permission to use the facilities.

A sizeable Boston contingent competed in a full day’s programme of events against swimmers from various other regionally-based clubs.

And there was plenty of success for home squad members across all swimming disciplines. Those achieving top three finishes were:

BOYS

50m freestyle: 11 years, 1 Joseph Howe 34.71, 2 Mantas Knisevskis 34.93, 3 Matthew Coleman 35.20; 12 years, 2 Joshua Teague 34.44; 13 years, 2 Zak Lomas 30.15, 3 Brendan Clark 31.43; 14 years, 1 Ben Pogson 27.11, 2 Sam Wright 27.57; 15 years and over, 1 Joshua Van Haren 27.71.

200m freestyle: 10 years, 1 Reuben Reed 2:38.76; 11 years, 3 Mantas Knisevskis 2:48.15; 12 years, Joshua Teague 2:45.61; 13 years, 1 Zak Lomas 2:21.03, 2 Brendan Clark 2:26.32, 3 Sam Reed 2:27.36; 14 years, 1 Ben Pogson 2:07.01, 2 Sam Wright 2:09.13.

50m breaststroke: 10 years, 3 Reuben Reed 49.81; 11 years, 1 Mantas Knisevskis 45.43, 2 Michael Craven 49.89; 12 years, 2 Joshua Teague 46.71; 13 years, 2 Zak Lomas 39.73, 3 Sam Reed 45.21; 14 years, 1 Sam Wright 34.22, 2 Ben Pogson 37.02; 15 years and over, 3 Tom Fawcett 42.97.

200m breaststroke: 11 years, 1 Mantas Knisevskis 3:35.78, Joseph Howe 3:37.00; 12 years, 2 Joshua Teague 3:32.39, 3 Scott Richmond 4:11.86; 13 years, 1 Zak Lomas 3:09.23, 2 Sam Reed 3.23.17; 14 years, 1 Sam Wright 2:41.37; 15 years and over, 1 Tom Fawcett 3:33.83.

50m butterfly: 10 years, 1 Oliver Street 38.52; 11 years, 1 Mantas Knisevskis 39.76, 3 Joseph Howe 42.09; 12 years, 2 Joshua Teague 37.91; 13 years, 2 Zak Lomas 35.40, 3 Elvijs Roberts 35.77; 14 years, 1 Ben Pogson 30.14, 2 Sam Wright 33.69.

200m butterfly: 10 years, 1 Oliver Street 3:10.10, 2 Reuben Reed 3:13.19; 11 years, 1 Kieran Edmonds 3:45.47; 13 years, 1 Elvijs Roberts 2:55.68, Alex French 2:55.78, Sam Reed 3:06.56.

50m backstroke: 10 years, 2 Oliver Street 42.04; 11 years, 1 Michael Craven 41.57, 3 Mantas Knisevskis 41.87; 12 years, 1 Joshua Teague 38.48; 13 years Zak Lomas 33.23; 14 years, 1 Ben Pogson 30.34, 3 Sam Wright 33.87; 15 years and over, 2 Joshua Van Haren 33.55.

200m backstroke: 10 years, 2 Oliver Street 3:02.90; 11 years, 3 Mantas Knisevskis 3:08.11; 12 years, 2 Joshua Teague 2:58.46; 13 years, 1 Zak Lomas 2:29.13, 3 Alex French 2:56.55; 14 years, 1 Ben Pogson 2:18.80, 2 Sam Wright 2:30.57; 15 years and over, 1 Joshua Van Haren 2:50.18.

100m individual medley: 10 years, 3 Oliver Street 1:30.91; 11 years, 1 Mantas Knisevskis 1:28.07, 2 Joseph Howe 1:30.67; 12 years, 3 Thomas Sargeant 1:39.39; 13 years, 2 Zak Lomas 1:15.31; 14 years, 1 Ben Pogson 1:07.93, 2 Sam Wright 1:10.60.

200m individual medley: 10 years, 2 Oliver Street 3:08.76; 11 years, 1 Joseph Howe 3:18.64, 3 Jack Featherstone 3:25.23; 12 years, 2 Joshua Teague 3:00.90, 3 Scott Richmond 3:43.53; 13 years, 2 Zak Lomas 2:40.55; 14 years, 1 Sam Wright 2:29.36, 2 Ben Pogson 2:39.69.

GIRLS

50m breaststroke: 11 years, 1 Kimberley Van Haren 43.34, 2 Amelia Murfin 45.03; 12 years, 1 Laura Swain 41.18, 3 Stephanie Goodale 46.17; 14 years, 1 Heather Guy 45.64, 2 Jemma Tointon 45.97; 15 years and over, 1 Sadie Haines 42.57, 2 Eleanor Reed 47.04.

200m breaststroke: 11 years, 1 Amelia Murfin 3:13.25, 2 Kimberley Van Haren 3:15.34; 12 years, 1 Laura Swain 3:07.21, 2 Stephanie Goodale 3:27.76; 13 years, 2 Jessica Murfin 3:19.04; 14 years, 1 Heather Guy 3:25.47, 2 Jemma Tointon 3:34.66.

50m backstroke: 11 years, 1 Kimberley Van Haren 38.54, 3 Amelia Murfin 41.80; 12 years, 1 Molly Wright 38.87, 3 Stephanie Goodale 41.15; 13 years, 3 Jessica Murfin 39.15; 14 years, 1 Heather Guy 39.13, 2 Jemma Tointon 41.67, 3 Hollie Featherstone 42.11; 15 years and over, 2 Sadie Haines 36.56, 3 Emily French 39.35.

200m backstroke: 11 years, 1 Kimberley Van Haren 2:49.49, 2 Amelia Murfin 3:00.76, 3 Susannah Yielding 3:19. 42; 12 years, 1 Stephanie Goodale 2:56.20, 2 Molly Wright 2:59.26; 13 years, 1 Jessica Murfin 2:45.03; 14 years, 1 Heather Guy 2:52.98, 2 Hollie Featherstone 3:02.44; 15 years and over, 2 Sadie Haines 2:49.56, 3 Emily French 2:58.58.

50m freestyle: 11 years, 1 Kimberley Van Haren 33.21; 13 years, 3 Jessica Murfin 32.04; 14 years, 1 Hollie Featherstone 33.05, 2 Jemma Tointon 33.78; 15 years and over, 2 Kathryn Sperring 32.79, 3 Sadie Haines 33.02.

200m freestyle: 11 years, 2 Kimberley Van Haren 2:37.25, 3 Amelia Murfin 2: 45.07; 13 years, 1 Jessica Murfin 2:31.08; 14 years, 1 Heather Guy 2:35.66, 2 Hollie Featherstone 2:36.79, 3 Jemma Tointon 2:55.42; 15 years and over, 3 Eleanor Reed 2:35.26.

50m butterfly: 11 years, 1 Kimberley Van Haren 36.57, 3 Amelia Murfin 40.80; 12 years, 1 Molly Wright 39.53; 13 years, 2 Holly Spinks 41.96; 14 years, 1 Heather Guy 37.39, 2 Hollie Featherstone 41.10; 15 years and over, 1 Kathryn Sperring 35.01, 2 Eleanor Reed 38.34, 3 Sadie Haines 39.78.

200m butterfly: 11 years, 1 Kimberley Van Haren 3:08.26, 2 Amelia Murfin 3:18.18, 3 Susannah Yielding 4:01.33; 12 years, 1 Stephanie Goodale 3:18.77; 13 years, 2 Jessica Murfin 2.52.28; 15 years and over, 1 Ruth Singleton 3.14. 06.

100m individual medley: 11 years, 1 Kimberley Van Haren 1:21.96, 2 Amelia Murfin 1:25. 67; 12 years, 2 Molly Wright 1:26.66, 3 Stephanie Goodale 1:28.73; 13 years, 2 Jessica Murfin 1:24.47; 14 years, 1 Heather Guy 1:26.22, 2 Jemma Tointon 1:32.80; 15 years and over, 1 Sadie Haines 1:19.40, 3 Kathryn Sperring 1:21.13;

200m individual medley: 11 years, Kimberley Van Haren 2:55.01; 12 years, 1 Stephanie Goodale 2:59.17; 13 years, 2 Jessica Murfin 2:47.17; 14 years, 1 Heather Guy 2:58.47, 2 Jemma Tointon 3:18.60; 15 years and over, 1 Eleanor Reed 2:58.34, 2 Emily French 3:15.45.

Overall top boy award: 1 Kristen Chadband (Huntingdon) 26 points, equal 2 Zak Lomas (Boston) and Ben Pogson (Boston) both 22 points.

Overall top girl award: 1 Kimberley Van Haren (Boston) 28 points, equal 2 Georgia Cragg (Cleethorpes and District) and Heather Guy (Boston) both 24 points.

Overall top club award: 1 Boston 339 points, 2 Lincoln Vulcans 248.5 points (top visiting club), 3 Cleethorpes and District 73.5 points.