Gala rounds off busy season at Wick pool
OVER 60 youngsters took part in Wick Amateur Swimming Club’s annual gala to cap what has been a busy season of events in the town’s pool.
The nine and under group featured a clean sweep for Emma Fishenden, who won four gold medals. Abby Munro also did well with three silver medals and a bronze. Other medal winners were: Carrie Robertson, with a bronze for butterfly and Erin Hamilton, with a bronze in freestyle and backstroke.
Abigail Duncan swam well to finish fourth in freestyle and backstroke while Shona Miller also got fourth in the breaststroke.
Ian Cook meanwhile won a gold; Drew Mathieson two silvers; Grant Innes a gold, a silver and a bronze medal; Angus Hendry a gold and bronze; and David Rudhall a bronze. Emma and Grant were the overall trophy winners while Emma also won the girls’ individual medley.
In the 10-11 age group, it was a close competition with Isla Miller ending up with one gold medal and three silvers. Sarah Harper also swam strongly for two golds and a bronze while Abby Cook won a silver and a bronze. Carly Sinclair picked up a gold and a bronze while Bryony Munro won a bronze. The boys’ competition was dominated by Ben Sinclair who on all four races. Grant Aitkenhead and Robbie Gunn both competed strongly to continue their progress. Grant won a silver and two bronzes and Robbie three silvers and a bronze while Kyle Sutherland won bronze in the breaststroke. Ben and Isla won the overall trophies as well as the individual medley competitions.
In the 12-13 age group, Robyn Aitkenhead was the only girl entered and fully deserved the four gold medals after competing in the four races.
She also won the overall trophy and the individual medley title.
Ryan Edwards cleaned up in the boys’ competition, his four victories including two gala records. Scott Bremner also did well with three silver medals with Stewart Atkins ending the night with a haul of a silver and three bronzes and Declan Gunn winning a bronze medal. Ryan won the overall and individual medley trophies.
In the 14 and over age group, Stephanie Webster swam her way to golds to win the overall honours, as well as winning the individual medley. Eve Strachan followed in her wake to pick up four silvers with Stacey Webster claiming all four bronzes.
Fraser Tait also completed a clean sweep of four golds. Ross Perry swam well to end up with two silvers and a bronze while Sweyn Linklater won two silvers and two bronzes. Fraser won the individual medley trophy as well as the overall trophy.
Prizes for best attendance at squad training went to: Eve Strachan, Fraser Tait, Stewart Atkins, Isla Miller, Max Hagen and Sarah Harper. A new trophy for the most improved swimmer went to Scott Bremner.
The silverware was handed over during a disco at Staxigoe Hall by John and Janice Henderson, who have supported the club over many years.
