Newton Abbot swimming stars triumph at Millfield

By Ginny48 | Wednesday, July 22, 2009, 13:29

NEWTON ABBOT'S Rosie Allen, Brogan Mace, Charlotte Wright and Ryan Rogers all qualified for the Age Group event held at Millfield.

This prestigious competition saw top swimmers from as far a field as Bournemouth, Swindon, Gloucester and Truro all trying to gain national times.

Rosie, aged 10 had shot through the ranks particularly in her favoured 200m breaststroke event to gain her place in this event and finished with a good personal best, her first time in a 50m pool.

Brogan, Charlotte and Ryan had all achieved qualifying times in the 100m backstroke within standard 25m pools, but had now managed to gain new 'long course' PBs at Millfield's Olympic length pool.

Ryan managed to make it through the heats into the final, where he came a creditable 7th, especially with Plymouth Leander fielding three of the top four places, some of whom are ranked in the top ten nationally.

By right all four also made the South West Sprint Finals held at Gloucester, which unfortunately Brogan could not attend.

They each had to compete in all four 50m strokes together with a 100m Individual Medley, gaining points against a national 'BAGCAT' system.

Both Rosie and Charlotte (who competed despite feeling unwell) raised their game to gain more quality PBs in a more familiar 25m pool. Rosie in particular knocked almost three seconds off her entry time in the 50m freestyle.

They can hold their heads high for representing Newton Abbot at such a high level of competition and the experience will stand them in good stead for future competitions.

Ryan Rogers also played his part for Newton, gaining four PBs, achieving 2nd place in both the freestyle