The final opportunity to secure county qualifying times saw a surge of talent at a popular meet in Burnley, with clubs from across the North West fielding strong teams. The weekend was marked by a host of personal bests and medal-winning performances, setting the stage for a promising season ahead.
Everton and Crosby Lead the Medal Haul
Everton swimmers were in exceptional form, with William Stamper returning home with an impressive seven gold medals and one silver, alongside setting eight personal best times. Dylan Harte also showcased great form, securing five golds, three of which were new personal bests. James Grant earned two golds and a silver, a feat matched by Anthony Welsh who collected a gold, a silver, and two bronze medals.
Further successes for the club included a bronze for Eric Bao in the 100m Breaststroke and for Scarlett-Rose Barr in the 400m Individual Medley.
Isla Hayes spearheaded the Crosby campaign, taking home five golds and a silver, many of which came with personal bests. Luca Whelan enjoyed a great weekend, with eight personal bests yielding a gold and three silvers. Isabelle Hayes also performed strongly, her four personal bests helping her to a gold and four bronze medals.
Success Across the Region
The event proved fruitful for numerous other clubs. Harry Colley claimed double silver in the 50m and 100m Breaststroke. Daniel Jackson took silver in the 50m Backstroke and bronze in the 100m Backstroke. Additional silver medals were won by Jamie Cowan in the 100m Breaststroke, Lily Wolfarth in the 200m Breaststroke, and Riley Powell in the 200m Butterfly.
Edie Leung finished with three bronze medals, while debutant Zay Kerdphon claimed two. Eva Smith and Ffion Sinnott also each picked up a bronze.
Ormskirk had a successful outing, with Elizabeth Kearsey winning three golds, a silver, and a bronze. Sam Paton secured a gold, a silver, and two bronze medals. Isabelle Swift, Lucy Paton-Hampton, and Mila Heritage, whose five personal bests earned her two bronzes, also made the podium.
For Bootle and North Liverpool, Harry Prothero led the team with four golds, a silver, and a bronze. Zerin Bentham collected a gold and two silvers, and Florence Millward won a bronze in the 100m Freestyle.
St Helens and Beyond Continue Strong Start
St Helens continued their busy start to the year with gold for Lily Walters in the 800m Freestyle and Rose Terry in the 200m Butterfly. Izzy Wainwright secured a silver, and Edith Keeley-Goose a bronze.
Southport's Molly Conning used a personal best to take gold in the 800m Freestyle. Garston’s Oliver Read won silver in the 100m Butterfly, while Formby's Jessica Cooper claimed a silver and three bronze medals.
Over the border at Holywell, Bebington enjoyed a great day. Evelyn Britton picked up three golds, a silver, and a bronze, Habiba Jones won three golds and a silver, and Oscar Mackay secured three golds and a bronze. Ryder Maddocks earned two golds and a silver from three personal bests.
Other notable performances included a gold and two silvers for Eva Davies, a gold and silver for Harry Keane, and a gold and bronze for Zion Skeete. Alfie Williams, Lilyan Hales, Milana Mosenko, and Rosie Hales also medalled.
Runcorn celebrated success with Zara Slinger securing two golds and a silver and Vlad Lordache winning two golds. Ffion Sinnott took gold in the 200m Freestyle, and Tabitha Wiseman did likewise in the 200m Breaststroke. Nicholas Olier and Daniel McConnell led a number of other medal winners, which included Albert Olier, Alex Cockram, Olivia Slingertr, and debutant Arran Marshall.
Finally, Garston’s Forrest Hopley struck gold in the 100m Freestyle, and Finn Tinsley achieved a personal best in the 100m Individual Medley.
