Swimmers lead the gold rush

OLDHAM Amateur Swimming Club members were in dazzling form in the Central Lancashire preliminary galas held at the Castle Leisure Centre, Bury.

The club collected 104 medals, comprising 44 gold, 36 silver and 24 bronze.

And Oldham were also the overall winners of the 11-years and 14-years shields.

Dylan Arzoni continued his impressive form in the nine/10 years age group, winning gold in the 50m freestyle and silver in the 200m freestyle and 50m butterfly. He also collected bronze in the 50m backstroke and breaststroke.

Daniel Fearnley picked up silver in the 200m freestyle and bronze in the 50m freestyle and 200m backstroke.

Kyle Clegg was the star performer in the 11-years section, collecting eight gold medals in the 200 and 400m freestyle, 50, 100 and 200m breaststroke and 50, 100 and 200m butterfly.

And he completed a hat-trick of silver medals in the 50 and 100m freestyle and 200m individual medley.

Michael Entwistle claimed silver in the 400m freestyle and 200m backstroke and bronze in the 200m freestyle.

In the same age group, Georgia Cain won gold in the 400m individual medley, while Kiandra Basnett collected silver in the 50m freestyle and 200m breaststroke and bronze in the 100m breaststroke and 200m individual medley.

Olivia Askew collected four gold medals in the 12-years 50, 100 and 200m freestyle and 400m individual medley.

And she added silver in the 200m individual medley, 400m freestyle and 50m butterfly, plus bronze in the 200m butterfly.

Caitlin Wareing also claimed a hat-trick of silver medals in the 100metre backstroke and 100 and 200m breaststroke, plus bronze in the 400m freestyle.

A bronze medal was also collected by Sara Loft in the 100m freestyle.

Jessica Fullalove was the top 13-year-old swimmer, collecting gold medals in the 200m backstroke, freestyle and individual medley, plus the 50m butterfly and breaststroke. She also collected silver in the 50m backstroke and freestyle.

Rebecca Lewis claimed gold in the 200m breaststroke and silver in the 100m breaststroke, while Nicola Farrell picked up bronze in the 200m backstroke.

In the 14-years age group, Rhiannon Prestage collected seven gold medals in the 50, 100 and 200m freestyle, 50 and 100m backstroke, 50m butterfly and 200m individual medley. She added a bronze medal in the 50m butterfly.

Team-mate Chloe Basnett picked up gold medals in the 50, 100 and 200m breaststroke, while Hannah Clegg added to her fine haul of medals with gold in the 400m freestyle, silver in the 100m freestyle and butterfly and a hat-trick of bronze medals in the 50m butterfly, and 200m freestyle and individual medleys.

In the same age group, Sam Hill struck gold in the 200m butterfly and 400m individual medley, and added bronze in the 50m butterfly and 100m backstroke.

Peter Cunningham won a hat-trick of silver medals in the 100 and 200m backstroke and 400m individual medley.

Harry Entwistle was a gold medal winner in the 15-years 100m butterfly and 200m freestyle.

And he added silver in the 50, 100 and 400m freestyle and 50m breaststroke and 200m individual medley, plus bronze in the 50m backstroke and butterfly.

Ian Martin struck gold medal in the 200m backstroke, silver in the 100m backstroke and bronze in the 200 and 400m freestyle and 200m individual medley.

In the same age group, Vicky Burgess won gold in the 200m freestyle, plus silver in the 50 and 100m butterfly and bronze in the 50 and 100metre freestyle, 50m backstroke and 200m individual medley.

Finally, Blake Wilson had a fine collection of seven gold medals in the 16-years and over section.

His wins came in the 50, 100 and 200m breaststroke, 50 and 100m backstroke, 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley.

He also collected silver medals in the 50 and 100m freestyle and 50m butterfly.

Oldham swimmers recorded plenty of personal-best times and the club will be well represented in the Central Lancashire team which will compete in the Inter-Association Gala later this year.