Derventio Duo Do the Double
Derventio eXcel Swim Squad enjoyed their most successful Midland District Youth Championships ever taking eight gold medals, four silvers and five bronze. This eclipsed last years total of one gold, one silver and two bronze.
Leading the way were Joe Keane (16) who was victorious in the 15/16 years 100 and 400 freestyle and Emma Smithurst (14) who won the 14/15 years 100 and 200 butterfly. In the 15/16 years category Richard Sellers (16) took gold in the 100 butterfly whilst men’s captain James Lovatt (16) did the same in the 100 backstroke. Joe, Emma, Richard and James all are first time Midland Champions.
Perhaps the most stunning victories came in the Men’s 400 and 800 metres relays. In both events the Derventio team of Jamie Broom , Richard Sellers , James Lovatt and Joe Keane stunned the opposition, dominating the races and taking both top spots. To achieve this Derventio had to beat the long established and nationally acclaimed Nova Centurion and the City of Birmingham teams. Derventio also took silver in the 400 medley relay.
Joe Keane continued his impressive recent form by also taking silver in the 200 individual medley and bronze in the 50 and 200 freestyle. Jamie Broom (15) and swimming at the bottom of his age category, took silver in the 15/16 years 200 freestyle and finalled in the 200 individual medley, 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly.
Richard Sellers added to his gold in the 100 butterfly with a silver in the 200 butterfly and a bronze in the 200 individual medley. Richard lowered the Derbyshire County record in the 200 butterfly (subject to ratification). He also featured in the finals of the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle. James Lovatt finalled in the 200 individual medley and 200 backstroke, with Ashley Hurdman doing the same in the 200 backstroke and 200 breast stroke. John Davey (15) also made his first Midland final in the 100 metres breast stroke.
Emma Smithurst as well as dominating the butterfly events took bronze in the 200 individual medley, with team mate and captain Rebecca Harrison (14) setting personal bests and taking the bronze in the 800 freestyle and sixth place in the 400 freestyle. Grace Morris (14) also made her first Midland District final in the 100 breast stoke.
Mark Rose , Head Coach of Derventio eXcel said:
“This was an impressive set of swims. We have prepared well and achieved what we deserved. Joe and Emma continue their current fast swimming but it was also excellent to see Richard and James making their mark. Last year we stated that we wanted to convert our finalists to medals and that is exactly what we have done. I am now looking for the best preparation by our youth team for the National Championships in the summer. Our age groups swimmers are now getting ready for their District Championships to be held towards at the beginning of June.”