A SWINDON Dolphin squad of 27 travelled to the Corsham Level 3 Open Meet at Springfield Leisure Centre recently, the last chance for age group swimmers (9-14) to achieve qualifying times for the county championships in March.

Nine-year-old Matty James achieved his first-ever county qualifying time in the 50m backstroke, while Franklyn Wong and Eleanor Brown also added themselves to the list of swimmers who have qualified in Dolphin colours this season, which stands at 87.

Wong also came close to achieving his first regional time with his swim in the 200m breaststroke.

Henry Pearce swam three personal bests, all within the county qualifying time and Calum Marriott achieved the same feat over five swims. Oscar Pearcey matched his combined teammates’ tally by achieving eight PB qualifying times.

Pearce was Dolphin’s top medallist with two golds and one silver. Pearcey earned one gold, two silvers and two bronze and Calum Marriott took home one gold, one silver and one bronze.

The top girl medallist for Dolphin was Alice Lockey with one gold, one silver and two bronze.

Other medallists were James (silver, two bronze), Lucie Wells (silver), David Ward (bronze), Wong (bronze), Hannah Brown (bronze) and Millie Jeans (bronze).

The meet included overall age group awards with points scored for a swimmer’s best 50m or 100m sprint, 200m individual medley, 200m backstroke, breaststroke or butterfly and 200m freestyle.

Unsurprisingly Pearcey and Pearce fared well, coming second and third respectively in the nine-year-old boys’ category.

Lockey showed her consistency over the event types, particularly in the 200m breaststroke and deservedly won the 10-year-old girls’ section.

The Wiltshire County Age Group Championships take place on March 3 and March 16/17 at the newly-refurbished Link Centre pool.