SWINDON Dolphin’s commitment to improving swimmers of all ages was on show recently when 62 competitors, aged between nine and 48, represented the club at the City of Bristol Open Meet at Hengrove Park.

Dolphin were awarded the top boys team and top girls team awards, while captain Charlotte Pitts picked up the top girl prize.

The level three meet provided a long course season opener for swimmers looking to achieve either county or regional times.

Olivia Flack impressively dipped under the national standard in the 100m freestyle and came close in the 100m backstroke. The 1:04.18 swum in the freestyle currently ranks the 12-year-old third nationally against those in her age group for the national championships in August 2014.

The 50m breaststroke showed signs of being a lucrative event for Dolphin as both Charlotte Gardo and Rebecca Flack came within a few per cent off the national mark. Gardo also made further inroads on her 200m breaststroke national time, as did 2013 200m butterfly national qualifier Lauren Matthews in the 100m butterfly.

Fraser Durston swam personal bests in all seven of his swims, recording regional standards in four of them. A further 17 swimmers also swam under the regional standard in a total of 60 events ,while 48 swimmers achieved over 200 county qualifying times.

William Davies recorded a full house of personal best swims and made a significant step towards achieving his first regional qualifying time in the 400m freestyle.

Medals came thick and fast for Dolphin, with Davies having the biggest haul of five golds, two silvers and a bronze. Top girl medallist was Charlotte Pitts with four golds, two silvers and two bronzes. A further 28 Dolphins won medals over the weekend including Olivia Flack (three golds, one bronze), Mathew Sambrook (three golds, two bronzes), Rebecca Flack (two golds, one silver), Fraser Durston (two golds), Ellen Hicken (one gold, two silvers), Lauren Matthews (one gold, two silvers), Georgina Pitts (one gold, one silver, two bronzes), Charlotte Gardo (one gold, one silver, one bronze) and Victoria Jennings (one gold, one bronze).