Kalon Veale of Totnes SC, the SW Region Swimmer of the Year 2018
Month: November 2018
DEVON MASTERS INTER COUNTY SUCCESS
Devon County Masters Team 2018
Warren Barrett
Darren Beer
Emma Bickley
Jane Bickley
Emma Challis
Graham Cridland
James Dawe
Cara Deasy
Tegan Drew
Sue Haigh
Kitty Hollingsworth
Tom Hughes
Rebecca Jenkinson
Joel Knight
Bill Letch
Rob Macey
Ellie Marquardt
Alex MCcRae
Fiona Mullin
Shelagh RatcliffeAdam Reed
Niamh Robinson
Danielle Scagell
Nigel Travers-Griffin
Kalon Veale
Levin Veale
Simon Veale
Sue Walker
Terry Windeatt
Rob WillThe Devon County Masters put in a brilliant team performance to win the Regional round of the National Inter-County event at Millfield on 18th November.
The team pulled out a series of excellent swims when competing against masters from Gloucestershire, Somerset, Cornwall, Wiltshire and Dorset.
No one was able to cruise home in their races, as times achieved on the day by individual swimmers and relay teams were collated to produce the final national result. And the quality of the Devon team was emphasised by the fact that two of its younger swimmers set new British Masters records; Niamh Robinson in the 50m breaststroke and Tegan Drew in the 50m back.
When the National results were announced it was revealed that Devon had achieved an outstanding place in the National table. It may be invidious to mention individual swimmers especially as with the 10 year age bands, many swimmers were competing against far younger competitors. However the Devon team did have their fare share of national podium places.
Swimmers managing to take number one spot in their events were: Tegan Drew in the 18yrs + free and back, Niamh Robinson in the 18yrs+ breaststroke, Levin Veale in the 18yrs + back and Kalon Veale in the 25yrs + back.
Second place positions were gained by Emma Bickley in the 18yrs + fly, Warren Barrett in the 25 yrs + fly and Sue Haigh in the 65yrs + fly and free.
Third-place positions were taken by Adam Reed in the 18yrs + fly, Levin Veale in the 18yrs + breaststroke, Rebecca Jenkinson in the 55yrs + back and Shelagh Ratcliffe 65yrs + breaststroke.
Once again Bill Letch achieved a top ten place, despite competing against swimmers thirteen years younger than himself and he was joined by other top ten achievers, Nigel Travers-Griffin, Terry Windeatt, Simon Veale, Kitty Hollingsworth, Rob Will, Alex McCrae James Dawe, Fiona Mullen, Graham Cridland and Emma Challis.
Our relay teams also put in some amazing performances with first place going to the men’s 100+ medley relay (Kalon Veale Levin Veale Warren Barrett James Dawe), the women’s 100+ medley relay (Emma Challis Niamh Robinson Emma Bickley Cara Deasy), the mixed 72+ medley relay (Tegan Drew Niamh Robinson Emma Bickley Ellie Marquardt), the men’s 72+ medley relay ( Kalon Veale Levin Veale Adam Reed James Dawe), the mixed 260+ freestyle relay (Bill Letch Rebecca Jenkinson Sue Walker Simon Veale ) the women’s 72+ freestyle relay ( Tegan Drew Niamh Robinson Emma Bickley Ellie Marquardt) the men’s 72+ freestyle relay (James Dawe Joel Kight Levin Veale Adam Reed ) and the mixed 280+ freestyle relay (Shelagh Ratcliffe Terry Windeatt Sue Walker Bill Letch)
Second place position was taken by the 100+ men’s freestyle relay (Joel Knight Kalon Veale Levin Veale Warren Barrett) and the men’s 140+ freestyle relay ( Tom Hughes Nigel Travers-Griffin Warren Barrett Kalon Veale )
All in all it was a fantastic performance from a very strong Devon team.
The team’s grateful thanks go to our two travelling officials Karen Adams and Gareth Cowell.
Local Player Robyn Greenslade signs for Indiana University on a four year Water Polo Scholarship
Robyn yesterday signed to join Indiana University on a four year Water Polo Scholarship.
Robyn is looking forward to training with her new team, and their world class coaches; in a wonderful facility in addition to studying at a first class University.
There are so many people to thank, especially some very special team mates over the years who will remain friends for life and all the coaches who have showed so much Confidence in Robyn, and supported her every step of the way especially her club coaches:
Doug Litt who was Robyn’s first coach, the team at the Devonport National League side, Theo Nousios, Nick Buller at Otter and Phil Shears and Phil Whiting at Newton Abbot.
Robyn has had a fantastic National Career being in teams that have won two Regional and two National Age Championships as well as a Super Fives Championship; Internationally she has represented England at all age groups levels and GB at three European Championships; she now is very much looking forward to her time with Indiana.
Finally Robyn would like to thank everyone who has helped her reach this very special goal.
DEVON MASTERS COMPETE AT THE SWIM ENGLAND MASTERS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2018
Congratulations to all the Devon swimmers who travelled to Sheffield at the end of last month to take part in the Swim England National Masters Championships.
There were many podium places and PBs achieved during the three days of competition.
Sue Haigh
Full results below
Team Devon consolidate their position as a First Division County
National Inter County Championship 7th October 2018
On our arrival at the team hotel at around 5.30 on Saturday evening the Devon swimmers along with the officials were pleased to put the long coach journey behind them.
Once allocated their rooms and after a brief period of downtime, we all gathered in the dining room for our evening meal. A team meeting followed, led by coach Jo John and the Devon County President, Jane Easton, was there to present each team member with their Devon pin.
On Saturday, an early breakfast set the team up for their efforts of the day and after a short coach ride, we arrived at the pool.
On entering the complex, the excitement began to build, especially for those who had never experienced this event before. With over 1000 swimmers filling Ponds Forge, not to mention their attendant supporters, the atmosphere was buzzing long before the racing started.
After the warm up, organised by coaches Jo John, Neil Edwards, and Josh Norrie, the team got got ready for the opening ceremony.
The Parade of the Counties commenced at 11:30 with the Devon Team Captains, Georgina Dennis and Alec White carrying our banner around the poolside.
Immediately after this the programme began with the two divisions competing in separate pools.
The racing began in excellent fashion for Devon, with Athena Clayson taking first place in the 16/17 freestyle event (55.99) and Sam Dailley following suit in the 16/17 freestyle (51.44).
A superb swim by Cameron Williams earned him first place swim in the 14/15 breaststroke(1.04.44) and put him at the top of the list as the all time fastest 14 year old by over a second.
Other first places were gained by Harry Noble in the boys 16/17 backstroke (55.86) and by the boys 16/17 medley team of Alex Mason, Ollie Taverner, Sam Dailley and Alec White (1:43.46).
There were individual second places for Jodie Dilks who swam a PB in the 12/13 breaststroke (1:14.16), Katelyn Bergin in the 16/17 backstroke (1:00.99) and Honey Osrin who also swam a PB in the 14/15 backstroke (1:02.15 ). The 16/17 medley team of Athena Clayson, Hollie Steer, Emily Haimes and Georgina Dennis also gained second in their event (1:57.23).
Third places were gained by Sam Dailley in the 16/17 fly (55.46) and the 12/13 medley relay team of Isobel Bryant, Jodie Dilks, Josephine Klein and Tia Crews. (2:03.53).
Throughout the Championship there were many good swims by Devon swimmers including PBs by:
James Hart 14/15 fly (58.40)
Aaron Nakamura-Drew 12/13 freestyle (59.92)
Finn Broekhoven 12/13 backstroke (1:08.28)
Aiden Symons Brown 14/15 freestyle (54.43)
Josephine Klein 12/13 fly (1:07.94)
Sam Ellis 12/13 fly (1:03.65)
The swimmers worked together well as a team and the final points at the end of the racing put Devon in third place, only a few points behind second. This was a very good result for the team as they certainly justified Devon’s place in Division 1 of this National competition.
Full Team
12/13 years
Jodie Dilks Tiverton SC
Isobel Bryant Plymouth Leander SC
Josephine Klein Exeter City SC
Tia Crews Devonport RSA
Finn Broekhoven Plymouth Leander SC
Jamie O’Connor Mount Kelly Swimming
Sam Ellis Plymouth Leander SC
Aaron Nakamura-Drew Plymouth Leander SC
14/15
Flora Perkin Newton Abbot SC
Oriana Noel Plymouth Leander SC
Honey Osrin Plymouth Leander SC
Lucia Grant Plymouth Leander SC
Bella Hodges Mount Kelly Swimming
James Hart Plymouth Leander SC
Cameron Williams Dartmoor Darts Aquatic
Aiden Symons Brown Devonport RSA
Sam Arrowsmith Tiverton SC
16/17
Athena Clayson Mount Kelly Swimming
Katelyn Bergin Mount Kelly Swimming
Kaylee Dekker Natare West London SC
Hollie Steer Dartmoor Darts Aquatic
Emily Haimes Mount Kelly Swimming
Georgina Dennis Mount Kelly Swimming
Harry Noble Mount Kelly Swimming
Alex Mason Mount Kelly Swimming
Oliver Taverner Mount Kelly Swimming
Sam Dailley Mount Kelly Swimming
Alec White Exeter City SC
Grateful thanks are extended to the officials who accompanied the team; coaches- Jo John, Neil Edwards and Josh Norrie; our licensed referee Martin Walters and the Devon County President Jane Easton.
SUE HAIGH
Team Manager
Mexico Olympians Reunion
The 50 year reunion of the Mexico Olympics took place in the Royal Thames Yacht Club last month.
In the picture are three Olympians now living in Devon. Jackie Veale (Brown )front row 5th from right, Shelagh Ratcliffe front row 3rd from right and Sue Haigh (Williams) 2nd from the left.
Sue Haigh