PBs mark success in club’s 150th anniversary

YOUNGSTERS at Rochdale Swimming Club broke a host of personal bests and a club record as they narrowly missed out on medals in the 2018 season.

The club – which celebrated its 150th anniversary this year – competed in the Jubilee, Junior and Intermediate Leagues run by Central Lancashire Swimming & Waterpolo Association.

The season began in March with the first round of the Jubilee where Jake Cooper, 13, won three of his four individual events – swimming 50m Freestyle under 30 seconds for the first time.

He remained unbeaten in the 50 Backstroke and Breaststroke until final, held in October, where he came up against the 400m Individual Medley national bronze medallist in his age from Dukinfield Marlins.

Despite this, Cooper combined with Charlie Oddy, Rocco Thayaranjan and Suleman Sajad to win the Boys 13yr medley relay in the final.

Oddy was also part of the 11/12yr mixed squad which finished third in the Junior League – only the top two are awarded medals.

He was joined by Henry Travis, Elliott Booy, Amelia Kershaw, Charlotte Godward, Ella Sharp and Lucy McIntosh.

With points from the boys and girls events by Luke McCormick, James Squirrell, Wayne Ben Green, Robert Grundy, Harvey Smith, Joey Tucu and Sophia KavanaghHoy Rochdale’s 11/12yrs finished third overall.

Rochdale’s 15/16yr mixed team of James Kerr, Daniel Godward, Jacob Black, Dakota Ravetali, Charlotte Power, Nadia and Sofia Riley also finished third – one point behind league champions Chadderton.

In July, D.Godward matched Cooper to swim 50 Free in under 30 for the first occasion while in September Ravetali beat the 50 Breast club record with a superb 32.47.

Kerr also raced in the Intermediate League’s Boys 15 and under category and finished unbeaten in the 50 Free.

The club turned 150 on July 19 and is now looking forward to another season of competition when it resumes in March next year.