Swimming Club stalwart Ellie wins first county gold
ELLIE Torpey struck gold as Ashbourne & District Swimming Club members enjoyed a successful campaign at the Derbyshire County Championships.
The club were represented by 16 swimmers and Torpey won the 17 years and over 400m individual medley.
Eight swimmers made finals and Sammy Poyser won silver in the 13 years 50m backstroke and bronze in the 100m backstroke.
She also reached the 100m freestyle final.
“We are delighted by the team’s performance at the counties with personal bests in virtually every heat,” said Vicky Scotcher, the club’s chair.
“I am especially proud of Ellie Torpey, who won her first counties gold medal.
“Ellie has been a member of Ashbourne Swimming Club for many years and is currently senior club captain.
“She is also a qualified swimming coach and coaches not only for the club but also teaches for the leisure centre.
“Ellie is a pleasure to have as part of the club and this gold medal is well deserved.
“It’s an accumulation of years of hard work and dedication to a sport she loves.”
Other swimmers who made finals but missed out on medals were Isabella Margiotta (13) in the 50m and 100m backstroke, Maizie Goddard (12) and Lucy Bartolomeiwalker (15) in the 50m butterfly and Ellie Tarr (16) in the 100m breaststroke.
Freddie Harrison (10), Jacob Brown (9) Daniel Margiotta (11) and Max Goddard (10) qualified for the counties for the first time and set PBS.
Daniel smashed his PB by more than four seconds in both the 100m breaststroke and 100m IM.
In total, the swimmers recorded 38 PBS.
Evie Gregory (17) qualified for five events and set some new benchmarks, while there were also PBS for Connie Howe (12) in the 50m freestyle, Keira Lee (16) in the 50m butterfly and Esme Hurst (16), who only joined the club recently, in the 50m freestyle.
Elena Andrews was terrific in the 50m freestyle, also gaining a PB.