JJ nets five golds medals in big weekend for Sunderland
JJ ROBINS enjoyed a successful weekend at the South Tyneside Spring Meet at Haven Point, picking up eight medals over the two days of competition.
The 12- year- old City of Sunderland swimmer began his weekend with the 200 freestyle, earning gold in a time of 2: 26.02, a new personal best.
JJ also earned gold medals in the 100 butterfly, 400 freestyle, 200 butterfly and 100 freestyle.
He also won silver medals in the 100 backstroke and 200 IM, and bronze in the 100m breaststroke, showing great versatility in a variety of swims.
His team- mates also enjoyed success in the 200 freestyle, with solid performances from Joe Whelan, Matthew Phillips, Adam Boxall and Adam Cambrook.
Adam also came third in the 100 backstroke, while Jay Manners was rewarded for a lot of hard work with a seven- second PB in the same event.
Eve Larsen started the competition in style, winning a gold medal in the 200 IM in a new PB of 2: 33.54.
The 13- year- old continued to show dominance in the 100 freestyle, where she won gold in a time of 1: 02.10, yet another personal best for the Age Group development swimmer. Eve also added to her medal haul earning a bronze medal in the 100 back behind team- mate Elizabeth Clements, who came first in a time of 1: 10.96.
Other good races came in the 50 butterfly, where Caitlin Cambrook and Ana Lazar both earned medals.
Caitlin came second in the 10 years age group and 13- year- old Ana came first by over a second in a time of 34.35.
Ana also won the 50 freestyle, with Caitlin second in the same event.
There were more pleasing performances from team- mates Grace Abbott and Darcy Palmer, who both managed top ten finishes in their age groups.
Alisha Ballentine also sprinted her way to bronze in the 50 breaststroke, and team- mate Lauren Exley earned a bronze medal in the 50 backstroke.
Fourteen- year- old Jay Manners became one of the newest regional qualifiers in the group, earning qualifying times in the 200 butterfly and backstroke, showing a talent for a variety of strokes.
He had a good swim in the 200 backstroke, coming second in a time of 2: 29.29 and also came third in the 200 IM.
Adam Boxall and Joe Whelan came second and third in their age groups respectively. Adam also came second just in front of team- mate Jamie Kemp in the 50 backstroke and 100 backstroke, and third in the 200 butterfly.
Sisters Natalya and Jennifer Sharp both swam their way to medals, with Natalya earning a bronze medal in the 200 butterfly and Jennifer setting four PBs and earning one silver medal in the 50 backstroke and four bronze medals in the 200 IM, 100 backstroke, 200 butterfly and 400 freestyle.
Another multi- medal winner was Matthew Phillips, who came second in the 200 freestyle, 400 freestyle and 50 breaststroke and third in the 200IM and 100 freestyle in new personal best times.
The younger swimmers also did their part for the team.
Eleven- year- old Tom Brumwell came first in the 50 freestyle by over a second in a new personal best. He also came second in the 200 breaststroke and third in the 50 and 100 breaststroke.
Lara Greggs ( 11) earned a silver medal in the 100 freestyle and 50 backstroke, and third in the 200 backstroke.
The youngest competitors in the team showed some promising swims, with nine- year- old Jasmine Campbell, Layla Trueman, Lauryn Ventress, Madeleine Smith, Mia Tait and Fran Proctor all managing top ten finishes.
This gala also welcomed a number of debutant swimmers from City of Sunderland. Megan Belton, Millie Harrison, Molly Joyce, Erin Kelly, Elyssa Palmer, Charles Partridge, Georgia Richardson and Macy Robinson all took part in their first gala away from the Aquatic Centre.