Multiple Gold Medals for Dolphin at Regional Championships
Event: Swim England South West Regional Youth and Age Group Championships
Venue: Plymouth Life Centre / Bristol Hengrove / Millfield School
Date: 22nd & 23rd April, 13th & 14th May (Age Group), 29th April to 1st May (Youth)
The Swim England South West Regional Swimming Championships 2023 took place across three weekends in April and May, with a strong Swindon Dolphin presence of 37 swimmers in the youth and age-group competitions. For some, it was their first experience of a regional event, whilst for others it was a chance to peak as they build towards the National Championships in the summer.
The Swindon Dolphin team exceeded all expectations, finishing 8th in the top club standings, behind Mount Kelly, Millfield School, Plymouth Leander, Poole, City of Bristol, Soundwell and Exeter. Rounding off the top 10 were Taunton Deane and Team Bath AS. The swimmers achieved a huge haul of 29 medals; 5 gold, 10 silver and 14 bronze medals from 11 swimmers.
Phoebe Kerley (12) built upon her performances from last year in the 11 to 12-year-old age category, making finals in 5 of the 17 events that she raced in. Despite disappointment in the 100m butterfly, where Kerley moved on the block before the starting signal which disqualified her from reaching the final where she would have been seeded fastest, the 12-year-old set new personal best times in almost every event entered. Kerley finished the meet with 2 regional championship titles in the 200m butterfly in 02:48.17 and 1500m freestyle in 20:25.82, and 2 silver medals in the 400m Individual Medley in 05:55.68 and 800m freestyle in 10:33.76.