Berkhamsted Swimming Club youngsters get the season off to a flier

Last weekend saw the start of a new season for Berkhamsted Swimming Club with a trip to Borehamwood.

A group of 20 swimmers had 81 swims, 56 PBs and six swims in county qualifying times – which yielded a haul of 19 gold medals, 15 silvers, 11 bronzes and three club records.

Peter Lever’s application in training is bearing fruit as he improved in all five races and won five golds.

Cam MacDonald picked up his first medals at open meets with a gold and three silvers, while Elliss MacNab set three PBs.

Tamsin Moren came away with eight PBs and six medals, while Ish Rahim won four golds from four races.

Amy Stoker clocked four PBs and a CQT, and Owen Strakosch raced to three wins and a bronze.

His brother Tom demolished the field in the 200m backstroke, taking gold in a CQT and club record, before winning silver in the 200m freestyle.

Lottie Priestley picked up her first medals with PBs in her 200m IM and 200m breaststroke, and Sam Newman cemented his place as one of the most improved swimmers at the club with five swims in the first session.

His 50m butterfly was a CQT and he took gold for the swim alongside three further bronzes.

Izzie Painter clocked four PBs and a CQT when winning bronze in her 200m IM, while Alec Clarke set a PB in his 50m backstroke.

Niamh Clarke raced to two new PBs, and Roisin Clarke took two silvers as she destroyed her 200m PB by 26s.

James Corner walked off with two silvers and a gold, while John Holden set four PBs from four races and Louise Holden posted three from three including silver in the 50m breaststroke.

Abbie Brown came away with two wins, three silvers and a bronze from her six swims, and Grace Payne set a PB from her one race.