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Once again swimmers from Dorset clubs have joined together to represent the County at the annual ASA National Inter-County Championships in Sheffield, a competition which involves a total of 36 counties. In recent years, Dorset has been known as the “yo-yo” team, moving between Division One and Division Two each season so how would they fare in 2016?

Following relegation from the top division in 2015, the team staff consisting of Team Managers Andy and Sue Smart, Head Coach Barry Alldrick (Poole) and Assistant Coach Sam Woodward (Swim Bournemouth) felt the County team could once more push for promotion. Full support was given by Dorset County ASA President Mark Hoskins (Bridport Barracudas) and his wife Margaret, and Dorset Team Official Madeline Tysoe (Swim Bournemouth).

With a leisurely travelling day on Saturday, the team was picked up by coach at the two meeting points of Dorchester and Bournemouth before making its way to the City of Steel. On arrival the athletes checked into their rooms and an hour later were enjoying a meal, followed by a team meeting to discuss logistics and expectations, announce Team Captains and present awards as follows.

Team Captains: Luke Roxburgh and Jasmine Holmes. Vice Captains: Henry Stanbrook and Jessica Richens. First Selection awards: BCS – Josh Wickens; Bridport Barracudas – Nathan Moorey; Swim Bournemouth – Ella Bowman, Amy Brown; Tornadoes of South Dorset – Josh Frampton; West Dorset – Finley Jarvis, Daniel Kingman (West Dorset). Third Selection awards: BCS – Izzy Pryce, Ben Samuel, Christian Tai, Finnian Trehane; Poole – Matthew Collins, Luke Roxburgh; Henry Stanbrook (Swim Bournemouth).

The team was made up by the following athletes competing in their second National Inter-Counties: BCS – Ella Chown, Honor Davies, Lottie James, Kayla van der Merwe; Poole – Jessica Kelleway, Jasmine McCrea; Swim Bournemouth – Jessica Richens. The Dorset team was completed by seasoned competitors Jasmine Holmes (Poole), Harriet Perfect (BCS) and Jacob Peters (Poole).

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Photo: Dorset boys

Competition Day 

The team arrived in bright green hats and war paint in the traditional green and white colours of Dorset, readied for battle by the Captains. Luke and Jessica R carried the banner for Dorset in the opening parade while Jasmine prepared for Event 1. As a Captain should, Jasmine stepped up to the mark from being ranked fifth to touch in first place and dipping under 57 seconds for the first time to win the 16/17 years 100m Freestyle in 56.99. With some great step-ups by the swimmers, a further win was delivered by Harriet who led from start to finish in the 16/17 years 100m Backstroke in 1:04.32. Jacob repeated the performance in  the 16/17 years 100m Butterfly touching first in 55.56, as did Ella in the 12/13 years 100m Butterfly in 1:04.18 while the girls team of Honor, Kayla, Jasmine and Izzy went on to win the 14/15 years 4x50m Medley Relay.

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Photo: Dorset girls

Dorset held the lead in Division 2 until the half way point but were eventually worn down by Scotland West winning with 554 points and Dorset with 527 points, finishing in second place ahead of county neighbours Devon with 490 points. Sussex placed fourth with 455 points to complete the quartet of teams to gain promotion.

Reflecting on the day, Head Coach Barry said, “This was such a great team performance, that it is hard to pick anyone out as we had some amazing step-ups with personal best times along with 13 top three finishes. It was great to see athletes from six Dorset clubs working together and they delivered such a strong performance.”

Top three finishers from Dorset were: 100m Breaststroke – Finley Jarvis and Kayla van der Merwe (2nd places), 4x50m Medley Relay – Henry Stanbrook, Luke Roxburgh, Jacob Peters and  Matthew Collins,  Ella Bowman, Amy Brown, Ella Chown and Jessica Kelleway (2nd places); 100m Breaststroke – Amy Brown, 100m Butterfly – Jasmine McCrea, 100m Freestyle – Jacob Peters, 100m Breaststroke – Luke Roxburgh (3rd places).

Full Results can be seen at www.swimming.org/countyteamchamps/division-two-live-stream