CLIMBING onto a podium is becoming a habit for Pioneer 79's swimmers as they continue to rival the best.

A team of 16 swimmers, aged 10 to 15-years-old, from the Accrington club sparkled at the City Of Salford Potential Olympians Gala at Broughton against the top swimmers in the north west.

Paige Doutel, aged 10, won gold in the 100m Individual Medley and destroyed the opposition in the 50m butterfly to take top spot.

And Kieron Candon, 11, was the victor in a thrilling 100m breaststroke race and finished with a silver medal in the 100m butterfly.

Max Butler and Sam Marriner battled all the way in the 100m Individual Medley with Max snatching second place by 0.08 of a second.

Sam turned the tables in the 50m butterfly finishing in fourth place with Max following in sixth. Sam also finished fourth in the 50m backstroke, missing third spot by half a second.

Swimmers Results

Max Butler, age 10, 2nd 100m IM, 6th 50m butterfly, reserve finalist 50m freestyle, 9th 50m breastroke.

Sam Marriner, 10, 3rd 100m IM, 4th 50m butterfly, 4th 50m backstroke, 9th 50m freestyle

James Thompson, 12, 4th 100m butterfly, 9th 100m breaststroke, reserve finalist 100m freestyle, 100m backstroke & 200IM

Paige Doutel, 10, 1st 100m IM, 1st 50m butterfly, 4th 50m freestyle, reserve finalist 50m breaststroke

Kieron Candon, 11, reserve finalist 100m backstroke, 1st 100m breastroke, 2nd 100m butterfly.

Lucy Butler, 13, reserve finalist 100m breaststroke

Adam Bennett, 15, 5th 100m butterfly, reserve finalist 200IM

Jonathon Marriner, 13, 4th 100m backstroke

Jared Potter, 13, 9th 100m backstroke

Matt Bennett, 11, Harriet Doyle,11, Bethany Riley, 10,Tom Walsh 14, Robert Stones, 13, Esther Worral, nine, Melanie Stones, 15, also took part and gave their best.

  • PIONEER 79 swimmer Luke Marriner, 15, and Pioneer's second claim member Michael Robinson, 16, represented their schools, St Wilfrids High School, Blackburn and Garstang High School, in the English Schools National Finals at Manchester Aquatics Centre.

The duo made up half of the 4 x 50m freestyle relay team and came away with a silver medal. Michael also finished sixth in the national final of the 200m Individual Medley.