Huncoat swimmer Olivia Nicholls was voted ‘Top Female Swimmer’ at the Salford Potential Olympians Swimming Gala.

A team of 25 swimmers from Pioneer 79 took part in the event at Broughton Swimming Pool and returned with no fewer than 15 gold medals, 13 silver and 19 bronze.

But Olivia, nine, starred as the top girl.

The youngster entered 11 individual events, returning with five golds, one silver and three bronze medals.

At the end of the Gala, she was presented with a bronze statuette as she had accumulated the most points of all the swimmers throughout the five age groups.

It was a fantastic achievement and a great early birthday present as she turned 10 the following day.

Pioneer 79 Swimming Club also retained the title they won last year as the ‘Top Visiting Club’ behind the hosts, City of Salford Swim Squad.

Pioneer Medallists were:

  • Connor Roberts (9) – 1 bronze
  • Joseph Murray (10) – 2 gold/ 1 silver/ 2 bronze)
  • Isaac Forrest (10) –2 bronze
  • John McKavett (13) – 1 bronze
  • Richard Eccles (19) – 1 gold/ 2 silver/ 4 bronze)
  • Connor Makin (14) – 2 gold/ 2 silver/ 1 bronze)
  • Olivia Nicholls (9) – 5 gold/ 1 silver/ 3 bronze)
  • Ellie Perris (9) – 2 silver/ 1bronze)
  • Natasha Rogan (9) – 1 gold/ 4 silver
  • Alice Harding (10) – 2 gold/ 2 bronze)
  • Niamh Robinson (11) – 1 bronze
  • Charlotte Britland (16) – 2 gold/ 1 silver/ 1 bronze)

Other swimmers competing were:

James Thompson 17, Ross Wheatley-Yates 15, Ewan McKavett 10, James Harding 12, Martha Smith 9, Abigail Murray 9, Jess Magee 12, Millie Forrest 12, Jasmin Scott 11, Chloe Shields 11, Mesha Ingham-Francis 11, Megan Eastwood 11, Phoebe Doyle 12. Many of which returned with many new Personal Best times.

Elsewhere, Niamh Robinson swam in the Harrogate Junior Open Meet.

Competing in four events for her second claim club, Niamh returned with personal best times in three of the four events, along with a gold medal in the 11-Year Girls 200m breaststroke in an amazing time of 3.06.64 – some 11 seconds better than her previous time of 3.17.

In the 200m backstroke, Niamh won a bronze medal in a time of 2.46.92, 200m individual medley, she finished in sixth position and the 400m freestyle she finished in 12th position.

Accrington Academy Student, and Pioneer 79 Girls captain Charlotte Britland’s success in Liverpool at the English Schools Swimming Association Gala in September, she was selected to represent Division Two (Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Isle of Man) in the finals at Watford last weekend.

Charlotte was chosen to swim one individual race, 200m individual medley, finishing in ninth position, with a fantastic four second personal best time of 2.27.73.

She was also selected to swim in both the Senior Girls 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay, and the Senior Girls 4 x 50m Medley Relay Team, where they finished in 10th position overall in both events.

Pioneer 79 Swimming Club is a Swimming Club consisting of swimmers of all ages and abilities, from Beginners through to Masters.

Anyone interested in joining, contact Susan on 01254 390793.