Newcomers shine for Vulcans

Lincoln Vulcans swimmers excelled at the first round of the National Junior League at the Meres Leisure Centre in Grantham.

Over three separate heats, teams of nine to 12-year-old swimmers competed for a place in the Northern Junior League Final in November.

It was time for debut performances from young and enthusiastic teams of boys and girls from all over Lincolnshire.

Victories in the first two races – 12-year-old girls and boys medley relays – were followed by another first from the nine-year-old girls. The youngest girls' squad followed up with even more success, recording five wins and a second-place.

Not to be outdone, the other swimmers chased down race after race, producing an impressive array of first to third place finishes.

The evening culminated with an eight-swimmer cannon race victory which left the other teams trailing in their wake.

Among the older swimmers who excelled, Kiran Mason swam in his own age group (11-year-olds) and also as part of the 12-year-old boys' team.

He took part in six victories and one second-place.

The 12-year old girls' teams also dominated their section with five wins and a second place finish. There were other great performances throughout the team with swimmers delivering a large number of personal best swims to ensure victory by a wide margin.

The Lincoln Vulcans B team swam separately at Gainsborough and also performed admirably, producing 30 top-three finishes out of the 49 races despite a weakened squad. Victories in the last two age group relays – 12-year-old girls and boys front crawl – rounded off an excellent evening's swimming.

Coaches Jude Stephenson-Ganner and Nigel Oldham were delighted with the success of the team.

"We were very proud of the newcomers who were full of enthusiasm and talent, but equally proud of the older swimmers who made great efforts to make them feel part of the team while also delivering the high level of performance we expect from them," said Stephenson-Ganner.

"We would also like to congratulate all of the young swimmers from the other clubs who put in terrific performances and made for such an exciting evening."