Hannah Hirst gets Champion Girl at Donny Mets.

With an amazing 29 points from just 65 events Hannah hirst is crowned champion 11yrs Girl at the DMASA Individuals.                  by Gill Vickers      

The second gala of the Doncaster Mets was not quite as busy as the first one, possibly due to it taking place during the half term holidays.  Things ran relatively smoothly with only a couple of delays and a bizarre interlude when the announcer seemed to change nationality rather suddenly and began speaking in Double Dutch!  This turned out to be a problem with the PA system which was quickly and efficiently repaired and he soon returned to his native Doncaster brogue! 

There was lots of interest for SHARKS supporters as, despite fielding a relatively small squad of swimmers, we were represented in well over half of all the finals.  Our swimmers all performed well, but special mention must go to Hannah Hirst, with two very determined swims to bring home gold for SHARKS in the 11 years 100m medley and the 11 years 100m freestyle.  Alison Pennell swam some good times to take silver in three races: the 100m back,  100m breast and 100m freestyle.   Our girls showed their strength in depth with Holly Lewis and Alex Cook both finalling twice and fine swims from our excellent 12 year old girls – Anna Laird, Emily Fordham, Amy Watson and Molly Simm, with Anna, Emily and Amy all making the finals of the 100m free and the 100m medley. 

For the boys, Chris Watson won a convincing gold in the boys 15 years 100m backstroke and, in a nailbiting finish, he was pipped into silver in the 15 years 100m breast.  Another close finish in the 100m free gave him another silver medal.  Jonathan Pennell finalled twice, with an excellent PB in his 100m breast.   A brave swim from Matthew Hirst to make it into the final of the 100m medley and both Dan Leggott and Charlie Cocks made the 100m freestyle final with Dan also finalling in the 100m IM (Charlie having another unfortunate DQ in his heat with those dreaded “faulty legs”  on the breaststroke!!). 

All in all, a solid performance from all our swimmers with lots of medals to take home!