Relay teams make splash in Sheffield

SWIMMING Teams from Chandag and Marksbury produced excellent performances at the English Schools' Swimming Association Primary Schools National Relay Finals at Ponds Forge, Sheffield.

Only three South West teams qualified for each event, with Chandag contesting the mixed stroke relay and Marksbury in action in both the mixed stroke and freestyle races.

Chandag were 16th overall in the B final after finishing fifth in their heat. Ellie Jupp swam the backstroke leg in a very good time of 18.2secs, Ellie Gussey clocked an excellent 20.3 in the breaststroke leg, Emily Jupp swam a PB of 17.5 for the butterfly and Jemima Handy completed the freestyle leg in 17.0.

Jessica Podger travelled to Sheffield as a reserve and was the team captain, representing Chandag in the parade at the start of the finals.

All of the girls are members of Keynsham Swimming Club, whose coach Thelia Beament was impressed with their performances.

Beament was in Sheffield with the youngsters from Marksbury, who qualified for two events in the small schools section for the first time in their history.

Marksbury finished 13th overall in the B finals of both the mixed stroke and freestyle relays. There were excellent swims from Meg, on the backstroke leg, Henry, on the breaststroke leg, and Tayla and Lewis, on the freestyle legs.

The quartet were joined by captain and reserve Felix, who supported the team well.