Three Hitchin swimmers cleaned up at the recent Herts county championships. Spread over three weekends, the club won a total of 37 medals – seven golds, 15 silvers and 15 bronzes. The trio of Charlotte Reid, Charlotte Merrell and Alex Baker scooped 19 of

Three Hitchin swimmers cleaned up at the recent Herts county championships.

Spread over three weekends, the club won a total of 37 medals - seven golds, 15 silvers and 15 bronzes.

The trio of Charlotte Reid, Charlotte Merrell and Alex Baker scooped 19 of the medals between them.

Reid (girls' 11 years) won golds in the 50m breaststroke, and 100m and 200m individual medley, silvers in the 50m backstroke, and 100m and 200m breaststroke, plus bronzes in the 50m freestyle and 100m backstroke.

Merrell (girls' 12 years) took silvers in the 50m freestyle and 200m backstroke, plus bronzes in the 50m backstroke, 100m backstroke, 50m butterfly and 200m freestyle.

Baker (boys' 13 years) won gold in the 50m backstroke, silvers in the 100m backstroke and 100m breaststroke, with bronzes in the 50m breaststroke and 100m butterfly.

It was also a special championship for club captain, 17-year-old Matt Lander.

Having been at the club since he was eight, Matt announced his retirement earlier in the year and that this would be his last competition for the club. He won silver in the 100m breaststroke.

The remaining medal winners were: Fraser Chivers (boys' 12 years) second 1500m free; Lewis Dighton (boys' 14 years) second 1500m free and third 800m free; Oliver Creasey (boys' 15 years) third 100m fly; Lewis Rainbow (boys' 16 years) third 800m free; Liam Rogers (boys' 17 years) third 100m free; Chelsea McKenzie (girls' 14 years) third 1500m free; Rosie O'Sullivan (girls' 15 years) first 200m fly; Emma Lander (girls' 15 years) second 100m free, Hannah Tomlin (girls' 15 years) third 100m free; Laura West (girls' 17 years) first 50m free and 200m IM; Hayley Doran (girls' 17 years) second 200m breast; Rebecca Allen (girls' 17 years) second 100m back and 200m IM; Jade Barrett (girls' 17 years) third 100m back; and Phillipa Tappin (girls' 18 years) second 100m breast.

Overall, 179 personal best times were recorded and 15 swimmers achieved regional qualifying times.

They now look forward to the Eastern Regional Championships in Norwich through May and June.