Stevenage swimmer Jake Robinson had a golden time in the East Region Junior Championships in Norwich over the last two weekends. The 11-year-old was the sole representative for Stevenage Swimming Club and he was competing against the best swimmers from si

Stevenage swimmer Jake Robinson had a golden time in the East Region Junior Championships in Norwich over the last two weekends.

The 11-year-old was the sole representative for Stevenage Swimming Club and he was competing against the best swimmers from six counties.

It was the first time he had competed in an Olympic sized 50m pool and he entered seven races consisting of freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and an individual medley.

There were 39 swimmers in his age group and he reached the finals in all races.

The highlights were a gold medal in the 200m breaststroke and silver in the 100m breaststroke.

His coach John Lowe said: "I believe this is the first time in about 35 years that a Stevenage swimmer has got a title in a regional championship. I'm very proud of him and all the work he's put in to achieve this. He deserved it!"

Jake finished in sixth place overall in the 11 year boys category.

He has now been selected to swim for Hertfordshire in an East Region team gala at Biggleswade in July.

Five swimmers from Hitchin Swimming Club also travelled to Norwich to take part in the regional championships.

The top performer was Alex Baker, finishing second in the 12 years 100m and 200m breaststroke. Alex missed top spot in the 200m by less than half a second.

Charlotte Reid recorded two fifth place finishes in the 10 years 100m and 200m breaststroke, and eighth place in the 100m backstroke.

The three remaining swimmers recorded top 10 finishes.

Fraser Chivers (11 years) came fifth in the 1500m freestyle, Oliver Creasey (14 years) came eighth in the 100m butterfly and Lewis Dighton (13 years) came 10th in the 100m freestyle.

Hitchin club captain Laura West led by example at the recent Stevenage open meet.

She won a total of eight medals - four golds, three silvers and a bronze - in the 16 years age group.

The club won eight golds, 13 silvers and 11 bronze medals in total.

Other gold medal winners were Adam Connell (16 years 100m butterfly), Oliver Creasey (15 years 100m butterfly), Emma Lander (14 years 50m freestyle) and Molly McKenzie (10 years 100m freestyle).

Other Hitchin swimmers to finish in the top three were Holly Mould, Jade Barrett, Rebecca Allen, Bethan Robb, Tara Keswick, Zoe Hague, Matthew Lander, Lewis Rainbow, Lewis Dighton and Alex Baker.