Stevenage swimmers had a smashing time in the Herts county championships. There were 37 swimmers from the club at the annual Herts ASA bagcats, youth and open championships held over three weekends at Borehamwood and Hatfield recently. All swimmers swam w

Stevenage swimmers had a smashing time in the Herts county championships.

There were 37 swimmers from the club at the annual Herts ASA bagcats, youth and open championships held over three weekends at Borehamwood and Hatfield recently.

All swimmers swam well above expectations - smashing personal bests, club records and county records - considering some were making their debuts at this level.

In the girls' section, nine-year-old Olivia Hazel became county record holder for the 200m fly and breaking the club record in the under-11 200m fly.

She was also second overall and won two golds in the 200m fly/breast, plus a silver and a bronze.

Others to perform well were Fiona Thornton (seventh overall and two bronzes), Ellie Fogg (12th), Lucy Lapham (13th), Abigail Lence (20th) and Kate Garstang (25th).

In the 10-years-old age group, Jessica Jackson finished fourth overall and also broke four club records in the under-11s 50m free/fly and 200m free/back.

She also won a gold in the 50m free, as well as a silver and four bronzes.

Lily West was sixth overall, winning two golds in the 50m/200m breast.

Megan Nation was placed seventh overall, winning two silvers, and Danielle Murphy was eighth overall winning two bronzes.

In the 11-year-old age group, Christie Bays became county record holder in three events - 50m, 100m and 200m breast.

She also broke two club records in the under-13 50m breast and under-15 50m breast and won a remarkable nine golds and three silvers.

Georgia Hazell was 11th, winning a bronze, and Emily Gasston was 28th with personal best times.

In the 12 years age group, Grace O'Neil claimed 14th place and personal bests.

In the 13-years-old age group, Carina Bays finished third overall and took two county records in the 50m breast/200m back.

She also won gold in the 100m/200m breast, a silver and four bronzes.

Lucy Crocker was 10th, Emma Stewart 13th, Abby Livingstone 17th and Rhiannon Gillon 18th.

In the girls' youth/open section, Katie Heasman and Isobel Dunicliffe achieved personal bests with Nicola Shepherd winning a gold in the 200m free.

In the boys' section, nine-year-old Matthew McPherson finished 14th out of 26 with personal bests.

In the 11 year group, Joseph Mileusnic was placed 13th and Henry Farman 23rd out of 36 with personal bests.

In the 12-years-old age group, Sam Vessey was placed 14th, Jack Jarrett 17th and Luke Ames 20th with personal bests.

In the 13 years age group, Jake Robinson (fifth overall) won four silvers and two bronzes - all personal bests.

Joe Lacey (12th) and Danny Buckley (17th) had personal bests.

Fourteen-years-old Ben Murphy took part in the relays.

In the youth section, 15-year-old Shaun Dempsey won a gold in the 100m breast, and two cups coming first in the 100m/200m breast, while Joseph Mahon won a gold in the 200m breast and a silver in the 100m breast.

In the open age group, Tony Keast won gold in the 1500m free and a silver in the 800m free.

Ross Gillon broke three club records in the 200m/400m and 800m free, winning five golds in the 100m/200m back, 200m IM, 400m/1500m free, plus two silvers and two bronzes. Jack George achieved personal best times.

Stevenage now look forward to two finals in the Herts Major League Division One and Two a week on Saturday (April 19) at Potters Bar and Hemel Hempstead respectively.