A standout performance from 14-year-old Anton Horton, a large contingent from Nelson and the presence of plenty of new, young swimmers were the major highlights when the Blenheim Swim Club (BSC) hosted its first meet of the season at the Marlborough Aquatic Centre over the weekend.

A total of 19 BSC members were in action at the event, with the rest of the 75 competitors making their way from Nelson.

Both groups of youngsters were hoping to kick their seasons off with at least one personal best and that proved no trouble for talented teenager Horton, who was the only BSC swimmer to record an impressive four personal bests (PBs).

Several other Marlborough swimmers got their season off to a top start, including Marlborough's national age-group breastroke champion Sara Gane. Also aged 14, Gane managed three PBs, as did 15-year-old Iliana Barclay and 10-year-old Grace Fisk.

Toby Lloyd, 14, claimed two PBs and took 2 seconds off his 100m breaststroke PB, while Liam Clark, 13, wiped a massive five seconds off his previous best in the 100m individual medley.

There were also some quick times recorded by new BSC members Emily Rutledge, 8, Georgia Reed, 9, Connor Reed, Abbie Summerscales, Johanna Lloyd, 10, Jenna Langlois and Kazuka Jahana, 11.

BSC spokeswoman Linda Lloyd said the huge turnout from Nelson competitors and the large number of new swimmers made for an exciting meet to open the season.

Marlborough results:

8 years: Emily Rutledge 25 free 20.66, 50 free 46.53, 25 breast 33.75, 50 breast 1:17.52, 25 back 25.76.

9 years: Erika Babb 50 free 48.83, 50 breast 1:08.91. Georgia Reed 50 free 49.12, 50 breast 1:07.39, 50 back 1:00.34.

10 years: Connor Reed 50 free 39.97, 50 breast 1:00.55, 50 back 49.29. Grace Fisk 50 free 43.18, 50 back 41.31, 50 breast, 1:00.67, 100 IM 1:59.53. Abbie Summerscales 50 free 48.62, 100 breast 2:13.51, 100 free 2:02.94, 50 breast 1:03.66. Johanna Lloyd 25 free 20.37, 25 breast 28.29, 25 back 27.15.

11 years: Jacob Babb 50 free 41.32, 50 breast, 1:06.96, 50 back 49.60. Megan Clark 50 free 39.26, 100 breast 1:55.21, 100 free 1:33.93. Kazuki Jahana 50 free 40.81, 50 breast 1:00.29.

12 years: Lucy Kerry 50 free 33.69, 100 breast 1:34.48, 50 breast 43.72, 100 IM 1:28.70.

13 years: Liam Clark 100 breast 1:44.66, 50 fly 45.72, 100 IM 1:32.87.

14 years: Sara Gane 50 free 30.01, 100 breast 1:14.80, 50 fly 32.71, 100 back 1:16.15, 100 IM 1:12.42. Sally McMath 50 free 29.72, 50 back 33.91, 100 free 1:06.47, 100 back 1:15.36, 100 IM 1:25.04. Anton Horton 50 free 33.46, 100 breast 1:40.53, 100 free 1:15.02, 100 back 1:19.78, 100 IM 1:29.50. Toby Lloyd 50 free 27.64, 100 breast 1:21.44, 100 free 59.90, 50 fly 31.58, 100 IM 1:11.09.

15 years: Iliana Barclay 100 breast 1:40.23, 200 IM 3:24.08, 100 free 1:17.64, 50 breast 48.09, 100 back 1:26.56.

17 years: Nick Kerry 50 free 25.82, 100 breast 1:14.75, 50 breast 34.47, 100 fly 1:06.04, 100 IM 1:08.98.

- The Marlborough Express

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