Stratford Sharks have got 2010 underway at the Stourbridge SC Open held in Wolverhampton. Always a popular and highly competitive meet for swimmers aged from 9 to 14, each age group event winner receives a crystal goblet to mark their success. This year, the Sharks amassed 13 top 3 finishes, 15 personal bests (pb’s) and 2 new age group club records. Ed Caswell was the first Shark in the water lowering his pb in the 12yr 200m Individual Medley a feat matched by Aleksander Forysiak in the 13yr old’s.

  Lucy Tame delivered 2nd place in the 13yr 100m Fly for the first top 3 of the day before 9yr old William Foster collected a crystal goblet taking top position in the 50m Freestyle. Christian Clements lowered his pb in the 10yr age group as did 9yr Charlotte Cox and 10yr old Ysabelle Caswell with Kathryn Lythgo taking 3rd place in this age group.

  Ed Caswell took his second pb of the day in the 50m Backstroke with William Foster taking his second crystal goblet finishing top 9yr old in a new age group club record. The second age group club record was established in the 200m Breaststroke by 13 yr old Aleksander Forysiak who narrowly missed a trophy by finishing 4th.

  The Caswell family were enjoying a good day for pb’s with Ysabelle improving her times in the 10yr olds 50m Fly, 100m Individual Medley and 50m Breaststroke as did Olga Hall in the Breaststroke, Charlotte Cox also enjoyed this event taking a new pb and 2nd place in the 9yr age group whilst also adding a pb in the 100m Individual Medley, 12yr old Ellen Price gained a new 50m Fly pb

  The 100m Individual Medley was good for the boys with William Foster taking 1st place in the 9yr olds with Christian Clements 3rd in the 10yr age group. Josh Walker at 14 was swimming in his last eligible year and gave it his all unluckily finishing second in the 200m Backstroke, 200m Individual Medley & 200m Freestyle whilst also lowering his pb in the 100m Freestyle just missing out in 4th place.

  The obvious star for the Sharks on this occasion was William Foster who not only took home three coveted crystal goblets but also two second place trophies in the 50m Fly & 50m Breaststroke. Other swimmers competing for the Sharks were Kara Malins and James Wimbury who along with the others will be among the 51 strong squad who have qualified for this years Warwickshire County Championships.