KENDAL Swimming Club have been praised for their latest performances at the latest Gala.

The boys’ events saw Lennon Bell take a giant step in his career and drawing on all his experience and talent he outshone all his rivals at 100m Freestyle.

In the Junior Boys event he got a great start off the block and out of transition he made a supreme effort and forged ahead of challengers Mathew Foster and Evan Dart. Of these two Foster proved the greatest threat and Bell had to work really hard over the first 50m to hold off the attacks. 

However, he stayed composed and refused to panic, keeping up the pressure and at the same time saving his greatest exertions for the last length. Despite matching each other stroke for stroke out of the final turn, Bell produced another injection of pace and began to wind it up. Bursting through the pressure zone with Dart also in the mix Bell and Foster virtually hit the pads together and Bell got the gold by his fingertips.

His brilliant result was such a huge success for him that he was able to take his second gold medal as winner of the Open Age Group using similar tactics against Foster and Dart to produce one of the highlights of the evening. James Escolme was also in brilliant form and got a great start with a formidable win in the 200m Backstroke.

Putting himself on the front with his elegant style he just forged ahead and cruised to a comfortable victory over Evan Dart. He then turned to the 50m Breaststroke and again he showed too much skill for his opponents.

Off the block he came out of transition and took it on, producing a remarkable performance.

Taking them out over the first length he placed himself in a position for success ahead of Reece Kinley and Mathew Gibson. Both these swimmers made determined efforts and worked hard to keep in touch with Escolme.

But Escolme withstood all challenges and accelerating away he timed his finish and the win to perfection. His final win came from a classic 50m Butterfly,

where he came up against Adam Stansfield and Mathew Foster, butterfly specialists, who raced shoulder to shoulder right to the finish.

Over the final length all three gave everything they had and in the storming finish it was Escolme who touched just ahead of Stansfield to win. Up and coming Jake Smith was another double winner, taking the 11/under title over Elliot Dart and Jack Carradice.

He followed this up with his second gold leading the 13/under group ahead of Jarno Stander and Max Whitehead.

The Club’s youngsters showed off their skills starting with Elliot Dart swimming a masterly race to win gold at 50m Breaststroke. He then followed this up with the silver at 50m Butterfly.

George Kinnear also got a gold for his performance at 50m Butterfly where he had a clear victory.

Finally, in a 25m Backstroke race 8yr old Kai Stander led the field and in a blanket finish took the gold to complete a fine meet.