Big Pool, Bigger Performances

🥇 8 Gold | 🥈 13 Silver | 🥉 13 Bronze | 🎯 82 Top-6 Medal Finishes

There are good meets… and then there are meets where everything comes together.

South Lincs swimmers made the journey for a one-day competition at the iconic Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield. For many, this was their first experience of racing in a world-class venue, and for some, their very first time competing in a 50m long course pool. The step up in environment and race conditions only seemed to bring out the best in the squad, with swimmers embracing the challenge and delivering outstanding performances throughout the day.

For South Lincs Swimming Club, this was firmly one of those special meets.

A star is born… and others rise with him

Leading the charge was the unstoppable Noah Halifax (9), who lit up the pool with a series of outstanding performances. His gold medals in the 50m Freestyle (36.11) and 100m Freestyle (1.17.00) were just the beginning, as he powered to victory in the 50m Butterfly (40.78) and backed it up with a strong 100m Backstroke Gold medal (1:29.21) plus a number of other medals.

What made his meet even more impressive was the consistency, race after race, stroke after stroke, Halifax delivered. His efforts were rewarded with an incredible second place in the overall Top Boy points standings across the entire competition, marking him out as one to watch.

Alongside him, Ethan Lucy (11) quietly put together one of the most impressive all-round performances of the meet. His silver medal in the 50m Freestyle (33.78) was complemented by a strong 100m Backstroke (1:28.32) and a composed 100m Breaststroke (1:46.30), underlining his growing strength across multiple disciplines.

And then there was Thomas Vere (11), a swimmer who didn’t just compete, but made a statement. His silver medal in the 100m Backstroke (1:22.45) was excellent (narrowly missing out on Gold), but it was his 400m Freestyle that truly stood out. In a brilliantly paced swim, Vere smashed the East Midlands Regional qualifying time, marking it as one of the clubs standout performances of the entire meet.

Another huge highlight came from David Sova (13), whose superb 100m Breaststroke (1:25.72) not only secured a medal but also achieved a East Midlands Regional qualifying time, a fantastic reward for a technically strong and controlled swim.

Iris Acacia Lucas also produced a superb set of performances, showing real consistency across multiple events. She claimed a well-earned silver medal in the 400m IM (5:57.47) and added another silver in the 400m Freestyle, alongside a strong 100m Freestyle (1:07.07), underlining her endurance and all-round ability in the pool.

Medals across the squad

South Lincs’ medal success was spread right across the team, highlighting both quality and depth.

In the younger age groups, Eucharia Adejuwon produced a fantastic swim to claim silver in the 50m Breaststroke (47.74), alongside a strong 50m Freestyle (36.21) and 100m Freestyle (1:21.58). Team mate Cara Murphy secured a superb and well earned bronze in the 50m Breaststroke (54.40) and added solid swims in 50m Freestyle (38.29) and 100m Freestyle (1:26.39).

Edie-Mae Mitchell (10) brought great energy to her races, producing a strong 50m Backstroke (45.71) and a sharp 50m Freestyle (41.69). She backed it up with a determined 100m Backstroke (1:33.87) for a well earned 4th place. Edie-Mae displayed excellent effort and confidence in the long course pool. 

In the 11-year-old boys, Seth Clayton delivered a strong 50m Butterfly (43.59) alongside 50m Freestyle (36.22), contributing to the club’s medal haul and depth.

Reuben Owen also delivered a strong performance, producing a solid Bronze winning 100m Freestyle (1.04.61) and backing it up with a well-paced 50m Backstroke (34.93), showing good consistency across his races.

Strength in numbers and across strokes

What truly set South Lincs apart at this meet wasn’t just the medals, it was the sheer number of swimmers stepping up and performing across multiple events.

In the 11-year-old boys, Chance Burford showed determination across a busy programme, swimming 50m Freestyle (43.06), 100m Backstroke (1:45.31) and 100m Breaststroke (2:03.89).

The 12-year-old boys saw Lucas Malcho produce consistent swims including 50m Freestyle (35.11), 100m Backstroke (1:30.64) and 100m Breaststroke (1:43.57). Lucas is showing he is able to convert hard work in training across to competing at swim meets.

Among the 13-year-olds, South Lincs had strong representation. Jasper Graves delivered across strokes with 50m Freestyle (34.31), 100m Backstroke (1:28.57) and 50m Butterfly (41.57), while Nayan Vyas added 50m Freestyle (34.62), 100m Backstroke (1:32.19) and 50m Butterfly (46.39).

In the 14-year-olds, Patrick Adejuwon impressed with speed and power, clocking 50m Freestyle (29.62), a superb silver medal in the 50m Butterfly (30.90) and bronze in the 100m Butterfly (1:11.45). Teammate Emilijus Binkis showed versatility with 50m Freestyle (32.58), Silver in the 100m Breaststroke (1:29.72) and a solid 50m Butterfly (35.92). He performed at his best in the 50m Breaststroke, bringing home a Gold medal.

William Cooke delivered a strong all-round performance, racing well across multiple events including 100m Freestyle (1.16.83), 100m Backstroke (1:31.01) and 100m Butterfly (1:32.28), showing great versatility and progression.

The Fyson family were out in force and made a real impact across the meet, with Malin, Marissa and Annabelle all producing excellent swims. Marissa Fyson impressed with a solid 50m Freestyle (40.33) and a 4th place in the 100m Breaststroke (1.45.48), while Annabelle Fyson showed great determination in the 50m Freestyle (35.91) and a strong 400m Freestyle (5.58.57) performance. Malin Fyson added to the family success with confident racing and a strong 6th place finish in the 100m Freestyle (1.11.26)

At the senior end, Riley-Lee Burford (18) brought experience to the team, swimming 50m Freestyle (30.96) and 100m Butterfly (1:14.04). Riley showed real maturity and leadership by setting a superb example to all the younger swimmers in attendance. Morgan Griffin added to the team’s success with a series of determined swims, including 100m Freestyle (1.06.77), 100m Breaststroke (1:30.11) and 100m Butterfly (1:18.32) for a well deserved 4^th place finish.

Girls’ squad delivers quality and consistency

The South Lincs girls’ squad also produced a series of strong performances, particularly in the 13-year-old age group.

Katie Lucy led from the front with a consistent and high-quality meet, including 50m Freestyle (31.99), 50m Breaststroke (42.68) and a strong 200m IM (2:54.20).

Hot on her heels was Isla Collins, who put in great performances in the 50m Freestyle (34.63), 50m Breaststroke (44.85) and 100m Backstroke (1:24.51). Livvi Laud continued to impress this season with great swims in the 50m Freestyle (34.63) and 50m Breaststroke (45.52).

Further strong swims came from Alisha Mohamed, who posted 50m Breaststroke (49.61) and 50m Freestyle (39.74), and Emily Langley, who delivered 50m Breaststroke (51.51) and 50m Freestyle (37.64).

In the younger groups, Elsie Graves showed determination with 50m Breaststroke (1:05.33) and 100m Freestyle (1:03.24). For the 12-year-olds, Mafaro Phiri recorded 50m Breaststroke (56.35) and 50m Freestyle (42.15).

Florence Carlson showed tremendous courage and determination throughout the meet, racing strongly despite carrying a shoulder injury and still delivering a solid 100m Freestyle (1:13.19) and 50m Backstroke (39.95). Louise Herriott also impressed with her resilience across events, posting a 100m Freestyle (1:24.19) and 50m Breaststroke (50.28), while Esme Lucas produced a confident set of swims including a strong 100m Freestyle (1:21.28) and an excellent 50m Backstroke (40.49). That 50m Backstroke gave the clubs biggest smiler a well earned Bronze medal.

Rising to the long course challenge

What made these performances even more impressive was the context. Racing in a 50m pool requires different pacing, greater endurance, and strong technical control, especially on turns and underwater phases.

For many South Lincs swimmers, this was their first exposure to long course racing, and they handled it brilliantly, adapting quickly and producing performances that matched, and in many cases exceeded, expectations.

The final splash

This wasn’t just a successful meet—it was a statement.

A statement of depth.
A statement of development.
And most importantly, a statement of belief.

With swimmers achieving regional standards, medal winners across multiple age groups, and a squad embracing the challenge of long course racing at a world-class venue, South Lincs Swimming Club is not just competing…

They’re building something special.

A huge thank you to all our swimmers, coaches and super team managers.