ELLIE GRANT stole the show at Tigers Swimming Club’s 45th annual open meet, claiming three Island Junior Records despite stormy weather disrupting travel to Jersey over the weekend.
The 15-year-old delivered an impressive early-season statement, setting new marks in the 50m backstroke, 100m individual medley and 50m freestyle at Les Quennevais Sports Centre.
Despite the challenging conditions preventing a number of swimmers from travelling to the Island, more than 100 competitors took part in a weekend of high-quality racing.
Tigers head coach Nathan Jegou was pleased with the standard of swimming despite the disruption caused by the weather.
“It was a great weekend, and we’re extremely grateful we managed to hold it with so many unable to make it over due to the storm,” he said.
“We were rewarded with some superb swimming, from the 10-year-olds all the way to the senior age groups.
“Some of those on the Island Games pathway got to put some times on the board, while we also collected a host of personal bests, county qualifying times and some just rewards for a really good start to training for the new season.”
Visiting clubs included Guernsey, Havant and Waterlooville, Huntingdon Piranhas and City of Peterborough, who joined both Jersey clubs for the annual event.
With the Island Games and Youth Commonwealth Games on the horizon, several local swimmers also laid down early markers for the season.
Jack Militis, Elsa Dodds, Hannah Sterry and Tom Sterry all produced notable performances, while Jersey Swimming Club’s young prospect Penny Wilson also enjoyed an impressive meet.
The weekend concluded with the prize-money Skins events, where swimmers competed in a series of elimination races.
Ella Baker claimed the junior girls’ title, holding off Tigers club-mate Vicky Grant, while Archie Paris rounded off an excellent weekend by winning the junior boys’ competition ahead of the impressive George Church.
In the senior girls’ event, Ellie Grant continued her outstanding form to take top honours ahead of the ever-improving Niamh Church.
Jack Militis completed the senior double for Tigers in the boys’ competition, edging out club-mate Tom Sterry, who pushed him all the way.
The next major fixture for the island’s swimmers will be the Channel Islands Championships, which will also take place at Les Quennevais in November.
