RYEDALE racers started the year competing with some of the region’s fastest swimmers at the City of Leeds New Year Grand Prix Open meet and the February Middlesbrough AA Graded Gala.

The 13 Ryedale swimmers picked up 23 medals and 32 personal bests.

In Leeds, Jason Robson won silver in the nine-year-old 200 metres breaststroke which also gained him a North Eastern and Yorkshire Championships qualifying time. He also won silver in 200m freestyle and bronze in 200m butterfly.

Christopher Cook, 13, won gold in the 200m freestyle, and bronze in the 200m breaststroke, Harry Coldbeck, nine, won silver in his 200m breaststroke and came sixth in both 100m breaststroke and 50m breaststroke.

Joe Kelly, nine, bagged five personal bests and was third in the 200m individual medley in a Yorkshire Championships qualifying time, as well as fourth in the 50m breaststroke and fifth in the 200m free.

Other swimmers at Leeds were Emily Robson, nine, who swam seven races and gained five PBs; Emily Grayson, 11, who gained four PBs in nine races; Nathan Smith, 12, who clocked two PBs in three races; Joe Hall, nine, who set two PBs in two races; Abigail Smith, 10, who made one PB in three races; Jacob Head, 11, who swam two races with one PB; Owen Watts, 13, and Morwenna Talling, 10, who both swam four races; and Jonathan Cook, 10, raced twice.

At Middlesbrough, Kelly won gold in the 200m freestyle, silver in the 200m breaststroke in a North Eastern qualifying time, bronze in 50m backstroke, and bronze in 100m breaststroke, and was fourth in the 50m breaststroke. Kelly also set three PBs.

Emily Robson won silver in the 200m backstroke and bronze in the 50m ’fly. She was also fifth in the 50m breaststroke, and sixth in the 100m backstroke, 100m breaststroke and 200m IM. She set six PBs.

Emily Grayson was sixth in the 50m breaststroke and seventh in the 50m freestyle.

Seven Ryedale swimmers have now qualified for the Spring Yorkshire Swimming Championships – Jason Robson, Coldbeck, Kelly, Joseph Hall, Jacob Head, Grayson and Talling.