Hillicks in top form as records tumble

CALLUM Hillicks was once again in stunning form as the Crawley Club Championships continued, when the breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle titles were decided.

Hillicks took a large chunk off the club record 200 metres butterfly, also clipping the breaststroke championship mark at the same distance, before surpassing Ben Hutchinson's 2004 benchmark time at the 100 metres freestyle.

It was hardly surprising that Federica Williamson comfortably lifted three gold medals, in her age group events, but to take a massive 12 seconds off the previous breaststroke record was quite remarkable.

Sophie Brooks set another new mark lowering the butterfly record by a huge 16 seconds, and also took her age group breaststroke gold.

The final record was set in the race of the night, the 100 metres freestyle, when Zara Williams edged out Brooks by a whisker, to make a big improvement on the record she already held.

Other swimmers who won all three of their age group events were Lucie Street, Poppy Keenor and Scott Andrews.

Matty O'Dell, his older brother James and Daisy Bond all enjoyed double successes.

Breaststroke specialist Jack Payne, plus Charlie Robertson and Max Pringle both at freestyle, and Jason Wooldridge in butterfly took home championship trophies.

Many of the lower squad swimmers gave their all in the backstroke and individual medley, with Grace Mechant, Jessica Emens, Matty O'Dell, Jack Hirchfield, Sean Penfold and Louis Holwell all taking gold medals.