It was the turn of the mature swimmers from Winchester City Penguins Swimming Club (pictured) to show the younger swimmers how to give competitive performances at the Hampshire County Masters Swimming Competition recently.

Penguins sent an 18-strong squad of swimmers to the championships and the following individuals all took one or more 1st places in swims in their individual age groups (5 year age bands) - Rachael Brooks, Rory Fitzgerald, John Heath, Adrian New, Claire Wills, Katy McDowell, Thelma Hawkings, Colin Bennett, James Mulhall, Andy Dean, Nick Curry, Helene Ryall, Catherine Miller, Karen Cross, Nigel Barlass and Cath Beckett.

Ably assisted by Richard Mills and Steve Pople, Penguins also took four 2nd places in the relays: in the mixed 100m freestyle relay for ages 72 yrs +, and for ages 200 yrs +, and in the mixed 100m medley relay for ages 120 yrs+ and for ages 200 yrs +.

Overall, Winchester City Penguins took the top team award accumulating a whopping 359 points, over 70 points clear of the next team, Rushmoor Royals.

National Biathlon Championships, Norwich.

Fourteen-year-old Louisa Warwick, from Winchester City Penguins swimming club has just retained her title as National Biathlon Champion, this time in the Youth B Girls category.

Unable to attend the qualifier at Newbury in March, Louisa gained a bye to the finals held in Norwich at the University of East Anglia's Sports Park, but consequently had to swim and run in the slowest heats last weekend.

Despite this, she swam 200m confidently in 2.22.01(long course pool) and ran 2000m on track in 6.59.36, taking 3rd position in each event, and giving her a winning points total of 2380.

Also in the same category, Amy Frank took 18th position (2104 pts) and Jessica Pike took 20th position (2092 pts). All three girls have another year in the same age group.

In the Youth C Girl category, 13-year-old Emily Butcher also gave an excellent performance to take 7th position overall. She swam 100m in 1.09.00 and ran 1000m in 3.15.60, giving her a points total of 2332. In the same age group her team mates Laura Sharpe came 29th (2208 pts) and Gabriella Oliver came 44th (2096).

In the Youth D Girls category, Laura Fenwick came 33rd overall with a points total of 2120. Emily and Gabriella stay in the same age group for next year.

In the Youth B Boys competition, 16 year old Ashley Pike took overall 15th place with 2168 pts, whilst only 40 points behind him Tom Varley came 17th with 2128 pts.

In the Youth C Boys category, Tom Mills came 14th overall (2080 pts) Simon Mooney came 21st (2032 pts) and Joel Frank came 34th (1932 pts). The Youth C boys narrowly missed out on the 3rd place team award.

Finally, in the Youth D Boys category, 11 year old Chris Sharpe came 15th overall with a points total of 2180. Tom Varley, Simon, Joel and Chris all stay in the same age group for next year.

All the Penguins in the Biathlon squad gave some very impressive individual performances, either in the swimming, the running or both disciplines, during the Championships.

International Paralympic Committee Swimming Open Belgian Championships.

Alexander Goodman from Winchester City Penguins Swimming Club recently took part in the IPC Open Belgian Swimming Championships as a member of an English Representative team.

He swam extremely well, taking 2nd place in the 400m freestyle and 100m butterfly, 3rd place in the 200m IM, and 4th places in the 100m freestyle and 50m freestyle.

All his swims were in the category S8. Alex was also a member of the English relay team which took 2nd place in the freestyle relay and 3rd in the medley.

Bracknell and Wokingham Level 1 Open Meet.

There were also a number of successful Penguin performances at the Bracknell & Wokingham Long course Open Meet held at Aldershot last weekend.

Giving winning swims were Eleanor Selby (girls 15 years 100m butterfly), Sophie Jenkins (girls 14 years 100m butterfly) & Matthew Ryall (boys 11 years 100m backstroke).

Taking 2nd place was Joel Frank (boys 12 years 100m backstroke) and 3rd places were Joel Frank (boys 12 years 50m freestyle) and Florine Forster (girls 13 years 100m butterfly).

For more information go to www.wcpsc.org.uk