Emotional Amelia shines in 3k races at Open Water National Age Group Champs

An emotional Amelia Gerrard was shocked with her own performance as she took the gold medal in the Girls 14 Years 3k race at Rother Valley Country Park.

The Warrington swimmer stood out amongst a host of great performances in the 3k races at the Swim England Open Water National Age Group Championships.

Gerrard admitted that she had exceeded her own expectations by topping the podium and after receiving her medal, she embraced a very proud mum who was waiting to celebrate.

The youngster came out on top in a very close finish and recorded a time of 36:13.

Abigail Smiley of RTW Monson produced a brilliant swim to clinch the silver medal, followed by the bronze medal winner, Chloe Barnard, of Basildon Phoenix.

Summing up her feelings after the swim, Gerrard said: “I’m tired but happy – I’m really happy.

“I wasn’t expecting to do as well as I did. I was expecting to come fifth or sixth because that’s what I was coming in as.

“I’ve loved the day and the event. I’m about to go and cheer on my best friend who is in the water now.”

Turner takes gold

In the Boys 14 Years 3k race, Newcastle’s Aidan Turner had his sights set on the podium ahead of the championships.

Turner described it as a ‘good race’ as he battled through fatigue to finish in a gold medal-winning time of 33:35.

Lucas Bryant of Maidenhead was the next to finish. His time was 33:54 – enough to take home the silver medal.

Finishing in third was City of Leeds swimmer William Hicklin with a time of 34:17.

Turner said: “I’m pretty pleased. It was a good race, I went for it straight from the start. My arms gave up after about two laps but I kept going.

“The conditions were more difficult than I thought but I did just as well as I hoped I would.

“I’ve been tapering in preparation for the British Summer Champs earlier this week but this is the one I wanted to do well in.”

Cook continues good form

After setting new personal best times in both her 800m and her 1500m events at the British Summer Championships earlier this week, Ava Cook continued her good form in the Girls 15 Years 3k race.

The City of Sheffield swimmer secured gold in 34:25 – in what was only her third ever open water race.

Cook finished ahead of City of Salford’s Katie Lee, who clocked a time of 34:38 for silver.

The bronze medal was won by Rebecca Coogan of Romford Town in 35.42.

Cook said: “I’m very pleased because it’s only my third open water race, so to win is a really good achievement.

“It was a lot calmer than I expected and the dive start wasn’t as bad as I was expecting either. I’ve never done a dive start before but it was fine.

“Training has been really good. I’ve just swam at British Summer Champs so I was on taper and running up to it I’ve been doing a lot of distance work.”

Golden glory for Ross

City of Salford’s Ben Ross represented his club with pride as he secured victory in the Boys 15 Years 3k race.

The teenager took the win by three seconds. He finished in 32:23 and Portsmouth Northsea’s Thomas Jennings was a close second in 32:26.

Following just another three seconds after Jennings was City of Cardiff swimmer, Jack Bamborough (32:29).

On his win, Ross said: “My muscles are aching but I’m really happy with how I did.

“Everything went how I wanted it to and I’m proud to represent City of Salford – it’s a great club.”

Images: Will Johnston Photography