ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE Swimming Club rounded off another outstanding season in style by winning the prestigious Celebration Gala at Manchester Aquatics Centre.
The event saw Ashton compete against seven other local teams, with a squad of 42 swimmers aged between eight and 33 taking part in 29 relay races across all four strokes.
Having already claimed the league title for the fifth year in a row, expectations were high as the team looked to complete another unbeaten campaign.
The afternoon began with the Girls 15+ relay team securing a strong fourth place, with personal best (PB) performances including one from Jessica Birch, who went on to achieve another PB later in the gala.
The Boys 15+ team then produced one of the standout swims early on. Joe McCue set the tone with a rapid opening leg before Jake Wood recorded a personal best. Mason Green battled against strong opposition before Dan Briggs delivered a 23-second anchor leg to bring Ashton home in second place.
Ashton claimed their first victory in the mixed medley relay, with personal best times from Alex Birch in the backstroke and Noah Blemmings in the butterfly – one of four PBs achieved by Noah during the competition.
The winning momentum continued with the Girls freestyle relay team taking first place, helped by Margaux Mendoza’s best-ever opening leg and a strong finish from Amelia Houston, who also recorded two personal best times.
Further strong performances followed throughout the afternoon, with Jack Cheetham producing an impressive frontcrawl swim, Sophia Winston excelling in backstroke and newcomer Jacob Hulmes enjoying his first Celebration Gala appearance for the club with a quick 25m frontcrawl time.
There was also a special moment for Erin Mabbott, who delivered a great breaststroke performance almost two decades after her mum Jenny last represented the club.
Between races nine and 17, Ashton consistently finished in second or third place, highlighting the strength across the squad. Personal best performances came from Skye Cheetham, Daniel Hand, Miah Hopwood and Alfie Hopwood, who impressed with a technically strong frontcrawl swim.
The club’s third victory of the day came in race 18, followed by another win in the eight-swimmer mixed freestyle relay.
Isla Diamond led the way with a personal best – the first of three she achieved in quick succession – while Madeleine Mason and Heidi Oliver also posted their fastest times. Lucas Hopwood, Olivia Simpson and Bobby Robson helped secure a victory that was never in doubt.
As the competition moved into its final stages, Ashton continued to collect wins, with strong swims from Scarlett Newall, Noah Blemmings, Demileigh Mendoza, Ethan Lyne and Olivia Goff helping push the team towards the overall title.
The final races saw Ashton, Wilmslow and Saracens battling for victory, but Ashton delivered when it mattered most.
Race 27 brought another win, with Oscar Blemmings producing a brilliant opening backstroke leg and Liam Shilley impressing in breaststroke. More personal bests followed from Daniel Houston and Marley Unsworth before the final Cannon race – featuring swimmers of all ages.
Wilmslow were hoping to prevent Ashton from securing another Celebration Gala win, but Ashton had other ideas. Isla and Oscar put the team ahead early before Sophie and Dan finished strongly to seal the club’s ninth win of the afternoon.
Ashton finished as champions, with Wilmslow runners-up and Saracens in third place.
James Ashton, Olivia Hunt, Georgie Lowndes, Chloe Porter, Luciana Winston, Florence Clarke and Jenson Stenson made up the winning team as celebrations began poolside in front of a large crowd.
Parents were also asked to vote for the Swimmer of the Match, with Isla Diamond taking the award for the second time this year.
The victory completed another consistent season for Ashton, who finished the campaign unbeaten.
Ashton-under-Lyne Swimming Club trains at Hyde Leisure Pool every Tuesday and Wednesday evening. More information is available at www.aulsc.org.uk