Swimming Winners ... after all FLEETWOOD swimmers had a pleasant surprise after winning a league they thought they had lost. After a recalculation of points at the Micro League Division A swim off Gala Final, it emerged that Fleetwood Swimming Club were champions ... despite being told on the day they’d finished runners up. And one of the club’s brightest protegees, Sophie Ward, has been named 2007 Rising Star for Wyre at a prestigious awards dinner at Blackburn Rovers FC, where club scooped the Community Club of the year award. Meanwhile, the club sent a large contingent of swimmers to Palatine for the North Lancs Level 3 meet. Star performer was Jacob Hancock, who won the skins and three gold medals. Liam Sutcliffe obtained five speeding tickets and two silver medals. Rebecca Heaton was rewarded with five speeding tickets for an excellent performance. Gaby Davey received four and a silver medal and Christopher Bottomley three plus a gold and a silver. Others to win gold plus speeding tickets were Jack Hirst (also silver and bronze), Laura Whitehead (also silver), Phoebe Brown and Katie Lawson. Lucy Wetherall gained a gold, a silver and a bronze medal. Personal bests were recorded by Gemma Barton, Sam Catterall, Millie Croston, Alisha Johnson, Terri McGuire, Jasmine Morrissey, Dominic Roe, Alex Shaw, Katie Shaw and Rebecca WilliamsIn the opening Speedo League meeting at Stretford, Fleetwood finished a creditable fourth. James Taylor won the 50m breaststroke and fly events, and played his part in two relay wins alongside Robert Foulkes, Robert Lockhart, Jacob Hancock and Scott Clarke. Rebecca Fausset won the under-15 100m backstroke. There were also relay wins for Liam Sutcliffe, William Lockhart, Chris Bottomley and Alex Ward (under-11 freestyle) and Philip Brown, Lee Ormerod, Justin Worthington and James Parkinson (under-15 backstroke) Olympics pool goal for Rebecca A ROSSALL schoolgirl is making waves in the swimming world, writes JULIA BENNETT. The London Olympics might be five years away but Rebecca Rimmer, 12, of Kelso Avenue, Cleveleys, is impressing her coaches so much they say she may have a chance of competing. Rossall School pupil Rebecca has joined the elite top two per cent of competitive swimmers in the country by achieving national qualifying times in butterfly and freestyle events. Rebecca, who trains 14 hours a week, is ranked fifth in the UK’s under-13s in the 1500m freestyle, 13th in 400m freestyle and fourth in the butterfly. She has also picked up medals at the North West Championships for 200m butterfly and 400 and 1500m freestyle and is tipped for the top by Rossall School swimming coach Hugo Ordenz, a former member of the Mexican Olympic diving team. Rebecca started swimming when she was four and her spectacular technique was spotted at Newton Hall swimming club. She is also a member of the county’s elite Gallica squad. Rebecca said: “I hope I can move up through the rankings. There’s lots of competition at national level but I’d love one day to swim for Great Britain at the Olympics.” Mighty Melissa THE King Edward & Queen Mary School netball teams recorded three victories over St Bede’s. Emily Wilson was the star player in a dominant Year 11 team’s 24-5 win. Melissa Bentley was magnificent in the Year 10 A team’s 9-7 success, while Jessica Dawson stood out as the B team won 6-4. Email us and tell us about your stories!