Five gold, 17 medals for Deepings at Netherlands Invitational meet
25 Jul 2019
Deepings Swimming Club travelled to Eindhoven for the 2019 Netherlands Invitational and swam away with 17 medals, including five gold, after an outstanding weekend of racing.
The squad of 12 competed in the 50m and 25m pools at the Pieter van den Hoogenband Zwemstadion against international opposition from Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Romania and the UK. Five swimmers medalled, while the rest of the team achieved numerous personal bests.
It rained gold all weekend for sixteen-year-old Bethany Eagle-Brown who warmed up for next month’s British Swimming Championships with three first place finishes in the 50m pool.
Bethany won gold in the 100m butterfly 2003/04 age group, and showed her versatility by winning the 50m and 100m freestyle titles. She also collected silver in the 100m backstroke and 50m butterfly, and bronze in the 50m backstroke.
Also topping the podium was Holly Leggott in the 200m freestyle (2002 and older age group). Despite being one of the youngest in the event, an excellent swim saw her leave the competition trailing behind. Sixteen-year-old Holly added four more medals to her tally, with three silver – 50 freestyle, 100 backstroke and 200IM – and one bronze in the 100m freestyle.
Lilly Tappern, swimming in the 25m pool, took home a hat-trick of medals in the 2007/08 age group, with a brace of silvers in the 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle, and bronze in the 100m breaststroke.
Her older sister, Amy, was also among the medals, winning bronze in the 200IM 2003/04 age group.
Leading the way for the boys’ team was Harry Cardell with two podium finishes in the 2003/04 age group. Harry stuck gold in the 200m freestyle and touching home in third place for bronze in the 100m butterfly.
The rest of the team also put in strong performances, achieving many personal bests, for Deepings at the Netherlands Invitational. They were: Lauren Saunderson, Bailey Jackson-Chilvers, Lottie Bussey, Millie Bussey, Maya Sangiorgio, Bethany Wilde and George Shaw.
Lynn Chapman, Deepings Swimming Club head coach, said: “Despite travelling overnight on the ferry, the team showed no sign of fatigue. They were really excited for this meet, which resulted in some excellent swims by all swimmers in both the 25m and 50m pools. It was fantastic to come away with 17 medals and it was a great experience to be mixing with and competing against other countries.”
MEDALLISTS IN FULL
GIRLS
- Bethany Eagle-Brown (2003/04 age group): gold - 100m butterfly, 50m and 100m freestyle; silver – 100m backstroke, 50m butterfly; bronze - 50m backstroke.
- Amy Tappern (2003/04 age group): bronze – 200IM.
- Holly Leggott (2002/earlier age group): gold – 200m freestyle; silver - 50m freestyle, 100m backstroke and 200IM; bronze - 100m freestyle.
- Lilly Tappern (2007/08 age group): silver – 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle; bronze – 100 breaststroke.
BOYS
Harry Cardell (2003/04 age group): gold – 200m freestyle; bronze – 100m butterfly.