A HAUL of 33 medals were won by New Earswick Swimming Club members at the first competitive gala of 2009.

New Earswick sent a team of ten swimmers to the York City Baths Club New Year’s Gala at Edmund Wilson Pool, where the top six in each age group won a medal.

In the boys’ 14 years section, Josh King was in excellent form as he collected five medals.

He won bronze in the 50 metres butterfly, silver in the 50m backstroke and golds in the 50m breaststroke, the 100m Individual Medley and 50m freestyle.

Daniel Hynes swam to a hard-earned gold medal in the 50m butterfly in the boys’ 11 years section, while also gaining a speeding ticket in the 100m IM.

Ben King raced to four medals in the 11 years age group – bronze in the 50m breaststroke, silver in the 50m backstroke, as well as fourth-place finishes in the 100m IM and 50m freestyle.

In the same age group, Matthew Graves had some excellent swims to claim fourth in the 50m breaststroke, ninth in the 50m butterfly, seventh in the 50m freestyle and eighth in the 50m backstroke.

Nathan Towers, who was swimming in his first ASA gala, claimed a creditable eighth place in the 50m butterfly and ninth in the 50m freestyle.

In the girls’ events, Sarah Graves gained a well-earned five medals in the 14 years age group.

She scooped gold in the 50m butterfly and the 50m breaststroke, silver in the 100m IM, fourth in the 50m backstroke and bronze in the 50m freestyle.

In the same age group, Katy Proctor won five medals for her fourth places in the 50m butterfly, the 50m breaststroke and 100m IM, plus fifth place finishes in the 50m backstroke and 50m freestyle.

In the 13 years section, Jessica Oliver took gold in her favourite event, the 50m backstroke, while also gaining silvers in the 50m breaststroke, the 100m IM and the 50m freestyle.

The 12 years girls’ section saw Georgia Taylor amass five medals for finishing fourth in the 50m breaststroke, first in the 50m butterfly, third in the 100m IM, first in the 50m freestyle and second in the 50m backstroke.

In the same age group, Steph Woodford won five medals – silver in the 50m breaststroke, bronze in the 50m butterfly, fourth in the 100m IM, silver for the 50m freestyle and fourth in the 50m backstroke.

A club spokesman said: “This was an encouraging start to the new year for the New Earswick Swimming Club.

“We will have swimmers taking part in many competitions over the year, including the Scottish National Championships, Yorkshire ASA Championships, Open Meets and ASA Graded Galas, plus four league competitions.”