DISS Otters Swimming Club have once again enjoyed success at this year's Norfolk County Championships, held at Breckland Leisure Centre in Thetford.By the end of the championships, the Otters had a newly-crowned county champion, five silver medallists, seven bronze and a further 24 top-six finishes, coupled with 40 top-ten finishes.

DISS Otters Swimming Club have once again enjoyed success at this year's Norfolk County Championships, held at Breckland Leisure Centre in Thetford.

By the end of the championships, the Otters had a newly-crowned county champion, five silver medallists, seven bronze and a further 24 top-six finishes, coupled with 40 top-ten finishes.

In the girls' 14-year age group, Katie Nash won the county title in great style when she stormed home in first place in the 50m backstroke final.

In the same event, Elly Osborne claimed third place whilst Maya Harris achieved second spot and the silver medal in the 50m breaststroke.

In the girls' 13-year age group Hannah Blades attained third place with a new personal best in the 50m backstroke and fifth place in the 100m backstroke.

Katie Nash was also successfully placed: second in the 100m individual medley, third in the 100m backstroke, fourth in the 100m butterfly and sixth in the 50m front crawl.

Of the younger competitors, Pippa Rice secured third place in the 400m front crawl and Katie Halmshaw receiving silver for the nine-year age group in the 50m breaststroke, both with excellent personal best times.

In the boys' events, Liam Osborne claimed four top six finishes in four events; 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly, 50m and 100m front crawl.

Jordan King made four top-six finishes in the 100m breaststroke, 50m and 100m backstroke and 50m breaststroke. Ryan Hargrave collected a variety of finishes; second in the 400m individual medley, third in the 400m front crawl and fifth place in the 100m butterfly, 200m breaststroke, 50m backstroke and 50m breaststroke.

First time county swimmer and youngest of the Otters competitors Taylor Bowen secured personal bests in many events, in addition to fourth in the 200m backstroke and fifth in the 200m front crawl, which gave him fourth overall in his age group category.

There were a number of other Otters who gained top-six finishes, including Sophie King, Maya Harris, Francesca Wallace and many personal bests.

Head coach Jamie Rush congratulate the above swimmers along with Ryan Waters, Kirsty Barker, Elly Sarson, Abbie Webb, Lauren Fountain, Jacob Baldes, Dominic Johnson, Iwan Lloyd, Nila Taylor, Sam Murphy, Lauren Smith, Emily Lutkin, Hattie Miller, Emma Halmshaw, Luc Van Rensberg, Sam Neal, Josh Harvey, Liam Harvey, Amber Smith, Mhari Parsons, Caitlin Davy, Tom Storey, Adam Lelean, William Dickinson, Harvey Sarson and Daniel Brooks - who all swam superbly.

Thanks also go to Katie and Shirley Bull for their help on poolside, all of the officials who helped out at the meet including Katie Nash and Sophie King who completed a young officials' course on the last weekend of the competition, and finally to all of the parents who provided great support for their Otters.

Meanwhile, five teams from around Norfolk descended on Diss Swim and Fitness Centre recently for this year's first round of the County Junior Swimming League.

Diss Otters finished third overall and successfully made it through to the higher of the two league finals, competing for the prestigious Copeman Cup.

The first round saw personal bests and an excellent team effort from the Otters, and despite 31 disqualifications across the competing teams on the night, not one was from Diss Otters, which was a superb result. Head coach Jamie Rush was extremely pleased with the young team's swims, and training will commence with the final in mind. Well done to all swimmers.

The junior league allows young and new swimmers to try out their training in competition.

If your child would like to join in the fun and try out with Diss Otters Swimming Club, call the head coach on 07738 427735 to arrange a trial.