The weekend of 7th November started what was to be a fantastic month for Sedgefield District 7. They celebrated the success of this first weekend at the last club night before the closure of Newton Aycliffe Pool on 9th November with a host of titles, medals and PB’s from a weekend of galas.
Elizabeth Yaneski became the Scottish and British 1500m Champion at the Scottish Nationals on Saturday 7th November 2015, an incredible achievement for a highly talented swimmer.  Whilst Elizabeth was swimming 13 other swimmers were collecting a host of medals and PBs at the Wear Valley Gala in Bishop Auckland.  Most notable was Niall Coulthard who along with a PB in all 6 of his races also got gold in all 6.  The other 12, Rebecca, Jessica and Daniel Hall, Jamie and Alice Darnton,  Katelyn Craig, Kate Tolley, Leah Smith, Maisie Craggill, Kate Carmichael, Sophie  Wilkinson and Lauren Chatt all had amazing swims and put into practice the work carried out in training.  This was reflected with many of the 12 swimmers getting PBs in all their races.
The success of the weekend of the 7th was followed by another enormous success at the North Eastern Regional Championships which were held at the Sunderland Aquatic Centre on the 21st & 22nd November.
The event comprised of two gala’s running at the same time NER age group and NER senior. The scale of the event was such that many spectators were unable to access the gala.
Competing in the age group gala for Sedgefield 75 were Niall Coulthard, Rebecca Hall and Jessica Hall.
They swam in sixteen events with Niall taking the gold medal in the 200 FS in a time of 2:11: 45. He won bronze in the 50 FS in a time of 28:03 and was placed 5th in the 200 Breast stroke and the 100 FS. Jessica was placed 5th in the 200 Back. They all swam well and in most cases improved on their entry times.
Representing Sedgefield 75 in the senior gala were Matthew Bradley, Hannah Featherstone and Zac Hodgkinson. They competed in twelve events and made a total of ten finals.
Matthew won silver medals in the 50 FS in a time of 23:41 and the 50 Breast in a time of 29:86 He took bronze in the 200 Breast stroke in a time of 2:21 and bronze in the 200 IM with a time of 2:08. He was placed 4th in the 100 Breast.
Hannah took the gold medal in the 200 FS, the 100 FS and the 100 Backstroke. Her times were 2:00:48, 56:07 and 1:01 for the Back .She was fourth in the 400 FS.
Due to the pool closure the preparation was not as we would have liked but they all showed what great athletes they are not only in the way they competed but in the way they supported each other. In every event they improved on their heat time in the finals. A credit to themselves, and to the club.
The importance of this event relates to the forthcoming National Championships to be held at Sheffield 17th December
The club extends its sincere thanks to Durham County Council and all the clubs and pools who have allowed us water time for their support and generosity in accommodating Sedgefield District 75 during the closure of Newton Aycliffe.