Devon Wins Annual National County Team Championship Event

The National County Team Championships took place on the 6th October 2019 in Ponds Forge, Sheffield. The event kicks off the competitive short course season for many of the swimmers. More than 900 swimmers compete from 36 counties across the country.

The County Team Championships is split into two different divisions, with the event taking place over two short course pools at the same time. One for Division 1 races, and the other for Division 2. The individual events are contested over three age groups, and the races are 100m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, 100m Butterfly and 100m Breastroke. There are also 4x50m Medley Relays for each age groups and a mixed 6x50m Freestyle relay.

Scoring is by place, with first place worth 20 points, second place worth 19 point and third place worth 18. This scoring continues right through to one point for 20th.

Division 1 saw Devon seal their first ever National County Team Championship Crown which ended Yorkshire's three year winning streak. After finishing runners-up in 2017 in Division 2, Devon were promoted to Division 1 where they came 3rd just 12 months ago, Devon finally got their hands on the top prize. This was an amazing achievement.

Devon ended up on 469 points, after winning four races and runners-up in five other races. This left them 30 points ahead of second place. Devon led from the halfway stage having claimed three race wins and four second places.

Division 1, also saw Somerset come 6th place with 386 points and they have said that next year when they return, they aim to get into the top 3.

Division 2, had Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucester and Wiltshire competing. Dorset came 6th with 425 points, Gloucester came 9th with 375 points, Wiltshire came 15th with 259 points and Cornwall came 17th with 240 points.

Massive congratulations and well done to all swimmers who represented their counties, and a big thank you to all our coaches and volunteers who took the time to help out, without you this event would not be able to run.