Cheltenham Artistic Swimming Club are celebrating after enjoying great success at the National Combo Cup competition with their four teams sweeping up two silver medals, one bronze, and one fourth place, and finishing an impressive third in the country overall.

The Swim England competition, held at Ponds Forge in Sheffield, saw 800 swimmers from 33 artistic swimming clubs across the country compete throughout the day in categories determined by age group and grade.

CASC’s 13-18 team swam a Pirate-themed routine at the beginning of the day to clinch a silver medal, followed by the 13-15 Magic team who placed a close fourth.

The afternoon saw the youngest swimmers competing in the 12U team with their Ghosts and Ghouls routine achieving bronze. 

Finally, the15-18 Division Two team swam a Super Mario-themed routine, which earned them a silver medal in the most advanced category of the day. 

“I was so nervous leading up to Sheffield but once I was there, I felt part of something big and special and felt reassured when I saw my team,” said 11 year-old Megan Roberts, from the 12U team. “I learnt a lot from the experience and felt so inspired watching the older swimmers.”

To top off the weekend, the following day saw the CASC adult swimmers compete in the National Masters Championships, with nine swimmers competing in a variety of events to win the club three additional bronze medals. 

Jocelyn Butt, Sarah Smith and Sarah Pullan performed solos in their age categories, with Pullan winning bronze.

Pullan achieved another bronze with her sister, Samantha Fancourt, in a duet. 

Finally, the combination team, which included both new and experienced swimmers, also won bronze in their category, with their striking Succession-themed routine.

The success marks the first time CASC has taken part in a national competition since it became an independent club at the beginning of the year.

Having grown over the last 40 years to accommodate more than 80 swimming members aged between seven and 50-plus, it has become one of the largest and most decorated artistic swimming clubs in the South West.

“I’m so immensely proud of what we have achieved so far in our first year as an independent club,” said Samantha Fancourt, vice-chair of CASC.

“Our results at both the National Combo Cup and Masters Championship are better than ever before, and are a clear reflection of the hours of commitment and determination shown not only by our swimmers, but by our team of dedicated coaches, committee members and helpers who volunteer their time and talent to help CASC thrive.”