SENIOR member Jay Lelliott claimed five gold medals for Team Tornadoes of South Dorset at the Taunton Deane Level One long-course open meet.

Lelliott took first place in a host of races with the most impressive being the 1,500m freestyle event, in which he set a new meet record, a Tornadoes’ club record and secured his fifth British National qualifying time. He also set meet records in the 100m backstroke and 200m butterfly. Having achieved his targeted national qualifying times he can now focus on his training in preparation for the British National Championships in late July.

A small team of 13 Tornadoes members travelled to Millfield School for the meet and returned with 31 medals, 12 meet records, 35 personal best times (pbts), three club records and two additional national qualifying times.

Tom Mules achieved gold in the 100m freestyle, silver in the 200m butterfly and in a close fought race with team-mate Lelliott secured gold and a British national qualifying time in the 100m butterfly.

Leading the way for the girls was Jenny Scott with an impressive haul of four gold and two silver medals.

She also achieved a club record in the 50m backstroke and secured five meet records. Scott improved her pbts in all seven events she competed in, demonstrating the progress she has made with coach Phil Daniels at South Dorset.

Daniels said: “Jenny is a very determined and very talented swimmer and although she edges closer to national qualifying times in the backstroke, freestyle and butterfly events this year she is certainly well placed to have a positive shot in the new season.” Isis Hill also demonstrated the progress she has made in joining Tornadoes, winning gold in the 50m freestyle and bronze in the 100m freestyle, both in pbts, and also setting a pbt in the 200m freestyle.

Connor Ward again showed his prowess as a sprinter, setting meet records and winning gold in the 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly events. He also added two silvers following strong performances in the 100m and 200m freestyle events, as well as a bronze in the 50m backstroke. All five events were swum in pbts as he closes in on achieving regional qualifying times.