Butcher destroys 400m freestyle mark by 16 seconds

ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD Cody Butcher smashed the age group record in the 400m freestyle event of the NRG Series staged by the Beau Sejour Barracudas Swimming Club. Touching in 5-17.47 she knocked more than 16 seconds off the record set by Hannah Lamb.

In the same age group, Lotte Parfit also finished well inside the record, recording a lifetime best by more than 12 seconds of 5-29.17, placing second.

Fastest times of the day were recorded by Jonathon Le Noury in 4-15.23 and Robyn Le Friec in 4-41.39, Le Friec's time being a personal best by 1.58 seconds.

In the youngest age group, Harry Parfit and Lydia Cherry were the victors, recording 6-48.45 and 7-00.57 respectively as they swam this gruelling event for the first time.

Miles Munro and Katherine Jensen took gold for the 10-year-olds.

In addition to the record-breaking 11-year-olds, it was in this age group that the greatest improvement in time was recorded by Eleanor Matthews, who improved by 104.25 seconds to place sixth in her age group. The 11-year-old boys' title was won by George Moss in 5-23.07.

Victoria Parfit and Joshua Lewis continue to dominate the 12/13 age group, touching in 4-56.62 and 4-42.39 respectively.

Finally in the 14/15 age group, a time of 4-30.98 was enough to secure maximum points for Matthew Allen and Gemma Nicolle who touched in 5-06.67.