WEST Dorset Swimming Club’s Zoe Gowers powered to a gold medal in the under-17 mixed relay at the European Pentathlon Championships in Portugal.

Gowers, who is also a member of Dorset Pentathletes’ squad, had been selected to be a part of the Great Britain team competing at the event.

Earlier in the week, she had performed well in the individual competition, finishing as the highest ranked British female athlete in 10th place.

Based on that performance, she was selected along with Oliver Murray – brother of London 2012 Olympic silver medallist Sam Murray – to be in the mixed relay.

Competing against a strong field containing the top 50 under-17 pentathletes from all across Europe, Gowers and Murray started the event with a strong swim.

Gowers posted a creditable time of one minute three seconds for her 100m.

This put the duo into fourth position going into the run and shoot phase.

An exceptional performance by Gowers saw her claw back two positions and hand over to Murray in silver medal position.

His mature display enabled the team to move into first and finish with a deserved gold medal.

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