The Midland Short Course Championships 2008.
At Leicester Braunstone.
On the 1st and 2nd of November saw the 2nd short course regional Championships and the clubs 1st main Junior and Senior event of the new season so the pressure to perform was high. This year saw yet another record entry for the club with 16 swimmers gaining entry into the championships, with many swims across the events.
Swimmers in attendance were: Tom Burchell, Becki Cole, Becky Evans, Phil Harrington, G Harrington, Jack Henderson, Harry Lord, Ellie Lord, Anthony Parkes, Sarah Pearson, Jamie Roome, Becky Shaw, Becky Spoor, Richard Spoor and Ellis Ward-Brennan.
Pool action on day one set the standard, with PB’s galore with many swimming not just trimming the edges but smashing their time to pieces! Which for this part of the season still a away from our targeted open meet just shows the effort the squad are putting into their training at the moment. Our first finalist was Phil Harrington swimming a 1 second PB in his 50m BRST great swim! Swim of the day has to go to Jack Henderson who after being ill all week started off with 400m IM, no easy event! Pushing himself hard he swam a fantastic race getting a massive 17 second PB with his just shy of a national time and getting him a Bronze medal! Well done! The next finalist was Harry Lord, he missed out on nationals last year but was quick to set this year right with his first opportunity at his time getting a huge PB and touching in a 53 gaining his national time! Well done! First one of the season! Fantasic 100m FC also followed from Jack touching in a time of 57.40 rather nippy indeed! Next the girls splash and dash, and dash they did with all the girls recording a 29! Well done ladies! 200m BRST was next with yet another final place for Phil gaining another PB. The final man through into the final was Tom Burchell knocking a further second of his PB he set in Oct in the 50m FLY! Well done!
Now the finals: Phil Bronze 50m BRST! Jack 8th 400m IM (swimming it twice in one day is a little harsh!) Harry 7th 100m FC, Phil (again!) 3rd 200m BRST & Tom 5th 50 FLY.
A great first day!
Day 2 arrived, with our tired bones on poolside the swimmers didn’t let up knocking out more incredible times. Harry Lord once again led the way with his first ever dip under 2 minutes for 200m FC but smashing the 2 barrier with a 1.58! A great swim displaying the sheer hardwork and effort Harry has put into his training with a 4 second PB. Not to be outdone, Ellie was hot on his heels smashing her 50m BRST PB getting her into the final 1st for day 2! More BRST saw Jack and Phil again power down the pool Jack finishing in Silver position and Phil into another final for 100m BRST! Back saw Becki Cole challenge her national time for the first time, just touching outside, sure will get it next time! Womens 100m FC saw the return of the sprinters Sarah and Becky Spoor both swam great races pushing from start to end producing some great times! Next 50m FC saw some scary times with Harry once again knocking out another national time, but twitching on the start saw the time not stand, oh well we all now know you can do it, next time its yours! Other scary times were knocked out by the boys with PB’s alround! 100m IM saw a double with Phil and Harry making the final! Another great swim! Finally 50m FLY saw the goodbye of the 32 by Becky Spoor touching in a super PB time.
After sleeping on the concrete floor in the entrance hall our finalists were ready! (You think I’m jokin’!) Ellie up first get the challenge by getting 2 medals for one swim, Bronze in the senior event and silver in the 15’s & under event! Well done! Phil followed just being touched into 4th on the 100m BRST. Finally the IM saw Harry 5th and Phil 7th, but Jack with gold miles ahead of others in the 15’s and under age group.
Overall the success the club gained was superb: one gold medal, one silver medal, 5 bronze, 2 national qualifying standards, 90% PB rate in the swims completed and 52% of all our swims being placed in the top 10 at Regional Level. A fantastic achievement well done everyone!
Stewart
Head Coach.