IAN KATZ MEMORIAL GALA
12 JULY 2008
Cheslyn Hay is the venue for what we anticipate will be an evening of fierce competition with Phoenix Youth, Chase and Lichfield in attendance. Tonight we are missing one of our key swimmers and I would like to take this opportunity to wish Katie all the very best with her new life in the Spanish sun. Take care Katie and we’re going to miss you loads.
Leading off are our 13 year olds and great swims from Beth Davis and Sam Tromans to put our first 5 points on the total. Our first wins of the night came from our dynamic duo, Ellie Lord and Jack Henderson, on the breaststroke both putting in fantastic performances to put maximum points on the board. Shannon O’Brien put up and great fight but was just beaten into 3rd place.
When Adam Fisher stepped onto the high blocks it was a long way down to the water and losing his goggles didn’t help, but a very gutsy and determined swim from this young man.
Our next double top came from Becky Evans and Harry Lord on the fly. Well done to both swimmers for putting in such excellent performances. Lauren Sanders put in a tremendous effort on the backstroke and with a very exciting finish took the win. Well done Lauren.
Our under 15s freestyle team just missed out on top honours and took 2nd place. Tom Asprey followed suite just missing out on top spot on the backstroke. Excellent effort all round.
With a third of the gala gone we were in third place with 57 points on the board. Phoenix A and Chase had built up quite a lead and so the battle was on!
The middle third showed real depth to the team with 89% of the swimmers being in top 3 places. Graham Harrington putting in a superb swim on the freestyle to finish in 2nd place. Katie Jones was unlucky on the touch on backstroke to finish 3rd, Callum followed suit on his backstroke swim. Adam Horton and Rosie Buswell battled all the way on their fly.
A good section for our breaststrokers with Zoe Hunter, Rich Spoor and Emily Tiano all taking 2nd place in their events and Joe Birnie coming in a close 3rd. Our fly swimmers with Becky Spoor, Alex Thom, Nat Dingley and Jake Knight also coming in 2nd. Well done kids, this was very exciting swimming to watch. The last race of this third saw Harry Lord take to the water on freestyle. This was class swimming from Harry, taking maximum points from this event.
Two thirds of the gala already swum and we are still in third place despite some fantastic swims and the gap is widening, with us now 26 point adrift from the leading team Phoenix A.
What can I say, the swimmers gave it everything. Top place going to our 15 and under medley relay team with Becky Shaw giving the team clear water from the first leg and Jack Henderson, Jon Lee and Becky Spoor maintaining the momentum. Sophie Page on freestyle a clear winner with no other swimmer even close – an outstanding performance Sophie, well done. Becki Cole, swimming up as an Open swimmer, never looked in any doubt of taking maximum points and finishing a second ahead of the competition, well done Becki and a fantastic swim. 2nd place honours went to the Open medley team (Becki Cole, Rich Spoor, Becky Evans and Harry Lord), Becky Shaw and Jon Lee on backstroke; and Emma Pay and Jacob Anson on breaststroke.
I think a special mention must go to our younger swimmers, Amelia Faulkner, Gregg Dimmock, Rosie Buswell, Adam Horton, Alex Westlake and Michael Sedeley. They put in a fantastic effort and showed some real potential. Well done kids.
And so the final points:
Phoenix A 213
Chase 210
Stourbridge 175
Lichfield 114
Phoenix B 65
Our age group of the night by 1 point over the Open swimmers, were the 15s and under. Well done kids, you took 84% of the available points in your age group – an outstanding achievement.
Swimmer of the night – has to be Harry Lord. Well done Harry for some excellent swimming and so consistent.
And finally, down to the gender issue – is it the boys or the girls who claimed the most points on the night? Well ………
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IT’S THE GIRLS!
