NATIONAL ARENA SWIMMING LEAGUE
10 OCTOBER 2009 – ROUND 1
The team:
| Aimee Becki C Beth Bethan Chloe Ellie C Ellie L Emily Katie Laura Lauren C Lauren S Nat Sophie P Sophie L | Aaron Adam Alex Harry Jack Joe B Joe H Matt Michael Myles Nick Rich S Sam K Sam T Tom B Tom Mc |
We always knew this draw was going to be a tough one, especially with the likes of Boldmere and Coventry on poolside. This coupled with the fact that some of swimmers were unable to make it due to illness and other reasons, made my nerves jangle a bit. But we knew we could give them all a good run for their money.
The first 10 events saw us take 4 2nd places with excellent swims from Lauren C and Rich in the 200 IM, and both Open Medley Relay Teams (Becki, Sophie L, Lauren C and Laura for the Girls and Nick, Rich, Tom B and Harry for the lads). The excellent performances from all the team put us lying in 3rd place.
With Boldmere dominating the first places we had to wait until event 15 to put our first win on the board. This came from an excellent swim from Becki who dominated the under 15s Back winning a clear 3 seconds ahead of the 2nd place swimmer. What a swim! 2nd places came from Aimee in the 10-11 Back and Lauren C in the Open Fly. Emily put in an outstanding performance in the Breaststroke to take a well deserved 4 points. With 18 events gone we were still holding 3rd place overall.
Events 19 to 26 again saw some excellent swims. A special mention must go to Joe H in the 10-11 Fly and Nick in the Open back, both securing 5 points in their events. So with just over half the events gone we were now in a clear 3rd place with 102 points.
And the momentum just kept getting better. The second half of the gala we picked up speed. Aaron powered through in the 10/11 Breaststroke; Nat almost took off in the 13s Fly; Rich looked amazing in the Open Breaststroke; Joe H thundered up the pool in the 10/11 Free; Ellie L was just touched out in the 15s Breaststroke; and the 15s medley relay looked awesome (Becki, Ellie L, Beth and Sophie P). Exceptional swims came from Jack on the 15s Breaststroke and Harry in the Open Free both taking superb wins for us – Jack fighting all the way with strong opposition from Coventry and Harry never looking in any doubt, winning comfortably. I also want to give a special mention to Chloe, Ellie C, Bethan, Michael and Alex whose outstanding performances in the relays kept us in the hunt with the points. In event 44 Michael finished so hard he nearly cracked the tiles. Hope the head is OK Michael – what a finish!
The final event of the evening was the Open Freestyle relay. Sam T and Jack both swam up to make up the 6 swimmers. I knew this was going to be a tough ask for the lads. My arm was turning like a windmill trying to get them to the wall – if I could have got in with them I would (but I don’t think I would have helped much!!). In the end even the judges couldn’t decide and gave both Stourbridge and Mansfield joint 2nd place. This was heart pounding stuff and a great end to a fabulous night’s swimming.
So the final scores:
Boldmere 255 points
City of Coventry 228 points
Stourbridge 192.5 points
Mansfield 135.5 points
Solihull 121 points
Stratford Sharks 115 points
In terms of positions in the gala, we scored our points as follows:
|
|
| Boys | Girls | |
| 1st |
| 2 |
| 1 |
| 2nd |
| 7 |
| 7 |
| 3rd |
| 4 |
| 8 |
| 4th |
| 7 |
| 8 |
| 5th |
| 2 |
| 0 |
| 6th |
| 2 |
| 1 |
Age group of the night with run away points is the Open swimmers.
Stroke of the night – our breaststrokers, well done to all of you – this was a great effort. There wasn’t much in this one with our fly and back swimmers giving them a run for their money.
Girls or boys – well it’s the girls again but not by much this time (only 3 points in it) – come on lads, you’re catching them!!
Swimmer of the night was a difficult one to choose because of so many outstanding performances, so many swimmers swimming up, stepping up at the last minute and turning out for me when they weren’t well. In the end I just couldn’t decide so I went for a team – the Open lads (Tom B, Jack, Rich, Sam T, Nick and Harry). This team took an amazing 34.5 points from a possible 42. In the calibre of swimmers we were facing, that’s tops in my book. Well done lads.
Can I just say that to me it has to be STOURBRIDGE all the way – this was a fantastic gala with every swimmer putting in magnificent swims. I was very proud standing on poolside to see every swimmer in that Team putting in gutsy performances and giving it everything they had. This was a fantastic gala to be a part of and thank you all for such fabulous efforts – this truly is a team to be proud of.
I would like to thank my helpers and officials on poolside without whom my job would be impossible and our hosts Boldmere for a great evening of swimming and congratulate them on their outstanding performances.
Jason
