20 Apr 2008 - National Qualifying Fest at Crawley
National Qualifying Fest at Crawley
A small contingent of swimmers recently represented Thurrock at the prestigious level one long course spring meet at the K2 leisure centre in Crawley.
This year the meet attracted many of the countries elite young swimmers and as a result top 6 places were hard to come by. Eleven year old William Edwards pupil Amy Gore was certainly not fazed by the competition as she romped home to an amazing 4 gold medal swims, each one a long course NQT. Amy’s success came in the 100m breast (1:23), 200m breast (2:59) and 200 and 400m IM (2:40 & 5:32).
Amy was supported in the 11 year category by Katherine Stephens, who is also having a remarkable season. Katherine was the busiest Thurrock swimmer of the weekend, competing in 6 events in total. Kat picked silver medals and long course NQT’s in the 100m fly (1:14) and 200m fly (2:42) and a bronze in the 400m free (5:04). She then added a further long course NQT in the 400m IM (5:39) and two 5th places in the 100m free (1:07) and 200m IM (2:45).
Seventeen year old Jessica Ford scored a hat trick of medal winning performances. Jess won gold and also claimed a long course NQT in the women’s 1500m freestyle (17:55), silvers in the 800m free (9:28) and 200m breast (2:50) to add to a 6th place in the 200m IM (2:32). Long course NQT’s were also claimed by 15 year olds Molly Epsly in the 800m free (9:29) and Georgina Hunt, in the 1500m free (18:07). Georgie went on to complete a fine weekend when she also claimed bronze in the 400m free (4:38)
The experienced Corringham based Shannon Harrold was also successful in the long distance freestyle events claiming 4th spot in the 800m (9:31) and 6th in the 1500m (18:14).
Other TSC swimmers that tasted top 6 success were 10 year old Bobbie McCarthy who took bronze in the 200m fly (2:56), Ryan Daniels claiming 4th in the 12/13 year 200m fly (2:30) and Emma Cassidy claiming 6th place in the 100m back (1:18). Salaam Motin completed Thurrock’s assault on the top 6 places, swimming to 4th place in the boys 10 years 400m IM (6:00)
Darren Ford
April 2008