26 Apr 2008 - National Times keep rolling in
National Times keep rolling in
A handful of TSC swimmers recently travelled south to compete in a gruelling long course distance meet at Aldershot Garrison pool. Thurrock swimmers were once again in electrifying form as five more NQTs were achieved in swimmings toughest events; the 800m and 1500m freestyle.
First up for Thurrock was 12 year Bradley Clarke from Chadwell. Bradley cruised to victory (18:21) in the 1500m freestyle swimming well inside the 12 year national qualifying standard. Katherine Stephens emulated this success also claiming top spot and a NQT in the 11 years 1500m freestyle (19:36).
Freestyle specialists Melissa Cowell and Georgia Mills made it a hat-trick of NQTs for the 11 year olds when they dominated the 800m freestyle. Only one second separated the pair with Melissa taking gold in 10:24 and Georgia the silver in 10:25. The final national qualifying time of the day was a achieved by 14 year Alex Delicata, who swam an impressive 800m freestyle to take gold in 9:11.20.
Finally, spare a though for 15 year James Mitchell and 11 year Rebecca Hayes. James swam the race of his life to take silver in the 15 years 800m free, only to miss the NQT by less than half a second! Meanwhile, Rebecca collected silver in the 11 years 1500m freestyle (19:50), swimming 14 seconds inside the NQT, but will ineligible to swim at Nationals as an 11 year old, missing the cut off by one day.
Darren Ford
April 2008