5 May 2008 - East - Youth 2008

Senior squad swimmers from Thurrock brought home an impressive haul of 11 regional swimming medals, from the East Region Youth Swimming championships in Norwich. Despite having a small squad of only 10 girls and 4 boys, team Thurrock held their own against the other top clubs in the east of England and finished the championships in 6^th place based on overall medal count. 

 

The male quartet of Jason Daniels, Conor Harold, James Mitchell and Tom Ford, all tasted success over the 3 days of tough competition. Jason, collected an impressive bronze in the 15 year and under 200m butterfly final (2:21) and also made 2 other final appearances in the 100m fly (6^th) and 200m back (7^th). Jason also took 5^th spot in the 800m freestyle, finishing closely behind team mate James Mitchell who swam magnificently to take 4^th place (9:15). Fifteen year old Gable Hall student Conor Harold also excelled in his favoured 200m backstroke event claming an impressive 4^th place (2:27). The quartet’s success story was rounded off by 16 year old Tom Ford who claimed 9^th place in the gruelling 1500m freestyle. 

 

Not to be outdone, Thurrock’s senior female swimmers were also on top form, none more so than 17 year old Jessica Ford. Jess continued her success story from last year regional’s, by taking two gold medals, the first in the 400m IM (5:15), the second in the 800m free (9:26). Jess rounded off another fine display of swimming when she collected silver in the 1500m free (18:12) and 4^th place in the 200m IM (2:32). Also competing in the 17 year and over age group was freestyle specialist Shannon Harrold. Shannon used all her experience to bag an impressive hat-trick of silver medals in the middle and log distance freestyle events; (400m, 800m, 1500m). Shannon also took 7^th spot in the final of the 200m free.

 

Sixteen year old Charlotte Delicata also claimed prestigious top 6 places in her favoured backstroke events. Charlotte took 4^th place in the 200m back (2:32) and followed with 7^th place in the 100m event and then took a place on the podium for the 400m IM, collecting bronze in 5:26.  

 

Other Thurrock success stories were 15 year old’s Georgina Hunt and Megan Langridge. Georgina claimed another two long course national qualifying times for the season in the 200m free (5^th, 2:11) and 400m free (4^th, 4:36). She also swam an impressive 50m fly (31.53) and 200m breast (2:55) to take 5^th and 8^th places respectively. Grays school student Megan collected silverware of her own in the 200m fly, taking bronze in 2:29. Megan also placed a credible 6^th in the final of the 100m fly (1:11)

 

Finally, the 14 year Sayer twin duo; Abigail and Danielle also made their mark in the 15 year and under age group. Danielle stormed to bronze in the 200m back, finishing in a long course national qualifying time (2:27) and also took 4^th and 5^th places respectively in the long distance freestyle events; 800m free (9:43), 1500m free (18:26). Meanwhile twin sister Abi made waves of her own in the final of the 200m butterfly, finishing in 4^th place (2:30).

Other Thurrock swimmers that put in credible performances were 15 year old’s Whitney Hard (50m breast), Amy Hatfield (50m back) and 14 year old Kerriann Chipperfield (400m & 800m free) 

Darren Ford

May 2008