11 May 2008 - Division 1 Junior Speedo league round 2
Division 1 Junior Speedo league round 2 result: -
1. Thurrock 267 points
2. Hillingdon 219 points
3. Hoddesdon 160 points
4. Enfield 137 points
5. Runnymede 134 points
6. Cheshunt 103 points
Blackshots Leisure Centre was packed to the rafters for round 2 of the Junior Speedo Swimming league. 2007 National finalists Thurrock proved last years success was no flash in the pan as they once again cruised to victory winning an incredible 33 out of 49 events. The junior speedo league provides young swimming talent with their 1st taste of competitive swimming and Thurrock’s youngsters were certainly not overawed by the excitement and noise of the capacity crowd.
The boys 9 year contingent took a clean sweep of wins in their events. Aaron Clarke stormed home to double victory winning the 25m free (16.56) and 25m back (20.60). Team mate Kieron Gore also done the double in the 25m breast and 25m fly (18.41). The duo then combined with Aaron Bearwish and Mason Riddington to win both freestyle and medley relays. Tillie Geggus lead the way for the 9 year girls taking two 2nd spots in the 25m fly (19.88) and 25m back (21.59), while Nicole Mitchell claimed 5th places in the 25m free and 25m breast. Gemma Archer Haley and Hannah Phillips made up the relay places, with the girls recording 3rd place in the medley relay.
The 10 year boys also dominated their events with Bobbie McCarthy swimming to victory in the 50m fly (35.44), James Day winning the 50m free (33.34) and Salaam Motin winning the 50m breast (44.36), Completing the 10 year old quartet was George Epsly who swam to 2nd place in the 50m back (39.68). All four boys then combined to win the medley relay and freestyle relays.
Adding more valuable points for Thurrock were the 10 year old girls. Chloe Bass came home first in the 50m free (34.72) as did Rachael Moore in the 50m back (38.67). Rachael went on to record 2nd place in the 50m breast (45.75), which was emulated by Mollie Merritt in the 50m fly (41.58). The girls then combined with Eloise Lyons to take 2nd place in both freestyle and medley relays.
There was certainly was no lack of victories in the 11 year age group with Thurrock winning all but 2 of the individual events. Joe Brown celebrated double victory in the 50m back (36.06) and 50m fly (34.31). He then combined with George Epsly, Bobbie McCarthy and Salaam Motin to win the medley relay. Fresh from their earlier success, James Day and Salaam Motin, stepped up an age group and recorded impressive 2nd and 3rd places respectively in the 11 year 50m free (32.92) and 50m breast (44.44).
It was then a case of business as usual for the 11 girls, as an impressive series of swims saw Katherine Stephens win the 50m free (31.63) and 50m fly (33.44), Emma Cassidy win the 50m back (34.88) and Amy Gore win the 50m breast (38.49). The clean sweep was completed when the trio were joined by Melissa Cowell and Georgia Mills to win both freestyle and medley relay events.
Last up were the swimmers competing in the oldest 12 year age category. Once again team Thurrock put on a sprint master class winning 10 of the 12 races on offer. For the boys, Gareth Hawkins romped home to win the 50m back (33.41), as did Bradley Clarke in the 50m free (30.44). Sonny Ford made it a hat-trick of wins by touching home 1st in the 50m fly (34.22). Harry Geggus then had a good swim to take 2nd place in the 50m breast (41.05). The four boys then romped home to win the medley relay and were joined by Thomas Head when winning the freestyle relay.
For the 12 year old girl category, the trio of Katherine Stephens, Emma Cassidy and Amy Gore all stepped up an age group to record respective wins in the 25m fly (33.41), 25m back (34.90) and 25m breast (31.12). Also stepping up an age group was 11 year old Georgia Mills who just missed out on 1st place in the 25m free (31.64). The girls were joined by Amy Beardwell-Lacey to complete an emphatic winning streak for Thurrock when they recorded victories in both 12 year relay events.
Thurrock’s victories in rounds one and two of the competition will now see them compete in the M11 regional final, later this year.
Darren Ford
May 2008