16 Jun 2008 - REGIONAL AGE GROUP CHAMPIONSHIP
REGIONAL AGE GROUP CHAMPIONSHIPS
Talented Thurrock swimmers between the ages of 10 adn 14 recently travelled east to the University of East Anglia to compete in one of the premier swimming events of the year; the Regional Age Group Swimming Championship. Thurrock Swimming club are affiliated to the Eastern region meaning borough swimmers were competing against the very best swimmers from the counties of Essex, Cambridgeshire, Herfordshire, Bedfordshire, Suffolk and Norfolk.
Team Thurrock once again confirmed their status as one of the premier swimming clubs in the Eastern region, bringing home an impressive medal haul of 9 gold's 17 silvers and 17 bronse medals over two weekends of intense and highly competitive swimming.
Thurrock had 7 swimmers competing at this level of championship for the first time and the youngsters, all competing in the 10 year age group, all had successful swims. Rainham based Rachael Moore, picked up an amazing seven 4th places, but overcame any disappointment of just missing out on silverware when she took gold in the 400m free (5:18) and silver in the 400m IM (6:16). Competing inthe same age group was Eloise Lyons, who made the final in the favoured 100m and 200m breaststroke events.
For the 10 year old boys, the quartet of Bobbie McCarthy, Salaam Motin, James Day and George Epsly, all marked their regional debuts with memorable swims. Bobbie swam to a hat trick of silver medals in the 100m and 200m fly (1:18 & 2:53) and 200m IM (2:46). He also claimed two bronze medals in the 400m IM (5:57) and 400m free (5:13). close rival Salaam Motin also in fine form, collect bronze in the 200m breast (3:18), 4th in the 200m IM (2:54) and four 5th places in a range of different events. Chafford based James Day swam two back to back lifetime bests to claim a well deserved bronze in the 100m fly (1:20), as did George Epsly who took the bronze in the 200m fly (2:53). George completed a fine championship with 4th places in the 400m free (5:16) and 400m IM (6:06).
Thurrock's sole representative in the boys 11 year age group was once again Grays based Joe Brown. Joe brought home a full set of medals, winning the 200m fly (2:47), finishing 2nd in the 100m fly (1:19) and 3rd in the 200m IM (2:48).
Thurrock's contingent of 11 year old girls remains one of the strongest in the region, and it was not surprise when team mates and friends Amy Gore and Katherine Stephens took the top two spots in the 11 year girl BAGCAT points table. Gore narrowly piped Stephens to take the title for the second year in succession, together with a hat trick of gold's in the 200m breaststroke (2:54), 400m IM (5:34) and 200m IM (2:37), two silvers in the 200m free (2:22) and 100m breast (1:22) and two bronze medals in the 400m free (5:04) and 100m free (1:06).
Not for the first time the season, Katherine Stephens was Thurrock's busiest swimmer in the competition and finished on the podium an amazing eight times, with one gold in the 800m free (10:18), five silvers in the 100m and 200m fly (1:14, 2:38), 400m IM (5:39), 100m free (1:06) and 1500m free (20:02) and two bronze medals in the 200m free (2:23) and 200m IM (2:41).
Talent in the 11 year old category is not hard to come by as Melissa Cowell, Emma Cassidy and Rebecca Hayes also had their share to success. Melissa swam a magnificent 1500m freestyle (20:04), but endured the heartbreak of missing the national qualifying standard by a mere finger nail; less than two tenths of a second. There was some consolation for Melissa though, as her swim earned a prestigious bronze medal. Emma was not to be outdone claiming 4th place in the 800m free (10:26), to go with final qualification in the 100m back (4th 1:14), 200m back (5th, 2:43) and 200m free (7th, 2:27).
Grays Convent student Rebecca Hayes completed the line up for the 11 year girls. Freestyle specialist Hayes, stormed to victory in the 1500m freestyle and a set a new regional best time in the process (19:43). Not content with just a gold, Rebecca also took silver in the 800m freestyle (10:19) and finished 4th in the 200m fly (2:52). It was in fact a remarkable weekend for th Hayes family, as Rebecca's 14 year old brother Charlie also celebrated his best ever championships, bringing home two regional titles and two long course national qualfying times in the 400m IM (5:01) and 200m fly (2:19). Charlie then took 200m breast (2:46) and 200m back (2:25).
Thurrock had three representative in the 12 year category; Gareth Hawkins, Sonny Ford and Bradley Clarke. As expected, Ockendon based Gareth qualified for the finals in both his favoured backstroke events, finishing 5th in the 100m (1:14) and 7th in the 200m (2:39). William Edwards student and Butterfly specialist, Sonny Ford swam back to back personal bests in the heats and final to claim bronze in the 100m fly (1:12) and it was business as usual for team mate Bradley Clarke. Hassenbrook student Bradley swam to silver in the 400m IM (5:31), two bronze medals in the 1500m free (18:36) and 200m fly (2:41), 4th place in the 800m free (9:45) and 5th places int he 200m free and 200m IM.
Competing in the eldest 14 year age group were duo Alex Delicata and Ryan Daniels. Ryan set a new long course lifetime best in the 200m butterfly (2:25), a swim that earned him a regional bronze medal. The durable Alex Delicata continued the versatility he has shown all season when he claimed silvers in the 400m free (4:24), 400m IM (5:12), 4th places in the 200m free (2:07) and 200m fly (2:26) and 5th places in the 200m IM (2:27).
A fine championships for the reigning Essex County Champions was completed with good swims from 10 year olds William Manning, Kalaam Motin and Ashley Clarke and 13 year old Emily Neal.
DARREN FORD
JUNE 2008