17 Feb 2007 - Thurrock Girl Power Takes Essex by Storm
Thurrock's female swimmers put on a dominant display of girl power when the boroughs swim team competed in the 2nd round of the Essex County Swimming Championships at Blackshots Leisure Centre. The borough's strong female contingent swam to an impressive 26 top three places which included an incredible six events where Thurrock swimmers took all 3 places on the medal rostrum.
Thurrock's leading individual performer was recent Jack Petchey award winner, Georgina Hunt who claimed 4 championship titles to add to the 2 won in the previous block of the competition. Georgina and team mates Molly Epsly, Charlotte Lamb and Amy Hatfield all put in exceptional swims to take the lions share of the medals in the girls 14 year age group. The girls dominated the 400m freestyle event with Georgina (4:33.31) just pipping Molly for gold (4:33.62), with Charlotte following up closely to take the bronze (4:39.38). The same trio then replicated this impressive 1,2,3 finish in the gruelling 1500m freestyle, with Georgina and Molly once again only being separated by less than half a second.
Georgina also celebrated victory in the 100m IM (1.11.20) with Molly taking 5th spot (1:14.74). Georgina claimed a final victory in the 200m back (2:30.69), with 5th place this time being taken by Amy Hatfield (2:35.14).
Thurrock's renowned pedigree for producing quality Butterfly swimmers once again came to the fore when the borough's contingent of 13 year old girls produced a master class in Butterfly swimming. The trio of Megan Langridge, Kerriann Chipperfield and Abigail Sayer left other county swimmers in their wake as they claimed the gold, silver and bronze medals in both the 100m and 200m butterfly events. Megan Langridge from Grays won both events (1:10.08 & 2:27.20) with Canvey based Kerriann taking both silvers (1:10.95 & 2:28.99) and William Edwards student Abigail Sayer taking the bronze medals (1:11.37 & 2:30.66).
Thurrock's success did not end there; as both Kerriann and Abigail both achieved the national qualifying standard for the 13 year 200m butterfly and will go on to compete against other elite swimmers in the UK national championships in July. Kerriann also went on to claim a championship title in the 400m freestyle (4:38.15).
Thurrock's contingent of 10 year girls have had an impressive season to date and once again they proved a force to be reckoned with. Leading the way was St Thomas of Canterbury pupil, Rebecca Hayes who produced a stunning 400m freestyle swim and bought home not only the gold medal but also set a new Essex County record (5:14.23). Thurrock once again took a clean sweep of the medals in this event with Katherine Stephens collecting the silver (5:19.26) and Melissa Cowell claiming the bronze (5:21.43).
But it was the girls 10 year 200m backstroke event that was arguably the most exciting race of the weekend with Thurrock swimmers once again taking all 3 places on the medal rostrum. Less than half a second separated the trio of Rebecca Hayes, who took gold (2:51.23), Amy Gore who claimed silver (2:51.45) and Katherine Stephens who took bronze (2:51.65). The girl?s dominance in the 10 year category was completed in the 200m IM, where gold this time went to Chafford Hundred based Amy Gore (2:47.69) and silver to Katherine Stephens (2:52.84). Kayleigh Simms and Rebecca Hayes claimed 5th and 6th places respectively.
In the youngest 9 year age group, Thurrock were well represented by Rose Merritt and Rachael Moore. Rose swam to gold in the 200m free (2:41.87), while Rachael was rewarded with a bronze medal in the same event (2:44.61) and a 4th place in the 100m IM (1:31.41).
Still with the girls and at the other end of the age scale, senior girl power was on show when Shannon Harrold dominated the 800m Freestyle from start to finish to win gold (9:18.08). Shannon also added a 4th place in the 200m butterfly (2:33.14). Sixteen year old Jessica Ford also produced three top 6 finishes, claiming 4th places in the 800m free (9:25.49) and 100m IM (1:10.34) and 6th place in the 100m breast (1:19.77).
Completing Thurrock's female raid on the top 6 places was 11 year Amy Beardwell Lacey who claimed 6th place in the 400m free (5:15.58) and swam an excellent PB in the 400m IM to claim 5th place (5:51.68).
But it was not just Thurrock's female swimmers grabbing the spotlight. Borough boys also played a significant part and collected many points for team Thurrock.
Nine year olds Salaam Motin and Bobbie McCarthy continue to impress in their first year of competition. Salaam won gold in the 200m free (2:42.29) and claimed 2 silvers in the 200m fly (3:21.02) and 100m IM (1:28.14). Bobbie also swam to a treble of top 3 finishes when he took 4th places in the 200m free (2:49.05) and 200m fly (3:28.05) and 5th spot in the 100m IM (1:30.25). Completing the success story for the boys in this age group was Jake Mills who claimed an excellent 6th place in the 200m fly (3:37.37).
11 year old Bradley Clarke from Chadwell shone in the medley events when he claimed 2 silver medals in both the 200m (2:45.24) and 400m events (5:41.73), the latter was an impressive national qualifying time, meaning Bradley will represent the club at the prestigious national?s event later this year.
Thirteen year old Braden Wren from Orsett continued to show his all round versatility when he was rewarded with top 6 finishes in all of his 5 events. Braden claimed silver medals in the 100m fly (1:06.76) and 400m free (4:32.81), two 4th places in the 100m IM (1.11.31) and 200m back (2:29.82) and 5th place in the 100m back (1:12.12). Fellow 13 year old, Charlie Hayes also swam an excellent 100m fly to take 6th place (1:11.96).
At the half way stage of the county championships, Thurrock hold an encouraging 62 point lead, but with 2 more weekends of competition, there is still everything to swim for.
To see full report with pictures please see the link below.
Thurrock's leading individual performer was recent Jack Petchey award winner, Georgina Hunt who claimed 4 championship titles to add to the 2 won in the previous block of the competition. Georgina and team mates Molly Epsly, Charlotte Lamb and Amy Hatfield all put in exceptional swims to take the lions share of the medals in the girls 14 year age group. The girls dominated the 400m freestyle event with Georgina (4:33.31) just pipping Molly for gold (4:33.62), with Charlotte following up closely to take the bronze (4:39.38). The same trio then replicated this impressive 1,2,3 finish in the gruelling 1500m freestyle, with Georgina and Molly once again only being separated by less than half a second.
Georgina also celebrated victory in the 100m IM (1.11.20) with Molly taking 5th spot (1:14.74). Georgina claimed a final victory in the 200m back (2:30.69), with 5th place this time being taken by Amy Hatfield (2:35.14).
Thurrock's renowned pedigree for producing quality Butterfly swimmers once again came to the fore when the borough's contingent of 13 year old girls produced a master class in Butterfly swimming. The trio of Megan Langridge, Kerriann Chipperfield and Abigail Sayer left other county swimmers in their wake as they claimed the gold, silver and bronze medals in both the 100m and 200m butterfly events. Megan Langridge from Grays won both events (1:10.08 & 2:27.20) with Canvey based Kerriann taking both silvers (1:10.95 & 2:28.99) and William Edwards student Abigail Sayer taking the bronze medals (1:11.37 & 2:30.66).
Thurrock's success did not end there; as both Kerriann and Abigail both achieved the national qualifying standard for the 13 year 200m butterfly and will go on to compete against other elite swimmers in the UK national championships in July. Kerriann also went on to claim a championship title in the 400m freestyle (4:38.15).
Thurrock's contingent of 10 year girls have had an impressive season to date and once again they proved a force to be reckoned with. Leading the way was St Thomas of Canterbury pupil, Rebecca Hayes who produced a stunning 400m freestyle swim and bought home not only the gold medal but also set a new Essex County record (5:14.23). Thurrock once again took a clean sweep of the medals in this event with Katherine Stephens collecting the silver (5:19.26) and Melissa Cowell claiming the bronze (5:21.43).
But it was the girls 10 year 200m backstroke event that was arguably the most exciting race of the weekend with Thurrock swimmers once again taking all 3 places on the medal rostrum. Less than half a second separated the trio of Rebecca Hayes, who took gold (2:51.23), Amy Gore who claimed silver (2:51.45) and Katherine Stephens who took bronze (2:51.65). The girl?s dominance in the 10 year category was completed in the 200m IM, where gold this time went to Chafford Hundred based Amy Gore (2:47.69) and silver to Katherine Stephens (2:52.84). Kayleigh Simms and Rebecca Hayes claimed 5th and 6th places respectively.
In the youngest 9 year age group, Thurrock were well represented by Rose Merritt and Rachael Moore. Rose swam to gold in the 200m free (2:41.87), while Rachael was rewarded with a bronze medal in the same event (2:44.61) and a 4th place in the 100m IM (1:31.41).
Still with the girls and at the other end of the age scale, senior girl power was on show when Shannon Harrold dominated the 800m Freestyle from start to finish to win gold (9:18.08). Shannon also added a 4th place in the 200m butterfly (2:33.14). Sixteen year old Jessica Ford also produced three top 6 finishes, claiming 4th places in the 800m free (9:25.49) and 100m IM (1:10.34) and 6th place in the 100m breast (1:19.77).
Completing Thurrock's female raid on the top 6 places was 11 year Amy Beardwell Lacey who claimed 6th place in the 400m free (5:15.58) and swam an excellent PB in the 400m IM to claim 5th place (5:51.68).
But it was not just Thurrock's female swimmers grabbing the spotlight. Borough boys also played a significant part and collected many points for team Thurrock.
Nine year olds Salaam Motin and Bobbie McCarthy continue to impress in their first year of competition. Salaam won gold in the 200m free (2:42.29) and claimed 2 silvers in the 200m fly (3:21.02) and 100m IM (1:28.14). Bobbie also swam to a treble of top 3 finishes when he took 4th places in the 200m free (2:49.05) and 200m fly (3:28.05) and 5th spot in the 100m IM (1:30.25). Completing the success story for the boys in this age group was Jake Mills who claimed an excellent 6th place in the 200m fly (3:37.37).
11 year old Bradley Clarke from Chadwell shone in the medley events when he claimed 2 silver medals in both the 200m (2:45.24) and 400m events (5:41.73), the latter was an impressive national qualifying time, meaning Bradley will represent the club at the prestigious national?s event later this year.
Thirteen year old Braden Wren from Orsett continued to show his all round versatility when he was rewarded with top 6 finishes in all of his 5 events. Braden claimed silver medals in the 100m fly (1:06.76) and 400m free (4:32.81), two 4th places in the 100m IM (1.11.31) and 200m back (2:29.82) and 5th place in the 100m back (1:12.12). Fellow 13 year old, Charlie Hayes also swam an excellent 100m fly to take 6th place (1:11.96).
At the half way stage of the county championships, Thurrock hold an encouraging 62 point lead, but with 2 more weekends of competition, there is still everything to swim for.
To see full report with pictures please see the link below.
