10 Jun 2007 - Regional Age Group Championship
Top swimmers from Thurrock recently travelled east to participate 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, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Suffolk and Norfolk.
Under the guidance of the dedicated and experienced coaching team, led by Chief Coach Alex Morgan, Essex Champions Thurrock have firmly established themselves as one of premier swimming clubs in the Eastern region. Against 35 competing clubs and with a total medal haul of 8 golds, 10 silvers and 16 bronze, only two other clubs collected more medals over the two long weekends of competition.
Thurrock's top performing age group at the championships were the talented group of 10 year olds. The girls or 'famous five', continue to make a name for themselves - between them they collected an incredible haul of 18 medals, a remarkable achievement at regional level.
Melissa Cowell bagged a bronze in the 400m free, with Kayleigh Simms collecting silver in the 200m breast. Chafford based Georgia Mills then bagged two bronze medals in the 100m and 200m free and Rebecca Hayes swam to a full set of colours by taking gold in the 400m free, silver in the 200m back and bronze in the 200m fly. Katherine Stephens added more silverware when she romped home to take gold in the in the girls 200m butterfly and followed up with four silvers (400m IM, 100m fly, 100m and 200m free) and a bronze in the 200m IM.
But it was Chafford Hundred based Amy Gore, who really struck gold, collecting four of them (100m and 200m breast, 200m and 400 IM) and a bronze in the 200m backstroke. These magnificent performances saw Amy crowned with the prestigious top girl award in the 10 year category. It was not just the girls making a name for themselves in this age group. Grays based Joe Brown, also had reason to celebrate as he swam to 2 golds and 2 bronze medals. Emerging talent Joe won both the 100m and 200m butterfly and showed good all-round versatility by placing 3rd in the 200m and 400m IM events.
Thurrock's 11 year old swimmers also tasted medal success with Bradley Clarke, Sonny Ford and Amy Beardwell-Lacey all bringing home medals. Busy Bradley took 2 silvers (200m breast, 800m free) and 3 bronze medals (1500m free, 400m free, 200m IM). Grays based Sonny Ford swam to 2 bronze medals in the 100m and 200m butterfly with Amy bagging bronze in the girls 200m butterfly event.
The final set of medals were brought home by three of by the Borough's talented 13 year old contingent. Not for the first time this season, there was a double dose of success for twins Abigail and Danielle Sayer. Abigail took bronze in the 200m butterfly, with Danielle bagging a well deserved bronze in the gruelling 1500m freestyle. North Stifford based Charlie Hayes completed Thurrock's success story when he swam to 2 silver medals in the 200m fly and 400m IM.
Thurrock?s swimming success at regional level did not end there! Thirteen year old William Edwards student Danielle Sayer recently took part in the ASA East Region Open Water Championships at Whitlingham Country Park in Norwich. Swimming in a cold, dark and deep lake on a cold Sunday morning, Open Water novice Danielle showed versatility and strength to finish 2nd in the 13/14 year 800m event.
Under the guidance of the dedicated and experienced coaching team, led by Chief Coach Alex Morgan, Essex Champions Thurrock have firmly established themselves as one of premier swimming clubs in the Eastern region. Against 35 competing clubs and with a total medal haul of 8 golds, 10 silvers and 16 bronze, only two other clubs collected more medals over the two long weekends of competition.
Thurrock's top performing age group at the championships were the talented group of 10 year olds. The girls or 'famous five', continue to make a name for themselves - between them they collected an incredible haul of 18 medals, a remarkable achievement at regional level.
Melissa Cowell bagged a bronze in the 400m free, with Kayleigh Simms collecting silver in the 200m breast. Chafford based Georgia Mills then bagged two bronze medals in the 100m and 200m free and Rebecca Hayes swam to a full set of colours by taking gold in the 400m free, silver in the 200m back and bronze in the 200m fly. Katherine Stephens added more silverware when she romped home to take gold in the in the girls 200m butterfly and followed up with four silvers (400m IM, 100m fly, 100m and 200m free) and a bronze in the 200m IM.
But it was Chafford Hundred based Amy Gore, who really struck gold, collecting four of them (100m and 200m breast, 200m and 400 IM) and a bronze in the 200m backstroke. These magnificent performances saw Amy crowned with the prestigious top girl award in the 10 year category. It was not just the girls making a name for themselves in this age group. Grays based Joe Brown, also had reason to celebrate as he swam to 2 golds and 2 bronze medals. Emerging talent Joe won both the 100m and 200m butterfly and showed good all-round versatility by placing 3rd in the 200m and 400m IM events.
Thurrock's 11 year old swimmers also tasted medal success with Bradley Clarke, Sonny Ford and Amy Beardwell-Lacey all bringing home medals. Busy Bradley took 2 silvers (200m breast, 800m free) and 3 bronze medals (1500m free, 400m free, 200m IM). Grays based Sonny Ford swam to 2 bronze medals in the 100m and 200m butterfly with Amy bagging bronze in the girls 200m butterfly event.
The final set of medals were brought home by three of by the Borough's talented 13 year old contingent. Not for the first time this season, there was a double dose of success for twins Abigail and Danielle Sayer. Abigail took bronze in the 200m butterfly, with Danielle bagging a well deserved bronze in the gruelling 1500m freestyle. North Stifford based Charlie Hayes completed Thurrock's success story when he swam to 2 silver medals in the 200m fly and 400m IM.
Thurrock?s swimming success at regional level did not end there! Thirteen year old William Edwards student Danielle Sayer recently took part in the ASA East Region Open Water Championships at Whitlingham Country Park in Norwich. Swimming in a cold, dark and deep lake on a cold Sunday morning, Open Water novice Danielle showed versatility and strength to finish 2nd in the 13/14 year 800m event.