The start of 2023 saw some wonderful swims in the County Championships with swimmers achieving 120 medals overall, including 9 in the relay races. 38 new club records were set and 2 swimmers achieved the Top Swim Award: Daniel De Filippo for 14 year boys and Eva Jackson for 11 year old girls. A number of swimmers also managed to get Regional Qualifying times which is a great achievement and went on to swim at the Regional events in May.
Over the May Bank Holiday weekend Harrison Shaw, Oscar Sherwani, Max Thomas, Lily Farr Ida Corcoran and Abgail Wickens competed at the East Region Championships in Norwich, with Harrison Shaw winning 3 bronze and Abigail Wickens 1 Gold, 2 Sliver and 3 Bronze. The following weekend our younger swimmers got a chance to perform: Niamh Bunker, Daniel De Filippo Sophie Kelly, Eva Jackson, Lucas Moxon-Booth, Yasmine Ollerenshaw, Elise Timms & Hudson Sherwani. It was a great experience for all. Niamh, Lucas and Yasmine have to be commended for getting into the top 8 in their swims, along with Daniel De Filippo for his Bronze Medal as well as his top 8 finishes.
Another regional performer we have to mention is Joe Vesztrocy. Joe has been selected for the Regional Water Polo team and for the Swim England Water Polo talent programme. As a result he has been awarded his County Colours for his exemplary performance in the sport.
We cannot finish without mentioning our Masters’ swimmers. Over the weekend of the first week in June 7 of our Masters competed at the British Masters’ Long Course Championships in Sheffield. Between them they won an impressive 12 National Medals (7 Golds, 2 Silver and 3 Bronze) and 11 Records (1 European, 2 British, 1 East Region & 7 County). Star billing has to go once again to Liz Woolner with her 4 golds and 4 records ( 1 European, 2 British & 1 Regional), Thomas Allen was next with 2 Gold, 1 bronze , then Ian Murray (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze, 1 county record). In their first National swims we had Sam Fox (1 Silver, 1 County Record), & Alistair Shaw (PBs, 1 County record), Jaye Western PBs and Megan Jones who had 4 swims gaining 4 County records. Two of these masters now feature in the world and European rankings. Liz Woolner has an amazing 8 World top ten rankings (3 LC & 5 SC) & 13 European top ten rankings (4 LC and 5 SC) and Ian Murray is in the European top 10 for his Long Course 1500. The club is so very proud to have such inspirational swimmers within its midst.
