Thirteen swimmers from Hemel Hempstead went to Barnet Copthall at the weekend to compete in the Open Novice Meet. The top eight in each event were eligible for for a place in the final and together our swimmers qualified for no less than 19 finals appearances.
Top medal winner was Victoria Fisher (12) who took home two golds for the 100m IM and 50m breaststroke, silver in the 50m freestyle and a bronze for the 50m butterfly.
Team-mate Kate Worrell, also 12, won silver in the 50m butterfly and a bronze in the 50m breaststroke.
Lucy Hutcins (9), following her outstanding performance at HHSC’s club champs, claimed silver in the 100m IM along with two bronze medals for the 50m breaststroke and 50m butterfly.
Other finalists were Kyle Holmes (9) and Tom Worrell (10) who each made it to three finals, with Olivia Adeleke (12) making the top eight in the 50m backstroke.
In addition, on the girls’ front, Rachel Lotts, returning from injury, had to give the 50m butterfly a miss, but still managed to compete in every other event. Yewande Bankole (9) took on the 50m breaststroke and freestyle, Abigail Attenborough (12) stepped up for the 50m freestyle and the butterfly, whilst a rapidly improving Chloe Ware (12) came just outside the top 10 in the 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke, 50m freestyle and 100m IM.
Other young swimmers gaining valuable race experience were James Attenborough, 10, who took on the 50m backstroke, and Joshua Long, also 10, who swam in the 50m freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke races. Ian Niven, aged 9, also competed in the 50m freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke, as well as taking on the demanding 50m butterfly.