Hemel Hempstead Swimming Club celebrated the inauguration of its new scoreboard at its annual Birthday Open last weekend with some impressive performances in the pool.
Starting with the 9/10 years’ age group, Megan Pirrie claimed a fabulous four gold medals in the 100m IM, the 100m breaststroke, the 100m butterfly and the 50m breaststroke.
She was closely matched in the boys’ 9/10 by Thushira Kumarage with golds in the 100m IM, the 50m butterfly and 50m breaststroke and silver in the 50m backstroke.
Max Jelfs, still only 9, scored a fantastic gold in the 50m backstroke, with silver in the 50m freestyle. Ben Garratt took the 50m freestyle gold, whilst Joe Prior scored two silvers in the 100m IM and 50m breaststroke.
Moving up to the 11/12 girls, Paige Wilding enjoyed much success with a gold in the 50m breaststroke, and three silvers in the 100mIM, and 50m and 100m backstrokes. Becky Farrrow also came into the medals with a bronze in the 100m butterfly.
For the 11/12 boys, Lewis Beardsworth was almost unstoppable with four golds in the 100m IM, 50m back, 50m breaststroke and 50m ‘fly, along with silver in the 100m breast and bronze in the 50 freestyle. Luke Ashton meanwhile managed gold in the 100m back and bronze in the 100m freestyle, with Peter Kennett claiming silver and bronze in the 50 and 100m backstroke respectively.
The girls’ 13/14 age group saw Kelsey Doyle victorious in the 50m breaststroke with team mate Hannah Bagley coming second.
In the 13/14 boys, Ranishka Kumarage came second in the 100m backstroke whilst Matthew Sherriff and Liam Patfield took bronze medals in the 50m free and back respectively.
The 15/16 girls saw Lois Moore take the gold in the 50m free and bronze in the 50m ‘fly. Kira Doyle took home two silvers in the 100m breast and 50m back and a bronze in the 50m breast. Suzanne Pitts scored bronze in the 100m free.
Sam Pigott dominated the boys’ 15/16 age group with golds in both the 50m and 100m backstroke, the 100m freestyle and 50m butterfly, and silver in the 50m freestyle. Lawrence Hall picked up silvers in the 50m back and breast and 100m free, with bronze in the 100m breast.
Steffi Huntingford had a good day with three golds in the 17/over girls’ 100m IM, and both 50m and 100m freestyle races.
Paul Mackie took silver in the 50m and 100m freestyle and a bronze in the 50m butterfly.
The day ended with the excitement of the knock-out Skins competition, in which the six fastest 50m freestyle swimmers do battle until only one is left standing. Hemel Hempstead’s Lois Moore and Sam Pigott performed brilliantly to each make it to the last two before going out in the final round.
Congratulations to all the swimmers and to the great team of HHSC volunteers who made it all possible and put on such a slick show.
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