Hemel SC’s swimmers ended their Chiltern League campaign with a victory in the final round, which took place on Saturday 26th September at Hemel Sportspace. HHSC are now champions of Division Two and will be promoted to Division One next year.
Despite the summer break, with swimmers not yet back to full fitness, there were a staggering 52 personal best times posted, with eight speeding tickets awarded for exceeding the limits.
The evening opened with a decisive win and a PB for Hannah Bagley in the Open 100m freestyle. Bagley, who scored a total of four PB’s, went on to claim a second victory in the Open 100m breaststroke.
The next seven races all saw PB’s, with Melissa Brandon’s first of four personal records bringing her second place in the 14/u 50m butterfly.
Adam Daniell, yet another four times PB scorer, broke the speed limit in his 50m breaststroke, and managed to break the 30 second barrier in the 50m freestyle relay leg for the first time, skipping straight into the 28’s.
One of four PBs for Sophie Ayres took her to a convincing win in the Ladies Open 100m IM.
Freddie Woodcock’s first of four PB’s saw him breaking the club record previously held by Louis Lander-Deacon in the 100m freestyle in a time of 1.03.38.
Josh Coulson broke three personal records, winning the 12/u 50m butterfly along the way and coming second in the 50m breaststroke.
Arthur Woodcock claimed first in the 14/u 50m freestyle on his way to three PBs, with Rachel Lotts matching his records tally, as well as speeding to victory in the girls’ 12/u 50m butterfly.
Lois Moore also posted three PBs, winning the Open 100m backstroke as well as breaking the 30 second barrier for the first time in her 50m freestyle relay.
Keelin McKenna took the girls’ 10 years 50m backstroke in her second PB of the night, managing to slip home just one hundredth of a second outside the speed limit to claim first place.
Rebecca Farrow and Josh Gaines took the girls and boys’ 12/u 50m 50m freestyle, each breaking their own records. Tom Osborn rounded off the night with a PB to touch first for the team in the Men’s Open freestyle relay, having earlier won the Open 100m breaststroke.
As the youngest member of the squad it fell to Keelin McKenna to lift the trophy at the end of the evening.
For photos of the team and of Keelin McKenna holding the League trophy, go to the photos section of the website.