There was a strong performance from Hemel swimmers at the first weekend of the new look 2016 Herts County Championships where age group finals have been introduced for all 50m and 100m events in line with British Swimming guidelines. The five sessions saw Hemel win one gold, three silvers and seven bronzes, with 24 other top 8 finishes, 42 personal best times and 12 new Club records.
Congratulations to Eleanor Bevan who took gold in the 200 IM and silver in the 100 breast. Max Jelfs took silver in the 100 back and bronze in both the 200 IM and 100 free, and there were bronzes for Alice Fender in the 100 free and 200IM, Tom Sherriff in the 100 fly and Holly Robinson in the 100 back. Others who achieved top eight finishes were Leanne Abrey, Tilly Beckwith, Jack Christie, Jonny Farrow, Josh Gaines, Millie Herbert, Keelin McKenna, Shona McKenna, Lois Moore, Mattias Morse, Georgia Purkis and Paige Wilding.
New age group Club records were set by Grace Cawley (100 free – a record last set in 2009 and beaten by over 2 seconds), Holly Robinson (100 free, 100 back – another record last set in 2009 – and 100 breast), Millie Anderton (100 back – a record last set in 2006!), Alice Fender (100 free and 200 IM), Eleanor Bevan (100 breast) and Max Jelfs (100 free, 100 back, 100 fly and 200 IM).